episode_0146

Three weeks since the attack. Routine had returned to the academy. Was it due to their swift response? The chaotic atmosphere was remembered by the students as nothing more than a simple commotion.

The faculty also relaxed their heightened vigilance slightly. “Don’t worry.” “The traitor has already been identified, and the purge has already been completed.” “As this is confidential, everyone should keep silent.”

They seemed to trust the dean’s vague explanation. The old man had been the head of Gallimard for the past forty years. A bond, you could say, between them.

Of course. A faint tension remained. The fundamental problem was still there. Only the internal traitors had been dealt with; the fact that the academy was being targeted from the outside remained unchanged.

The professors often scrutinized their surroundings with sharp eyes, more than usual. That didn’t mean it was a bad thing. Rather, it was good.

‘It’s probably good to maintain a reasonable level of vigilance.’

The story had changed. Originally, the academy should have collapsed by now. But due to my intervention, the academy remained intact. However, as the steering wheel of the story had sharply turned, predicting the future became even more difficult.

Therefore, the faculty also needed to contribute their strength for the academy’s defense. They were a sufficiently strong force, after all.

‘Besides, everyone is favorable towards me.’

Since the last attack. I received great gratitude from the faculty. My contribution in discovering the hidden passage in the academy’s basement and subduing the cultists was recognized. Especially my appearance, moving around in a wheelchair with a pale complexion, seemed to have left a strong impression. Thanks to this, the faculty’s evaluation of me rose vertically.

“If it weren’t for Yuda Student… it would have been a really big problem.” “He prevented what could have easily become a disaster.” “Someone of such caliber truly seems unique.” “I’ve underestimated him until now, but this time, I can’t help but acknowledge him. Such great courage. To confront the cultists directly to protect the academy.” “Tsk tsk… No matter how I think about it, it’s regrettable. I really should have taken him as a disciple.” “He went under Professor Selena, didn’t he? It’s understandable for a young man to be attracted to a mature woman. Hmph, I have no intention of taking a student who is swayed by looks as my disciple either.” “Professor Lucy. Why don’t you just honestly say you’re jealous?” “Ugh…! You’re right! My guts are twisting all over the place! Why Professor Selena?! I’m confident I could treat him better!” “Disgraceful.”

It was strangely awkward. Although I was already in a position that garnered attention, it felt as if this incident had pushed my favorability to its maximum. It felt strange to have gentlemen renowned for their haughtiness become friendly.

Anyway. ‘It’s back.’ The academy’s atmosphere had returned to how it was before. A winter where no tragedies occurred. Of course, having walked a bumpy road, there were also parts that had changed from the original.

If I had to pick one person who changed most drastically, it would be Selena. My Teacher-nim.

“Yuda Student.” The drunkard. Even that epithet no longer suited her. Since that day, she had stayed away from alcohol. As the fading drunkenness followed the scent of alcohol, her gloomy atmosphere also gradually brightened. A faint smile touched her melancholic expression, which had been like a broken doll. The woman whispered.

“It’s all thanks to Yuda Student.”

Long-term treatment is essential for alcohol addiction. It would take a long time to overcome it. However. The woman’s steps no longer lingered in sorrow. Even if she faltered, she was moving towards a clear light. I believed that if her will didn’t break, she would surely reach tomorrow. I decided to watch over her.

–I… I’m going to try to live properly from now on.

The promise she made to her younger sibling. Selena also approached the faculty members with whom she had been awkward. She broke the chilly silence and initiated greetings. For the other professors, it must have been confusing. Someone who had treated those around her like air for the past seven years had suddenly changed so drastically. There were even people who worried if she had contracted a terminal illness. It seemed it would take quite some time to form bonds with her colleagues.

Still, it felt fresh. ‘It’s good to see.’ Watching her trying to change. It often made me feel trivial sentiments like, ‘I really did change something.’

‘Should I say I feel proud?’

