episode_0025

The dense smoke covering the stadium from the explosion began to dissipate slowly in the wind.

With this, the situation was resolved.

Both of us were too heated.

But I understand. Lucy had a reason to win just like me.

It’s regrettable. But this is a test.

I had to win because I need to go back to Class B.

However, we might be separately summoned due to using such powerful magic.

If our magic clashed and caused an explosion…

Of course, that’s one thing. It’s fortunate that neither Lucy nor I were seriously injured.

“Lucy, I apologize for my rudeness in the urgency of the situation.”

“…”

“..Lucy?”

This guy… fell asleep.

Looking over to check on her, I saw the red-haired girl peacefully asleep with a serene expression.

However, upon closer inspection, dark circles had formed under her eyes, and her lips seemed dry and chapped.

It must be due to the academic workload, the recent duel, and various other factors. Plus, she nearly depleted her magical energy, so it’s understandable she’s exhausted.

That’s why taking care of one’s body is crucial.

It’s good to work hard at something, but it’s not worth pushing yourself too far.

If you overexert yourself and your health deteriorates, you’re the only one who loses.

So, Lucy is quite foolish in that regard.

But it’s not incomprehensible.

She entered the academy hiding her family’s fallen name, enrolling as a commoner to restore her family’s honor.

From first year until now, she has been running non-stop.

And this time, it caught up with her.

What she needs now is rest.

There isn’t much I can do for her weariness.

Still, I can at least help her sleep comfortably.

I tried to lay her down, intending to make her comfortable, but…

“Mmm…..”

Whether Lucy was sleep-talking or mistaking me for a teddy bear, she hugged me tightly, preventing me from moving.

Is she considering me a stuffed animal?

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

Let’s just stay still. I can’t move properly anyway.

So, I ended up falling asleep next to Lucy, quietly sitting in the stadium.

In the end, our duel concluded, and people started coming onto the field.

….

“My head… Where am I…?”

My head is spinning. Where am I?

White curtains surrounded me, and a thin blanket covered my knees.

Turning my head, I noticed a needle stuck in my left hand.

Transparent liquid flowed through the tubing attached to it.

As I started to regain consciousness, the realization dawned on me.

No, I already knew. I just didn’t want to remember.

“I… I lost in the end….”

It’s frustrating, but it’s okay.

I can do better next time. I just need to try harder. There’s still plenty of time.

While consoling myself, someone pulled back the curtain and entered.

“You’re finally awake.”

“Uh, huh?”

“Don’t make weird noises.”

The man who entered had pitch-black hair and black eyes.

He held a plate of apples, placing it beside me before adding,

“Lucy, this is the infirmary. You collapsed from exhaustion.”

“Oh… really? How pathetic of me to collapse so easily. I have no face to show my family…”

“You’re truly stubborn. An academy student who can’t even take care of themselves. If you hadn’t pushed yourself too hard, the fight would’ve been an easy win.”

“What are you saying? This idiot..!”

“That’s why I’m telling you to take care of yourself. If you collapse again from overworking, deal with it yourself.”

With those words, the man left the infirmary.

Lucy was left alone in the spacious room.

Only the cool breeze entering through the open window embraced her.

In the quiet infirmary, as I averted my gaze from the window, the warmly shining sun was gradually withdrawing its light.

The sunset was fading away.

The sky, tinged red by the sun disappearing beyond the horizon, was incredibly beautiful.

“Have I ever looked at the sky recently?”

It feels like it’s been years since I last saw the sky. A year of running non-stop without proper rest.

It feels like it’s been years since I last saw the sky.

Running tirelessly while others were relaxing with friends or resting in their rooms… I lost.

But there’s a sense of relief, like the uncomfortable knot in my chest has disappeared.

Hmm, I feel refreshed. It’s like something has cleared up.

Yes, let’s think positively. There’s still plenty of time, and I can keep striving.

I’m so exhausted. Sometimes, it’s not bad to just stare blankly at the sky and take a break.

Losing to that guy this time… is a bit disappointing. But next time, I’ll definitely win.

But thinking about that guy again makes me angry.

“Ugh, it’s really ridiculous. Just saying his piece and leaving. Who does he think he is?”

“Don’t get too worked up.”

“Huh?!”

“Heh, looking again, your face isn’t the only cute thing about you, huh?”

“W-who are you?”

“Oh~. I’m the school nurse here. Just call me ‘Laura.’”

