Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Possessiveness
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After the unpleasant trumpet blast faded, silence blanketed the space.
Estelle watched Rowen, who had just slain the demon and now seemed lost in thought, her eyes trembling.
"Ugh... my bones ache."
Rowen's body was covered head to toe in wounds that looked far from ordinary at a glance.
For an ordinary person, it would have been no surprise to lose consciousness from the sheer agony.
Yet he merely furrowed his brow slightly, showing no sign of distress as he scanned his surroundings to assess the situation.
"...Estelle. I'm glad you're safe."
As their eyes met, Rowen forgot even the faint pain lingering within him and offered a relieved smile.
'...Ugh.'
Seeing him grimace again upon noticing his own wounds, as if fresh anger was boiling up...
A strange, inexplicable emotion stirred in Estelle's heart as she watched.
"Sorry, I should've come sooner. Must've been tough, right?"
She had indeed hoped Rowen would come to help.
The demon's aura had felt ominous compared to its actual skill, which was disappointingly poor.
To prevent harm to the other students, she had pressed the attack and given chase.
That lingering unease had made her leave traces behind, hoping someone would follow.
"...Rowen."
But once she realized it had all been the demon's trick, the situation turned dire.
As if everything before had been mere play, it unleashed powerful spells, driving her back.
And with illusions that relentlessly shook her mind, exploiting every opening.
Her crumbling resolve finally broke, filled only with the desire for relief.
"Don't... worry too much. It won't show up again. And even if it does, I'll always be by your side to protect you."
Staring at the demon's incoming attacks, sensing death closing in...
-Chaeng!
Rowen appeared in an instant, his blade radiating sharp fury, saving her life.
-"...It's okay now, Estelle. Just rest a bit."
He appeared like a prince from a fairy tale.
Then, patting her trembling, dazed self, he reassured her.
-"N-No... Rowen. Please, don't go. Run away, quick...!"
-"......"
It was a fight clearly beyond Rowen's skill.
Desperate not to lose him, Estelle tried to stop him any way she could.
But Rowen just gave a faint smile and advanced.
-Puk!
Yet her worries proved unfounded. Approaching the demon, Rowen utterly dominated it from start to finish.
'...What am I even...'
He slashed at it viciously, repaying every wound it had inflicted on Estelle.
Watching him, Estelle's tension eased into relief—and an unexpected surge of joy.
"...Come on, let's head back, Estelle."
Rowen, now by her side, extended a hand to her collapsed form.
Sruk,
His hand felt calloused and rough, evidence of his hard training.
Yet as Estelle grasped it, she felt an overwhelming warmth.
"Can you stand? It's okay to say if it's too hard."
Supporting her as she rose, Rowen's eyes brimmed with unconcealed worry.
...Now, finally. Can I really trust him?
In Estelle's scarred heart,
A desire to claim the boy before her welled up.
-Pook,
"Ah, haha. Estelle. You okay?"
The girl who had always worn a mask, pushing everyone away,
Was opening her heart once more, letting someone in.
"...Yeah, I can't walk. So, carry me already."
Despite having strength enough to stand,
Estelle went limp in Rowen's arms.
'You did this to me, Rowen. So you have to take responsibility.'
You melted my frozen heart with your warmth.
I can't live without your heat anymore.
Kkuuk...
It might've been better if she'd never known.
But having felt that warmth, Estelle had no intention of letting Rowen go.
A lone figure crossed the forest shrouded in dark veils.
Or rather, counting the one cradled in his arms, two people.
'Still, that's a relief...'
I was heading to the forest keeper's location to evade the Inquisitors who would arrive soon.
By now, the professors who felled the keeper and the Inquisitors were surely tracking the demon's aura to the cave.
Fortunately, time hadn't run out; no worst-case encounters on the way back.
"Hng, hngh...!"
Except for the one making things difficult for me...
'Get a grip...!'
With every step, Estelle let out strange moans.
At her claim of being unable to walk, I carried her princess-style, careful not to jostle her.
"...Nice smell."
But as she clung tighter, clearly enjoying this,
I struggled desperately not to notice.
'She really can't walk... right?'
Estelle kept meeting my eyes with a peculiar gaze.
Her amethyst eyes gleamed like she was beholding a treasured gem.
A coy smile played on her lips, radiating satisfaction.
Her hands fidgeted restlessly, roaming my back.
"Hey... Estelle? Feeling better now?"
"...No, still hurts. So you carry me, Rowen."
"..."
Her voice sounded fully like her usual self.
But laced with an undeniable quiver.
'...Anyone could tell that's a lie.'
Meeting her eyes now, seeing her cheeks subtly flush,
The thought she was fibbing crossed my mind.
"...Don't wanna?"
But her sad expression made it vanish instantly.
"You said... I could rely on you anytime."
"That's true, but..."
"...That's enough. So, carry me."
Estelle smiled, her voice thick with subtle satisfaction.
That enchanting demeanor,
Forced me to work overtime hiding my embarrassment.
Tat, tat!
Ignoring her insistent gaze as best I could, I pressed on,
And soon spotted the gathered students in the distance.
"Hey, Estelle? Time to get down..."
"...Can't you just keep carrying me?"
"Too many people watching..."
She pressed closer, reluctant to let go.
Her pouting eyes tempted me to carry her all the way.
'But if Lea sees... it'll be bad, instinctively.'
Unable to ignore that gut warning, I gently set Estelle down.
Tok, tok
"..."
Ready to catch her if she stumbled,
But Estelle just wore a wistful look and walked effortlessly.
...She could walk fine!
Her cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment,
She turned her head, pretending all was well.
"Ugh. Ugh. So tiring..."
Hwiyik, hwiyik
Then, waving her delicate hands like she had no strength, putting on an awkward act.
I couldn't help a hollow laugh, grabbing that hand.
Thud, tok
Our faces flushed crimson, we approached the students.
And met the headmaster, waiting for the stragglers.
"Phew, thank goodness...! Rowen, Estelle! Where were you?"
The floating roster showed only our names in blue.
Likely, the mana barrier from the dungeon had lifted.
The headmaster had been worried over our sudden disappearance.
"...But you two. Where'd you get those wounds? And this aura..."
Examining our injuries, her face hardened at the sudden energy.
Blue light gathered at her fingertips as she approached...
Pasus...
"I won't ask now. Wounds are deep—head to the infirmary quick."
She wrapped our injuries, purging the lingering demonic energy.
"...I won't tell the others. Seems like something hard to talk about. But once you're healed, explain in detail."
Her promise to keep it secret meant no worries about the Inquisitors.
Paat!
She reapplied mana barriers on us.
"Alright, midterms end here~ Great job, everyone!"
Activating the warp magic circle back to the academy, enveloping the forest.
Thus, Estelle and I returned safely to Avillon Academy.