episode_0063

Sitting in the same space as Lady Helena, vivid memories of that day that I couldn’t forget resurfaced.

Even now, after a considerable amount of time has passed since the shock, I still occasionally experienced nightmares related to it.

That day was the day when Yukal’s composure unraveled.

It was early morning when, driven by a desire to see Yukal, everything suddenly began as I headed towards the boys’ dormitory.

-Whyyyy

“I remember hearing it before. The dormitory security guard had definitely issued an alert at Ardent Academy during an emergency situation, instructing everyone to evacuate.”

Although you said it was a false alarm last time, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious and judged that we should move to the nearest building.

As I was about to enter the closest building, what stopped me in my tracks was the sight of a person standing at the entrance.

Helena, the instigator of all the events that made life difficult for Yukal and me, was still standing there, looking in our direction with an inscrutable smile.

Meeting eyes with Lady Helena, I felt anger rising, but considering what I had endured and the impact my current attitude could have on Yukal, I tensed up, trembling with anxiety.

Observing me in that state, Lady Helena calmly began casting a spell.

“Ice Arrow.”

I closed my eyes as the arrows of ice were about to rain down on me, but even as time passed, I felt nothing piercing my body.

Instead, I only heard the sound of something shattering as it collided with something behind me.

Turning around in confusion, I saw a huge figure with long, thick arms that almost touched the ground entering.

“This is just child’s play for these human girls.”

Raising its head enough for me to see its face.

Upon confirming the ominous crimson horns emitting from its head, I could immediately identify the identity of this being.

“A demon I’ve only read about in books! I need to run away immediately.”

Despite my thoughts, my legs gave way under the ferocious aura, and I found myself sitting helplessly on the ground.

“First, I’ll crush this female and then start. Wait for your turn.”

Why did Yukal come to mind as the demon swung its arm, seemingly satisfied with my fearful state?

“I don’t want to die yet. I haven’t even been able to convey my feelings to Yukal. If I can see him again…”

But I felt like I wouldn’t even be able to entertain such thoughts anymore, until a saving grace reached out from behind.

“Barrier – Spatial Designation, Intensity Enhancement, Grand-Magic Attribute.”

The yellow barrier surrounding me repelled the demon’s attack.

Seeing the ground around the barrier solidify from the impact, it was clear that this power was no laughing matter; yet, the barrier remained unscathed.

“The voice now is Lady Helena’s, but why me?”

Moreover, the current barrier, a triple-reinforced one with conditions set to enhance its strength, was something unimaginable for a first-year student like herself to cast.

After firing several more spells to drive the demon back, Lady Helena approached me without looking and spoke.

“Stay put right there. It probably won’t dissipate unless you leave.”

“Why are you… You must escape immediately! It’s dangerous!”

I knew Lady Helena excelled in magic, but facing the opponent in front of us alone without any reinforcements seemed unreasonable.

No matter how much I disliked her, I couldn’t drag her into a dangerous situation.

With the barrier she had provided, I believed we could buy some time, allowing Lady Helena to evacuate and request assistance from the professors, ensuring at least one person could survive definitively.

In response to my repeated plea for escape, Lady Yeong-ae, who had remained silent, quietly spoke up.

“If my calculations are correct, neither you nor I will die. So, from now on, do not mention what I am doing to anyone, especially not to Yukal. If you have even a hint of gratitude.”

As she said this, her entire body began to shine with a golden light, and behind Lady Helena Yeong-ae’s back, a clock-like figure appeared.

“Ice Lance – Artillery Reinforcement.”

It was a simple magic spell without drawing symbols or using magic circles, but the results were tremendous.

Ice spears of enormous size, similar to those used by knights, were generated and shot towards the demons.

Taken aback by the formidable power, the demons slightly recoiled, deflecting the spears with their massive arms.

The spears, launched over time, soon pierced into the demons from all directions simultaneously, engulfed in a roar and dense dust.

‘Did it work?’

After receiving the recent magical barrage, I couldn’t imagine any living being surviving.

Contrary to my expectations, the demons brushed off the dust with their arms in an instant and let out a loud cry as if their eardrums were about to burst.

“Hahaha, not bad, human wench! Struggle a little more!”

At that moment, the clock that had appeared behind Lady Helena Yeong-ae shone, confirming that the gauge had moved back slightly.

