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Chapter 26
The moment the broken blade flew toward Lucia, time seemed to stop for Herwin.
The surrounding scenery slowed, everything nearing a frozen state, and at the same time, the sharp fragment flying toward her halted in midair.
Even though he was experiencing something inexplicable, Herwin didn’t notice it. His eyes were fixed only on Lucia.
Before his mind could even register the thought that she was in danger, his body had already moved.
When he came to his senses, he was standing in front of Lucia, blocking her.
It was a miracle. Had she been struck by that flying blade, she surely would have…
He didn’t want to imagine the aftermath. Even thinking of it was unbearable.
The sight of her vivid blue eyes, still full of life as she looked at him, was such a relief.
But just as relief washed over him, Lucia collapsed in a faint, and dread crept back up into his chest.
“Lucia!”
He was going insane. His heart pounded so violently he wondered if he might lose his mind.
His thoughts were filled with only one thing: saving her.
Without hesitation, Herwin scooped her into his arms and rushed toward the infirmary.
All the students in the training ground stood stunned, staring after him.
“…Did anyone see Young Lord Peneus move?”
“I didn’t.”
“He blinked out of sight in the span of an eye blink.”
“What the—? He’s supposed to be a swordsman, but can he use magic too?”
“And I swear I saw aura flare up around him.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t just a flicker. It surged over his whole body. I heard only masters could do that…”
“Wait, are you saying that was real aura? No way. He’s only sixteen!”
“Unbelievable. Two aura awakeners in just the first-year class.”
While everyone murmured about Herwin’s strange actions and aura awakening, Bryan, who had been frozen in shock, suddenly snapped back to himself.
“This isn’t the time to stand around! We have to follow him!”
“Bryan! Wait up, I’m coming too!”
Bryan rushed after Herwin, with Ethan close on his heels.
“W-wait! I’m coming too!”
Even Arista—the cause of this entire incident—dropped her sword with trembling hands and ran, her face pale as paper.
Seeing her friends take off after Herwin, Christine quickly packed her things, ready to move immediately. But Bianca was standing there, blank and unmoving.
“…Impossible.”
“Bianca! What are you doing? We need to go check on her too!”
Christine grabbed her shoulders to shake her, but then felt something strange. Still, she decided that checking on Lucia came first.
After some hesitation, Christine left in a hurry.
Left alone, Bianca stared at the spot where Herwin and Lucia had just stood.
Her dazed face hardened, and she clenched her teeth.
On the white infirmary bed, Lucia let out a faint groan.
“…Mm.”
Her eyelids trembled as they opened, revealing her clear blue eyes.
“Lucia…!”
Through her blurry vision, she saw a familiar face, twisted in anguish.
“…Herwin?”
“Are you awake now?”
“Huh? Yeah… sort of.”
Herwin’s face softened a little, and he let out a sigh of relief. But Lucia was bewildered.
Just this morning, things between them had been icy and awkward, yet now he seemed even friendlier than before their fight.
Before she could wonder why his attitude had suddenly changed, her surroundings caught her attention.
“The infirmary? Why am I… here?”
“Don’t you remember what happened?”
“What happened? No, I mean… why am I here?”
Still dazed, she started to sit up—and then the memory came flooding back.
She had thought she was about to die, but Herwin had appeared and saved her.
And then—
‘Did I faint?’
Her cheeks flushed. She hadn’t even been struck, not a scratch on her, and yet she had fainted from fear. It was mortifying.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt anywhere? I’ll get the infirmary teacher right now—”
“N-no, I’m fine. I’m not hurt at all. But… how long was I unconscious?”
“Three hours.”
“Oh, only three hou—what? Three hours?!”
She had thought it had been at most an hour, and jumped in shock.
“Oh no! I missed class! I have to go back right now—”
But before she could climb off the bed, Herwin pressed her back down by the shoulders.
“I already told the professor. It’s fine.”
“B-but…”
“…You almost died today. And you think class is more important than that?”
Herwin’s expression twisted, and only then did Lucia freeze.
He raised his voice for a moment, but seeing her bewildered face, he quickly softened his tone.
“I mean… don’t worry about stuff like that. Just focus on resting, please.”
“…Alright.”
“…Sigh. I wasn’t trying to scold you. Don’t make that face.”
With care, he brushed her hair back behind her ear. After being fussed at, Lucia’s expression was gloomy.
“Wait… but class isn’t over yet, right?”
Realizing something, she turned to him.
“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be in class?”
“Missing a class or two isn’t a big deal.”
“What? How can you say that? It’ll affect your grades!”
