Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Scent of Emotions
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Right after class ended, rewinding time a bit.
I was sprinting through every corner of the academy, searching for Lea.
"Where the hell did she go...!"
My breath was ragged, right up to my throat, and impatience was starting to gnaw at me.
Looking up at the sky, the sun was already dipping low.
Hardin's gang would ambush Lea any moment now.
'Can't... breathe... properly.'
From running too long, my legs were trembling like they might give out any second, and my lungs felt like they were tearing apart.
At this rate, there was no way I'd find her.
Without a moment's hesitation, I allocated my free stat points.
◆ Traits
[Swordsmanship Lv. 4]
◆ Skills
[A: Weakness Perception]
◆ Unique Traits
[EX: ??]
[A: Tenacity]
As the numbers shifted, my vision cleared, and the world seemed to slow down.
My heart pounded fiercely, and my body felt light as if it could soar.
This should be enough to find Lea.
Of course, I hadn't expected to burn through my free points so soon, but strangely, it didn't feel like a waste at all.
I could've helped her later—tomorrow or the day after—as long as it was before she dropped out.
But after seeing her bright smile, I couldn't bring myself to compromise with reality like that.
And after witnessing that hollow expression on her face post-spar...
It left a dull ache in the corner of my heart.
"No time to dawdle."
In this urgent moment, I couldn't just stand there dazed.
I kicked off the ground and started running again.
Under the sunset sky, my shadow stretched long behind me.
"Lea, you okay?"
After scouring the academy like a mouse in a trap...
I finally found Lea, cornered and threatened by Hardin's gang.
But it was too late—one of them was already swinging a club at her head.
Even if I shoved him aside, I doubted I could stop the falling wood.
The thought flashed through my mind, and my body moved on instinct.
Thanks to that, my head throbbed like it might split open.
But Lea was unharmed, so no big deal.
"Wha...? What the... Rowen, why are you here..."
Lea was babbling in disbelief at the situation.
Well, I probably would've reacted the same.
To reassure her, I patted her back lightly, then turned to the remaining gang members.
They flinched, clearly thrown off by my sudden appearance.
But once they saw I was alone, they smirked and closed in again, incredulous.
"Ha, what a lunatic. You came here by yourself? Think you're some prince on a white horse? You can't do shit!"
"Yeah, you're right. Alone, I'm nothing."
I smiled and continued.
"But before heading out, I asked Professor Serin to come to wherever the commotion starts."
Of course, total bullshit.
How could I call Serin when I didn't even know where Lea was?
Still, it seemed to have some effect.
Their faces stiffened, and they charged like they wanted to finish quick and bolt.
"Damn it! Take him down!"
Haha... screwed. These guys are even crazier than I thought.
And I had to face them bare-handed, no weapons.
Figuring it'd be a tough fight, I clenched my fists, ready.
First up, Hardin himself howling as he swung his club wildly at my head.
Wait, aren't you a mage? What gives him the confidence to lead the charge?
I dipped my knees to dodge, then drove my right fist into his jaw.
A dull thwack! echoed, and Hardin staggered back, collapsing.
"Guh—one-shot!"
Hold on. Isn't that overkill?
Seeing Hardin go down in one hit, the remaining three realized I wasn't easy prey and rushed together.
I dodged the first guy's punch and slammed my fist into his side—
But another snuck behind and cracked a club across my back.
Crack!
A massive shock rippled up my spine, air whooshing from my lungs with a choke.
Vision blurring, body swaying, but I spun and elbowed his jaw in return.
My silver hair, glowing faintly blue, was now streaked red with blood.
My body screamed at its limits.
Desperate situation, sure—but seeing their fearful faces made me chuckle oddly.
"Come on, more. You're not done yet, right?"
As I stepped forward to face the rest—
"Rowen... you can stop now. It's okay."
A familiar voice brushed my ear.
Turning, I saw Lea gazing at me, tears streaming down her face.
Lips bitten tight at my wounds, her trembling hand gripped my arm.
"It's fine... it's over. They all ran."
True enough, the stragglers were dragging their unconscious buddies away in retreat.
Seeing that, relief hit—it's done—and tension melted, my body lurching.
Whoa. Can't collapse yet...
Too many hits; my body wouldn't obey.
"Rowen!"
Lea's voice calling me faded into the distance.
Vision dimming, the world tilted.
'She's saying something...'
Lea, tears pouring, face twisted in worry—that was the last thing I saw.
Then I blacked out.
"Please... don't die...!"
Lea clutched the unconscious Rowen, sprinting madly toward the academy infirmary.
Seeing him limp, blood-soaked, an old memory resurfaced in her mind.
Back when she was a child, before that incident.
Born with far greater strength than others, she arrogantly thought she could do anything.
Unlike her, her adorable little brother was born frail, always with a lingering cough.
"Sis! Where are we going today?"
"Hmm... wherever? How about Louis's pick today?"
His health was so poor he couldn't even step outside alone.
Yet Louis always craved new experiences.
Seeing his sunny smile, she'd always give in and indulge him.
"Heehee, they say deep in Ardell Forest there's a sparkling spring! Legend has it drinking from it grants special powers... Just imagining it gets me excited!"
"Ahaha, sure. Let's go together."
She knew dangerous beasts lurked deep in Ardell Forest.
But arrogance whispered, what could go wrong? So she took him there.
Following his lead to the forest's heart, there it was—a crystal-clear, glowing spring, proving the rumors true.
"Wow! Look, sis! It really sparkles! Heehee, thanks for always humoring my whims."
She should've fled then.
Thirsty from carrying him, she paused to drink.
Curious Louis wandered toward a rustling bush.
Then—a gut-wrenching scream, and a massive tiger burst out.
Terror froze her in place.
When she snapped to, the tiger was gone.
Louis lay clawed across the chest, massive gash bleeding out.
The metallic stench pierced her nose.
She scooped him up and bolted home like a maniac.
"Sis... sorry... I feel like I just burden you..."
"Please! Don't talk! Trust sis—I'll save you somehow!"
Even then, he worried for her, the one who'd be left alone.
"...Don't be too sad. Sis deserves happiness..."
"No...! Please!"
The wound too grave for his small body, Louis lost consciousness.
By home, he'd slipped away from his foolish sister.
After sending him off, as she wallowed like a wreck, her parents offered comfort.
"...Lea. It wasn't your fault. Who could've known about the tiger?"
She knew. Blind arrogance had clouded her eyes.
"You did your best to save Louis... Dad doesn't blame you."
Her dad forcing reassurance.
'...All lies.'
From that day, she could smell emotions.
Just as Louis said—special powers from the spring.
The scent of sorrow. Resentment. Rage.
That's all that wafted from her comforting parents.
Yet they hid it, trying their best for her. And Louis's words: she deserved happiness.
It all molded her into a "good girl."
To meet expectations, she always gave her all.
Time passed; she entered the academy Louis dreamed of.
But negative scents from everyone kept friends at bay.
Then, one boy smelled purely good.
Love without lust, warm affection, boundless faith led her to cute-faced Rowen.
His hair and eyes differed, but she wondered if living Louis would've grown like this.
Intrigued, she approached, chatted—and felt true joy for the first time.
But could someone like her be happy?
Misfortune struck as always; she'd given up, resigned—
When a good scent drifted from somewhere.
Rage, worry, relief, affection—all enveloping her as Rowen saved her.
Like a ray of hope, he appeared.
But again, she only cowered, helpless.
"Not this time..."
If her mistake cost Rowen too...
Her heart couldn't take it.
She hadn't helped in the fight, but she couldn't lose another precious person.
She sped up toward the infirmary.