The Headmaster's Sickbed Visit (2)

A short silence passed. I cleared my throat and spoke without changing my expression.

"It doesn't ring any bells. There's no way I wouldn't remember meeting someone as famous and beautiful as you, Headmaster."

"Hehe, that's true. This body of mine does tend to stand out, and my looks help too, don't they?"

Rachiena chuckled as she readily accepted the blatant flattery. But it was only for a moment. Her expression darkened so swiftly that her previous lighthearted demeanor felt like a facade.

"But that's not what this body wants to nitpick about."

The air around us seemed to grow colder. She leaned in close, her face inches from mine, and murmured softly.

"You just give off a vibe similar to someone I know."

"…"

"And your build, too."

Rachiena's eyes sharpened. At the same time, mana coalesced at her fingertips in an instant.

I didn't even have time to react.

"Unveil Sheet."

"!"

Crackle!

A translucent white rectangle shot toward me and passed straight through my body. There was no impact or pain—just an itchy sensation, like my entire form had been scanned.

"…"

And nothing happened!

"Was that a disguise-detection spell? Nothing seems to have changed."

I swallowed hard inwardly and casually adjusted my chin with a nonchalant air.

In stark contrast, Rachiena remained frozen in her outstretched pose.

"It wasn't? Impossible. My instincts are rarely wrong…"

She seemed genuinely shocked, muttering to herself.

"Um, Headmaster?"

"So now I've become the person who blasts a cute student with magic out of nowhere…?"

"Rachiena."

"Ah."

Only then did Rachiena snap out of it. Without hesitation, she bowed deeply.

"Sorry. I made a rude mistake from a silly misunderstanding."

It was a refreshingly straightforward apology, unfitting for her status and reputation. It was so jarring it might give someone cognitive dissonance, so I hurriedly sat up.

But she immediately stopped me.

"Not yet. There was something I needed to apologize for originally anyway."

Rachiena lifted her head. She looked down at me with pity in her downturned eyes.

"I wasn't considerate enough toward you, who suffers from Mana Discord Syndrome. In the end, it led to your exhaustion."

"Ah…"

A rare disease afflicting mana awakeners, an incurable illness with no known treatment. The mana within the body gnaws at the flesh, bringing various diseases and disabilities. Given its notoriety for bedridden victims, her reaction made sense.

"No, it's fine. It would have compromised fairness otherwise. Besides, my condition is miraculously improving, so I took the exam of my own will."

Any other sufferer wouldn't have even made it to the exam hall.

"…Impressive. It must have been tough day by day at your age."

Rachiena gently clasped my hand again.

This is awkward.

…Truth be told, Harné Asteldoes have Mana Discord Syndrome. So every time I received this kind of treatment, my conscience pricked me. Of course, my current body had issues that made even that syndrome seem trivial, in a way.

"So I restored your energy and stamina as much as possible. Consider it the bare minimum apology."

No wonder I feel better than expected. The headmaster herself had intervened.

"And as a bonus, I fed you one of the potions I had stored away."

No wonder I feel much better than expected.

"A potion from you, Headmaster? Isn't it incredibly valuable?"

"Hehe, nothing special. Just grabbed one rolling around in storage."

It seemed more effective than the modified potions hidden in my inventory.

"Coming from the once-greatest Treasure Hunter, that doesn't sound convincing."

"Hmph, no need to worry about the bill."

Rachiena flashed a childlike smile befitting her appearance and patted my shoulder. Then, as if remembering something, she clapped her hands.

"Oh, right! I've been neglecting to offer a patient something to drink."

"I was just about to ask for—"

"No, stay put. Ah, sit up this time, don't lie back."

With a snap of her fingers, the air beside her split thinly, revealing a gray door. It resembled the one a cat robot pulls from its pocket.

"Wait just a moment~"

Rachiena stepped through the door and returned swiftly with a tray. Two teacups sat upon it.

"Is the other side of that door your dungeon, Headmaster?"

"Exactly. It's connected to somewhere in the dungeon. Here, drink whatever you like slowly."

One was water, the other black tea. As I took a sip of water, the thirst built up from the match hit me all at once.

"Oh dear. I told you not to gulp it down."

"I got a bit excited. Ahh, that hits the spot."

Rachiena pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed the water trickling down my neck. She even wiped the corners of my mouth meticulously.

"…Thank you."

"Hehe. I don't do this for boys, so be grateful."

Soon, even the steaming black tea ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was gone. Rachiena cleared the tray with a satisfied smile and vanished the gray door. She sat back on the bed's edge and set the mood.

"Now it's time to address what I've been putting off. Regarding the incident where the maze collapsed at the exam's end."

"Yes. How was it handled?"

Tensing at the important matter, I straightened up. Rachiena gestured for me to relax and pulled a document from her robe, scanning it.

"It'll be resolved well. The maze issue was mostly this body's fault to begin with. And only two students were affected."

"Really?"

It was surprising that only two students were caught under that wall. Circumstantially, two of Skala, Elise, or Runes. Regrettably, that likely included Skala among the dropouts…

"Yes. Runes Barnen and Elise Aljen will receive ample compensation and bonus points. There'll be an official announcement, but neither you nor Kane will draw attention."

"Wait. Does that mean Skala survived?"

As if anticipating my reaction, Rachiena grinned and pulled a sheet from her bosom.

"Oops, accidentally dropped the temporary team rankings~"

It fluttered down onto my bed.

