Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: More Precious Than Anyone in the Academy
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***
It was now the second day since the academy had announced its closure.
Normally, the entire academy would be teeming with life, filled with countless students. But now, devoid of people, an eerie atmosphere lingered.
Though a temporary closure had been ordered, not many students were actually resting comfortably in their dorms.
Every student admitted to the academy was exceptional, having showcased their unique traits and talents to pass. Those who wanted to simply relax were a small minority.
Many students voluntarily headed to the training grounds or tried to get a better grasp of the current situation.
Regardless of their class, the majority of students were taking such actions.
…
The A-Class training ground.
Students who would normally be in their classrooms now filled the training ground, making it more crowded than usual.
Even so, the subdued atmosphere of the academy seemed to have seeped into the training ground, and a sense of tension was etched on most students' faces.
Amidst this scene, a red-haired woman walked with a relatively relaxed gait.
*Tap.*
“Looks like everyone has a lot on their minds.”
“I suppose it can’t be helped. If this was an external attack, it’s not something we can take lightly.”
As Yumia approached Leonhardt, he replied in a bitter tone.
“...”
Yumia watched him for a moment, hesitating before seating herself on a nearby bench.
*Rustle.* After smoothing out her uniform skirt, Yumia gently patted the spot beside her.
*Pat, pat.*
At the unexpected signal, Leonhardt sheathed his sword and sat down next to her.
"Is there something you want to talk about?"
He asked in a calm voice, and Yumia spoke lightly.
“Don’t worry too much. He’ll be fine.”
When Yumia brought it up first, Leonhardt paused for a moment before agreeing.
“…I think so too. They say Han Cheon-seong was in an accident, but he’s definitely not weak.”
Leonhardt, who had started hesitantly, finished his sentence with conviction. Yumia smiled softly and carefully moved closer to him.
At first, Leonhardt wondered why she was approaching, but he soon realized she intended to whisper something to him.
*Lean.* Yumia brought her lips to Leonhardt’s ear and spoke in a gentle, whispering voice.
“From what I’ve heard, Han Cheon-seong is past the worst of it. His life isn’t in danger. I was told for certain that he should regain consciousness within a few days.”
At the unexpected news, Leonhardt looked at her in surprise, and Yumia blinked with a smile.
“I heard this from a priest affiliated with my family. You can’t tell the other students, okay?”
“I… I understand. Thank you for telling me.”
As Leonhardt replied brightly to the welcome news, a smile also graced Yumia’s face.
Then, his gaze suddenly shifted to one side of the training ground.
There, Glacia was engrossed in her training, a gale raging around her. Her blue hair whipped about wildly, and the look in her eyes was more somber than ever.
Leonhardt hesitated for a moment before turning back to Yumia.
“…Yumia.”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry, but could you tell just one more person?”
As he spoke with an earnest plea, Yumia turned her head, her eyes landing on Glacia before she let out a small laugh.
“Now that you mention it, that’s right. Glacia was quite concerned about Han Cheon-seong too.”
“Being unable to approach him right now must be just as frustrating for Glacia as it is for us.”
At Leonhardt’s concerned tone, Yumia almost retorted that it wasn’t the same for her, but she managed to swallow the words.
“Alright. I’ll go talk to Glacia.”
As Leonhardt saw her off with a kind smile, Yumia stood up and began to walk.
*Tap. Tap….*
Even as she drew near, Glacia paid no mind to her surroundings.
She was simply swinging her sword in a trance-like state, her trait manifesting more fiercely than ever.
“Glacia.”
Yumia had to raise her voice slightly to be heard.
Her first call was drowned out by the fierce wind. It was only after Yumia called her name a couple more times that Glacia finally reacted.
*Halt.*
Glacia stopped her sword and stared blankly at Yumia, who smiled faintly and approached her.
“I’d like to talk for a moment. Do you have some time?”
“Right now… I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone. I’m sorry.”
Even though Glacia’s reply was colder than usual, the smile on Yumia’s face didn’t fade.
Glacia gave a slight nod and was about to turn away when Yumia slowly opened her mouth.
“Even if it’s about Han Cheon-seong?”
Her question, as if to ask whether Glacia would still refuse to talk, hit its mark perfectly.
“...!”
Glacia’s eyes, which had been about to return to her training, widened in an instant.
*Click!*
As if she’d never been dismissive, she turned completely to face Yumia and immediately sheathed her sword.
Seeing this, Yumia smiled once more and leisurely sat down on a nearby bench.
