Bonus chapter thanks to '@HarvestedSoul' for subscription to 'Sorrow' tier on Ko-fi.Tragedy always
After roughly organizing our sleeping arrangements, we headed to the showers located near the base camp to wash up.
As I soaked my fatigue-ridden body in the hot water, I could feel the tension in my muscles gradually easing away.
"Wow~ These facilities are great~"
"Yeah, not bad at all."Golden Boy and I mumbled to each other as we stepped out of the showers.
For a temporary facility on an island, it was unbelievably clean and luxurious.
I heard they were built directly by the Academy for these field trips...
No matter how I looked at it, it felt like a colossal waste of money.
Why would they build showers just for a few field trips a year?
I shook my head in disbelief at the Academy's lavish spending as we returned to our tent.
"So, how are we going to handle the night watch?""Night watch?"
Golden Boy asked as I sat down on my sleeping bag to finish drying my hair.
I frowned at his question.
"Night watch...? We have to do that...?"
"Yeah, apparently. It's another one of the Academy's~ long-standing traditions~!"
"They really go all out..."
"Honestly, I agree."
Golden Boy chuckled and then flopped onto a sleeping bag.
Wait, why was he on mine?
I kicked him off, reclaiming my space.
"Ouch! Hey!"
"Get off my sleeping bag."
"Ow, ow, ow!"
"Shh, everyone be quiet. Miss Violet is sleeping."
Golden Boy's yelps were cut short by a reprimand from Margaret.
He pouted, looking thoroughly chastised.
"...Look what you did, you got me in trouble."
What was he even talking about?
I lightly smacked him upside the head, just to drive the point home.
-Thwack!
"Ouch!! You hit me again!"
"Mr. Boy! Quiet down!"
"Hmph..."
Ah, refreshing.
I shot Golden Boy a smirk as he glared at me.
"Ugh... you're such a..." he started, then trailed off, unable to come up with a suitable insult. He eventually flopped onto his own sleeping bag in defeat.
"Seriously... jerk..."
"Let me remind you, you're the only one who would dare speak to the Duke's eldest son like that."
"So what? Our Maniac~ isn't the type to hold a grudge~"
"Well, I'd watch your back at night if I were you."
"Ooh, scary."
Golden Boy chuckled at my empty threat, rolling over onto his side.
He burrowed into his sleeping bag, only his head peeking out.
"So, about the night watch..."
"With just the three of us, does the order really matter?"
"Three...? There are four of us in our group."
"You planning on waking her up?"
"Ah..."
Golden Boy followed my gaze to where Violet lay fast asleep in the corner of the tent. He nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, I don't think I could wake her up either... I feel like she'd start crying..."
"She probably would."
Violet, curled up like a wet kitten, looked so pitiful that the thought of waking her was simply unbearable.
I glanced at the sleeping girl, her chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath, before turning my attention to Margaret.
"What are your thoughts, Lady Maharet?"
"...I don't mind any order."
Oh, she answered.
Honestly, I thought she'd ignore me.
Maybe it was the effect of the increased affinity I'd received as a quest reward earlier.
Good thing I decided to do that sub-quest.
A small sense of accomplishment washed over me, and I allowed a faint smile to touch my lips.
.
.
.
We decided on the order for the night watch: me, Golden Boy, then Margaret.
Golden Boy, stuck in the middle, had complained about getting the short end of the stick.
A few well-aimed flicks to the forehead had quickly shut him up.
The nerve of this guy, complaining about the order we fairly decided with rock-paper-scissors.
Especially after suggesting it himself.
"......"
And so, I found myself sitting outside the tent, staring blankly into the fire, as the first one up for the seemingly pointless night watch.
A small bonfire crackled merrily in front of me, casting a warm glow on the surrounding area.
Unlike the grand bonfire from earlier, this one was small and cozy.
I tossed a few more logs onto the flames, ensuring that my little companion wouldn't die out anytime soon.
"Sigh..."
My breath formed a faint cloud in the cool night air.
Autumn had arrived, bringing with it a chill that forced me to pull my jacket tighter around myself.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead, and a single red leaf, its vibrant color now faded with age, detached itself from a nearby branch and drifted down towards me.
-Rustle...
I watched silently as it landed on the ground at my feet.
The wind and the falling leaves.
I was caught in the midst of autumn's melancholic embrace.
As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, a sobering realization hit me.
"...Why am I not asleep?"
I had planned to pretend to stay awake for the night watch while secretly catching up on some much-needed sleep.
But for some reason, I was wide awake.
I tried to deny it, but the reality was harsh and unforgiving.
