The Distant Trail Of Ciara Badvia

The Saria Magic Academy
Part 6: A Disquieting Shadow

A WALK IN THE SCHOOL WITH MISTY

“It’s true, then. Everyone’s sneaking glances at you, huh?” Misty let out an impressed sigh as she walked alongside Tyril.

“Please don’t take this lightly.” Tyril pouted. “This is really troubling for me.”

She hunched her back and bowed her head, as if shielding herself. Today was Light Day, which meant no morning classes. She didn’t have to stroll down the hallway like this and catch people’s stares, yet here she was anyway. The fact that Misty was taking all this in stride only made Tyril sullen.

Although, Misty must’ve had plans for today as well, but now she was worrying over Tyril and took the time out from her own studies to come on a walk around the campus like this. Tyril thought she herself was being selfish, but…

“It’s fine,” Misty had said with a cheerful grin. “I always study hard, anyway. As long as I tell the teacher that I have something important to do today, they’ll easily let the occasional absence slide.”

Tyril felt incredibly grateful to her roommate for this and thus couldn’t be upset with her. That said, the numerous curious looks piercing her back—many of which were nasty, she could tell—was starting to wear her down.

“Well, you’ve really become famous all of a sudden. I’m proud to have you as my roommate.”

“Oh, don’t say such silly things. Can’t you put yourself in my shoes for a bit?”

Misty kept making lighthearted and relaxed remarks. Unusual for her. Initially, Tyril thought it was to not worry her further, but this seemed excessive. Her friend also looked cool and refreshed, like she was strolling through a bustling and renowned tourist spot. Tyril couldn’t find even a hint of an ulterior motive, which only deepened her confusion.

Tyril tilted her head at the sight. What on earth is with her…?

“Really, for a top-notch institution, this place is filled with idiots.” Misty sighed heavily and meaningfully. “So, any idea where those idiots you picked up are?”

“Picked up…? Oh. Those three?”

“Yeah, the shameless trio.”

“I don’t really know…” Though the three did say they often had classes together, Tyril had no recollection of ever seeing them. “Apparently, they were present during yesterday’s practical class, so I think they’ll be in the summoning practical tomorrow, too.”

“Tomorrow?” Misty muttered. “No, it’ll be too difficult to slip in during a practical class… Hmm… If I at least knew their names, I could try hunting them down…”

For the umpteenth time, Tyril tilted her head and glanced at Misty as she muttered to herself. “What will you do if you find them?”

“It’s obvious. I’m going to give them an educational lesson so they never dare speak like that again.”

“What? An e-educational…?”

“Good grief… They have the gall to blackmail you and ruin your reputation when they don’t even hold a candle to you. I’ll straighten them out a bit and make them face the consequences. I hope they’re prepared…”

A silent smile played on Misty’s lips. It was cold enough to send shivers down Tyril’s spine.

Once in a while, Misty would display this side of her. It must be just the way she is. That these bouts of coldness were surfacing for Tyril’s sake made her happy.

The other day, during her theology class in the Third Classroom Building, a mysterious young man had exposed her origins. It was on the second floor of that building where they were now taking a leisurely walk. Even that, however, was enough to garner such attention that Misty noticed.

Soon, the time came for them to discuss what to do about it, although it was possible her roommate didn’t have particularly good suggestions in mind either.

“For now, how about we go somewhere we can sit down? Maybe the cafeteria?” Misty suggested, likely so they could speak with more ease. Tyril nodded in agreement.

This was the first time she had gone to the unnamed student cafeteria with Misty. It was still a little past ten in the morning, so there wasn’t the usual crowd, only two or three groups that were having a casual conversation while sipping tea, much like the both of them will.

They picked an inconspicuous four-seater by the wall and a potted plant. Misty went and ordered two coffees at the counter and brought them over, gently stopping Tyril when she started toward her wallet in a rush. This happened often between them, but still, Tyril felt apologetic.

“Well,” Misty said, “you’ll just have to endure the stares from around us for a while. If these people don’t approach you, they’ll eventually lose interest after a look or two. No need to worry; you’ll be just fine.” She took a sip of the weak but black coffee, let out a deep sigh either to cool her mouth or for the circumstances they were in, and looked at Tyril. “The real problems are those messing with you. Those stupid girls… It’d be fine if they were all talk, but there’s also a possibility that they might get physical.”

“Yeah…” Tyril replied listlessly, staring at the steaming coffee.

Her stomach tied itself up in knots at the thought of those girls from yesterday. She wished to never see them again, but that was a pipe dream when they attended the same school and took the same classes. By tomorrow’s practical class at the latest, her eyes would inevitably be drawn to the trio. They might even approach her then.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

Yes, it’ll happen like that. Exactly… like… that?

Tyril, so immersed in her agony, took a while to realize that that voice was actually real, and that Misty was responding to it. Slowly, she shook off the fog and saw who the speaker was and their face as they stood beside the now lukewarm coffee.

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MTL/N: But why were they walking around the school in the first place???

For more from the author, visit:

Narou: https://mypage.syosetu.com/1258514/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/inui_takafumi

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Glossary: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_D4XF1ID8j7zti3pG-fqtcd0h0T9aZHK_CXsCrr5gwY/edit?usp=sharing
Revisions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jS9QeSLaJfl6P_-Gl-zAY0dnKPep3or9fUl-HPukc9g/edit?usp=sharing