I Became The Academy Necromancer

Chapter 282: Cold And Cruel

“What are you doing?”

Though it was summer, a cold wind still swept through Norseweden.

Deia waiting outside the gate, dressed in just a light sweater, felt a bit different from usual.

Perhaps it could be described as somewhat casual.

While she normally carried the weight of the Verdi Household, which governed the northern region, on her shoulders, today, it felt like she had shed all that responsibility for a moment.

And because of that, it inevitably felt rather unusual to me.

“I thought there was something you needed help with?”

Since she had asked me to accompany her to the city, I naturally assumed it was either for an inspection or to handle something requiring assistance.

At most, I expected that we would be informing key city officials that I, the second son of the Verdi Household and the Soul Whisperer, had returned.

However, Deia’s outfit didn’t seem to imply any such intent in the slightest.

Brushing her hair, lightly resting on her shoulder, aside with a touch of irritation, she replied.

“Not at all.”

While the question of why she had called me lingered on the tip of my tongue, for some reason, I felt I shouldn’t.

Even her expression seemed to be daring me to open my mouth to say something about this situation.

Hmm.

In the end, feeling a subtle sense of pressure, I stepped out of the Verdi Household’s grounds with her in silence.

The city was bustling.

While it was true that this was the warmest season in Norseweden despite the chilly breeze, the present chaos was also due to the ongoing cleanup of the wreckage left in the wake of the battle with Lanhardt.

Still, seeing that even the members of the Scrapyard Nomads were helping out, it seemed like the cleanup would be completed by the end of the day.

“The streets look pretty nice, don’t they? I really enjoy walking here.”

Deia, walking a step ahead of me, spoke contentedly as she glanced around.

Her love for Norseweden. I was still not sure why it took such a firm hold in her heart.

However, perhaps it was that affection that drove Deia to keep working tirelessly, pen in hand, racking her brain for the sake of this city.

“Did you not say that you wished you were born in Graypond the last time?”

I teased her as I recalled her past remark about wanting to live in Graypond, and she instantly turned around to glare at me.

“That was just a joke, alright?”

Judging by the sharp look in her eyes, she seemed to think of it as a bit of an embarrassing moment from her past.

I didn’t think it was a harrowing topic to talk about, but since she didn’t like it, I decided not to push further.

Deia glided lightly through the streets, greeting people naturally as she passed. It was clear from her demeanor that this wasn’t her first time walking these roads like this.

In fact, she even had the habit of deliberately trying street food to truly experience the city’s atmosphere firsthand.

“Hmm.”

Strolling calmly and taking in the city’s vibe was nice and all, but I wished she’d just told me her real reason for calling already.

Why had she called me out here?

It makes me slightly worried.

Was it because of what Darius said yesterday? His words made me wonder if Deia actually had some hidden motive behind her actions.

Sigh.

I also knew how disrespectful it would be to assume such things about Deia. And just the mere idea that Darius had planted unnecessary doubts in my mind greatly annoyed me.

And while I was lost in thought, Deia suddenly stopped walking. Curious about our destination, I saw we’d arrived at a small vacant lot.

The lot was overgrown with patches of weeds, old pipes and wrenches—likely used for construction work on nearby buildings—scattered around like children’s toys.

Other than that, the place was completely empty. Was this where Deia intended to take me?

Naturally, I couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Noticing my questioning gaze, Deia scratched the back of her head awkwardly and explained.

“No, it’s just that we’re a bit early, so I figured we can wait here for a while.”

“Wait for what, exactly?”

It seemed like the time for her to spill the beans had finally come. Knowing she couldn’t hide it forever, she hesitated before answering.

“Ahem, a photo studio just opened in Norseweden, so I thought about going to inspect it.”

“...Inspect it?”

This wasn’t even the Clark Republic. Did it really make sense to inspect a photo studio because it had just opened? That didn’t make any sense.

Thump.

Deia punched me lightly in the chest, breaking my train of thought. For some reason, her fist resting against my chest made me avert my gaze.

Then in a quiet voice, she murmured her true intention.

“I just thought... we could at least take a photo together for once.”

“...”

If Stella or the Dark Spiritualist had been present, they would’ve chided me for being dense.

Realizing that saying anything more would only embarrass Deia, I kept my mouth shut as she spun around and headed deeper into the vacant lot.

Though there was nothing special about the place, she seemed intent on hiding for the moment.

“If we went to a café or restaurant, word of your return would spread even faster. Right now, other than the household staff, most people aren’t even sure if you’ve really returned.”

Deia finally gave me a simple explanation for why she had brought me here.

“Then maybe I should have covered my face.”

“No, that’d just lead to weird rumors about me having a lover or something. It’s all about balance.”

While some of the citizens had already seen us on our way here, Norseweden was, diplomatically speaking, like a pool—isolated.

Any rumors that spread in the community would take a long time to reach the outside world.

After all, not many people visited this northern region, which was even cold in the summer. And it wasn’t like we had any major tourist attractions either.

“By the way, how’s Xiao Hu?”

“She still needs more time. I myself cannot predict what decision that child will arrive at.”

“She’s such a poor kid.”

Raised solely for consumption—she was no different from livestock. Although she had once felt their affection for her, it was similar to how caretakers often doted on pigs or cows before they were slaughtered.

“She will have to overcome it on her own.”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to survive alone.

“...Sometimes you’re cold to the point of being cruel.”

“You are mistaken about that. I have always been like this.”

I only showed a slightly different side to those I was close to.

Hearing this, Deia’s expression turned conflicted—both uneasy and happy at the same time.

