Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: A Hospital Visit (1)
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Aruru focused on the duel between the two men.
She was cheering for Jace, but he was gradually being pushed into a disadvantage.
The person she liked most in the world was struggling.
This time, even she couldn't see it as a popcorn-worthy moment.
“Ugh…”
A groan escaped her lips unconsciously.
She was so upset it felt like she'd lost her appetite.
Still, she believed in him.
Winning was a long shot since they were on different levels to begin with, but you never knew.
Jace always delivered more than expected.
He would surely do it again this time. She guessed it would probably end in a draw.
But cruelly, the signs of his defeat only grew stronger.
The thought that she would have to skip meals today due to a lack of appetite saddened the girl.
Just then, Jace's combat power surged sharply.
After roaring at Maier, he launched a one-sided assault.
“Huh? The tide has turned?”
“My word… He's overwhelming a graduate?”
“You'd have to consider that S-Class level…”
A sudden reversal.
While everyone was stunned, Aruru couldn't suppress her beastkin instincts.
I mean, how could anyone resist this?
It was the most epic, popcorn-worthy moment she had ever seen.
*Munch, munch.*
Her eyes were fixed straight ahead, but her hands and mouth moved busily.
Although she had no idea what had caused the change in Jace.
It was a good thing, so all she had to do was relax and enjoy the show.
He seemed to be pressing his opponent without holding back.
That toughness further highlighted Jace's charm.
In the end, he unleashed a torrent of Sword Ki.
A familiar sight. It was as if the Jace of old had returned.
In the end, Maier collapsed, battered and broken.
He was in such a wretched state that he would undoubtedly be stuck in the hospital for some time.
“Jace did it, just as I knew he would!”
Aruru wagged her tail excitedly.
She shared her joy with the other girls around her.
Ceria, in particular, looked so overcome with emotion that she might burst into tears.
Just as an incredibly heartwarming atmosphere was forming.
Suddenly, Jace coughed up a mouthful of blood.
“—?!”
The red blood stained the floor.
It seemed he had overexerted himself.
*Wait, why does he look cool even like that?*
That thought occurred to all the girls at once.
They were all half-mesmerized.
They were momentarily lost in a daze, but Ceria was the first to snap out of it.
*My man is just naturally cool.*
*It's not like I've only seen him for a day or two, right?*
She briefly savored a sense of relative superiority, but…
“This is no time to be standing around!”
“—!!”
In the end, Jace collapsed too.
The girls, one and all, scrambled to check on his condition.
* * *
I slowly opened my eyes.
“…”
An unfamiliar ceiling.
As I'd expected, I was lying in a hospital bed.
The aftereffects of going berserk.
It was only natural to lose consciousness and collapse.
My physical condition was surprisingly not bad.
All my wounds, big and small, had vanished completely.
It was undoubtedly Luciel's work.
Like the holy Saintess she was, she must have cast a healing spell on me.
If I had only been injured, I would have been fully healed right away.
But the penalty for going berserk, ‘exhaustion,’ remained.
Because of that, I had no energy at all.
Everything felt like a chore, as if I were suffering from lethargy.
Well, I was planning to take it easy for a while anyway.
Until the exhaustion fades, I'll let myself be cared for by my lovely girlfriend and my little cutie.
“…”
What was this softness I felt at my side?
I lifted the blanket slightly, and a sleeping fox beastkin emerged.
She was curled up in a ball, just like usual.
No matter how many times I saw her, her cuteness never got old.
When I gently stroked her head, she smiled faintly, as if pleased.
How could she be so endearing?
It seemed she'd fallen asleep while watching over her injured master.
Truly the best pet.
I'll have to keep taking care of her from now on.
Ceria's outer garment was draped over the chair opposite me, so she must have stepped out for a moment.
Just as I was fiddling with Aruru's tail.
Ceria returned right on cue, carrying something.
Her face lit up with joy when she saw I was awake.
“You're awake already. How are you feeling?”
“I'm fine.”
“That's such a relief.”
