Ch.187187 – Revenge

<187 – Revenge>

Isabelle sat leaning against the bedpost, staring blankly out the window.

Flutter flutter. A butterfly playing leisurely.

Woof woof woof! A flame hound barking diligently.

Oh dear, oh dear. Third-year students chasing after it pitifully.

Despite her busy days filled with assignments and exam preparations, she never missed Oknodie’s meals, making sure to prepare them once a day.

Recently, she had been spending even more time packing snack boxes separately.

‘Was I too greedy?’

During a practice match, her consciousness suddenly faded, and when she opened her eyes, she was crawling on the floor.

It was a severe injury that could have permanently cost her an arm had it happened outside the academy.

Thanks to the top-level medical facilities, her severed arm was now properly reattached to her body.

‘Though it doesn’t quite feel real.’

Even when she wiggled, her hand inside the cast just felt stuffy.

Was it really attached?

Would her arm fall off if the cast was removed?

Were the nerves 100% properly connected?

Her heart pounded involuntarily.

‘It’s time for a little rest.’

There were days like this before.

During her time with the Esonia Adventure Guild, after completing adventures, she would collapse in exhaustion, her body battered.

The scent of soup tickling her nose.

The gentle tickle of warm sunlight.

Resting against the backdrop of sparrows perched on windowsills in back alleys, cats on walls, and drunkards yelling in the streets—then the door would open.

“Isabelle. How is it? The adventurer’s life. Is it manageable?”

The captain with his rough beard.

A hedgehog-like man with the nasty habit of pricking skin with his beard.

The feeling of that scratchy beard, the touch of his large, rough palms that could swallow her fist whole, the sensation of that deep, reassuring voice tickling her eardrums.

All gone now.

Though it was the same rest and freedom as back then, there was no one to take care of her anymore.

“Hey. Are you feeling better?”

‘There are no “people” here.’

Since beastkin aren’t people, they don’t count.

“A hospital visit? How unexpectedly dependable of you.”

“Would I be so heartless as to not visit someone I hang out with all the time?”

“What happened to the girl who was injured with me?”

“That bikini armor of hers seems surprisingly defensive. She avoided vital spots, and I heard you were injured much more severely, so don’t worry.”

“I’m sorry, Oknodie. You were so busy, and I caused you to worry because of me.”

“Aren’t you sorry to me too?”

“Would you like me to be?”

“Sigh. The women in this academy are too strong-willed. I can’t even assert myself.”

Son Ocheon was grumbling when a nurse chased him out, saying his voice was too loud and would disturb the patient’s rest.

The hospital room fell silent.

In her childhood, she enjoyed these quiet moments thinking of the captain, but now they weren’t welcome.

Perhaps that’s why she became so immersed in cooking.

Bubbling.

Chopping.

The sounds of cooking helped keep unwanted memories at bay.

Rustle.

Step. Step.

When she sensed the careful presence.

Perhaps she smiled quietly at the sound for the same reason.

“Come in, Oknodie. Don’t hang dangerously from the windowsill.”

“…How did you know?”

“That’s just how well we know each other.”

Boasting made her feel a bit better.

Oknodie had a habit of treating windows like doors, climbing right over the sill.

She smelled of sunlight, different from the fluffy bedding—perhaps from touching the sun-warmed bricks as she climbed up.

“Isabelle. How did you get hurt?”

“They say I collapsed from fatigue during practice. I haven’t been sleeping well lately. And I seem to feel the cold more.”

Oknodie’s face was tinged with guilt.

“Is it because of me?”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because you’re tired from making my lunchboxes and don’t have enough time to sleep. You don’t have to cook for me anymore, so please don’t get sick.”

Suddenly, she remembered what Hestia had told her about Oknodie’s friend.

There was a friend from Oknodie’s Foundation training days whose soul she tried to save after the body was lost, trapped in a plant.

-She’s been through a lot emotionally. Even without being told, I’m sure you’ve done well, but please protect her from getting hurt during academy life.

I’m sorry, Hestia.

I wanted to protect her too, but it seems I’ve already hurt her.

“It’s not because of you, Oknodie. It’s all because I was too greedy.”

“…Alright. Isabelle doesn’t need to do anything, so just rest well.”

As Oknodie turned to leave, there was something inexplicably frightening about her back view. Was it just her imagination?

“Oknodie?”

“Yes, Isabelle.”

“I’d like you to remain a good child.”

“Of course. I am a good child!”

“…Right. Take care of yourself.”

Liar.

She thought as she watched Oknodie leave the room.

Whatever happens, it’s going to be serious.

‘Where is she planning to vent her anger?’

The fault should lie with herself for not taking care of her body.

