episode_0078

My body feels heavy.

There’s a lack of strength in my arms and legs.

My head is pounding.

It feels like it’s about to shatter as if struck by a hammer.

My whole body aches and throbs.

Bandages wrap around my arms and legs, with a syringe inserted into my left elbow.

“….”

I clenched my right hand, trembling.

As I gazed at my shaking hand, my dizzy mind began to slowly clear up.

“Sigh…..”

The numbness in my arms and legs.

The pain coursing through my body.

It was engrained in my mind that I failed to protect Silia.

I could have protected her.

But I didn’t.

She was right there in front of me, within reach.

Yet I couldn’t do anything.

I could only watch.

In the first place, it was something I could have prevented.

If I had been a bit more prepared, if I… had been a bit stronger.

I could have easily stopped it.

This is entirely my fault.

Due to my choice, someone was hurt and suffered.

I should have just run away.

Abraham was an opponent I couldn’t defeat.

Because of me, Silia suffered.

At that time, even though I was far from Silia.. still, I could feel it.

As time passed, I felt that Silia was dying.

Back then, pushing me away might have been an action to prevent falling victim to my raging self.

Perhaps Silia’s actions were a kind of ‘rage’ used by vampires as a last resort.

It significantly boosts physical abilities and temporarily enhances blood manipulation skills..

Turning into a bloodthirsty monster where blood cannot be distinguished.

Literally losing control, becoming consumed by instinct, it’s a technique with a high risk of succumbing to primal urges.

Moreover, after the frenzy ends, one either suffers permanent damage to the body or dies.

I don’t know how she did it, but Silia seemed to have used that technique towards self-destruction..

So, there’s no time to lie here peacefully.

I slowly rose my heavy body from the bed, struggling to stand.

Upon doing so, Alicia, who was sitting beside me, tried to stop me.

“Bern..!! Don’t get up! You shouldn’t move yet! You need to rest a bit more until your body fully recovers! The doctor will be here soon, just until then..”

‘Alicia has come to care for me again..’

I truly appreciate Alicia’s concern.

However, I can’t just lie comfortably like this.

Someone else suffered because of my choice.

I could only watch the person I wanted to protect being hurt due to my helplessness.

So, I felt a surge of anger towards my own powerlessness.

But now, checking on Silia’s condition takes precedence.

“Alicia, Luna… Where is Luna?”

“T-That…”

Upon hearing another name for Silia, Alicia hesitated slightly and avoided answering.

“Alicia, where is Luna?”

As I asked her again, a man with gray hair appeared outside the ward, not the doctor in a white coat but a man with gray hair.

The gray-haired man wore stylish glasses, a black coat, and a fedora.

He was known by various names in society.

Some called him the Guardian of the Academy, while others referred to him as the next Archmage.

His name is Alex Frederick, the headmaster of Oasis Academy.

The last person I saw before losing consciousness.

The reason such a person would come to see me…

“Student Alicia, could you please step aside for a moment? I need to have a conversation with Mr. Bern here.”

“….”

Alicia, with a worried look in her eyes, remained silent.

Eventually, she nodded and left the room.

“….”

“….”

And so, inside the ward, only the headmaster and I remained, engulfed by a solemn silence, devoid of any conversation.

The principal broke the silence first.

Snapping his fingers, he erected a thin barrier in the room and began to look at me standing in place.

“Bern, it must be hard for you to stand. Please sit down. And… First, let me offer my apologies. I am truly sorry.”

“….”

“I sincerely apologize for the tragic events that have unfolded once again.”

Saying so, he bowed his waist and conveyed his apology to me.

“….”

However, I did not respond at all.

No, I couldn’t.

This apology should have been directed towards Silia, not me.

I do not deserve to receive it.

Therefore, I could not respond.

“….”

Nevertheless, it seems the principal interpreted my silence differently.

Raising his head again, he added while looking at me.

“Bern, no one will hear our conversation here. So feel free to speak your mind.”

“….”

