episode_0056

After informing Lucy of the situation, I was able to go through the discharge process.

Perhaps because my body had recovered significantly, they didn’t hold me back at the hospital.

Of course, I did receive some caution from the nurse in the hospital room.

If I were to remove the bandage, I was supposed to call someone.

I was warned by the nurse that if I did it wrong, it could get infected.

And when they found out that my torn wound had reopened, they scolded me severely.

Anyway, my right hand wound had reopened, so the nurse advised me not to use my right hand for a while.

Well, there’s nothing I can do about it.

I didn’t take any healing potions due to the poison.

I’ll have to use my right hand less for the time being.

Anyway, now all I need to worry about is surviving.

Since trouble has spread within the family, I don’t have to do anything.

There’s no need to stop Jelon’s plan; I just need to focus on staying alive.

Survive safely until graduation, and then find a way back home.

But I can’t just do that.

Jelon must be involved in why Bern became a mid-boss.

So, I need to know the truth.

Why Bern tried to stop Jelon even as he was becoming isolated.

And there’s a need to investigate further into Jelon’s death and Bern’s death.

“Still, it won’t be easy.”

Bern became a mid-boss and died during the summer vacation of the second year.

So, there are about three months left.

Since the summer vacation is in mid-July, time is running out.

In the remaining three months, I need to become strong enough to capture Jelon.

To do that, I need to find the hidden pieces I haven’t visited yet.

Anyway, now is the perfect time to grow properly.

Well, before going on the dungeon exploration organized by the academy, there are places to visit.

So, should I go back to the dormitory for now?

If my dorm room is still there, I can gather the things I haven’t taken care of yet.

With that feeling, I left the hospital with the others.

Outside, perhaps due to the rain that had just stopped, there were puddles on the ground.

Water droplets were falling slowly from the lush green leaves on the trees.

The clouds were gradually clearing up, the sky was clear, and the sun was shining brightly.

As I gazed up at the sky, Elisha, who was beside me, spoke.

“Bern, so what are you going to do now?”

“For the time being, I think I’ll spend time in the club room.”

“Really? How about just staying in my room together until we gather some coins..”

Elisha suggested staying together in her room until we gathered some coins, but Silia, who was next to me, interjected with her arms crossed.

“Hey, Silver Hair. Why do you keep asking him to stay with you? You’re really shameless. Do you know what it means for grown women and men to live together?”

“Hey, what? I’m just… worried about Bern, that’s all. Honestly, staying in the club room doesn’t make sense. If you’re human, you should live properly at home!”

“Huh? So, is it reasonable for adult female students to live with vigorous male students?”

“Well…. But you weren’t saying anything until just now. Why are you saying this now?”

“Just because what you’re saying is ridiculous.”

As Silia once again rebuked Elisha, like before, Lucy and Ellen separated them.

“Lu, Luna… Elisha meant well, didn’t she? Given the current situation… So, let’s just endure it.. Okay?”

“Elisha, Bern is already very troubled right now. If you two keep arguing like this, it will be very uncomfortable for him.”

Elisha and Silia argued with each other.

Lucy and Ellen seemed to be the ones trying to stop them.

Elin and Lucy were trying to calm the two down, but it seemed like it would take a while for the situation to settle.

I stepped back a bit and approached the trio behind me.

As I got closer to them, I could hear the boys whispering in voices soft enough that the girls wouldn’t notice.

“They… they keep fighting… It’s… scary…”

“I agree. It feels like watching a leopard and a hyena.”

“Those two always end up fighting like water and oil. Well, friends do get closer through fights!”

No, wait…

They probably do get closer through fights.

When Silia grumbles like this, it means those two have gotten quite close.

In the game, when Silia’s favorability rating goes up, she grumbles a lot.

But, by the time her favorability rating goes up.

We’re reaching the end of Act 2.

That means Silia is going to die.

The problem is, in the game, nothing could stop it.

As the four of us quietly watched the situation unfold, suddenly Elisha and Silia started looking in our direction.

And then, both of them began approaching not towards me, but in my direction.

Wait, why are they coming towards me all of a sudden?

Both of them were approaching me with an extremely excited demeanor.

No, why are they doing this?