“Oh, um… I-I’m sorry. I was just startled.”

“It’s okay~. It’s okay. Everyone seems to be surprised~.”

A woman with purple hair wearing a white gown.

Under her tall eyes were dark circles that had settled in.

With her pale face and deep dark circles, she almost looked like a ghost.

As she lowered her eyes, her tightly fitting black shirt and skirt became visible, making Laura’s figure quite impressive even to Lucy, who took pride in her own appearance.

Despite being covered by the gown, Laura’s body was still strikingly revealed.

Because of this, Lucy couldn’t find a place to look at her.

“The nurse’s outfit is too… revealing!”

Startled like that, as Lucy looked around nervously, Laura started speaking to her.

“That friend of yours, is he your boyfriend?”

“Ah… no!! That guy as my boyfriend…! Th-that’s absurd!”

“Is that so~? He may have seemed cold and aloof, but he stayed by your side nursing you until you woke up, right?”

“…..”

“And look over there, that guy brought you an apple to eat. Since you collapsed all day and didn’t eat anything, it seems like he got it for you himself?”

“….”

“Pfft, you’ve got a good friend~. Oh~ I’m envious~. I wish I had such a caring boyfriend~. Where do they find them~.”

“Oh, and now that you seem somewhat recovered, I’ll get your medicine. Don’t stray off the path and go straight back to the dorm~. You shouldn’t collapse from exhaustion again, okay? Well then, goodbye~,” said Laura, sending Lucy off.

Rebuffed unexpectedly in the infirmary, she was making her way back to the dormitory.

The sun had long set. The sky was dark, adorned with bright little stars.

She walked, taking deep breaths.

It had been a long day. Today seemed more challenging than the previous practical training.

Bern Flame, that guy… and the school nurse…

Well, I’m grateful to Bern. He took care of me all day when I collapsed. The apple was delicious too.

He threw himself into danger for me during the duel in Delran. I’m thankful for that.

Still, he’s a man I can’t understand. Not interested.

On the other hand, Nurse Laura was an exceptional teacher.

Adulthood had long passed, but Lucy was keenly aware that she was still in the midst of growth. However, Miss Laura…

Regardless, Miss Laura was truly remarkable.

Yet, a teacher dressed like that…? Well, it doesn’t matter.

Let’s stop thinking about it today and get some much-needed rest.

Lucy, who had decided to stop thinking any further, was…

…

Sigh, it was truly a long day.

I never expected the match to end like that.

Lucy lay in the infirmary after collapsing from Mana Overload, while I, relatively unscathed, received basic treatment and woke up under the homeroom teacher’s care.

Well, Lucy is bound to wake up broken tomorrow anyway.

Without dwelling on it too much, both of us unleashed powerful magic.

Had we made a mistake, it wouldn’t have ended with just minor injuries.

Anyway, the outcome of the match is my victory for surviving.

But given Lucy’s impressive display, she will also receive commendations.

Whether it’s Lucy or me, it’s a win-win situation.

In that sense, I should return to the dormitory today and do nothing but rest.

Despite receiving basic treatment from Laura, my fatigue didn’t vanish.

Moreover, from the match onwards, spending the whole day as Laura’s companion left me feeling utterly exhausted.

Laura was a highly popular character known for her immense kindness, striking figure, and beautiful appearance.

However, once you got involved with her, things could get quite troublesome, so I tried to avoid her as much as possible.

But have I not heard any rumors about Bern Flame?

Her attitude and demeanor seemed to treat me as just an ordinary student.

I asked just in case, but the response I got was, “I don’t really know? I’m bad with rumors~. I have to work overtime today, so even if I want to take an interest in students, I can’t. So, you should be my companion for now, right?”

That was the reply I received…

Well, there wasn’t a time in the original work when dark circles weren’t present due to being swamped with work.

Well, being busy with work might make one vulnerable to rumors.

Anyway, Laura was truly stunning.

She excelled as a health teacher, had a great reputation among students and staff, and had a decent personality. But if there was an issue… she was a bit of a risky person, perhaps?

Not that she was truly bad, but more like a predator targeting prey. Always had to be cautious around her.

Just by looking at her attire, she didn’t seem like a teacher but more like a female aiming for males.

Sigh, it’s really tough. Feels even harder than during practice sessions.

But the soft bed in the dormitory awaits me.

“Wait for me, bed! I’m coming!”

The night grows deeper.