"Is this okay?"

"Hehe, worried about the headmaster? But you're an accomplice too."

Instinctively, I snatched up the paper. At the top was a scoring chart, followed by densely packed individual rankings from the morning's team event.

And those rankings far exceeded my expectations.

"…I have a question. Skala aside, why is my ranking so high?"

"Know about the Headmaster's Special Points? Awarded only to the student who moves me most."

"And that was me?"

"Exactly! I've been dropping hints all along."

Rachiena rested her chin, smirking slyly.

"Of course, it's more about the results you and your teammates achieved. You worked so hard with that body of yours."

Rachiena ruffled my hair roughly, pocketed the paper, and stood.

As she moved to leave briskly, I tossed a confirming question.

"What about my individual exam?"

"Don't worry. Patients' turns are postponed to the end. Just rest easy."

As expected. Though I hadn't wanted to be one of those patients. Still, it worked out better in the end.

"Well then, I'll be off. See you next time."

At the door, Rachiena spun around. She waved at me with a smile.

"Yes, goodbye."

I waved back instead of bowing. She seemed satisfied, grinning brightly.

Her eyes held intellect, but her actions were student-like—the headmaster beloved by players in the game days. Our brief, intense encounter ended.

Click-clack.

Silence returned to the room. After cautiously checking the door, I addressed my secret mental companion.

'So, what does Noktia think?'

'As I thought.'

Rachiena had a tell when suspecting or wary of someone: her right eyebrow twitched upward when smiling. Even after apologizing, she'd done it twice.

Too sharp for her own good.

'True enough. Gotta thank Selnia's mask.'

With relief, I lightly stroked my chin to adjust the mask. Composed of my teammate's heart manifestation, it was today's undisputed MVP.

Then Noktia yawned languidly.

'Oops, my consideration was lacking. You're tired—feel free to go into hibernation.'

'Yes. Thanks to you, we secured massive team points. Rest well.'

Noktia mumbled as if drifting to dreamland, then fell silent.

She'd protected me, burning her own body in the process. Without her, we wouldn't have achieved these results in the team event. When she wakes in a few days, I'd treat her to something delicious.

Then I could finally relax in peace…

"Hey, Harné!"

Bang! The door flew open as if about to shatter.

A shrill voice assaulted my ears. Turning, I saw familiar faces.

"Skala? Darvin?"

"Yeah. You're awake already, so you must be feeling better."

"Haha, hello. Feels like it's been ages."

They approached the bed. Darvin pulled up a chair, while Skala plopped down right beside me.

"Individual rounds are starting soon—got time?"

"A bit. Be grateful I made time despite being busy."

"For someone who insisted on coming, Skala seems awfully eager…"

"Quiet."

"Yes, ma'am."

Skala silenced Darvin with a gesture. Unable to hold back any longer, she fidgeted, her ears twitching.

"So, what the hell happened? Kane Swara looked like total wreckage!"

"Ah."

"She was even screaming your name in rage? 'Harné Asteelll!'"

"Got it. I'll explain, so calm down."

"…Ahem. Who said I was excited?"

Realizing she'd gotten worked up alone, Skala glanced around awkwardly and cleared her throat. I could see Darvin desperately holding back laughter.

You get it now too, Darvin. Skala's soft, squishy true nature.

"So, here's what happened."

I summarized appropriately. While fighting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Kane, we 'accidentally' triggered a peculiar trap zone. Kane got 'conveniently' trapped there. Her escape attempt collapsed the wall, causing a domino effect.

"Hmmm… I see?"

It was a plausible explanation grounded in facts. But Skala and Darvin looked lukewarm.

"Hm? Any other questions?"

"Hmph, no. If you say so, then whatever."

Skala shook her head. Then she eyed me with subtle intent.

"So, nothing you wanna ask me?"

"Perfect timing. What happened in the central zone?"

I already knew roughly from the headmaster. But how could I ignore Skala, tail wagging as she eagerly awaited?

"Hehe, just before that wall fell, Elise, Runes, and I were in a fierce battle…"

To sum up Skala's tale:

"You blasted Elise and Runes aside, and right then the wall toppled, securing victory?"

"Yep. Perfect strategy met with timely luck."

They racked up massive team points until the end. Heavy editing there. But whatever—who cared? Results were results.

"Well, if you say so, Skala."

"…"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Skala sank, mirror-treated and sunk.

"Anyway, we all pulled off great scores together."

"Yeah. I wish I'd lasted longer, but I'm bittersweet yet happy."

"Hmph, Darvin, be more grateful to us. Hard to find someone as lucky as you."

Skala poked the scratching Darvin. Hesitating a bit, she spoke up.

"By the way, when are you two gonna drop the formalities with me? Especially you, Darvin. Everyone at the academy uses casual speech."

"N-no, how could I with you, Ska—Skala… ma'am? Out of gratitude alone, I couldn't."

"Oh? So while everyone else drops the honorifics, you'll stick to it alone?"

"…On second thought, casual feels more intimate and grateful. Skala."

Darvin switched gears swiftly, as expected.

That aside, I pointed out something that had been itching at me.

"But Skala, you knew casual is the norm, yet enjoyed the formalities until now?"

"…That's it!"

"Whoa! Calm down, Skala. Harné's a patient."

Skala grabbed my collar and huffed, but the mood stayed cheerful. Only then did it sink in. We'd truly aced the team event.