Following my clash with Julia, I immediately returned to the dormitory.
I was in no condition to attend more classes.
My body felt incredibly heavy.
'Seeing Siena is out of the question.’
Given my current physical state, I suspect I'll be bedridden for at least a couple of days.
It was a struggle to make it back to the dormitory.
I managed to endure, enhancing my Twisted Noble's Dignity trait with the [Amplification Orb].
My body teeters on the brink of collapse, yet it moves, akin to a marionette with disjointed limbs.
'Phew, at least I made it back.'
I've never craved the comfort of my bed quite like this before.
Creaking─
Hearing my approach, Amy emerged and offered a respectful bow.
"You've returned early, young master."
"Yes, I'm not feeling well, so I'll go to bed early. I'll be in my room for two or three days."
"···Understood, young master. Is there anything else you need?"
“Hmm.”
I didn't want to get up until at least tomorrow morning.
'···Assuming I can even rise from bed.'
"Tomorrow afternoon, pay a visit to the Knight Department. Tell Irene that I have to cancel our appointment for tomorrow evening. Extend my apologies."
Promises must be kept.
While Irene currently views me favorably, I'm well aware that the affections of a woman can be as capricious as the wind.
She could easily turn her back on me, holding a grudge.
"Lady Irene? Understood, young master."
"Yes, I'm going in now. Make sure to pass on my message."
With that, I entered my room. I wanted to lie down on the bed immediately, but my body wouldn't move as I wanted.
It was because of the amplified Twisted Noble's Dignity.
'This damn trait does have its uses. Alright, I should take a shower.'
I was sweaty and was likely coated in dust.
Only after taking a thorough shower could I finally collapse onto my bed.
The following day. The classroom of the Knight Department, Class A.
It was still early before first period, so the classroom was quiet.
“......”
Instead of her usual spot in the middle row, Irene found herself in the back, gazing out the window.
Her mind was preoccupied with the memory of Theo from his duel with Julia yesterday.
'...He reminded me so much of that time.’
She was reminded of an event before their academy admission, an incident that had forced her to confront her feelings for Theo.
Even though she had come to accept her romantic feelings for Theo, she felt uneasy.
'What should I do?'
The unsettling sight of him bleeding and his wicked expression from yesterday.
It bore an uncanny resemblance to that past incident.
It was a reasonable guess.
Theo's power was escalating at an astonishing rate.
Certainly, the world is brimming with powerful individuals. However, this was Elinia Academy, a gathering of the continent's most exceptional talents.
Among them, Theo's progression was indisputably remarkable. Few, if any, could match such swift growth.
It was plausible enough to believe he was possessed by a demon.
‘If he’s changed since that incident... How should I treat him?’
It was a sentiment she had buried deep within her heart.
No, she had tried to erase it from her mind.
With Theo's recent earnest advances and growing appeal, she had chosen to dismiss it.
'Can't he just tell me what's going on?'
Perhaps he had intended to tell her tomorrow.
He had formally invited her out for the first time...
That seemed like something he would do.
Suddenly,
"Irene? Ah, yes. Hold on."
"Thank you."
She sensed a gaze from the back door.
Turning slowly, Irene found a familiar face.
'That’s... Theo's servant, isn’t it? Amy, was it?'
She was a woman Irene had seen on multiple occasions during her visits to the Waldeurk family.
A woman who always kept close to Theo, her expression unreadable.
“......”
Without setting foot in the classroom, Amy held Irene's gaze.
Rising from her seat, Irene approached Amy.
"You're......"
"I am Theo's servant, Amy."
"...Yes."
"May I have a moment of your time, Miss Irene?"
Amy offered a respectful bow.
"Okay."
Amy and Irene, having stepped outside, began their conversation.
"···Yesterday, Young Master Theo returned from school feeling unwell and is currently resting. I understand he was meant to have dinner with you today."
"···Right."
"He asked me to apologize for not being able to join you for dinner."
"I understand."
Irene nodded impassively.
'He is concealing something, as I suspected.'
