Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 38

To Teacher, From Vanessa 38

“Captain, your magical skills seem amazing. Your manifestation speed is incredibly fast too… I heard it’s comparable to the Wizards of the Boundary.”

Gideon suddenly stopped talking. He seemed unaccustomed to praising himself. The only time he asserted his authority as captain was in front of that rude and foolish lieutenant colonel.

As Gideon avoided eye contact, Lieutenant Hisop, who had slyly opened his eyes, chuckled and interjected.

“He should be the Minister of Magic, but he’s stuck here.”

Gideon glared at him, so Hisop pretended to faint again and closed his eyes.

“How did you find out about the condition?”

“He knew from the beginning.”

Major Andalus suddenly opened his eyes to answer and then closed them again.

Gideon didn’t even seem to want to talk anymore. Unlike other military organizations, the Special Forces had a rather relaxed hierarchical structure.

Of course, this was never the case in actual combat, but Gideon tended to let them slack off when they were relaxing.

And because Gideon was quite young for his rank, most of the Special Forces members wanted to tease him. Of course, if they went too far, it would be the end of them.

Vanesa giggled at Gideon’s exasperated expression.

“You knew from the beginning?”

“I grew up playing with swords since I was young, and luckily, the condition was related to swords.”

“But you kept pretending not to know?”

Gideon avoided answering this time as well, as neither answer seemed very sincere.

Fortunately, Vanesa didn’t notice this and hugged her knees, feeling very envious.

“I’m desperate to find out my condition! But how did you get caught?”

“There was a situation where I had to reveal it myself. I remember getting an earful.”

“I can imagine the professors’ surprised faces.”

Gideon chuckled at Vanesa’s whisper.

“Indeed. I certainly remember Professor Guido falling backward. I wonder how he’s doing?”

Vanesa finally burst out laughing. Gideon slightly curved his eyes as he watched her cover her mouth, worried about waking up her sleeping friends.

The two were already talking comfortably as before, but he hadn’t even noticed it.

“Captain, it seems we’ve arrived.”

Another voice broke into their quiet conversation. Only then did Gideon’s gaze turn to the outside of the carriage.

Fortunately, the rain had lessened slightly, providing some visibility. In the distance, the dark green tree trunks flickered.

“We’ve arrived at Morea.”

Immediately, all the Special Forces members who had been pretending to sleep opened their eyes. There was no fear in their eyes, only annoyance or interest.

Vanesa poked Evan in the ribs. Evan startled awake and bumped into Moshwi’s arm, waking up Moshwi and Daloise in succession.

As soon as they arrived in Morea, the coachman, wearing a hat pulled low, took the silver coin and ran away.

Morea was not the name of a city but the name of a specific region.

This area was popular among scholars due to its unique clusters of plants and the extensive forests inhabited by vine fairies [magical creatures resembling humanoids with plant-like features]. Therefore, it was always bustling with people.

But now, there were no people to be seen near the forest, and all they could see were the corpses of something scattered around.

“Monster corpses,” Lieutenant Hisop summarized simply. Eventually, Gideon shook his head. There were too many corpses lined up from the entrance.

“I won’t take the students. Major Andalus, protect them.”

Major Andalus nodded. Evan looked like he had a lot to say but closed his mouth, knowing it would be a hindrance. His face was filled with frustration and resentment.

“We will find a place to stay and wait at the forest entrance. Please go safely.”

Except for Major Andalus, all the Special Forces members took their weapons and walked into the dark, dense forest.

Vanesa only watched the backs of the departing Special Forces members. Before she knew it, the darkness had half swallowed them, and they were fading away.

“Ugh.”

Evan roughly rubbed his face with his hands. He had never felt so much self-loathing for being weak. There was nothing he could do.

Evan huffed.

“I’m going to study now! I really am!”

Evan threatened Vanesa, Daloise, and Moshwi, who were standing around him, but no one was afraid.

“I’m glad you learned a lesson.”

Vanesa said brightly, trying to sound cheerful, even as she looked worriedly into the forest.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Major Andalus found an abandoned house nearby for the Special Forces members to return to in tatters.

The log cabin, built of wood, had severe drafts, and some parts were rotting, indicating it had been empty for a long time. But it seemed livable enough.

Major Andalus apologized to the air before unpacking his luggage.

After Andalus took a prayer-like pose and whispered softly, a gentle breeze blew, sweeping away the dust that filled the room.

The students roughly cleaned up the dirty spots to make more space and then went outside to gather wood. There was hardly any dry wood, only things close to straw, but it was enough to start a fire.

Evan stepped forward to light the fire in the fireplace.

“He’s really good at fire magic, isn’t he?”

