***Meanwhile, at Building 1 of Reynolds Academy.
The place where the first-year students had gathered after the monster invasion.
A new conflict was brewing in the temporary shelter.
“Is this… all true, Your Highness…?”
“…Yes, I found this letter in the hallway of the main building.”
In the outdoor lounge near the front entrance of the building.
Two people were engaged in a serious conversation.
One was a handsome young man with soft features, golden hair, and golden eyes.
The other was a beautiful girl with silver hair and crimson eyes.
They were Allen Reinhardt, the most promising first-year student at Reynolds Academy, and Margaret Phyler, the top second-year student in the Magic Department.
“If the contents of this letter are true, then the Saintess is…”
Allen’s body trembled as he held the letter Margaret had given him.
As if mirroring the emotions swirling within him, the mana in the air crackled and vibrated around his tightly clenched fists.
-Crackle…!
The girls standing behind him, witnessing Allen’s rare outburst of anger, rushed to calm him down.
“A-Allen! Calm down…!”
“You’re too worked up. You need to calm down…”
“Calm down? How can I possibly calm down?! The Saintess, to that damned bastard…!!”
Allen’s rage exploded, his words laced with fury.
He rarely resorted to such harsh language, but this time, he couldn’t hold back.
He had a special relationship with Lorraine.
The thought of her being threatened and forced to go to that maniac because of him was unbearable.
“I’m going to go over there right now…! I won’t let this go unpunished…!!”
“Wait, Allen…! Hold on!!”
Allen stormed out of the lounge.
The two heroines followed closely behind the enraged boy.
Margaret watched them go, her expression a mixture of bitterness and sorrow.
“…Raiden, are you truly beyond saving?”
Her voice was a whisper, lost in the air.
She bit her lip, then followed after Allen and the others.
***
A pathetic plea for my life.
Those were the last words I uttered before losing consciousness in front of Lorraine.
As I drifted into the abyss of unconsciousness, an excruciating pain jolted me awake.
-Sizzle…! Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.
“Argh!!!”
It felt as if a red-hot iron poker was being thrust into my flesh.
Every time her hand, radiating divine power, touched my wounds.
The flesh that had been eroded by demonic energy melted away, replaced by newly formed flesh.
“We’re almost there…! Just a little bit more…!”
How many times have I heard those words?
‘Just a little bit more.’
I clung to my fading consciousness, my breath coming out in hot gasps.
“Haah… Haah…”
Damn it.
I never thought I’d experience the true meaning of burning pain in my life.
The feeling of my insides melting, my flesh being roasted alive.
It was a level of pain that I couldn’t even begin to comprehend, no matter how many hours I endured it.
-Ding!
[Emergency Warning Message!]
[The system is becoming increasingly unstable due to extreme physical shock!]
[It is highly recommended that you stabilize your condition immediately!]
“Damn it…”
This message had popped up countless times already.
Cursing under my breath, I swatted away the blue screen with a trembling hand.
I’d love to stabilize my condition, damn it.
But if I don’t treat this, I’m going to die. I don’t have a choice.
As I cursed the absurdity of the situation, another wave of excruciating pain shot through me.
-Sizzle…!
“Argh!!!”
“This is really the last one…!”
This agonizing process repeated itself over and over again.
Again, and again, and again, probably over thirty times.
Almost another hour had passed.
Sweat dripped from Lorraine’s forehead, mixing with the blood that seeped from my wounds, staining the living room floor a gruesome crimson.
Finally, the agonizing treatment was coming to an end.
“It’s done! All that’s left is to stitch up the wounds properly so they don’t open up…”
Lorraine withdrew her hand, still radiating divine power, and reached for a bandage.
As she carefully wrapped it around my abdomen and was about to tie it off.
-Bam! Bam! Bam!
Someone was pounding on the front door.
“Young Lishite!! Open this door right now!!!”
A familiar voice boomed from behind the door.
Our eyes widened in unison.
“A-Allen…?”
“What is Allen doing here…?”
An uninvited guest had come knocking.