It was evident that he had paid a significant price for such accelerated power.
There exist traits that amplify one's strength at a cost... but as far as she knew, such traits were exceptionally rare.
'Then, a pact with a demon······.'
She didn’t want to believe that was the case.
But she couldn't rule out the possibility of such a pact. Indeed, the likelihood was quite high.
Otherwise, how could Theo, who had once pleaded for her help, now triumph over Julia, essentially the top contender of the knight department?
"Did he relay anything else?"
"···He reiterated his sincerest apologies for breaking the promise."
"······."
Irene felt a twinge of sorrow.
Because she knew Theo's regret was genuine.
When had he ever apologized so fervently?
He was someone who seldom offered a sincere ‘sorry’.
His dark past had her feeling apprehensive.
'Now, I want to move forward together.'
She and Theo had come a long way.
She didn't want to worry and struggle alone anymore.
She wanted to break free from the habit of being disappointed.
She wanted to walk together until her feelings turned to ashes.
Even if the path ahead was laden with thorns.
"Alright. Please tell him to visit me when he's feeling better."
She had ample time.
And even if she sought an exit, she couldn’t locate one now.
After all, to her, he was both a precious fiancé and a true hero.
Clatter, clatter─
After her conversation with Irene, Amy boarded the carriage heading to the dormitory.
The dormitory where Theo and she resided was closer to the Knight Department.
It was now past 10 in the morning.
'I wonder if the young master is awake yet.'
Theo's condition was similar to when he returned from the previous assessment.
Given that he probably couldn’t even lift a hand, she would have to take care of things for him.
Pondering over breakfast options, she made her way towards the dormitory.
"······."
An unwanted visitor with flowing blonde hair stood in front of the dormitory.
It was Siena, an elf possessing an aloof demeanor, as though she was the owner of the world.
Amy's face hardened.
"···What brings you here, Miss Siena."
"Nice to see you, Amy."
Siena responded with a smile.
"Thank you for the other day."
"···What do you mean."
"Weren’t you the one who carried me to the dormitory two days ago?"
"Ah, yes, but…”
Amy regarded Siena with serene eyes.
In stark contrast to Monday, Siena appeared quite vibrant.
Her lively and relaxed demeanor was just like when they first met.
"There's no need for gratitude, Miss Siena. I was merely carrying out the young master's instructions."
"Well, I thought so. He's unexpectedly shy. Hehe, is Theo in his room?"
"Yes, but he's not feeling well at the moment."
"Oh, was he also injured on Monday?"
Siena's eyes narrowed.
"No. He has been unwell since yesterday.”
"So, I won't be able to see him today."
"Yes..."
Amy, looking apprehensive, cast her gaze towards Siena.
It was understandable, given the numerous tales Amy had heard about the dangers associated with spirit wizards.
Spirit wizards: people driven by their own desires.
Moreover, elves are known to never give up once they've developed an interest.
She was a highly dangerous individual.
Contrary to Amy's worries, Siena willingly backed off.
And she added,
"Please give him this. It should help him right now."
Siena extended a glass bottle.
"Ugh, I had a hard time getting this. I wanted to show off a bit. Anyway, I'll be going. Please take care of our Theo."
"···Safe travels, Miss Siena."
"Ah, and... please tell him not to pull any more pointless tricks."
With that, Siena departed.
'Pointless tricks.'
She was probably referring to the spirit repellent she had given the young master.
Once Siena had vanished from sight, Amy examined the glass bottle she received.
There was no label, no explanation. Merely a bottle filled with a transparent liquid that looked like water.
Yet, it exuded a sense of mystery.
'I don't sense any mana... I'll give it to him anyway. Now, what should I prepare for breakfast?'
After a brief contemplation, Amy made her way into the dormitory.
***
One of the people helping me with this novel and my 6★ Gacha Character novel is picking up 2 novels! After we sort that out I'm hoping to increase the releases to 5.
I've always planned for 5 releases but there's just too many things to work on.
1/4 Enjoy the chappy!
