Chapter 26

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 26

Chapter Title: Miraculous Save

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The moment the severed blade hurtled toward Lucia, Herwin felt as if time itself had frozen.

The scenery around him slowed to a crawl, everything grinding nearly to a halt. At the same time, the razor-sharp blade slicing through the air came to a dead stop mid-flight.

Even as Herwin experienced this bizarre phenomenon, he remained oblivious to it, his eyes fixed solely on Lucia.

Before his mind could even register that she was in danger, his body moved on instinct.

When he came back to his senses, he was already standing in front of her.

Thank heavens. If that incoming blade had struck Lucia directly, she would have...

He didn't even want to imagine the aftermath. It was a horrific thought he couldn't bear to entertain.

Those blue eyes gazing up at him brimmed with vibrant life—it was truly a relief.

But as relief washed over Herwin, anxiety crept back in when Lucia fainted in his arms.

"Lucia!"

He felt like he was going mad. His heart refused to calm down, pounding so fiercely it seemed he might lose his mind.

His head was filled with one overriding thought: he had to save Lucia.

Herwin hurriedly scooped her up and dashed toward the infirmary.

The students in the training grounds watched his retreating figure in stunned silence.

"...Did anyone see Young Lord Peneus move?"

"I didn't."

"One blink, and he was gone."

"...What the hell? I thought he was a swordsman, but he knows magic too?"

"And I swear I saw aura."

"Yeah, it looked like it was rising from his whole body. Isn't that something only masters can do...?"

"No way it was real aura, right? Does that even make sense? Young Lord Peneus is only sixteen!"

"Holy crap, two aura awakenings already in the first year."

As whispers spread about Herwin's uncanny speed and aura awakening, Brian snapped out of his daze.

"This isn't the time! Let's hurry after him!"

"Brian! I'm coming too!"

Brian rushed after Herwin, with Ethan following close behind.

"W-Wait! Take me with you!"

Arista—the root cause of the whole incident—dropped her sword, her face pale as a ghost, and ran after them.

Seeing her friends chase after Herwin, Christine quickly gathered her things. She wanted to move as fast as possible, but Bianca stood there dumbfounded.

"...No way."

"Bianca! What are you doing? We need to go check on her now!"

Christine shook Bianca's shoulders briefly but sensed something off about her. Still, confirming Lucia's condition took priority.

After hesitating, Christine left first.

Left alone, Bianca stared blankly at the spot where Lucia and Herwin had been moments ago.

Then she gritted her teeth.

Lying on the pristine white bed, Lucia let out a soft groan.

"...Mm."

Her eyelids fluttered, revealing clear blue eyes.

"Lucia...!"

Beyond her blurry vision, she saw a familiar face twisted in anguish.

"...Herwin?"

"You with us?"

"Huh? Y-Yeah..."

Herwin's expression softened slightly, and he let out a sigh of relief. Lucia felt a bit awkward.

Just that morning, things had been icy and distant between them, yet now he was acting warmer than before their fight. It puzzled her.

Before she could ponder why he'd suddenly changed his attitude, an unfamiliar yet familiar sight entered her view.

"The infirmary? Why am I in the infirmary...?"

"Don't you remember what happened?"

"What happened? No, more importantly, why am I here...?"

As Lucia propped herself up in confusion, she suddenly recalled the moments before she'd collapsed.

She'd thought she was done for, but Herwin had appeared out of nowhere to save her.

And then—

'I fainted, huh?'

Lucia's cheeks flushed. She hadn't been cut or injured at all, yet she'd passed out from sheer fright. It was mortifying.

"What's wrong? Does something hurt? I'll get the infirmary teacher right—"

"N-No, I'm fine. Nothing hurts. More importantly, how long was I out?"

"Three hours."

"Oh, only three hours... What? Three hours?!"

Lucia had figured it'd be an hour at most. She jolted upright in shock.

"I missed class! I have to get to the classroom right—"

Before Lucia could leap out of bed, Herwin grabbed her shoulders and gently pushed her back down.

"I told the professor. You're good."

"B-But..."

"...You nearly died today. You think class matters right now?"

Only after Herwin's face darkened did Lucia stop struggling.

Herwin raised his voice briefly but changed tack upon seeing her bewildered expression.

"No, I mean... don't worry about it. Just rest, please."

"...Okay, got it."

"...Sigh, I'm not mad, so don't make that face."

Herwin carefully brushed a stray lock of Lucia's hair behind her ear. Her face fell, scolded like a child.

"Wait... Classes aren't over yet, are they?"

Lucia's sullen expression shifted as realization dawned. She turned to him.