She tried to hide it, fidgeting nervously as she checked the watch on her wrist.

Seeing there was still some time left, she stared at me and made an awkward attempt to change the subject.

“You visited the Han Empire, right? How was it?”

Respecting her effort, I overlooked her awkwardness and recounted my experiences in the Han Empire.

And around thirty minutes passed by just like that.

When it was time, Deia pulled me out of the vacant lot, and guided me to the photo studio nearby.

The studio owner greeted us rather enthusiastically, but we simply exchanged brief pleasantries before proceeding to prepare for the shoot.

The preparation room had a mirror, combs, wax, simple cosmetics, and even barber scissors.

“Wow, they’re thorough.”

However, that wasn’t all.

They even had concept-themed outfits, wigs, glasses, earrings, necklaces, and more.

From the assortment of items, it was clear that the owner was deeply committed to their craft.

“This is impressive.”

As we expressed our unbiased admiration, the photographer scratched his head, looking rather bashful.

“Not at all. In fact, it’s all thanks to you, Young Master.”

“Him?”

Hearing the photographer suddenly mention me, Deia pointed at me with a puzzled expression.

“You know Claren, right? The city brimming with artists?”

Claren, the city of artists.

It was where I met Owen and his grandfather and fought Dina, Dante’s Monstrumancer.

And it was also the place where I created a festival to allow the yokai created by the artists to dissipate naturally.

“I heard that since you were the one who created the festival, Young Master, they renamed it to the Spirit Whisperer Festival.”

“They really named the festival that? Aren’t they supposed to be artists? Is that all the creativity they could muster?”

Deia’s sarcastic comment mirrored my own thoughts. Honestly, I wished they’d chosen a more normal name for the festival.

“Thanks to the festival, Claren has seen many changes. The streets are filled with people in costumes even outside of the festival. It’s also bringing in a lot of tourists.”

“...”

“There are a lot more photographers now, and some studios cater specifically to tourists by offering costume photography.”

From what I gathered, it wasn’t a bad change and it seemed like hungry artists had found a way to survive.

“But why are you doing that here? I doubt the trend will ever catch on in Norseweden.”

The photographer’s sense of business seemed a little dull. However, even Deia’s sharp critique didn’t faze him as he replied with a smile.

“You’re right, but I didn’t want photography to remain just a hobby for me. Besides, I’ve got other thriving businesses, so there’s no need to worry.”

Since the person in concern said this with such confidence, I had no retort. Apparently, he was quite the tycoon in Norseweden.

Deia leaned in close to whisper.

“He’s got a monopoly on the construction industry here. He’s also close with Darius.”

“I see.”

“ His pockets must be pretty full these days, especially since Lanhart made quite the mess recently.”

So, in the end, photography was just his hobby.

The photographer proudly showed off his cutting-edge magic camera imported from the Republic before excusing himself to prepare.

With him gone, it was just the two of us left alone.

I didn’t think we needed much preparation, so I figured we’d just take the photos as we were. But Deia tugged at my sleeve and sat me down in front of the vanity mirror.

“Your hair’s too long. I’ll trim it for you.”

With a pair of barber scissors in hand, she positioned herself behind me. Because I had left my body inside the general store for several months, it was no surprise that my hair had grown out quite a lot.

However, could I trust Deia with this?

“Don’t worry. I’ve got some experience.”

I wasn’t sure where she picked up that experience, but I let her handle my hair anyway.

Snip, snip.

Deia worked deftly, her hands moving skillfully as she trimmed my hair. My initial doubts faded away as I felt her professional touch.

“Hehe, this is kind of fun—moving Deus’ head around like this.”

Was she enjoying the manner in which I tilted my head obediently wherever she directed?

The small smile on her lips was far more carefree than her usual expressions.

“Why did you ask me that yesterday?”

Then without any warning, Deia abruptly uttered a single phrase. The atmosphere grew so heavy in an instant, that the snipping sound of the scissors felt almost eerie.

I sense her hands trembling faintly through my strands of hair.

Why was that?

Why did she bring this up now, of all times?

Though I wondered, I kept my composure and answered calmly.

“Darius had some strange concerns.”

“What kind of concerns?”

Saying that would only add to the reasons why Deia disliked Darius.

However, that was Darius’ problem to deal with.

“That you might have feelings for me.”

However, I already told him yesterday that it wasn’t the case. I spoke calmly, and Deia responded just as calmly.

“I think he might be right.”

Snip, snip.

The cut strands of hair fall softly onto my shoulder before sliding off.

Though the time it took to make a single snip barely lasted for a moment, it felt oddly prolonged.

Deia’s gaze met mine in the mirror.

“Deia.”

Just like she had done in the vacant lot earlier...

“His Majesty spoke about you once. He said, given your age, he could introduce you to some suitable noblemen.”

I awkwardly tried to change the subject.

Yet.

“I also think it would be good for you to gain experiences by meeting noblemen.”

My words carried weight.

As her brother, I had heard something I shouldn’t have. But instead of addressing it directly, I gently implied my refusal.

“...”

Deia’s scissors came to a stop.

However, only for a moment, before she quickly resumed trimming my hair with practiced ease.

As the back of my neck gradually came into view, Deia let out a small chuckle and replied.

“I’m too busy to even think about dating. And you know I hate that sort of thing.”

With that, she set the scissors down.

Before I knew it, she had trimmed my hair back to its usual length.

Deia turned away swiftly and began preparing for the photoshoot.

The preparation room was quite cramped...

“You’re so cold.”

Her voice, tinged with moisture, wasn’t something I wanted to hear. However, it still ended up reaching me.

“And cruel.”