Moshwi was praising him very sincerely, but Evan only grumbled. Unfortunately, they hadn’t seen any monsters weak to fire on the way.

Moreover, if he misused fire with monsters constantly popping out of the forest, he could end up burning the whole forest down.

Andalus remained in a prayer-like pose with his eyes closed, and the four exchanged light conversation to relieve the tension.

They perked up their ears even at the strong wind passing through the wooden walls.

“Um, do you think they’ll be okay?”

Evan cast a worried gaze somewhere outside the house, and Major Andalus opened his closed eyes and smiled.

“They may not come back clean, but they’ll be fine.”

“Aren’t you scared when you go into places like that?”

At Daloise’s question, Andalus tilted his head for a moment.

“It probably varies from person to person. Captain Anna and Lieutenant Grain would probably be excited. They aren’t afraid of hidden things, not even death.”

Andalus smiled as he looked at the students listening to him with their ears perked up.

“Lieutenant Hisop will be worried and bring many countermeasures, and the Captain will be fine with just a sword, as always.”

“If you’re afraid of this, does that mean you’re not suited for the Special Forces?”

Andalus shook his head at Vanesa’s cautious question.

“No. I am very afraid. But feeling fear has helped me advance quickly. It has even saved my life.”

Andalus smiled gently.

Changing the subject, Moshwi rummaged through his bag and took out tea leaves. Fortunately, there was a dented tin kettle in the kitchen.

After brewing and sharing the tea, their bodies warmed up. Major Andalus glanced out the window and said,

“Get some sleep. Everyone will be back late. If we had come at a better time, you would have slept comfortably.”

Vanesa wanted to stay awake until the Special Forces members returned, but Moshwi was already blinking sleepily.

The four took blankets from their luggage and spread them roughly on the floor. The floor was hard, and the blankets were thin.

“Vanesa, are you scared?”

Suddenly, Evan, who was lying right next to her, whispered. Vanesa curled up and blinked. Her long eyelashes fluttered.

“I’m scared. I’m afraid someone will get hurt badly. Aren’t you scared?”

“I was just… thinking about how I want to belong there. Even though you’re better than me. I think I’m too immature.”

The corners of Evan’s eyebrows drooped. Vanesa said comfortingly,

“Maybe I’m just too scared.”

“The Major said there are people in the Special Forces who are scared and people who aren’t. Okay, everyone, let’s sleep!”

Daloise cheerfully interrupted, cutting off their conversation. It seemed to be because Moshwi had fallen asleep.

She didn’t want to sleep, but the sound of the wind blowing outside was hypnotically constant.

Vanesa blinked and was soon swept away into the darkness.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Bang!

Vanesa’s eyes snapped open. She hurriedly got up and saw Gideon opening the door with one hand, carrying someone on his back.

His face was not clearly visible, but some of his hair, illuminated by the lamp, was completely soaked in blood.

The wooden door, slammed shut, creaked roughly, and the outside was invisible due to the heavy rain.

“Andalus.”

“Yes.”

Andalus rushed over to check on Lieutenant Grain. Gideon carefully laid Lieutenant Grain face down.

Moshwi hiccuped at the sight of him. Lieutenant Grain’s back was completely shredded. Torn clothes were stuck between the wounds, making it look painful.

“Grain.”

Gideon said through gritted teeth.

“Are you crazy?”

“I’m sorry, Captain. But if it hadn’t been for that sly bastard…”

“Lieutenant.”

The voice was excessively heated, making it sound coldly subdued. Grain quickly shut his mouth.

“He would have died if it weren’t for Hisop.”

“Ahem.”

“Be careful, please. I told you to look behind you and run forward.”

Gideon said with an annoyed expression. It was the first time Vanesa had seen him make such an expression since she met him as the captain of the Special Forces.

But Grain grumbled even while lying face down. His dissatisfaction seemed to pour out from the back of his head.

“I didn’t know that guy would charge at me knowing he was going to die. But hey, at least only my back got ripped!”

“That guy is beyond redemption. Transfer him to paperwork.”

Anna leisurely swept back her hair as she entered.

Her whole body, as she said that, was not in good condition either. Red and black blood were mixed together, soaking her whole body and making her look terribly dirty.

“Captain Anna.”

“Yes!”

“Do you have the right to say that?”

Gideon’s expression was cold. Anna immediately shut her mouth and pretended to do something else.

“Both of you will be punished as soon as you recover.”

“For what!”

“Disobeying orders.”

A gloomy voice declared.

Anna tore off the blood-caked hair and made a sullen expression. Another pay cut.

Not long after, even Hisop returned inside. Fortunately, he was dirty but didn’t seem to be seriously injured.

“Ugh.”

He shook his head at Lieutenant Grain.