Warmth of Recovery
'I already knew she was struggling.'
Why hadn't he stopped? Self-recrimination washed over him with every breath. For days, he'd pushed forward in that cramped pillar, handling meals and sleep there, always looking upward, always comforting her. And the result? Estel Briano's raging fever, her hacking coughs, her utter exhaustion. No matter that it was just a cold—it wasn't enough to excuse his negligence. The girl right by his side had been crumbling, and he'd ignored her signals, blinded by his own drive.
He wasn't fit to be her manager. That truth stabbed into his chest more sharply, more painfully, than the pride he'd felt from their recent triumphs.
The dingy inn room. Morning sunlight filtered through the window, dimmed by threadbare curtains that left the space in a soft gloom. Estel lay abed, feverish, while Minerri channeled holy energy one final time through her hands. The faint glow faded from her palms, and the room fell quiet once more. Minerri clasped her hands in brief prayer, then rose silently. Approaching Han Seru at the door, she murmured low.
"It's just a mild cold and fatigue. Overexertion's the main culprit. A full day's rest, and she'll bounce right back."
"Thank you so much." He grasped her hands, bowing deeply. Without Minerri, things could have gone much worse. Her sacred magic had provided the perfect emergency care, letting Estel catch her breath at last. Only now did the tension ease from his rigid shoulders.
"Rest is key right now. Keep talks short."
"Got it."
Minerri slipped out with a gentle smile. Han Seru closed the door softly and turned back to the bed. Estel, bundled to her chin in blankets, gazed at him weakly but mustered a small smile.
"Hi there...?"
Her voice was hoarse, but that playful lilt was unmistakable. Even gravely ill, Estel never lost her brightness. He chuckled, pulling a chair to her bedside.
"'Hi there'? What is this, a first meeting? Just get better already."
Estel smiled faintly, staring at the ceiling.
"You were kinda... cool, baby."
"Huh? What was?"
"Akwi. Carrying me on your back like that. I was dizzy and scared from the pain... but weirdly, I felt safe."
He blinked for a moment, then ducked his head, staring at the floor. Compliments like that always embarrassed him.
"Don't get sick. If you collapse, everyone's gonna lose it."
"...Sorry."
"Sorry for what? I'm not mad at you. Just hurry up and recover."
He gave her a quiet smile. But his words seemed to stir something buried in her, wiping the smile from her face bit by bit.
"It's my fault revenge got harder."
"Revenge?"
The word blindsided him.
"What revenge?"
"Those girls. Lilfrea, Maribel, Clara... We could've beaten them."
Estel wrinkled her nose, sniffling.
"The ones who betrayed you, baby... I wanted to win so bad. Crush them spectacularly... make you happy."
What was this? He tilted his head, baffled. She'd kept silent all this time—how did she know about him and those three?
"Where'd you hear that?"
"Belldia Rackrowa told me. That you got betrayed by them."
"Belldia... Geez..."
"Don't hide it. I know everything."
Tears welled in Estel's eyes, like a child wronged by denied vengeance. Why was she taking it so hard? It wasn't that serious anymore. His wounds had healed—through her, no less.
But Estel pressed on, voice breaking.
"I was so dumb, couldn't even manage my health. Should've trampled them like in the prelims."
A tear traced her temple to the pillow. He gaped silently. She'd harbored that much resolve for revenge?
He blinked twice.
"You don't need to think like that. It's fine now—don't worry about it."
"Don't brush it off. Getting betrayed isn't shameful. It just... hurts me, your past."
She sniffled again, hand trembling as she wiped her eyes.
"...You're a good person, baby. You shouldn't get hurt."
His heart twinged. He couldn't laugh it off or dismiss it. Her simple words pierced deep, stirring memories of tireless efforts for others, the wreckage that followed, the emptiness and regret when all abandoned him. For the first time, it felt like true solace.
"Baby, trust only me. I'll recover fast and get revenge for you."
He'd never seen that look in her eyes. Tears brimmed, but they burned with fierce determination. Her flushed face, set jaw, unyielding will.
"No, no, don't. I really don't care."
He waved her off frantically.
"Revenge? Not interested."
It took ages to convince her. Estel wouldn't hear it, insisting, "Don't be embarrassed! Betrayal's nothing to be ashamed of!" No, he wasn't embarrassed. He truly didn't care anymore. Cut that intense stare—she was making him out like some tragic hero.
Still... it was a relief. As she ranted about those girls, color returned to her cheeks. Better she fire up with vengeful spirit than mope.
...So he eventually let her ramble. Her reddened nose was adorable. Vowing revenge in his stead, she was so cute he couldn't help smiling.
"I've even got the revenge schedule planned."
"S-Schedule too?"
Gazing at her animated profile, he fell thoughtful. This girl... tougher than anyone he'd met. No mere cold could fell her.
A thought struck: How far could her song reach? Beyond Pure String to Golden String? To the Edelan Ten Stars, ten alone in the kingdom? Or the Seven Seats of the String Masters, a mere seven worldwide? To that pinnacle—he wanted to go with her.
