I Became The Academy Necromancer Chapter 282: Cold And Cruel

“What are you doing?”

Though it was sumr, 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 sowhat 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 mont.

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

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

Since she had asked to accompany her to the city, I naturally assud it was either for an inspection or to handle sothing 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 lingered on the tip of my tongue, for so reason, I felt I shouldn’t.

Even her expression seed to be daring to open my mouth to say sothing 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 warst 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 mbers of the Scrapyard Nomads were helping out, it seed 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 , 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 ti?”

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

“That was just a joke, alright?”

Judging by the sharp look in her eyes, she seed to think of it as a bit of an embarrassing mont 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 deanor that this wasn’t her first ti 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 her real reason for calling already.

Why had she called out here?

It makes slightly worried.

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

Sigh.

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

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 ?

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 seed like the ti for her to spill the beans had finally co. 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 lightly in the chest, breaking my train of thought. For so reason, her fist resting against my chest made 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 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 seed intent on hiding for the mont.

“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 a simple explanation for why she had brought here.

“Then maybe I should have covered my face.”

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

While so 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 ti to reach the outside world.

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

“By the way, how’s Xiao Hu?”

“She still needs more ti. 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 overco it on her own.”

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

“...Sotis 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 sa ti.

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

Seeing there was still so ti left, she stared at 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 ti, Deia pulled out of the vacant lot, and guided 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 costics, and even barber scissors.

“Wow, they’re thorough.”

However, that wasn’t all.

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

From the assortnt 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 ntion , Deia pointed at with a puzzled expression.

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

Claren, the city of artists.

It was where I t 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 renad it to the Spirit Whisperer Festival.”

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

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

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

“...”

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

From what I gathered, it wasn’t a bad change and it seed 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 seed 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 . 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 ss recently.”

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

The photographer proudly showed off his cutting-edge magic cara 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 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 . 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 so 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 trimd 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 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 tis?

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

“Darius had so 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 .”

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 ti it took to make a single snip barely lasted for a mont, it felt oddly prolonged.

Deia’s gaze t 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 so suitable noblen.”

I awkwardly tried to change the subject.

Yet.

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

My words carried weight.

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

“...”

Deia’s scissors ca to a stop.

However, only for a mont, before she quickly resud trimming my hair with practiced ease.

As the back of my neck gradually ca 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 trimd 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 sothing I wanted to hear. However, it still ended up reaching .

“And cruel.”