Chapter 132

Chapter 132

Joint Combat Training 2 (18)

– Thwack!

A log split in half, rolling on the grassy ground. I picked up the halved log and flung it towards the nearby pile. The piece tumbled a few times before it settled at the bottom of the stack.

For a while, only the sounds of splitting firewood echoed through the camp. After about thirty minutes, there were no further logs left to split as the intermittent sounds dissipated.

“Phew...”

I plopped down on an empty stump and took a deep breath.

Spring was drawing to a close.

Already, the dawn air carried the distinct moistness of summer. Soon, bugs would swarm in greater numbers, and the heat would become more oppressive.

I had already experienced one summer in this forest. There was a need to set up tents for outdoor activities, a desire to secure a steady supply for cold water, and various other tasks such as renovating the cabin piled up in my head. There was also the staff I wanted to finish for Yenika...

Despite the numerous pressing issues, I still had to get the necessary work done. Camping life could easily become overwhelming with tasks if one wasn’t careful.

I slung the axe over my shoulder and stretched my arms as I headed back to camp.

*

“You’re looking surprisingly well. I’m relieved to see you’re not seriously hurt.”

Two days had passed since the day of the joint combat training.

With all the unbelievable commotion that had happened in a single day, the Academy staff must have been busy with the aftermath for some time.

Luckily, there were no casualties or significant property damages. With just a hole in the ceiling of the Cathedral and some stained glass shattered, all should be repaired before month’s end.

“I wasn’t severely injured, to begin with. If anything, Yenika had a tougher time.”

“Is that so? Actually, the reason for my visit today is to see Miss Yenika.”

The position of head maid of the Ophelius residence was anything but leisurely.

Despite her impeccably graceful posture and neat attire, she must have been dealing with a variety of chores since the crack of dawn. Still, she didn’t show signs of fatigue, which was typical of Belle Mayar.

In her basket were neatly sliced fruits, clean linen and bedsheets, herbs with febrifugal effects, and spare garments.

“I heard she was quite ill. While I can trust you to take good care of her, I’m concerned, so I thought I’d meddle a bit.”

Yenika’s condition had put inquiries about her state in the background. She wasn’t in great health.

Yet she preferred to remain in her cabin rather than stay in the Academy’s infirmary. Though I had hoped she’d rest in better conditions, she refused, wanting to recuperate in the familiar surroundings of her own place.

As a result, Yenika was recovering in her cabin. Her condition wasn’t so severe that she couldn’t move at all, and there were no major issues as I helped her with daily activities and made sure she wasn’t uncomfortable.

Her ailment wasn’t due to a disease. Time was the only medicine needed. All we could do was wait for Yenika’s magic to restore itself gradually.

Though her blurry vision occasionally resulted in bumps against furniture or doorways, requiring my assistance, it was reassuring to know her eyesight was slowly returning.

“I was actually thinking of asking someone for help.”

“Master Ed. In such circumstances, you should always seek my assistance first.”

Her expression remained impassive, yet there seemed to be a gleam in her eyes, as if she found joy in this.

Belle Mayar unlikely found pleasure in Yenika’s misfortune; rather, she seemed eager for an opportunity to engage in domestic work. Although she preferred hands-on tasks, her higher position had kept her away from them for some time. Her approach to work conveyed genuine enthusiasm.

“However, Master Ed.”

“Yes?”

“Have you been facing any particular difficulties?”

As I looked at her quizzically, Belle Mayar touched her chin and tilted her head slightly.

“Never mind. Spending too much time in this job leads to needless speculation.”

“Unnecessary speculations?”

“Just... given recent inquiries about you from the Saintess and Lady Lucy... Uh... discussing it too much might do more harm than good. Right now, caring for Miss Yenika should take precedence.”

Offering a slight bow, Belle Mayar passed by me, who was busily preparing shellfish, and approached Yenika’s cabin door. Before opening it, she paused and turned to add:

“Just to be clear, you mustn’t enter or watch. I have to wipe her sweat and help her change clothes.”

“That goes without saying...”

“Well, I didn’t think you would make such a mistake in the first place.”

With that said, she opened the door and stepped inside.

But before completely entering, she paused, half out the door, to add:

“Now that I think about it, why should we be so strict about such mistakes? Isn’t this the time of youthful impulsiveness? When else to commit such errors? It’s not a mortal sin to be curious... perhaps it’s fine just to listen occasionally to one’s inner voice...”

“Stop talking nonsense and go help Yenika...”Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

“Such a pity. Oh, right. Master Ed?”

Although Belle Mayar rarely shows dramatic changes in expression, just before closing the door, she seemed almost refreshingly serene.

“You slipped into informal speech.”

There was something crisp about her tone, like a gladiator who had triumphed in a bout.

– Bang

“...”

From within, I could hear Yenika fussing. She was ranting about Belle Mayar’s absurd comments and begging her to lock the door, while Belle Mayar argued about the importance of good ventilation in a patient’s room, trying to keep the door open.

– ‘Are you experiencing any difficulties?’

Sitting quietly, idly twirling a dagger, I mulled over Belle Mayar’s probing question.

Belle Mayar managed the students residing in Ophelius residence. Her question must have arisen from observing the reactions of students there, especially Saintess Claire and Lucy – leading her to such speculation.

Belle often criticised herself for being too meddlesome and prone to involving herself too deeply in others’ affairs. However, from my perspective, her concern was appreciated. In the end, I benefited greatly from her help.

