A Name Hidden in Laughter
The morning dragged on far more slowly than Darkus had expected. Every lecture seemed determined to awaken the boredom that had long been buried deep within him. The professors' endless explanations blurred together into a monotonous stream of words, making it increasingly difficult for him to stay focused. Nothing particularly exciting— or even remotely interesting— happened throughout the entire morning.
The first half of the morning was devoted to a tour of the various sections of Spēju Akadēmija. One after another, the professors introduced the academy's long and illustrious history, its remarkable facilities, and the responsibilities that came with becoming one of its students. Every corridor branched into countless others, each leading to halls, classrooms, and towering structures that somehow seemed far larger on the inside than they ever appeared from the outside. It was as if the academy itself refused to obey the ordinary laws of space, hiding countless secrets within its ancient walls.
The Academy Library towered over the eastern district like a castle built solely to preserve knowledge. The Combat Arena echoed with the sounds of steel clashing against enchanted barriers, while the Alchemy District constantly released colorful smoke that drifted into the sky before dissolving into glittering particles.
Everything inside Spēju Akadēmija felt impossibly ancient yet strangely alive.
The academy itself seemed to breathe. Watching. Waiting.
By the time the noon bell rang, even Darkus— who rarely complained about anything— could admit that his legs were beginning to protest.
Finally...
Lunch.
His most awaited— and undoubtedly his favorite— subject of all time. Closely followed by breakfast, snacks, afternoon breaks, and dinner. Really, anything that involved food automatically earned a special place in his heart, especially after enduring a long and painfully boring day. If there was one thing capable of restoring his dwindling motivation, it was the promise of a decent meal waiting at the end of the lecture.
The Grand Hall, now turned into Dining Hall, welcomed students with its towering arched ceilings, stained-glass windows depicting scenes from forgotten legends, and enchanted chandeliers that floated gracefully overhead. Long tables stretched from one end of the hall to the other, enough to seat thousands of students without making the place feel crowded.
Instead of the vast enchanted sky from before, the cafeteria welcomed its guests with a different kind of scenery. A warm breeze drifted gently through the open spaces, carrying with it the soothing rustle of swaying tree branches. The soft chorus of birds echoed overhead— not from the trees outside, but from the enchanted ceiling itself, where lifelike illusions faithfully recreated the tranquil landscape beyond the walls. It felt less like dining inside a cafeteria and more like enjoying a peaceful picnic beneath the shade of a forest, where every meal came with nature as its companion.
The aroma of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, herbs, and simmering soup filled the air, blending into a comforting scent of the nature that made even exhausted students smile.
Darkus quietly collected his meal before searching for the least crowded table he could find.
A peaceful corner. Away from the noise. Away from the endless chatter. Away from...
"Found you!"
He spoke too soon. Darkus frowned.
"..."
Darkus slowly closed his eyes. He didn't even have to turn around.
That voice alone was enough.
Without waiting for permission, the cheerful girl slid into the seat beside him— far closer than necessary. Their shoulders almost touched. Darkus instinctively shifted a few inches away.
She shifted with him. He moved again. She moved again.
"..."
"..."
He glanced sideways.
"There's an entire bench."
"There is."
"... Then why are you sitting here?"
She looked around as though genuinely considering the question.
"Hmm..."
Then she smiled.
"Because you're here."
"... That doesn't answer my question."
"It does to me."
Darkus sighed.
"I specifically chose this table because no one was sitting here."
"And now someone is."
"... Exactly."
She grinned proudly, as though she had accomplished something remarkable.
Darkus silently questioned every decision that had led him to this academy.
Around them, the dining hall buzzed with conversation.
Students laughed with their newfound friends, discussed classes, or argued over which department would dominate this year's academy tournament.
Yet despite the lively atmosphere an invisible boundary remained around their table.
Students who intended to sit nearby would notice the cheerful girl. Then quietly change directions. Within minutes, the surrounding seats had become completely empty.
Darkus noticed. She noticed too. But this time neither of them said anything.
The silence lingered between them only briefly before the girl enthusiastically picked up her spoon.
"Itadakimasu!" She cheerfully said, clasping her hand like how Japanese grace their food.
Darkus blinked.
"... Wrong country." He commented.
"Oh." She smiled sheepishly, "Old habit."
"... From where?"
She blinked, "I.... don't remember."
Darkus stared at her.
"... You forget a lot."
"I do." She smiled widely as if being proud of her answer.
"Should I be concerned?" Darkus nonchalantly asked.
"I wouldn't."
"... That concerns me even more."
She laughed, nearly choking on her soup.
Darkus simply returned to eating.
