episode_0017

It was the first time she had ever worried about someone, the first time she had thought so deeply about another person, and the first time her body had acted before making a rational judgment.

Therefore, as Yerena set out to find Sian, she couldn’t understand why she was doing this even at the expense of giving up her training time.

“…Why am I acting like this?”

Yerena muttered softly as she ran towards the source of the sound. Strengthening her body with magic, she cut through branches and thorns blocking her path with her longsword.

Sian. Yes, that girl named Sian was the issue.

Even though there wasn’t much time left for me. So, I didn’t want to hold onto any lingering feelings for this world.

Somehow, it was difficult to push Sian away like everyone else. Every time she looked at Sian, her expression softened involuntarily.

The presence of a friend approaching me for the first time in my life felt so significant in my heart. The fact that even a broken person like me could be precious to someone made me quietly happy.

“This is driving me crazy.”

Yerena ruffled her hair and let out a sigh.

She found herself wanting the only girl, Sian, who had approached her.

If it’s Sian. If it’s the Sian who approached the broken me, maybe she could understand me.

Certainly, these useless emotions had been buried along with memories at my parents’ funeral eight years ago. So, I shouldn’t divert my attention elsewhere.

If my mind wanders to strange places and I fail in seeking revenge. Then ultimately, my parents’ deaths would become meaningless.

But why am I looking for Sian? Even sacrificing valuable training time. Wasting unnecessary energy…

“…No.”

Shaking her head, Yerena pushed aside the intrusive thoughts that surfaced. Now was not the time for such thoughts. Sian might be in danger.

The sound she had just heard was definitely not benign. Yerena’s intuition was telling her that. Sian shouldn’t be left alone.

“This isn’t just for me…”

While carrying out a subjugation mission in the north. According to some knight, a friend is someone who supports you no matter what the situation. A reliable support in battle whom you can rely on.

I had never felt the need for such a thing until now. It was just a change of mind.

With Sian’s skills, she wouldn’t at least hinder me.

“So, this is all for revenge.”

I’m looking for Sian because she is necessary for revenge. Justifying it to myself in this way.

Yerena, upon finding Sian, asked with a voice tinged with joy, “Sian? Where on earth have you been…”

Yerena’s eyes, mixed with concern, scanned Sian. Sian’s complexion reflected in the lamp did not look good.

Nevertheless, thankfully there seemed to be no major visible injuries. Sian’s expression also didn’t seem too grave.

Yerena swiftly sheathed her sword and approached Sian. As Sian emerged from the bushes, the figure of a young girl was revealed.

Dark blue hair grown down to her shoulders. Deep dark circles under her eyes. And behind her, a long sword as tall as herself.

However, those things didn’t seem to matter. In Yerena’s eyes, what mattered was Sian’s arms embracing that girl tightly. As if holding onto a precious person.

In an instant, Yerena’s brow furrowed.

That’s my place. Who on earth is that girl to dare approach Sian like that? And why does Sian, who claimed to have no friends, seem so intimate with that girl?

No more deadlines or parental revenge came to mind. Vague emotions surged within.

“…Sian. Who is this?”

Perhaps that’s why, sharp words escaped Sian unintentionally.

‘Obsession,’ an unfamiliar emotion to the socially deficient girl, felt uncomfortable to Yerena.

“Eh…?”

Unintentionally forceful, Yerena asked.

“Why are you with Regina Strellachia?”

“Uh, well, you see…”

Startled, Sian’s body trembled slightly. Various emotions mixed in her usually confident violet eyes: confusion, perplexity, and a hint of fear.

Familiar feelings to Yerena.

When embodying the Ice Princess, raising her voice revealed an expressive face.

Only then did Yerena Frost realize her mistake.

Sian was the injured patient, and the girl leaning on her didn’t seem well either.

Why would I do this to patients…

“…No. Sorry, I misspoke. I was just a bit flustered at your absence.”

Not wanting to see Sian’s expression, Yerena quickly apologized and approached her. Fortunately, an awkward smile appeared on Yerena’s face, masking her unfamiliar expressions.

“Oh, you worried Yerena…”

“Yes. It was unusual for two students to vanish during an exam. I was concerned about you…”

“Haha, really?”

The girl, leaning tiredly against a tree, mumbled.

“But it’s not so bad. Being worried about by Yerena feels nice. It seems we’ve grown closer. It makes me happy to feel special to you…”

“Huh?”

Sian simply wanted to thank Yerena, but her words had a greater impact.

Thud-

Heat rose on Yerena’s cheek. Her icy silver eyes quivered.

“Thank you for rushing to help me at this late hour.”

The girl’s voice tickled her ear pleasantly. Yerena froze as she intended to inform Sian and Regina’s discovery.

“…Without you, I wouldn’t have anyone to practice swordsmanship with. I was just worried. So, don’t read too much into it.”

Yerena, lacking immunity to pure emotions, stumbled through her response without hiding her embarrassment.

And Sian wasn’t oblivious to this emotional turmoil.

“I see.”

Hearing Sian’s laughter-tinged reply, Yerena couldn’t hold back and turned away.

“Think about it yourself.”

Clack-

Light footsteps pierced the night sky along with the sky-blue magic clinging to the sword tip. Yerena’s face blushed like a ripe apple as she cast a signal spell.

Ribs were fractured, arm muscles strained, back not normal, but minor wounds will heal soon… What exactly were you doing?

Claudia, the academy nurse with short black hair, looking somewhat worn out at 160cm, sighed lightly and set down some documents.

“Haha… Well, you see…”

“Yes, I heard vaguely. You went into the ancient dungeon where the Great Lich slept?”

“Oh, has the rumor spread that far already…?”

“That’s not it. Ellen told me. No matter what anyone says, I’m a nurse after all. I need to know the patient’s condition, right?”

Claudia approached me and showed me her left hand. A white cross-shaped scar engraved in the middle of her hand.

As Claudia drew upon her magic, the scar began to emit a warm light.

“…Well, still, it’s fortunate that you’re alive. As long as you’re alive, I can treat your injuries.”

Claudia unbuttoned my school uniform jacket and mumbled. When her bare skin was fully exposed, the bruised side of her ribs was visible.

The sound of rustling fabric as a white cloth covered the bruise. Along with it, warm magic flowed from Claudia’s hand.

“Mm…”

It felt like someone was gently caressing the injured area with a warm touch. I entrusted myself to that touch and closed my eyes quietly.

“Alright, all done.”

“Thank you so much.”

“Don’t mention it. It might be better for you to stay here and rest tonight. I’ve applied a temporary fix, but you need to stabilize.”

With those words, Claudia added, “I’ll take my leave now. If anything happens, come to the room next door.”

After Claudia left, silence filled the room. As my tension slowly eased, I relaxed into the peaceful quiet and closed my eyes quietly.

However, someone approached me as I prepared for sleep.

“S-Sian…”

“Mm…Regina?”

A girl wearing oversized hospital clothes and hugging a large pillow approached me. Regina.

Hiding her blushing face behind the large pillow, she peeked out and asked cutely. It felt like watching an adorable creature. Perhaps, just like in the dungeon earlier, she was afraid to fall asleep alone.

“Are you scared to sleep alone?”

“Uh, well… I’m sorry, but if I wake up and no one is beside me… I’d feel too lonely, so…”

“Is that so?”

So, without much thought, I asked Regina, “Would you like to sleep with me?”