Surely she’s not planning to physically assault the opposing team from the practice match?

“There’s no space left in the infirmary.”

“Set up temporary tents then!”

“We’re short on blood. Even with accelerated physiology, the blood loss exceeds production!”

Exactly 16 hours after Oknodie left.

The ominous premonition came true spectacularly.

The medical wing where Isabelle was hospitalized was so full of new patients that they spilled outside, with an enormous number of injuries occurring.

‘Oknodie… what on earth have you done?’

Isabelle became afraid.

Afraid of not being able to stop Oknodie from walking down the wrong path.

* *

She could tell as soon as she saw Isabelle’s condition.

This wasn’t an accidental mistake caused by low stamina.

‘Mana residue remains.’

Every mana carries its own unique properties.

Magic from coastal town mages carries the scent of the sea, while magic from vagabond mages in filthy back alleys reeks of foul odors.

The scent embedded in the soul, the scenery held in the heart—these unconsciously mix into the magic.

[You detected Professor Layve’s mana residue from the traces left on Isabelle’s body.]

[Magic Theory experience +30]

[Tracking experience +10]

[Discernment experience +10]

The Imperial professors who always have at least one unfair pattern each.

She remembers all their mana residues.

She doesn’t know how they go astray and start being unfair.

She doesn’t want to know either.

There’s no need to know.

Just pay back what you receive.

She only follows her own principles.

Professor Layve’s lecture <Fundamentals and Understanding of Imperial Magic Theory>.

Imperial magic theory has one characteristic that distinguishes it from the crude mana studies of the frontier.

Enhancing power through the “specialization” of mana properties.

For instance, with water creation magic.

If you increase cohesion to form a sphere and make it envelop someone’s face, it becomes <Suffocation Water Sphere> magic.

If you penetrate biomana and create water in the lungs, it becomes <Pulmonary Edema Induction> magic.

Magic that could save someone dying of thirst can also become magic that kills someone.

“I heard Poyee collapsed with Isabelle too.”

“Wow. You even came to visit? You really are a good child!”

“…Not really. Today I’m planning to be a bad child.”

Poyee, another injured person she visited to confirm.

“Did you also feel cold before you collapsed?”

“Isn’t that normal? Like feeling chills before you realize you’re dying.”

After hearing Poyee’s story about when she collapsed, she was finally certain.

[You have identified the magic used by Professor Layve.]

[Magic Theory experience +30]

[Tracking experience +10]

[Discernment experience +10]

The identity of the magic he used was <Temperature Conversion> magic.

The specialization used was <Rapid>.

Additional formulas were <Target Designation>, <Volatility>.

The resulting magic cast was 4th Circle <Designated Rapid Cooling>.

She could tell that he had precisely deployed magic that quickly freezes a specific place, person, or substance, targeting only Isabelle and Poyee.

It makes the body feel sudden extreme cold, freezing it up, and in severe cases, activates the sympathetic nervous system, raising blood pressure and causing collapse.

Since the magic naturally disappears over time, even if investigators looked into it later, it would be impossible to catch Professor Layve.

Even if caught, what he used was simply temperature conversion magic.

If he denied it, there would be no way to prove his guilt.

Truly an ingenious assassination attempt!

‘Professor Layve… you’ve crossed the line.’

His method was good.

Threatening lives without using lethal magic.

Stealthy and difficult to trace.

Cunning magic that allows deniability even if discovered.

But he touched someone he shouldn’t have.

‘I’ll pay you back. I’ll make your precious students feel the pain too!’

* *

The healing mage at the infirmary couldn’t hide her frustration in front of the tight-lipped Imperial students.

“Oh my. You stubborn fools. If you don’t tell me how you got injured, you’re only making things difficult for yourselves!”

The infirmary isn’t some unlicensed clinic in a dark alley that treats wounds without asking questions about their origin or who the client is, as long as they’re paid.

They need to record detailed information about the student’s identity, cause of injury, prescribed magic, and treatment progress.

-How dare you touch our child!

-Our child’s lifespan has been shortened because of unnecessary regeneration magic because of you. We’ll show you the harsh judgment of the Imperial Supreme Court, remember that!

While it’s partly to prepare for possible treatment side effects…

The main purpose is to maintain treatment records for the healers’ self-defense against lawsuits from parents!

“Leave this to me.”

“Professor Layve. Do you know something about this? According to the system, all these children are students in your class…”

“Enough. I came to assess the situation myself, so go have a meal while I investigate.”

Professor Layve skillfully gave the healer some points and sent her away. Once the healer left, the students’ expressions changed as he asked them:

“Tell me what happened. Every single detail, without omission.”

The tightly sealed lips of the Imperial students finally opened.