“Well then, let me ask. How much do you know about Luna, or rather, Miss Silia?”

“….”

“This is not an interrogation or accusation. Just…”

“….”

“…I understand. If you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to.”

The principal’s gaze already knows everything.

Well, with the Academy’s information network, digging into Silia’s past wouldn’t be difficult.

So, Silia is a vampire…

In other words, does he also know that she is a demon?

If so, what answer does he expect from me?

Did I remain silent even though I knew Silia was a demon?

Or is he asking about the culprit who attacked Silia this time?

“….”

But for now, knowing Silia’s current state is more important.

“….So, Luna… I mean, how is Silia? Is she in critical condition?”

He paused for a moment, then answered me with a dark expression.

“…She is in critical condition. Unlike you, Bern, Miss Silia has yet to regain consciousness.”

Why is he being so vague?

Phew… Let’s stay calm for now.

At least I confirmed that Silia is alive.

That’s a relief.

“….”

I want to ask more about what happened, but it doesn’t seem like he’ll answer if I ask further here.

“Principal, just one more question. How long has it been since that day?”

“It’s been 3 days. She has been unconscious for 3 days. Fortunately, Bern seems to have recovered a lot, which is a relief.”

“….Principal, is there no way for me to see Silia in person?”

“To be honest, that’s difficult. Bern, you are aware that humans and demons have a peace treaty, right?”

“….”

“However, conflicts between humans and demons have not ceased. Moreover, this incident is quite special. It may be difficult to meet Miss Silia for the time being.”

“…Then, what will happen to Silia now? Will she be expelled for being a demon?”

The principal seemed to ponder my words for a moment.

His previously dark expression vanished, replaced by a warm smile as he replied.

“What are you talking about, Bern? Our academy never abandons students. Whether they are human or demon, of a different species, they are ultimately students of our academy. So, Bern, please don’t worry about that.”

“…Thank you.”

“And the medical expenses for you, Bern, will be fully covered by the academy, so you don’t need to worry about that separately.”

“We will provide full support for Miss Silia to regain consciousness and fully recover her health, so you don’t need to worry about that aspect either.”

“However, Silia cannot hide her true identity forever. Rumors about Silia have been spreading rapidly throughout the school, so it’s only a matter of time before her demonic nature is revealed. Therefore, even if Silia regains consciousness, she will have to endure the arrows of blame and hatred from her fellow students.”

“Even if the Academy offers help, there are limits. No matter how much they are students of the Academy, they are ultimately just children. So, they won’t be able to shield Silia from the negative looks directed at her.”

“Considering these issues, it might be better for Silia to leave the Academy.”

“…”

“However, it seems like I was worrying for nothing. Seeing Bern’s gaze, I feel relieved. It’s truly fortunate. Silia had a reliable ally by her side.”

-Thunk!

He continued, flicking his finger once more as he spoke.

“No one is to blame for this incident.”

“We are searching for the culprit who caused our students to end up like this, so please don’t blame yourself too much.”

“That’s all I can say for now.”

“…”

“…And Bern, please do your best with what you can do right now.”

With those words, the principal handed me a piece of paper with something written on it.

Then, adjusting his hat, he left the room.

I kept staring at where he had stood.

‘Do your best with what you can do right now.’

“…”

I found myself lost in deep thought as I looked at the paper the principal had given me.

….

In a dark space that allowed no hint of light, someone stood.

This individual had purple hair and a pair of horns, engaging in conversation with a being in the darkness.

“The retrieval of the vessel failed.”

“…”

“The vessel destroyed its own vessel as a final act of defiance. Probably wouldn’t have lasted long even if it survived. Can’t live like before, even if it did survive.”

“Cough, cough.”

“So, negotiations have failed. Why aren’t you responding? Well, I guess I should let you catch your breath.”

“Cough, gasp…”

“Now, you are no longer needed. So, inform your esteemed leader. Negotiations have failed.”

Releasing Naidus’ neck, Abraham concealed himself within the shadows.