Right. He had to make her the best. That was his role. The sole purpose fate had thrust upon him in this world.
No more colds. He'd manage her health, condition—everything—to perfection. No second mistakes.
Knock knock.
As Estel blazed on solo about revenge, a knock sounded. Han Seru rose and opened the door to Pardel, who silently offered a small vial.
"...Here."
"What's this?"
"Cold medicine. Good stuff. Hard to get."
Pardel's gruff words matched his stoic face, but up close, his clothes were soaked in sweat from head to toe. Han Seru could picture the miles he'd run.
"Where'd you find it?"
"...No good ones in town. Crossed three mountains."
Gratitude and guilt surged. That hidden sincerity behind the taciturnity meant the world.
"Thanks, Pardel."
Bowing as he took the vial, Han Seru earned an awkward cough from Pardel.
"Tell her to recover quick. Wanna hear her sing."
His curt tone brimmed with warmth.
Then Lijel had slipped in during their talk, book in one hand, wand in the other, murmuring an incantation.
"Deep sleep needs quiet. Soundproofing spell—simple one."
A subtle wave rippled through the room, motes of light dancing in the air. Street chatter and birdsong vanished like lies.
"Perfect. Thank you."
He expressed his heartfelt thanks. Estel murmured greetings from bed, weary but happy at their care.
Soon Belldia burst in, arms full of Estel's favorite cream buns.
"Estel! Big sis raided every bakery for your recovery!"
"Eee, thank you!"
As they hugged gleefully, the door slammed open—BAM!
"Ta-daa, Estel! For you, mighty Bolcas has unleashed his culinary prowess!"
Bolcas swaggered in, proudly bearing a massive plate in rough hands. Piled high: fried mysteries in riotous colors.
Minerri trailed, sighing, hand on forehead.
"I begged him not to... Haa..."
Instinct screamed: Danger.
"Uh... Bolcas? What's this dish...?"
He puffed his chest.
"Special nutrition feast! Legendary fried trio for patient recovery! Crispy Rainbow Forest King Centipede! Chewy Prairie Giant Locust! Tender Swamp Spotted Frog Legs! Perfect cold-crusher combo!"
Estel bolted upright, kicking off blankets.
"W-Wait! What!? Locusts, frogs, centipedes!?"
"Made special for you! My own recipe—taste guaranteed!"
Her face drained white as she turned to Han Seru.
"Baby... save me. I'd rather befriend this cold forever than eat that..."
Laughter erupted. Belldia doubled over; Pardel turned away, stifling; Lijel tittered; even Minerri, scolding Estel to lie back, shook with mirth.
In that joy, weary Han Seru and Estel felt long-lost coziness.
After, he smiled.
"Thanks, everyone. You all give us strength."
These comrades healed better than any medicine, mending their spirits. Bathed in their heartfelt gifts, Han Seru and Estel rallied.
The second round finals weren't over yet.
Two days before the second round final measurement.
"Heard? That girl on L-37 pillar got sick and carted off."
"What about the tournament? She forfeit?"
"Dunno. Who knows."
Estel Briano, the overwhelming frontrunner—her sudden illness buzzed the venue all day. Pity in one corner, glee in another.
Amid the chatter, Lilfrea's eyes softened unusually. An irrepressible smile curled her lips.
'God is on my side.'
Deep night, all asleep. Lilfrea stood alone in her L-26 pillar.
Final measurement tomorrow after next, every blue pillar now shrouded black, opaque. The "Time of Silence" ensured only each contestant could check their own Willin—no peeks at rivals' progress.
Before the blackout, Estel's Willin led at 50 meters. But the next two days? Anyone's guess.
"Hoo."
Lilfrea steadied before her Willin, eyes closing. In this unseen space, her 5-meter Willin companion to her solitude, her resolve blazed.
'Now... my time to shine.'
The tournament had crushed her with defeat after defeat. Estel. That wench. The slumps bred terror for her future, suffocating anxiety. Nowhere left to fall.
Then realization: Discard pride, desperately cling to his teachings.
Han Seru. She pored over his lesson notes, ruminating dozens of times. Every word, every scribbled tip from back then.
At last, she patched her flaws.
'I have his guidance, Professor Ludwig's lineage, my honed skill. Combined...'
Her lips parted. Song flowed.
Once stiff with emotion, now she sang freely. As herself. Per his words. Clear, confident, freer than any.
Miracle unfolded.
"...!"
Her stagnant 5-meter Willin erupted skyward: 7, 10, 20, 30 meters—
Day one passed; day two, she sang on. Stem spearing heavenward, climaxing at 60 meters.
"S-Sixty meters..."
Lilfrea gaped upward in disbelief. Thrill exploded through her.
"I did it!"
Fists clenched. Estel injured—undisputed first now hers. Ecstasy surged.
Next day, finals arrived. Morning, Lilfrea strode the venue arrogantly, nose high, queen of all.
"Lukan, book me tons of interviews post-tournament. Time to make my name big."