As they got closer to me, the guys beside me started moving away, creating some distance between us.

And what they said was truly remarkable.

“Bern, it’s really great that you’ve recovered…! We’ll go ahead first..! Take care…!”

“Comrade, it must be tough. Going through difficult times together is what friendship is about. So, we will always support you! Stay strong!”

“Yeah, Bern! We all believe in you…! So, you can handle this situation well! Stay strong!”

Wait, these guys?

Saying they believe in me, calling me a friend!

Are they just going to leave me in this situation?

I tried to seize the opportunity to escape, but because of Silia and Elisha who had quickly approached me, I couldn’t run away.

So, I couldn’t escape.

Approaching me first, Elisha spoke to me.

“Bern, make a choice.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“Let’s go home together. Stay in my room until you get your own money. They say the security at night is really bad these days. So, come with me.”

In an uncharacteristically forceful tone, she pushed me, especially considering how overheated she was because of Silia.

You’re too worked up right now because of Silia.

You’re way too excited, unlike your usual self.

“Elisha, calm down. Do you really know what you’re saying right now?”

“…I’m just… worried about you, Bern. You were lying in bed for four days because of that kid from Requiem again. I don’t want to see you hurt anymore.”

“….”

Did I cause Elisha so much worry?

So, I can kind of understand why she’s being so forceful… but I still don’t get it.

Why suggest living together?

Even though this world is open-minded, isn’t it a bit strange for grown men and women to live in the same house?

I may not seem very Confucian, but this is a different issue.

I appreciate your concern.

But this shouldn’t be decided lightly.

So, I just stared at Elisha without saying anything.

Silia, clapping her hands, was approaching us.

“Wow, a couple is forming. A couple is forming. Wow, it’s so sweet that my teeth might rot. Hey, dark-haired one. You’re not really planning to go with her, are you?”

No, why do you keep doing this?

Why did you snap at some point?

What’s bothering you?

You can’t judge a person solely by short sentences, but still, I thought I knew Silia to some extent.

Turns out, I was wrong.

Silia is a troublemaker who could turn anywhere.

So, let’s think calmly.

Why did Silia snap?

Let’s rethink this.

‘Hmm…’

I don’t know.

She may not know why she’s acting this way.

The answer has been decided since earlier.

“I will be spending time in the club room. Elisha, I’m sorry. Living together is a decision that must be made very carefully. Luna is right this time.”

“Bern…”

After hearing my response, Elisha looked at me with a disappointed expression.

Silvia said, “Well, looks like you understand me this time? Stubborn black-haired.” as she lightly punched my shoulder.

It felt like a light tap, but it stung a bit.

Then, Ellen and Lucy approached me and added,

“Yeah, Bern… Luna is right this time. G-guys and girls living in the same room… s-sleeping together! Not allowed!!”

For some reason, Ellen, blushing, stuttered as she shouted.

“No, why are you all like this? Elisha was engaged to Bern. If they were engaged, they’ve already done… everything, right? Then it shouldn’t matter, right? Or… does it?”

Lucy, seeming clueless, started babbling strange words.

What on earth have the four of them been discussing?

“Well, I’ll go now. See you all later.”

Anyway, that kind of feeling.

Managed to wrap up the situation somehow and dispersed.

Regarding my scandal, I did mention keeping it quietly unknown for now.

Rumors about the scandal might spread one way or another.

Rumors tend to spread without a sound.

Anyway, I think Jeron might take action.

Just like what I am seeing now.

“Lord Bern Flame, as instructed by Lady Gaia, all items in the room have been disposed of. Thank you for your hard work. That’s all then.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Well, I somewhat expected this.

Let’s consider it as returning to the beginning of the village.

Starting over from scratch.

Maybe I should visit Grandpa Joseph.

But wait, did I forget to quit my part-time job? Did I get fired?

I’ll find out once I get there.

Ah, anyway. There’s a mountain of things to do.

I need to organize the club room, earn money, obtain hidden pieces, visit the blacksmith, and also prepare for dungeon exploration in a few days.

Truly, there’s no time to rest as soon as I wake up.

“Nevertheless, I must stay strong.”

This is the story I’ve embarked on.