Sword, Magic and Academic Society-Chapter 218Vol. 1 - - Old Highway --- #continuation

The journey by carriage was an easygoing one.

As long as we retain our current pace, we should be able to make up for the time we had spent on Donco Village.

But creating a striking contrast to the pleasant wind of the trip, the air inside the carriage was rather stuffy.

The culprit was, obviously, the earlier incident where Lala drummed up the 'I have something to tell' phrase in a dramatic way while my parents and Schord were within hearing range.

We might be classmates, but we never had any meaningful conversations or outings so anticipating a confession wasn't even that last thing in my mind. Yeah, there's no way my heart ever skipped a beat, my voice croaked, suddenly broke out into nervous sweat or knees jerking, Nope, I could never.

So, I really, really didn't get it when my parents gave me a compassionate gaze, or Schord teaching me philosophy of life, like 'if not now, there will always be many chances later.'

Like, c'mon, I am completely alright!

All I did was visit the grave of the person who saved my mother’s life and help search for a missing child. Why do I deserve this kind of treatment?

Lala’s a good person. I genuinely wish her the best.

And Doll? Yeah, he’s a decent guy, too. Though my heart will never support him ever!!

You ask why the disparity? It's simple—that boy is popular as heck!

He wasn't some hunk in making—rather his face appeared like a burdock to me—and yet, I have never seen him without girls frolicking around him in the Emission Magic Research Club.

Sure, he might just be easy to talk to, which explains why he has so many female friends, but still—it’s infuriatingly enviable.

Me? I’m as normal as they come, but for some inexplicable reason, people think I’m weird. And maybe it’s because Fey and Jeu were always hanging around me, but girls from other classes don’t even bother approaching me. They won’t even make eye contact!

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What kind of unspoken rule was this?!

And then there’s Doll. Alright, he’s in Class-A of the Royal Academy, serves as the vice-president of the magic research club, has that approachable charm, got common sense, a good sense of humor, a kind personality, and despite the crazy stuff... wait, uh… he also don't get carried away, and don't even flaunt. Huh...could it be, that burdock face is actually an all-rounder?!

I shook my head violently, trying to erase that thought from my mind.

Anyway, I am surprised Lala has a crush on Doll.

I honestly never caught wind of this, but both of them are from baron family, and he's the second son among three siblings, so maybe... they made for quite a match...?

...................Anyway, it’d be pretty childish of me—a former 36-year-old in my past life—to get in the way of someone’s earnest romantic endeavors.

If anything, I should be the idol citizen and watch over their youthful struggle with warm eyes.

Hmm? No, this doesn't mean I am also cheering for Doll. It's just... Lala is a good girl. I *might* give her a helping hand if Doll shows wishy-washy nature.

Kukuku.

With the support of I, the Great «Love Guru» Allen Rovenne who has memorized the super popular «Secrets to being a Popular Men» book by heart, it should be a cinch—!

◆◆◆

In a certain rundown inn town.

As was their daily routine, Bellwood and Cecilia went out for their morning stroll.

"Hmm, it's quite a splendid forest. How are you feeling, Cecilia? A long trip isn't an everyday matter, so do tell me if anything is wrong."

Bellwood hurled a concerned glance at Cecilia, and Cecilia gave a short giggle.

"You have been looking after me each day, so of course I am alright. But thank you for your concern, Bell."

However unconvinced, Bellwood took Cecilia's hand, pulling her closer, and gently placed his hand on her forehead. He carefully checked her eye color, the inside of her mouth, pulse rate, and other signs, thoroughly assessing her health.

Then, he made her drink a mixture of powdered medicine and water.

In this way, the morning walk was the couple's alone time to also check on Cecilia's health. As for why they would do that? It was to not cause Allen, who had suddenly become quite an expert in detection magic, worry.

Cecilia might have informed Randy that her disease had been healed, and she was right. It was resolved, just that she skipped the complete truth. And that was—she wasn't completely cured.

Or, a correct way to put it would be she didn't let herself be completely healed.

It was a decision made by Cecilia herself.

There were two reasons for this.

First, she couldn't bring herself to be the only one among so many lives who were struggling with the same disease, while she knew there exist ingredients that could work out in saving them.

The material might be lacking in amount, but there was enough for Cecilia to be healed alone. However she refused to be the only special one to use them.

And another, but main, reason was Bellwood had required a test subject to test out the effect of his research medicine.

Even if they successfully grew the materials artificially, they would still need to confirm whether it could deliver the same results as the natural materials. They would need to figure out how to process it so that it could be distributed effectively. To do all this, a test subject afflicted by the disease was essential.