The girl placed her hands over her chest in relief.
I wasn't seriously injured, but she must have been worried nonetheless.
“Sorry. I pushed myself a little too hard.”
I apologized quickly.
After all, this body had already lost its dantian and become a wreck.
From Ceria's perspective, it must have been heart-stopping.
She had every right to resent me for it.
But she brushed it off, as if the only thing that mattered was that I was safe.
“I'm fine. I believed in you.”
Her reaction showed she would understand whatever I did.
She smiled brightly, as if to say she would support me completely.
As we held hands and gazed warmly at each other, Aruru rubbed her eyes and woke up.
Skipping the part where she asked how I was feeling.
She immediately burrowed into my arms and nuzzled her face against me.
My little cutie.
Are you that happy I'm okay?
“Mhm!”
She wagged her tail vigorously, as if to say she really was.
Being with these girls like this, I felt like I had the whole world.
“How long has it been since then?”
“A full day has passed.”
Only a single day had gone by.
But she added that a lot had changed in that time.
“What about Maier Venice?”
“The upperclassmen said they'd take care of him and took him away immediately.”
“—?!”
Huh? They didn't even give him time to lie in a hospital bed?
My recovery would take a week, while Maier's would take at least four.
No matter how unlikable he was, was it okay to treat a patient like that?
“They said it was embarrassing and left as if they were fleeing.”
“…”
It wasn't their fault.
But it seems they felt responsible for their classmate's disgraceful behavior and quickly cleaned up the mess.
Well, it was time for them to leave anyway.
If the main story follows its course, they'll appear again in half a year.
“And they left a message for you.”
“What message?”
“They said they were sorry for not managing their classmate, and they wanted me to be sure to tell you they wish you well.”
Hmm, they're good friends, aren't they?
They bought me plenty of food and even left some kind words.
Perhaps they saw some potential in me…
“It seems you're being re-evaluated after defeating that graduate.”
She said the faculty was discussing it.
Whether to promote me to S-Class or not.
I had expected as much.
Having defeated a Hero candidate from a previous year, an adjustment was necessary.
I'll just have to wait for a good outcome.
Until then, I'll get plenty of rest and recover.
“That's a good idea.”
The girl readily welcomed my decision.
Ceria took some fruit out of the basket she had brought.
Holding a paring knife, she cut an apple into the shape of a rabbit and placed it on a plate.
Yes, this is exactly the kind of situation I wanted!
A scenario where I get to be cared for by my girlfriend under the pretext of being a patient.
Because I love her, I find myself wanting to be pampered just once.
It's the perfect chance to feel a small bit of happiness.
It would be absolutely perfect if she hand-fed me the apple she'd cut.
Right now, because of the aftereffects of going berserk.
I was in such a lethargic state that I had no choice but to rely on others.
Just as I was secretly hoping for it, Aruru did something unexpected.
*Om nom nom.*
She quickly devoured the apple Ceria had painstakingly cut.
My little cutie.
Isn't this a bit much?
I don't mind, but how are you going to handle Ceria's wrath?
Just as I thought.
She narrowed her eyes and stared intently at Aruru.
*I let it slide until now because you were cute, but not anymore!*
She looked ready to lecture the girl on the proper duties of a pet.
What should I do?
If they fight, it'll only make things awkward for me.
Just as a new worry began to form.
Aruru smiled sweetly and said softly.
“It's very fresh. Doesn't seem to be poisoned.”
“…”
When Ceria responded coldly.
The fox beastkin laid on the flattery without missing a beat.
“Actually, you cut it so appealingly that I couldn't resist. I think you're truly amazing.”
“It's not that amazing…”
“You're the daughter of a great family, yet so domestic. Whoever becomes your husband will be a very happy man, won't he?”
*The very picture of a graceful lady.*
*Destined to be a good wife and wise mother.*
At my little cutie's continuous stream of sweet talk.
Ceria seemed embarrassed for a moment before shrugging her shoulders.
They say even a whale will dance for praise.
Wow, she's getting out of this crisis just like that?