“I only missed it because of you—!”
Herwin bit off the rest of his words. Meeting her clear blue eyes, he shut his mouth tightly.
“…Anyway, I’ll handle it. Don’t worry about me.”
An awkward silence fell again.
Earlier, she could understand why he had been upset—she had woken up and immediately worried about attendance. But now?
The way he was acting made it seem like he had stayed only because he was worried about her.
She wanted to ask if her guess was right, but when she saw his sullen expression, she swallowed her words.
‘What if I’m wrong?’
If she hoped, only to be told otherwise, the disappointment would crush her.
Creak—
The door opened, and familiar, noisy voices filled the infirmary. Lucia perked her ears up.
The curtain was pulled aside.
“Lucia!”
“Guys.”
“Thank goodness you’re awake. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Do you know how scared we were when you collapsed?”
Bryan, Ethan, and Christine crowded around, full of concern.
Lucia couldn’t help but laugh at their fussing. And then, among them, she spotted a head of pale blonde hair.
It was Arista.
The moment their eyes met, Arista bowed deeply.
“I’m so sorry! You were put in danger because of me…!”
Lucia blinked, not understanding why she was apologizing.
But seeing the tension in the air and Arista’s pale face, she pieced it together.
‘So this all happened because of Arista?’
It had happened so fast, she hadn’t realized who was to blame.
Arista kept her head bowed, eyes squeezed shut, her apology full of sincerity.
Lucia watched her for a moment, then smiled gently.
“I’m fine. I wasn’t hurt. And it’s not like you meant for it to happen.”
When Lucia forgave her without complaint, Arista’s head snapped up.
“But still—!”
“Look, I don’t know exactly what happened, but you didn’t do it on purpose, right? If you had, you wouldn’t be here apologizing. Isn’t that true?”
Arista bit her lip, then nodded.
“Then it’s fine.”
Her face flickered with relief, guilt, and gratitude all at once.
“I… I’m really sorry. When I thought something terrible might happen to you, I—”
“W-wait, don’t cry! I’m telling you, I’m really fine!”
Despite Lucia’s attempt to soothe her, tears spilled from Arista’s eyes.
Lucia hadn’t expected her to cry, and panicked. After a moment of fumbling, she awkwardly patted Arista’s hand.
Overwhelmed with gratitude that Lucia had forgiven her, Arista clutched her hand tightly, like a knight swearing loyalty to their lord.
“I’ll treat you well for the rest of my life! Just say the word, and I’ll do anything for you!”
It was a little overwhelming, but Lucia could see how earnest she was in trying to repair things. So she accepted her wholeheartedly.
“Alright. I’d like that.”
Arista’s face brightened, radiant with joy. Seeing her happiness, though, left a bitter taste in Lucia’s mouth.
‘What have I done to her…’
Blinded by jealousy, she had tried to make Arista suffer. In truth, it was she who owed an apology.
‘I’m sorry.’
The words stayed stuck in her mouth, unspoken.
Just as Arista swore to treat her well, Lucia silently vowed to atone for what she had done.
Herwin, watching her serene expression, turned his head.
“What about Bianca? Didn’t she come with you?”
“Huh? Oh, she said she had something urgent and went off somewhere. She should be here soon.”
“I see…”
At Ethan’s reply, Herwin furrowed his brows.
Bang!
“Where’s my sister?!”
The infirmary door slammed open, followed by a familiar voice.
“What the—?”
“Did her sibling get hurt too?”
Lucia covered her face with her hand, exasperated.
“…I’m doomed.”
“Lucia!”
A young man scanned the room, then strode straight toward her.
“W-who’s that?”
“He looks like her… is he related?”
Those who had never met Lucas before were startled by his fiery presence and instinctively stepped back.
“Which bastard dared do this to my sister?!”
“She’s not dead, you know.”
“Who was it?! Show yourself! Was it you? Did you do this to her?!”
Lucas pointed accusingly at Ethan and Bryan, and both of them flailed their hands in panic, shaking their heads vigorously.
The infirmary rang with his shouting, and Lucia felt her face burn with embarrassment.
“Be quiet! We’re not the only ones here!”
Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and clamped a hand over Lucas’s mouth.
“My sister! Are you hurt anywhere? If you’re in pain, then I—!”
“What if I am? I’m not hurt at all, okay?”
She appreciated her friends’ concern, but her brother’s fussing just annoyed her.
Especially since she knew just how overprotective Lucas was—it was exhausting.
He only calmed down after checking her from head to toe, making sure not even a hair or a fingernail was harmed.