-‘Miss Yenika! It’s practically criminal to keep a patient in such a dusty environment! You’d be better off in the Academy infirmary! If you refuse, it can’t be helped! But let me open the door wide to air out the place properly! Here I go!’

-‘Why do that nowwaaah!’

The continued noise from inside complicated my feelings.

*

“Um, may I ask an indiscreet question? I know I’m crossing a line, so feel free to punch me if needed. Actually, it seems blatantly over the line... but as a fellow man, it’s too hard to ignore. I’ll muster all my courage and ask anyway, don’t worry, I can take a hit.”

The person who visited after the classes had ended was Zix.

“Have you two been up to mischief today?”

“...”

“... Huh...!!”

“...”

“... Sorry.”

As the cool evening breeze blew, thinking it was about time Yenika got some fresh air, I had brought her out and seated her nearby.

Clarice watched the flame for a moment, then hesitated before asking.

“Um, I have a small favor to ask.”

“What’s the favor?”

“When I’m Kylie, not Clarice... could you, uh, treat me like a junior?”

At the academy, she was the chatty noble girl Kylie.

“...”

“Is my request too strange?”

“No. Considering the eyes around us, it’s only natural to treat you as a junior. It’s always been like that anyway.”

“That’s true, right?”

Pleased by the response, Clarice’s face lit up with a soft smile.

It looked like it was really time for her to leave now. Clarice bowed her head and said one last thing.

“Actually... I was worried about you too.”

“Are you concerned about me?”

“Nobody else made as much effort to save Adelle as you did. Since things ended up this way in the end...”

I’ve heard from the Ophelius Hall that many people are concerned about me. Clarice was one of them.

Belle, and Zix as well; they’ve come asking if I’m alright.

My answer was always the same.

“I’m fine. It’s not something to get too stressed about.”

“If that’s true, I’m glad...”

“I tried my best, but it didn’t work out. Dwelling on it just reduces the time to get work done. So, don’t worry too much.”

Clarice looked at me carefully, nodded, and then approached me with a waddle.

She then buried her face in my shoulder. Perhaps it was too embarrassing to say while looking at my face.

“The others may not remember, but I clearly do.”

“...”

“Senior Ed, I know how hard you’ve tried, how much you’ve struggled. Even if everyone else forgets, I surely won’t. I’ll remember it until the day I die.”

She talked with her face still buried, and I struggled to respond.

“Although I can’t do much, if you need help, please ask for it. I can’t promise to pay back all of the help I’ve received from you... but I’ll do what I can.”

“I appreciate the sentiment. But you should really be going back now. It’s almost curfew.”

Clarice lifted her head, which had been deeply sunk into her shoulders, struggling to form a smile.

She did her best to smile brightly.

– Thump

After sending Clarice off, I sat down alone by the tree next to the campfire.

It’s kind of them to worry. Everyone was anxious, in case I was troubled or hurt.

I adamantly shook my head telling them not to worry. I’m fine. It does me no good to trouble others or to show weakness.

What I need to do right now is ensure that this campfire lasts as long as possible by adding more fuel, poking the fire with a stick, and pre-cooking the meat I had prepared.

I threw in a few more logs, taking deep breaths of the early summer night air.

Then, an unmistakable weight pressed at my back.

There’s no need to look behind.

The sensation of blood trickling down my back is palpable.

Lying on the opposite side of the tree trunk, pressed against my back, was the figure of that troubadour that I’ve seen several times.

Resting her life in peace, she lay there, leaning quietly against me. I braced my back against the weight, and tossed more logs into the fire.

By the rules, she would have died anyway.

I tried to save her because I couldn’t just leave someone facing their death unaided.

There are countless reasons I could give for failing to save her.

The last time I traveled back in time was a rushed attempt. I had to move quickly with each moment to run as far as I could, which meant I couldn’t afford to save Adelle first.

From Clarice’s perspective, there would have been no way of knowing where Adelle was. Knowing that Adelle’s starting point was in the Gluckt House corridor was a fact known only to me. Being pressed for time, I couldn’t convey this beforehand.

Moreover, I couldn’t have predicted that Adelle’s divine energy and life would be spent after this last return. Having projected a manageable escape once more, I assumed, like always, she’d head toward the academy cathedral. After all, that’s what happened in the dozens of times I’ve experienced this.

But these reasons are merely self-defense mechanisms, and I am aware of that.

Regardless, Adelle Ceres has met her death. Even if it was with a smile, the fact she has met her end is unchanging.

My relationship with Adelle wasn’t especially close. My attempt to save her was simply due to my conscience. While that may be true...

The fact remains, I tried to save her but could not.

I resisted the pressure on my back and continued to throw logs onto the fire for a long time.

“Ed.”

Suddenly, hearing my name called, I looked up quickly.

“You’ve added too much.”

The wood had piled up and the flames were shooting up.

On the other side of the fire was Yenika, who had somehow come out to the campfire and sat down.

With her blurred vision, it must have been difficult to move on her own, but knowing the layout of the camp made it possible.

“Ed.”

Yenika called out to me softly.

“It’s okay.”

“Alright.”

While stirring the fire with a poker, I gazed at the soaring flames.

“Still, it’s an experience I do not wish to repeat. Never ever.”

“Right.”

Back then, we shared a moment gazing up at the sky by the half-destroyed Nail House.

It was early summer too, wasn’t it?

The joint combat exercises were wrapping up, and now it’s almost summer break.

With a lot still to do, Yenika didn’t offer any impromptu consolations or reassurances.

She just sat beside me, gazing at the flickering fire as the dark of the long night wore on.