‘I can’t maintain the barrier indefinitely or keep launching attacks like just now.’

Considering that the gauge on the clock had moved back slightly after the recent magical attack, every time magic is used, the clock moves backward. Although I’m not sure where the limit lies, it’s clear that there will be one.

To assist Lady Helena Yeong-ae even slightly, I cast a buff, feeling a significant surge of magical power within myself as well.

Perhaps realizing that dealing with Lady Helena Yeong-ae should be a priority, the demons turned away from me and attempted to charge, but they couldn’t advance easily due to the continuous magical barrage.

The issue was that even if they were injured by magic, they quickly regenerated, turning the tide against Lady Helena Yeong-ae and me.

The clock continued to move backward, and I could sense the diminishing power of the magic gradually affecting me too.

Deciding that this was a breakthrough, Lady Helena Yeong-ae swiftly cast a spell to deal with the demons who were being shot out like bullets at an incredible speed.

“Ice Field – Decreased Friction”

The plan was likely to freeze the area instantly, creating an icy battlefield to make the opponents slip, then hit them with magic. However, just before touching the ice, the demons seemed to have hidden wings, accelerating further in mid-air and charging towards Lady Yeong-ae.

“It’s dangerous!”

If I cast a barrier now, at least I might avoid fatal injuries.

If it’s similar to what was cast on me, I might even counterattack while blocking.

However, with an unknown murmur, instead of casting a barrier, Lady Yeong-ae released the golden clock, allowing the demons to attack, piercing her abdomen…

“You’re too late; you’ve spent more than you thought.”

Leaving these words behind, she lost consciousness, and shortly after, Yukal arrived to save us, defeating the demons and successfully saving Lady Helena Yeong-ae.

No matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t understand the meaning behind Lady Yeong-ae saving me at that moment. Therefore, following Yukal’s recommendation, I proceeded with volunteer service and entered Lady Helena Yeong-ae’s private room to ask her why she saved me.

Why did she save herself?

I had thought that she disliked and tormented me to obtain Yukal.

“Don’t misunderstand; I didn’t save you because I liked you. It’s simply because ultimately it helps Yukal’s favor. That’s why I did it.”

Still, she acted to obtain the Yucal, but wouldn’t it have been easier for her to disappear from Lady Yeongae’s perspective and dig that spot instead?

At the end, when she could have avoided a fatal blow, she instead allowed the attack. Questioning the meaning of this:

“I was constantly checking with surveillance magic how far Yucal was coming. It was clear that he would arrive soon, and judging that if it was Yucal, he could handle the demons well enough and save me. At that point, it was certain that I wouldn’t die.”

Lady Yeongae continued to speak incomprehensibly.

Even though she had suffered a potentially fatal injury, she was confident she wouldn’t die.

However, acknowledging the debt of her life, she promised herself not to reveal this and Lady Helena Yeongae’s actions to Yucal.

“The first victory that has continued since the entrance ceremony and the mock dungeon is yours, Claire. But from now on, taking over Yucal will be mine, so I hope you stay away from Yucal as much as possible. Well, I can respect Yucal’s privacy, so if it’s my turn next, I can tolerate pranks or spies for one night.”

Although the private room was quiet, with limited access, whenever we sporadically conversed in the ward, I couldn’t help but think that Lady Yeongae seemed consistently sinister.

Nevertheless, despite being her intuition, I also felt that Lady Yeongae might actually want recognition and love from someone.

‘Maybe she acts warm and friendly, but deep down, she’s thoroughly calculating and formidable. Could I become friends with Lady Yeongae?’

“…. Miss Claire.”

“No matter how Rachel and I were planning together, how could you lose focus like that?”

Lost in thoughts of past events, I didn’t notice that the two were already looking at me.

“I-I’m sorry. I must have been tired and lost in thought for a moment…”

“It’s okay. Instead, tell me about the techniques and combat style Yucal used when defeating the demons.”

“….”

Demanding information about Yucal’s combat style without caring much about her own severe injuries, in some ways, Lady Yeongae appeared truly remarkable.

‘Indeed, approaching Yucal through Lady Helena Yeongae won’t work.’

Despite her gratitude towards Lady Helena Yeongae and her attitude change, Claire reaffirmed her commitment to protect Yucal from Lady Yeongae.