Insomnia had once again reared its ugly head.
"Damn it."
I cursed under my breath, running my hand through my hair in frustration.
How many nights in a row had it been now...?
I hadn't slept a wink last night either. This was getting ridiculous...
As my silent lament continued, I felt myself drifting further and further away from the realm of sleep.
I wouldn't be able to sleep much anyway with the night watch and all.
Maybe after my shift, I could lie down and toss and turn for a bit... maybe I'd be lucky enough to squeeze in an hour or two of sleep.
I sighed heavily, my head pounding.
It was my own fault, really.
I should have gotten my hands on some sleeping pills beforehand.
"Ugh... what am I even doing...?"
I chuckled wryly, my lips twisting into a self-deprecating smile.
I scratched the back of my head and muttered, "Well... I guess I might as well finish my watch."
There was no point in even trying to sleep at this point.
I might as well just keep watch alone.
Margaret and Golden Boy both looked exhausted after today's activities.
Besides, I felt a pang of guilt at the thought of waking up Margaret.
"...Damn it."
I fished a Deathweed cigarette out of my pocket, my mind heavy with a strange mix of frustration and resignation.
As I flicked my magic lighter and brought the flame to the tip of the cigarette, a thought crossed my mind.
It was going to be a long, lonely night.
***
Meanwhile, at the professors' temporary lodgings located a short distance from the base camp...
"...Something feels off."
Lucas, the homeroom professor of Raphael Class, suddenly sat up in his sleeping bag and muttered, a hint of unease in his voice.
"What is it? What's wrong, Lucas?"
Aaron, the homeroom professor of Ariel Class, who had been sleeping soundly beside him, stirred and looked over.
He yawned widely, his face creased with fatigue.
"What's gotten you so worked up...? Did something happen?"
"......"
"......Lucas?"
Lucas remained silent, his eyes closed as if deep in thought.
He finally opened his eyes, a frown etched on his face.
"Something doesn't feel right... It's just a hunch, but something feels very wrong."
"Don't tell me you've sensed some strange presence? Like those assassins from last time..."
"......No, it's not that."
"Phew... Good to know nothing's actually happened."
Aaron let out a sigh of relief at Lucas's firm denial.
However, Lucas's expression remained tense.
His gut feeling was screaming at him that something was amiss.
It was as if he had sensed a lurking danger, a threat hidden from plain sight.
A voice whispered in the back of his mind, warning him of an ominous and terrifying future.
"......"
But what was it...? What was coming their way...?
The flow of mana felt normal, and the barriers they had erected around the island were all functioning properly.
They had thoroughly investigated the island beforehand and confirmed that there were no immediate threats.
"...Maybe it's nothing."
Lucas had to admit that his intuition wasn't always accurate.
It had been nearly a decade since he had retired from active duty, and his senses weren't as sharp as they used to be.
Both Aron and Lucas knew that this could be another one of those false alarms.
"Come on, Lucas. Let's get some rest. We have to be up early tomorrow."
"Hmm..."
Aron lay back down, his face relaxed as the tension drained away.
Lucas hesitated for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"Alright... I'm just going to take a quick walk around the island."
"...Are you serious?"
Lucas forced a smile at Aron's exasperated expression.
He grabbed his jacket and discreetly slipped a few daggers and threw knives into his sleeves.
"You know I can't help it. I can't just ignore this feeling. It's bothering me."
"Ugh... I know, I know. This isn't the first time you've pulled this."
"Well, old habits die hard... Especially those you pick up on the battlefield."
"That's why I don't even bother nagging you anymore."
Lucas chuckled at Aron's grumbling.
"Professor Aron... I hate to break it to you, but I'm the head instructor here. Technically, I'm your superior."
"My nagging transcends such trivial matters as rank and authority."
"I see... Now I understand why Professor Sharon and Professor Kate never miss an opportunity to tease you about your bald spot."
"Hey!! That's hitting below the belt!"
Lucas laughed out loud at Aron's outburst.
He finished his preparations and headed towards the tent flap.
"Well, I'm off."
"Want me to come with you?"
"It's alright. You get some rest."
"Be careful out there... The Headmistress will have our hides if anything happens to you."
"Hahaha! I wouldn't want to disappoint my master!"
"Be back before lunch. You need to eat."
"I will."
-Fwoosh!
With a final word, Lucas vanished in a flash of light.
Aron watched him go, a hint of worry in his eyes, before settling back down.
Little did they know that this would be the last time they would see each other alive.
A few hours later...
Lucas's headless body would be found lying cold and lifeless on the ground.
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