For several minutes, only the soft clinking of utensils echoed between them.
Surprisingly, the silence wasn't awkward. It was peaceful. Well... As peaceful as it could be with someone occasionally stealing pieces of bread from his tray.
"..."
Darkus looked at his now-empty bread plate.
"... Did you just take my bread?"
She was already chewing. Her cheeks puffed adorably as she froze. After a few seconds, she slowly swallowed before smiling innocently.
"I thought you weren't going to eat it."
"I was."
"... Oh."
Another pause.
"... Sorry."
She tore her own bread in half before placing one piece onto his plate.
"There."
Darkus looked at it. Then at her.
"... That's my bread."
"It is?"
"You took mine."
"... Oh."
She looked down at the bread in her hand.
Then at his plate.
Then back at him.
"... Oops. Hehe..."
Darkus let out another long sigh.
At this point he wasn't even surprised anymore. The girl truly was a walking catastrophe. Not because she caused disasters. But because she somehow created the most ridiculous situations without realizing it.
After finishing half of his meal, Darkus finally broke the silence.
"... Can I ask you something, by the way?"
She nodded while happily drinking her juice.
"Mhm."
"This academy..."
He glanced around the enormous dining hall.
"... Don't you think it's strange?"
She tilted her head.
"Which part?"
"Everything."
Darkus leaned back slightly.
"It's older than most kingdoms. The professors speak as if they're hiding something. There are rules that make no sense. Students avoid you. The Headmaster talks like we're preparing for war." Darkus paused, "And then there's that rule about answering voices after curfew."
He paused again.
"... Does none of that seem strange to you?"
The girl quietly listened. For once, she wasn't smiling. She gently set down her cup.
Her golden eyes wandered toward the tall stained-glass windows where sunlight poured into the hall.
"This academy..." she whispered softly, "... has always been strange."
Darkus frowned.
"... Always?"
She nodded.
"There are places here where time feels different. Doors that lead somewhere else when nobody's looking. Hallways that become longer at night." She smiled faintly. "And stories... So many stories."
Some are only rumors. Some..." She looked directly into Darkus' eyes, "...aren't."
A brief silence settled over the table.
Darkus couldn't tell whether she was teasing him.
Or warning him.
"... How do you know all that?"
Her cheerful smile returned as quickly as it had disappeared.
"I've been here longer than you."
"... That's not what I meant."
"I know." She giggled.
Darkus gave up pressing the matter.
Some questions simply refused to be answered.
The two continued eating until only empty dishes remained. The girl stretched happily.
"I'm full."
Without another word, she gathered both her tray and Darkus' empty plate before standing.
"...Hey." He called, "I can return mine."
"It's fine." She smiled. "I was getting up anyway."
She carefully stacked the plates before walking toward the return counter. Darkus watched her disappear into the crowd. A few students immediately stepped aside to avoid standing near her.
Some whispered. Others pretended not to notice but she continued walking with the same carefree smile as if she had long accepted the invisible distance everyone placed between them.
A few moments later, she returned.
She dusted her hands together before stopping in front of him.
"Done!"
Darkus looked at her for a moment.
There was something he had wanted to ask since the day they met. Something surprisingly simple.
"... Hey."
"Hm?"
"... I've been calling you 'Bad News' this whole time."
She blinked.
"... That's because everyone does."
"I don't want to call you that."
For the first time, she seemed genuinely surprised. The usual playful grin softened.
"... Then..."
Darkus met her eyes.
"... What's your real name?"
The dining hall suddenly felt quieter. The laughter around them faded into the background.
For a fleeting moment, something unreadable flickered across her golden eyes.
She lowered her gaze. A small smile bloomed on her lips. Not the exaggerated grin she always wore. Not the clown's smile. This one was gentle. Almost... lonely.
She turned around and took a few slow steps toward the doorway before stopping. Without looking back, she spoke softly.
"... Names are funny things."
Darkus remained silent.
"They have power."
"They become promises."
"And sometimes..." She slowly glanced over her shoulder. "... They become curses."
The sunlight pouring through the stained-glass windows bathed her in warm hues of gold and crimson, causing the tiny bells woven into her crimson ribbons to glimmer faintly.
She smiled.
A smile as mysterious as the academy itself.
"My name..."
A soft breeze drifted into the dining hall.
The bells chimed once.
"... is Laima."
For reasons Darkus couldn't explain. The moment her name left her lips. It felt strangely familiar. As though he had heard it somewhere before. Not yesterday. Not within the academy.
But...
Long ago.
In a place he could no longer remember.
xx—xx—xx
And somewhere, hidden deep within the oldest corners of Spēju Akadēmija...
Something stirred.