It goes without saying. Progress also occurred in my relationship with Selena. The subtle wall that had existed between us crumbled, and it felt as if our distance had suddenly closed.

However, the problem was… “Yuda Student. May I ask you a favor today as well?” “A favor, you say?” Perhaps I should say the distance had become too close.

The woman murmured in a low voice. “I… I’d like you to hold me like that time.”

That time. After waking from her dream. Had the memory of being held in my arms left a strong impression? Selena would often open her arms and ask for a hug.

“No…?” A slight hesitation. Even as she lifted her head as if thirsting for affection, her reddish eyes trembled ungracefully. As if she feared the answer would be a refusal. The woman always lacked composure.

Of course. “If Teacher-nim wishes.” I did not refuse.

“……Thank you, always.” “Don’t mention it. Please come here.”

Each time, I would hold her for a long while. If we spent roughly three hours in the laboratory, two of those hours were spent clinging to each other. Selena would bury her face in my chest, desperately craving body heat. When she did, her anxious mind apparently stabilized. I stood still and gently patted her slender back. For several hours like that.

“……” Eventually, it began to interfere with work. After a few days of apparent contemplation, the woman finally decided to sit on my lap while working. Thanks to that, I had to handle documents while embracing Selena from behind. Perhaps because of the close posture, I could clearly feel the other person’s body temperature and curves. Occasionally, the scratching sound of the pen nib would stop, and whenever her violet hair rested on my shoulder, our lips were at a distance where they could almost touch. It felt strange to realize our breaths mingling, separated by a hair’s breadth. No matter if we were Teacher and student, weren’t we too close?

“It’s nice. Being together.” Selena murmured in a weary voice. Her faint smile erased the needless thoughts that had filled my mind. The woman spoke.

“Thank you.” “I feel like you say that too often.” “I feel this isn’t even enough.” “I am simply glad you express it that way.” “Because thanks to you, I’ve gained a new meaning. A meaning to live for in the future.”

The meaning of life. The woman’s finger seemed to point towards me. Her close fingertip brushed my lips.

“So… I’ll cherish everything Yuda Student has given me.”

Following that. The drunkard took the finger that had touched my lips and placed it over her own. Her eyes, curved as our gazes met, were uniquely captivating. It was truly experience, perhaps. Her movements and gaze were enchanting. The woman embraced me once again.

“Because from now on, I will live for those things.” Selena whispered softly. I nodded. The day continued beyond mingling body heat and breaths. Their relationship was growing even deeper.

***

The spinning routine. As time passed, small changes also occurred for me.

“Hmm.” Namely, my body had largely recovered. As my depleted vitality returned, daily life became possible once again. Well… daily life was possible even before, but still. It was refreshing to be able to bid farewell to the wheelchair I had been forced to use.

“Too bad. It was good to see us in the same state.” Elize said, subtly sounding disappointed. She seemed regretful that their wheelchair duo of the past fortnight had been broken.

“If I’m in a wheelchair, who will push Your Highness?” “Well, my sister would push you. And sometimes Tanya would push you too.” “You’re being too much.” “I don’t think that’s something a physician who wags his tail everywhere should say.” “I don’t know what you mean.” “It seems you’ve even seduced a professor this time. Be careful, or you might actually get imprisoned.” “Ha, haha…”

The long-awaited peace passed by busily. Then, one day, as exactly a month was nearing since the cultist attack. A mysterious letter arrived at my dormitory.

“Take this.” “Hmm? What is it, Irene?” “It arrived via magical mail earlier this afternoon. Judging by the lack of a sender, it seems to have been sent from the headquarters.” “A letter from the headquarters…”

I had a guess. I carefully broke the seal. Thud. What came out was a thick document. On the very first page, the title was written. [Report on Manastone Disease] [Authored by: Medro Andreas]

As expected. After briefly glancing through the report, I soon murmured. “Has the time come?”

It seemed. The time to cure Rose’s illness had arrived.