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Chapter 11: The Senior Who Cares About Their Junior
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a familiar ceiling.
The faint smell of disinfectant tickled my nose.
It was the medical room equipped at Zerion Academy.
‘Did Foara bring me here?’
Seeing the steel disappear, Foara must have found me passed out and brought me here.
I should thank him properly next time.
I tried to get up immediately.
At that moment, I felt faint pain throughout my body.
Even though I used a high healing potion,
while my wounds were all healed, my body still remembered the pain.
Moreover, healing potions have their costs.
Healing potions forcibly amplify the body's innate healing power.
As a result, the severe fatigue left behind filled my entire body.
‘Still, it was worth it.’
I had gained steel skin.
With this, I should be able to handle the mock battle somehow.
Creak.
At that moment, the door to the medical room opened.
I thought it might be the school nurse, so I poked my head out.
To my surprise, it was someone unexpected.
"Senior Nikita?"
"Oh? You're awake, junior."
For some reason, she was holding a sandwich in her arms.
When my gaze landed on the sandwich, Nikita let out a small laugh.
"Work's been piling up. I haven't had dinner yet. I thought we could eat together once you woke up."
Ah, it must be her way of repaying me for buying her lunch earlier.
She really is someone who hates being indebted to others.
I let out a small chuckle.
"Another sandwich after lunch, huh?"
"Hmm, but this time, it's tuna and chicken sandwiches, not like earlier."
"Thanks, I'll enjoy it."
Who could resist chicken?
Nikita pulled out a chair next to me and sat down.
She unwrapped the chicken sandwich and handed it to me.
‘...She really is kind.’
"Thank you."
"No, I'm the one who should thank you. I genuinely appreciate what you did in the Great Forest of Spirits. You gave me quite a scare too."
I must have really startled her, considering I was carried back unconscious.
It's no wonder.
I had confidently claimed that I could handle it with ease.
Her reaction was entirely natural.
I felt a twinge of guilt.
If something had happened to me, it would have put Nikita, who had entrusted the task to me, in an awkward position.
"Junior."
The moment that word left Nikita's mouth, my body stiffened.
So, she figured it out.
"If I had known something like that was involved, I wouldn't have sent you."
Mysteries can sometimes be helpful, but they are usually dangerous.
The Great Forest of Spirits is supposed to be guarded by a Spirit Lord, a being superior to Mysteries.
Everyone thought no Mystery could enter because of its presence.
The absence of the Spirit Lord was not something even the spirits would reveal to spiritologists.
As a result, not even the Spirit Arts assistant teacher could predict that the Great Forest was turned to steel because of a Mystery.
‘Though, of course, they would have figured it out eventually.’
If it had been known that a Mystery was involved, I wouldn't have stepped in.
"Did the rumors..."
"They haven’t spread. Everyone thinks Foara resolved the issue, not you."
That's a relief.
I’m not ready to be in the spotlight yet.
The time for me to emerge is during the mock battle.
‘I need to make sure my opponents underestimate me as much as possible.’
The students I’ll face in the mock battle have spent half a year clearing magic dungeons and training.
Meanwhile, I’m just a newcomer with the skills of a minor character who exits in Act 2.
To slightly improve my chances, I need to maximize the advantages I have.
I’m a transfer student who joined as a second-year.
I have Hannon’s characteristic petite build.
He became the contractor of the Spirit Lord.
There’s no way that’s not a big deal.
The problem lies on my end, as someone who has to manage the storyline.
“...Do you think Foara will continue to target the student council?”
Perhaps because my expression was serious, Nikita tilted her head.
“That doesn’t seem to have changed.”
I made up my mind.
I will bring Foara into the student council, no matter what.
Someone as influential as the contractor of the Spirit Lord needs to be managed closely.
That way, I can minimize any unpredictable variables.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
I swallowed the rest of my sandwich.
I gained steel skin and now had the wild card of being the Spirit Lord’s contractor.
“But junior, I actually came to discuss something more important than this.”
Nikita cleared her throat and straightened her posture.
She stretched her back, as if trying to appear more dignified.
Though, with her appearance, she just looked endearing.
“Are you confessing to me, by any chance?”
“Unfortunately, junior, I’ve never felt romantic feelings for anyone.”
“Well, I respect and love you, Senior Nikita.”
“Your respect and love are a bit too much.”
Was this a confession met with a rejection?
“And I’m sorry, but my ideal type is someone taller than me.”
This was news to me.
Though, as Hannon, I’m only slightly taller than Nikita.
Since this was just a joke to lighten the mood, I also straightened my posture.
“This incident, both the student council and the Spirit Arts department are very grateful for.
Even though you’ve been reluctant to reveal how you resolved it yourself, at least I know the truth.”
Nikita said this while looking me in the eye, her lips curling into a gentle smile.
“You’ve done a lot of hard work. I wanted to express my thanks.”
“I accept your thanks.”
“And as for your desire to join the student council, after a positive review, we’ve reached a decision today.”
Nikita handed me a badge.
It was proof of official membership in the student council.
“With the authority of the vice president, I hereby recognize Hannon Irey as an official member of the student council.”
I didn’t expect to be accepted right after this incident.
Surprised, I took the student council badge from her.
The badge, engraved with both a sword and a book, reflected Zerion Academy’s emphasis on excelling in both academics and combat.
Steel skin and now membership in the student council.
The Great Forest of Spirits event has truly been rewarding.
I gripped the badge tightly.
For some reason, it felt like the first achievement I’d earned through my own efforts in this game-like world.
“I’ll work hard from now on.”
“Fufufu, I’m looking forward to it. We’ve been short-handed, so having a talented member like you is great news. I’ll put you to work.”
“Please do so within reason, so it doesn’t affect my studies.”
“Don’t worry too much about that. Being on the student council comes with bonus points, so it’ll help offset anything you miss.”
That was part of the reason I wanted to join the student council.
Thanks to the bonus points, even if I fell behind in some classes, I wouldn’t fail.
“Well then, rest up.”
With her sandwich finished, Nikita stood up to leave.
After seeing her off, I started tidying up my bedding.
My body had recovered, and the sun was setting.
It was time to return to the dormitory.
Creak—
Just then, the hospital room door opened.
I turned my head, thinking Nikita might have forgotten something.
Instead, I saw someone even more unexpected.
“...Hello.”
Long, black hair cascading like silk, and a sculpted face.
Pale skin as white as snow, and eyes that gleamed red like embedded rubies.
Her elegant appearance was reminiscent of a noble, long-haired feline.
People called her the ultimate villainess.
The one who devoured both princes and princesses, climbing to second in line to the imperial throne.
The Third Princess, Iris Hysirion.
She appeared in my hospital room.
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