The suffering the disease caused Cecilia’s body was indescribable, but since the existence of the cure could not be revealed, there was no way to gather volunteers for the trials. Thus, she had been carrying the burden of the mission herself.

Until the artificially grown up means were completed, she wouldn't let herself BE cured. This was the conclusion young Cecilia reached, and not even many persuasion from Bellwood managed to budge her.

On the other hand, this wasn't the only thing she lied to Randy about. The other discrepancy in her statement was that their kids never contracted the disease.

"...Well, after that slip-up about grape-eggplant, Rose must have already figured out the situation."

Bellwood could only give me a wry expression when Cecilia mentioned it.

Roselia had never liked grape-eggplant. Her parents weren't fussy about eating habits either, so they typically didn't say anything, but once there were signs of her health decline, the same parents forced her to take them no matter what she had to say. Such an incident shouldn't be forgotten by her.

But on the other hand, it was this incident where they had the complete assurity that grape-eggplant could indeed completely cure the disease.

"...Once the research advances, it was just a matter of time before she get the wind either way."

Bellwood said, and Cecilia sighed in response, nodding.

"I didn’t want to burden her with the same fate... But with how she decided to cut short her much-anticipated journey with Allen and stay behind in Rabeldin, she must have tackled the problem in her own way. Well, she may truly be interested in researching the tower, but, after all..."

As Cecilia spoke, Bellwood narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

"Allen is the same, but Roselia has also matured quite a lot. It’s a bit harsh for a child with such a deep heart, but... I can only believe in her, she will surely overcome it. I'm not worried about her though. She's strong, and noble-minded, just as I would expect from your child."

Bellwood's slightly playful tease at the end slightly easened Cecilia's expression.

"I believe in her too. She is our child, after all... yours and mine."

◆◆◆

At long last, we left behind the Seven Spear Mountains, but the long journey continued.

Our current stoppage was a rather rundown inn town. But I could guess it must have been a bustling place once upon a time. The remnants of its past still lingered in sight, making the fleeting nature of human life feel even more poignant, giving the landscape a bittersweet charm.

Initially, my plan was to part with my parents a bit earlier, which would have allowed me to reach Dragreid a step earlier, but eventually, I decided to continue with them till the Moonlit Viscounty, our neighbours separated by a mountain between the two territories.

I felt it would be quicker this way, in the end.

Moreover, Moonlit Viscounty was also the home of lil' Dui.

He had said he would be returning to his home for the spring break, and I would bet my money that that magic car nerd would also bring along the fuselage.

Standard four-wheeled magical vehicles were a hassle to maintain and require specific road conditions, which was why they haven’t really caught on around here yet. But the magical motorcycle the magic club was developing had been designed specifically for rough terrain, with frequent improvements for better performance, and it’s also easy to maintain—an important feature.

Honestly, I would be barely on schedule for the Dragreid with your typical carriages. But, if I could get the bike from Dui, I could cut down some slack for myself.

Well, if he turned down, It would be a bit of a stretch, but I could still make it in time by using night time to run across the route.

And more than that, I’ve also been curious to see the town where Dui grew up.

After parting ways with my parents in the small town along the Moonlit Viscount’s territory, I made my way toward Thales, the neighboring town where the Moonlit Viscount’s mansion was located.

The route went along the farm roads, where the wheat fields were beginning to sprout.

I walked along a peaceful country road, where wheat fields were beginning to sprout in the distance.

Thales, too, was a rather lax town, reminiscent of Dui's innocent face, where time seemed to move slowly.

I headed to the center of town, where the Viscount’s mansion stood, and got ready to shout “Lil' Dui, let’s hang out~!” with excitement, —but, before I could, my gaze caught the bike parked on garden, and the words rolled back ok my mouth with a gulp.

I did find bike there, but lo and behold, there were as much as five of them, all sparkling like new. Meanwhile,I could hear the familiar giggles of Magic Car Club resounding in the direction of the courtyard.

Just as I was about to call out, I stopped in my tracks, stunned by what I saw parked in the garden.

Five magical motorcycles, gleaming and perfectly polished, were lined up in front of me.

In the vast backyard of the estate, I could hear the cheerful, familiar voices of the magic club members laughing and playing.

"……EXCUSE MEEEEE!!!"

At the entrance, I raised my voice like a contender entering the scene to challenge Dojo.

T/N - Sorry for the delay guys, had internet problem for a while. I was behind two chapters (3 including friday's) from earlier weeks, so this covers the two of them. Remains last, I will cover it next week. Sorry, and thanks for your patience!