However, unlike with Leonhardt, she didn’t pat the seat next to her or look at Glacia with warmth.
As if to say she wasn’t the one in a hurry, Yumia nonchalantly crossed her legs. The alluring curve of her legs drew the gazes of a few students, but they quickly looked away.
“...”
*Tap.*
As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Glacia sat beside Yumia and looked at her expectantly.
“Seeing you like this, you really are a straightforward person.”
“My friend is hurt.”
When Glacia replied as if it were obvious, Yumia blinked, wondering if she had misheard.
“…Friend?”
“Yes. Han Cheon-seong is my friend.”
As Glacia answered immediately, Yumia stared at her blankly before letting out a disbelieving chuckle.
“Right. You and Han Cheon-seong are friends. And it seems you’re very… close friends?”
“In the academy, he’s more precious than anyone.”
Glacia’s immediate reply made Yumia hesitate for a moment.
*She doesn’t seem like she’s joking.*
Even as she thought this, she found the situation absurd.
A woman’s intuition.
Just looking at Glacia’s attitude right now, it was clear she didn’t see Han Cheon-seong as just a close friend.
…And yet, she herself was so adamant about him being a friend. It made any thought of teasing her vanish.
“Anyway, Glacia, can you lend me your ear? There’s something I need to tell you about Han Cheon-seong.”
The moment she finished speaking, Glacia leaned right in, and a laugh escaped Yumia’s lips before she could stop it.
She’d always thought it was funny to call an adult over twenty years old… innocent. But looking at Glacia now, she felt that word might not be entirely wrong.
Leaning in, Yumia brought her lips to Glacia’s ear and relayed the same message she had given Leonhardt.
“He’s past the worst of it. His life isn’t in danger, and there’s a high chance he’ll regain consciousness within a few days.”
She didn’t say it as affectionately as she had to Leonhardt, but she felt she had shown enough goodwill.
As she pulled back, she couldn’t help but be surprised.
“……”
The sight of Glacia, who had listened to her words and was now nodding blankly, was truly… peculiar.
Her hands were clasped over her chest, and her expression had softened completely, as if in immense relief.
It was an expression rarely seen on Glacia.
No, she could say with certainty that she had never seen such a look on her face in the classroom.
And so, she was once again certain.
*There’s no way…*
This wasn’t the kind of reaction one would have just out of concern for a friend.
The Glacia she was looking at clearly had feelings for Han Cheon-seong.
She might not realize it herself, but as an observer, Yumia couldn’t help but know.
Because she knew.
She knew what it felt like to like someone, what kind of emotions it stirred.
She unconsciously turned her gaze toward where Leonhardt was.
“……”
There, as if he had been watching her, their eyes met, and Leonhardt offered a gentle smile.
*Thump!*
That simple gesture was enough to make her heart pound wildly again.
And that’s why… she couldn’t help but understand what Glacia was feeling right now.
*She’ll figure it out on her own.*
But she had no intention of telling Glacia what those feelings were.
That was something she had to realize for herself.
***
At the same time, in the C-Class infirmary.
Cheon-seong’s consciousness was still adrift in a deep sea.
His entire body felt heavy, as if it were sinking. And yet, he felt a bright light enveloping him, slowly lifting him toward the surface.
A warm and radiant light, as if it could embrace everything.
As that light seemed to guide him, Cheon-seong was able to open his eyes for the first time in two days.
“……”
Through his unfocused vision, colors blurred together.
“Student Han Cheon-seong, how are you feeling?”
But as a gentle voice reached him and his vision slowly cleared, he realized who was speaking to him.
*Instructor Adel…ia?*
He thought he had spoken, but the words remained only in his mind; his lips hadn’t moved.
Along with that, a strange sensation spread throughout his body.
No, to be precise, there was no sensation at all.
The bizarre reality of feeling absolutely nothing.
“You don’t have to force yourself to answer. Right now, your stability is the top priority. Just waking up is a huge relief for now.”
Adelia’s hand gently caressed his face, a touch he could feel distinctly.
And at the same time… it felt so strange.
*This feeling… how can I even describe it?*
…It was hard to explain in words. He could definitely feel her soft touch, but it felt disconnected from his body.
A sense of dissonance, as if his mind understood she was stroking his cheek, but his body couldn’t properly feel it.
He found it utterly… terrifying.
His eyes widened as he tried with all his might to move his body.
“Keuk!”
His mouth finally opened, but it was nothing more than a pained cry brought on by extreme agony.
“Really… don’t try to force your senses to return. I’ve currently restricted them with my skill.”