episode_0026

I felt my physical abilities weakening in real-time along with a sudden sense of exhaustion from my body.

In that moment, I almost said something to Claire, but seeing her expression, I could calm my heart, feeling that something was wrong.

“It’s my fault. I should have anticipated that Claire wanted to help me somehow and would cast a buff on me.”

One might suggest adjusting stats with stat stones to remove penalties, but buffs or debuffs based on unique abilities don’t work like that.

Seeing that I couldn’t adjust stats in this situation in the game makes me think it’s not forcibly fixed.

For now, it would be best to pamper Claire and ask about the duration of the buff. Since it won’t last permanently.

“You know, Claire, it’s okay if you don’t cast a buff on me. In fact… I feel like you shouldn’t cast a buff. It’s hard to explain in detail because it’s related to my body.”

“Okay. I’m sorry for casting a buff without any consultation…”

“No, it’s because of my constitution that things turned out this way since you were trying to help me. More importantly, how long does the buff last?”

“It seems to last about 10 minutes.”

Just need to hold on for 10 minutes. After briefly scanning the surroundings with my heightened senses, I didn’t feel anything special nearby at least.

“Claire, if possible, I’d prefer if you didn’t tell anyone about this. Let’s keep it as our secret.”

“Okay, I promise not to tell anyone!”

Since Claire isn’t the type to casually blab others’ secrets, this should be fine.

“Let’s quietly wait here until the buff expires in about 10 minutes. It could be dangerous to move around recklessly.”

I hoped no one would come across us during those 10 minutes, but before long, I sensed something approaching from the only passage ahead.

Raising my sensory output, I saw a certain stride and energy, indicating they were students, not monsters, and with only two detected, they were clearly a team.

As they came closer, I could see that the pair of students were familiar faces—Helena and Rachel.

It seemed they had also noticed us, as they stopped in their tracks. Helena and I made eye contact, and just as I thought it was fortunate, a resounding magical incantation rang out.

“Ice Arrow.”

Three sharp ice arrows materialized in the air and all shot towards Claire.

“Oh no.”

Although it was clear that it was Claire and me, she only aimed at Claire with a triple incantation.

Likewise, realizing we were students, Rachel, with a bewildered expression, managed to deflect one with her sword, but it was too late to deal with the others, and the remaining two headed straight towards us.

Rushing urgently, I successfully blocked the magic on the right but couldn’t avoid an arrow piercing my left thigh due to the applied penalty.

Apart from a hole and some bleeding, it didn’t seem like my bone was injured, so that was somewhat fortunate. It hurts more than I expected, though.

“Yukal, no!!”

Perhaps due to the blood coming from my wound, Claire, in a panicked state, began picking up nearby rocks to defend this side.

Since it was still early on, aside from buffs relying on unique abilities, there wouldn’t be proper attack magic I could handle.

Only then did Helena, running over as if realizing we were fellow students, tearfully apologize while attempting to protect this side.

But –

“Yukal, are you okay?? You didn’t get hurt badly, did you? I thought you were a monster and accidentally attacked. I’m really sorry…”

“Crazy woman. You attacked knowing everything.”

Claire blocked Helena from approaching further by holding a rock in her hand.

Rachel, seeming troubled by the situation, sighed and approached this side, opening her mouth.

“I’m sorry, Yukal. I realized first that you were a student, but I think I caused trouble by not quickly conveying it to my pair.”

Rachel calmly organized the situation as she pressed on her thigh wound with torn clothes, helping to stop the bleeding to allow Claire to calm down.

It was a situation that only needed to last for 10 more minutes, but it was unbelievable that such an incident occurred within that short time.

“I want to sincerely apologize once again. I had no intention of attacking a fellow student.”

Although she felt sorry for Rachel, who was apologizing even though it wasn’t her fault, she had to speak firmly to separate herself from Helena.

Seeing that she attacked despite confirming this side, there is a possibility of what else she might do.

With the penalty not yet overcome, if they happen to encounter a monster, they could inadvertently harm Claire.

Seeing that she targeted Claire instead of me, there is no guarantee that she won’t do the same to Claire, so uncontrollable variables must be eliminated.

“Rachel Gongnyeo-nim. It has not been long since the mock dungeon started, and we have not secured any points yet. If you wish, you can check the artifact. We cannot take away any points from you, so I’m sorry, but we would appreciate it if you could withdraw now.”

Rachel, who had been looking at this side, bowed her head to apologize and spoke up.

The sudden turn of events surprised both me, Claire, and Helena. No one expected her to bow her head and apologize.

“Yukal, I truly had no intention of taking your points. It’s just that due to our team’s mistake early in the exam, it could affect your exam. Can you give me a chance to take responsibility for this situation? Honestly, even in a mock dungeon, I don’t want to leave an injured person where there might be monsters.”

“……”

“I heard that your pair, Claire, has the ability to buff others. However, considering that in the recent situation she tried to protect you with a rock instead of engaging in magical combat, it seems she hasn’t properly mastered combat magic yet. You may also have reduced combat power due to your injured leg.”

There was no argument to counter Rachel’s logic. From the perspective of not knowing the penalty, it was a valid point.

Honestly, if it weren’t for the penalty, there wouldn’t have been any injuries, and we could have parted ways immediately.

Despite being in a position to continue the Astrea Duchy lineage, it was hard to ignore her request for a chance while bowing to others.

Even though the situation was not her fault, her attitude of taking responsibility for the incident and the proposal to reluctantly accompany her based on trust in Rachel’s personality led to my acceptance.

“Understood. However-”

“I roughly guess what you are worried about. I will promise to warn Helena Yeongae to refrain from such impulsive actions and to prioritize protecting the student Claire under all circumstances as long as we are together.”

Deciding to take a break here until the bleeding from my wound stops, an uncomfortable meeting of the four continued.

*

Upon hearing the professor’s words to form a team of two, my mind went blank for a moment.

The only people I’ve had proper conversations with at this academy are Yukal and Helena Youngae… and no one else.

When Yukal suggested going into the dungeon together, I was honestly happy amidst my hesitation.

If it were Yukal, he could have paired up with excellent students from the Swordsmanship or Magic departments besides me.

We formed a party with him, moved to the dungeon, and I wanted to help him so I cast a buff spell on him, but it turned out to be poison instead…

I sensed a sudden weakening in the energy coming from Yukal.

I thought it wouldn’t be strange if he got angry because of my mistake, but instead, he was comforting towards me.

“And that’s our little secret.”

Somehow, I felt happy about that fact. A secret shared only between Yukal and me was created, unknown to others.

Then, I saw Helena Youngae, whom I didn’t want to meet, coming from the corridor towards us, along with Rachel Youngae.

“Ice Arrow.”

Simultaneously with a sinister magic chant, Yukal jumped in front of me to block the magic, but eventually, an ice arrow pierced his left leg, causing injury.

“It’s because of me.”

Not having learned offensive magic yet, I tried to protect him by picking up nearby stones, but Rachel Youngae calmed me down and treated his wound.

And why is that Helena Youngae crying over who hurt Yukal?

Despite vowing to protect him, I felt self-disgust at only receiving help and protection every time.

“I will definitely protect him next time.”

Claire muttered silently, making a promise that Yukal would not hear, as she sat beside him.