"Why are you still here? Go to class."

"Missing a class or two won't kill me."

"What? You call that an excuse? Your grades could suffer."

"I'm missing it because of—"

Herwin cut himself off. He met her clear blue eyes and clamped his mouth shut.

"...Anyway, I'll handle it. Don't worry about me."

An awkward silence settled once more.

Earlier, fresh from waking up, her fretting over attendance had been understandable. But now, she had no idea why he was upset.

It almost made it seem like he'd stayed out of worry for her.

She nearly asked if her hunch was right, but Herwin's sullen look made her hold her tongue.

'What if I'm imagining things?'

She didn't want to get her hopes up only to hear otherwise and feel crushed.

Creak—

The door slid open, ushering in a wave of noisy chatter into the infirmary. Lucia perked up at the familiar voices.

Soon, the curtain was pulled aside.

"Lucia!"

"Guys."

"Thank goodness, you're awake. Anywhere hurt?"

"Do you have any idea how scared we were when you fainted?"

Brian, Ethan, and Christine hovered over her, faces full of worry as they checked her condition.

Lucia burst into laughter at their concern. Amid her friends, she spotted pale blonde hair.

It was Arista. Their eyes met, and Arista immediately bowed deeply.

"I'm so sorry! You got hurt because of me...!"

Lucia blinked, unsure why she was apologizing.

But reading the room and seeing Arista's ashen face, she pieced it together.

'So it was because of Arista?'

Everything had happened so fast; she hadn't known who'd caused the chaos.

Arista bowed low, eyes squeezed shut in sincere apology.

Lucia watched her silently for a moment before offering a light smile.

"I'm not hurt, so it's fine. It wasn't on purpose, right?"

Arista's head snapped up at the easy forgiveness.

"But...!"

"I don't know exactly what happened, but if it was intentional, you wouldn't be here apologizing. Right?"

Arista bit her lower lip, then nodded.

"There, all good."

A mix of gratitude, guilt, and other emotions flickered across Arista's face.

"I-I'm really sorry... I thought something terrible had happened to you, and I..."

"Huh? D-Don't cry! I'm really okay, I swear?"

Lucia tried to smile reassuringly, but Arista's emotions had already overflowed, tears spilling from her wide eyes.

Lucia panicked—she hadn't expected tears. After fidgeting awkwardly, she patted Arista's hand.

Deeply moved by Lucia's forgiveness, Arista gripped her hand tightly, like a knight pledging to her lord.

"I'll be good to you forever! Anything I can do, just say the word!"

It felt a bit overwhelming, but Lucia could see her genuine effort to mend their awkward dynamic. So, she accepted graciously.

"Sure, sounds good."

Arista's face lit up with joy. Seeing her so happy left a bitter taste in Lucia's mouth.

'What on earth did I do to Arista...?'

Blinded by jealousy, she'd tried to make trouble for her. In truth, she should have been the one apologizing.

'I'm sorry.'

The words lingered unspoken, courage failing her.

Just as Arista had vowed to treat her well forever, Lucia silently pledged atonement.

Herwin turned away, glancing at Lucia's serene expression.

"Where's Bianca? She didn't come?"

"Oh? Yeah, she said she had something urgent come up and left. She'll be here soon."

"I see..."

Herwin furrowed his brow at Ethan's reply.

Bang—!

"Where's my little sister?!"

The door flew open with a loud crash, followed by a familiar voice.

"What the—?"

"Did something happen to his sister?"

Amid the flustered friends, Lucia paled and rubbed her face.

"...We're screwed."

"Lucia!"

The man scanning the room spotted her and strode over purposefully.

"Wh-Who's that?"

"He kinda looks like Lucia..."

Lucia's friends, seeing Lucas for the first time, shrank back involuntarily under his fierce momentum.

"Which damn bastard did this to my sister?!"

"Anyone'd think your sister was dead."

"Who was it? Show yourself! You? Did you do this to my sister?!"

Ares stood beside Lucas. When Lucas jabbed a finger at Ethan and Brian, they frantically shook their heads.

Lucia cringed at her brother causing a scene loud enough to bring the infirmary down.

"Quiet down! We're not the only ones here!"

Finally losing patience, Lucia clamped a hand over Lucas's mouth.

"My sister! Any injuries? If you're hurt, I'll..."

"If I'm hurt, what? I don't have a single scratch."

She appreciated her friends' concern, but her brother's fretting grated on her nerves.

Especially knowing how ridiculously overprotective he was—it exhausted her instantly.

Lucas, eyes blazing, meticulously checked her from hair to toenails before finally relaxing.