As if that weren't enough, she nudged me and subtly gestured with her eyes.
*Hurry up and say something too.*
*When you've got them on the ropes, you have to press your advantage!*
It was a clear request for backup.
It was a moment that revealed the fox's cunning.
But even that was just cute. Well, if she wants me to, I guess I have to.
“I agree with Aruru.”
“—!!”
Was it because she had received acknowledgment from the man she loved?
Ceria's mood soared to an all-time high.
Riding that wave of good cheer, she hummed as she cut another apple.
She became so generous that she didn't even scold Aruru for stealing a piece.
*I'll use this chance to prove my womanly skills!*
As if having made that resolution, she exuded femininity.
Ah, this is so nice.
It created an atmosphere more intimate than ever before.
A girl trying her best to look good for me.
Me, watching her with a pleased expression.
And the pet wagging her tail, squeezed between us.
Everything is perfect.
I was overcome with such a happy feeling that I thought I could die without regrets.
To continue enjoying this life, I would have to become even stronger.
Late that night, I fought through my lethargy and continued my meditation.
Was it because I had fought a strong opponent?
A glimmer of enlightenment suddenly came to me.
The day I would stand shoulder to shoulder with the Hero candidates was not far off.
* * *
On my second day in the hospital, the Vice President came to visit.
She even showed the courtesy of bringing a case of juice.
“…”
“…”
She had walked in while I was playing with Aruru.
I had nothing to hide, but the atmosphere turned a little strange.
*What in the world are they doing?*
*I know they're close, but isn't that a bit too much physical contact?*
Her gaze seemed to reproach us.
But she soon greeted me normally, as if it didn't matter.
“How is your condition?”
“As you can see, I'm perfectly fine.”
“Then I can schedule things with peace of mind.”
Huh? What schedule?
It sounded like she had something for me to do.
“There will be a duel soon.”
“—?!”
What, is someone else challenging me?
If the Vice President was mentioning it, it must be an official duel.
Who's my opponent?
Cedric? Is he already making his move?
“That will be for later. There is someone you must face before him.”
She calmly explained the situation.
The conclusion reached at the faculty meeting was this:
The two students closest to S-Class would face off, and the winner would be selected as the new Hero candidate.
The winner of the A-Class tournament.
I was to fight Largo, that oaf.
Hmm, I'm not really feeling it…
Do I really have to fight him?
“Yes. It's almost certain.”
“…”
“As you are now, you should be able to do it. Congratulations in advance.”
In truth, just as she said, I felt I could win easily.
It was just a visceral aversion; my skills had already surpassed Largo's.
Fine, I'll just beat him spectacularly.
We were bound to clash at some point anyway.
“Do you have any other opinions, perhaps?”
“If that's what has been decided, I will follow.”
“You're as straightforward as your handsome face.”
“—?!”
“…Please forget what I just said. Well then, I'll be going now.”
The girl scurried out of the hospital room.
I was dumbfounded. What was that all about?
It goes without saying that this body is handsome.
But being complimented so openly to my face felt somewhat awkward.
Aruru, who had been quiet, suddenly cried out sharply.
“You wicked wolf, charming women without even trying!”
“…”
My little cutie.
Where else would you find a wolf as gentlemanly as me?
Besides, I hear wolves only look at one female their entire lives.
“Anyway, it makes me anxious without realizing it. If I were Ceria, I don't think I'd be able to sleep.”
Even if you say that, it's not something I can help.
It's not my fault I was born with a devilish charm, is it?
You followed me because you were drawn to it too, you know.
“Mhm, that's true.”
The girl clung to me with a wide smile.
She left her scent on my body, as always.
It really won't be long now.
If I defeat Largo, my first goal will be achieved.
But will he go down so easily?
I wasn't sure why, but I had a feeling some variable might pop up.
I heard he went into seclusion for training.
It might be less than what I've achieved, but perhaps he's had his own accomplishments?
Well, I wasn't too worried.
I'll have to use this opportunity to firmly establish the pecking order.