Doggone Academy

Chapter 102 Circulatory System (4)

Chapter 102 Circulatory System (4)

The day after returning from Rigved, Iris called me aside before the morning classes.

We stood facing each other in an empty hallway, where the lack of people matched her expression and the tense atmosphereit was clear that this wouldnt be a pleasant conversation.

When a group leader pulls you aside for a quiet talk, it typically only meant one thing. I had already come to terms with the inevitable.

Iris seemed unused to this kind of confrontation, hesitating for a long while.

Feel free to say anything, its okay.

Ah, yes Last night, after dinner, Polson, Lysander, and I had a discussion. It seems our group might need a spirit mage after all.

Go on.

We have two from the Combat Department, so we decided to let one go and invite a spirit mage instead.

You mean to kick me out and free up a slot?

Yes.

Iris must have known the importance of having a spirit mage. Until yesterday, she acted as if she would lead us all, but her sudden change of heart made it obvious that Polsonor whoever he washad coerced her.

Full of guilt yet without uttering an apology, she stood before me.

I understood. Shuffling group members was part of the lesson. Theres no moral obligation involved, and I had no intention of holding a grudge or casting blame.

However, my impression of Iris changed slightly. I needed to build a circle of dependable colleagues, and for a brief moment, I thought Iris could be one of them. But upon seeing her easily swayed, that sentiment evaporated.

You can follow the plan I suggested and you should be able to get a good grade. And

Is that all you wanted to say? May I leave now?

Ah, yes! Take care.

I left the spot.

Had I been expelled yesterday, joining another group would have been easy, but now that most groups were at full capacity, my situation became awkward.

Maybe this was for the best. Id rather decline participating in a group than go through the complex process of aligning opinions. Applying Zverevs theories in the practicum is a gamble. Who would want to follow an uncertain path, toil in hunting, and stomach things theyre not used to?

There was only one day left to prepare. I planned to spend the remaining time poring over books to memorize the traits of the plants and animals inhabiting the circulatory system. Since Id be preparing alone, Id have to put in twice the effort.

***

The second circulatory system class was scheduled for the morning. The grouped students were easy to spot, huddled in fours around the lecture hall.

Then Trisha and her group entered and glanced back and forth between me and Iriss group. Noticing I was sitting alone at the back, she silently took her seat, presumably guessing the situation.

A while later when Professor Rakam entered the classroom, the previously lively atmosphere quieted down immediately.

But it wasnt just the professor and assistants who arriveda girl followed close behind him, causing students to gape in surprise.

It was Luna, who we thought would be absent from this lesson.

She appeared to be in better health, fortunately.

Professor Rakam prefaced the class with a brief introduction.

Ah, this student was delayed joining us due to an external mission. If anyones group is still incomplete, take note of her. She is the top student from the Magic Department, so I trust shell do well. Go ahead and take a seat.

He implied more than just paying attention to Luna. Every student eyed her intensely as she nodded to Rakam and crossed the amphitheater-style classroom.

Several students murmured to each other as they watched her. Some girls who knew Luna greeted her as she passed by.

Watching this scene unfold, a chill went down my spine.

Luna was avoiding her friends and coming towards the back row where I sat.

Must be my imagination, I thought, repeating it to myself, but when Luna stopped right at my row, I turned my head pretending not to see her.

Luna moved past several seats and settled three spots away from me.

Neither of us exchanged greetings, though I couldnt shake the feeling that, perhaps it was her way of showing delight to sit near me.

The Guardian Tree of Eternia looked different from when I had last seen it.

The leaves that were withering away had fallen, turning to mulch on the ground, replaced by gray buds sprouting from the branches.

Beneath the trees shade, a girl with golden hair stood with her back to me.

Luna had fixed her gaze on the Guardian Tree and hadnt turned around once, but her awareness was sharp enough to detect my presence. She spoke without looking my way.

The curse is finally lifted. The Guardian Tree is recovering quickly.

There was a buoyancy in her voice.

Thats a relief the efforts werent in vain.

Knowing my efforts hadnt been wasted brought ease to my mind.

But there are still remnants.

Are the psychic entities still bothering you?

Yes

Blood rushed to my head, but I calmed myself and spoke evenly.

Just wait. Forget the practicum or whatever, today we need to uproot them completely

As I reached for my sword, Luna quickly corrected herself.

No, not those. Um its similar beingskeen on forming a working group, constantly following me around.

She seemed tense and a touch of cunning lined her words, likely premeditated.

I was expelled this morning.

Finding courage, Luna suddenly turned and extended her hand for a shake, forcing out the words.

So, will you join forces with me?

I observed Lunas hand. Her face was calm but her arm tensely rigid and her fingertips tremble slightly. An awkward silence hung in the air.

If you team up with me, you might have to half give up on the grades, is that okay?

It doesnt matter.

Camping is going to be uncomfortable too.

Thats fine.

That settled it. Curiosity tempted me to jokingly refuse just once to see her reaction, but if I did, she might hate men forever, so I resisted.

There was no reason to decline the best spirit mage. The fact she offered help in a way that implied it was for my sake felt considerate and agreeable.

I reached out and accepted her handshake.

But as our hands met, Luna squeezed her eyes shut and grimaced.

Sensing something unusual, I narrowed my eyes.

This expression, I had seen it often in childhoodthe one girls made when they lost a bet and were forced to touch a frog.

Unable to endure it, Luna withdrew her handshake and turned her back to me.

With a sense of impending worry, I asked.

Did someone from above make you form this group with me?

Luna denied it flatly.

Absolutely not.

Though I remained suspicious, it might just be her uneasiness around men I decided to believe that, for now.