Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Protective Measures (1)
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"Let's go meet President Makina."
"Aw, come on, calling the president over something like this?"
"It's unreasonable."
"It's not a reasonable measure, but I get it to some extent. Everyone's eyes were totally unhinged. Better to cut down on trouble this way, even if it's like this."
I couldn't tell if Shirley's laid-back personality was shining in this crisis, or if the unfair measure she mentioned was actually working.
Either way, since the person involved was saying that much, it wasn't for me to grill Shirley about it.
"I hope I didn't stir up trouble and disturb your rest, senior."
"If I'd seen this mess in real time after getting out of the hospital, I'd have fainted."
"Can't deny that. You're fragile, senior."
"That's what I'm saying."
Compared to Shirley, who swung around that massive sword like a toothpick no matter who she was up against, sure, I was fragile. But in my case, it was the real deal—a kid who'd barely survived death multiple times growing up into an adult—so I couldn't deny it.
"Anyway, I need to let them know you've woken up, and it's past shift change, so I'll head out for today."
"Yeah, no need to push yourself more."
"Judith senior will come tomorrow."
Shirley twitched her lips like she wanted to say more.
But she swallowed whatever it was, shot to her feet, and marched straight for the door.
"I'm off, Enoch Clark."
The guard outside monitoring Shirley was apparently the now-familiar Enoch Clark.
Enoch politely replied to Shirley's oddly formal farewell with "Take care," then knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Even if they were juniors, it was academy custom to show a bit more courtesy to student council cadets.
Enoch Clark, still hiding his face behind his long, grayish-brown hair, poked his head in.
He looked somehow like a stray old granny dog that had been abandoned for ages, all wary and peeking around.
"Is something wrong?"
"There seemed to be a commotion."
"It was nothing. By the way, since I'm in this state, could you call President Makina for me?"
"The student council president? Well..."
Enoch trailed off, hemmuring.
I knew the council cadets worshipped Makina to a dangerous degree, but seeing them idolize her that much even among fellow cadets was surprising.
"Please. I can't move on my own right now."
"You don't even need to ask."
At that moment, an elegant voice that almost felt noble drifted from behind Enoch.
"President Makina."
She'd come to the hospital ward in person, as night approached.
"Did you come alone?"
Remembering my recent chat with Shirley, my tone came out snide without meaning to.
Makina slightly turned, showing off the two council cadets shadowing her like shades, then smiled.
"Sorry for the late hour. My talk with the chancellor dragged on."
"No, I was about to go myself if you hadn't come. Have a seat."
A good amount of time had passed since I woke, and chatting with Shirley had loosened my throat, so I felt no discomfort.
The only issue was having to show my disheveled patient self, but there was no helping that.
"I heard there are no major issues beyond the bruises—is that true?"
"Yes. A bit dizzy, but they said it'll improve with time."
"Oh dear, oh dear."
Makina slowly reached out a hand toward me.
Her fingertips brushed the bandage wrapped around my wound, and the subtle tension in that instant was indescribable.
How could she make such provocative moves and still look like a saint?
I felt bad for Enoch Clark, fidgeting at the sudden bold exchange between us.
"The dispatched priest will clean up the scars on your face too."
"I heard that as well."
"Then you must feel relieved."
Now Makina's fingers slid lower, past the bandage.
Watching me belatedly straighten my gown collar and prop up my pillows, Makina adjusted the pile so I could lean back more comfortably, then sat in the folding chair.
'Magic circle... she didn't notice, did she?'
Straightening my clothes had been instinct—to hide the magic circle.
Since I usually cared about appearances, it probably didn't look odd.
"You must have a lot of questions."
"Can't deny it. First off, about that security measure on the special admits."
"Of course you'd be upset. Sorry. But Arma cadet is a special admit too, so please understand."
"You know this isn't just my issue, right?"
Makina just smiled with a troubled look.
Then, with a short "Mm," she opened her mouth again.
"I know. It's unfair. But right now, this was the only way. Let me show you an example."
"President?"
-Rrip!
Before I could stop her, Makina stood, flung open the window without hesitation, and yanked out a nailed board outside with one arm.
"Uh... bl-blood."
"See?"
"President, you're bleeding a lot."
"Shh."
Makina's arm was gushing blood from a scrape off whatever sharp nail or splinter, but her face stayed calm.
That's when the weird noises started.
"What's that sound?!"
"Who's there!"
"Student council!"
It was just the noise of ripping out a board.
Yet commotion erupted from the dorm building sharing a corner with the hospital ward.
"Aaagh!"
"Call the student council!"
"Who's wandering outside!"
It felt like demons had possessed them.
The murmurs started small but showed no sign of stopping, and somewhere, the unmistakable sound of hammering nails rang out—impossible for this time of night.
"This is..."
"Mass hysteria."
Makina slotted the ripped board back between the others to restore it, then asked the council cadets listening outside the door to repair this spot tomorrow.
-Clunk.
The muttering that had raged on like a fit died down as she shut the window.
No—the sounds that faded were just the ones cut off by the closed window.
Hysteria doesn't settle that easily.
"I wish there were a wiser way... but this is the limit for now."
"Why not leave it to the faculty instead of the council?"
"Ha."
Makina rarely furrowed her brow slightly, lifting only the corner of her mouth in a cold smile.
Blue moonlight slipping through the boards striped her face horizontally.
"Let me say one thing: the 'adults' here aren't that reliable."
"What do you mean?"
"They don't care about cadet safety at all."
For some reason, a deep sadness seemed to flicker across Makina's face as she said it.
'Tears?'
The moment I thought she might cry and leaned closer, she reverted to her usual gentle expression and walked toward me.
"Anyway, I came in person to avoid misunderstandings, and it was the right call. Arma Cruise, the unfair measures against you all will be lifted soon."
"Until the hysteria calms down?"
"No—this won't quiet easily for a while. Until they've seen enough of an example."
"Give me a deadline. One day if one day, a week if a week. Like that."
"A week it is."
I'd suggested what I thought fitting and a generous buffer, figuring a named "measure" couldn't be revoked lightly—but Makina agreed readily.
"Then I trust you'll bear some inconvenience until then."
"...Understood."
It was close to a one-sided notice, but pleased with our negotiation, Makina smiled loosely, tension gone, swept aside the pillows I'd been leaning on to flatten them.
Then, without giving me a chance to refuse, she pulled the blanket up to my chest and swiftly left the room.
"Fortunately, most deep wounds healed during that week in a coma. Not waking till now was probably mental."
"Seems like it."
"Yes, that's partly why I came to check. You look fine, so that's a relief. Well then, have a peaceful night."
"Thank you."
Makina's heels clicked away, accompanied by the receding footsteps of her escort cadets.
For some reason, seeing her smile made me feel like I'd just received her protection too—an odd thought.
That sage-like smile was Makina's unmatched talent.
'For the academy vibe to turn this chaotic in a week.'
It was common knowledge that an isolated academy full of mostly pubescent cadets was vulnerable to mob mentality, but I hadn't expected this bad.
I pondered a bit, then pulled the blanket over my head and curled up like a maggot.
I had to wait until Makina was far enough away and Enoch Clark's vigilance outside eased.
'Hope this works. Never really yelled much before.'
And...
"Ugh... Uwaaaah!!"
I yelled at the top of my lungs.
-Thud!
"What happened?!"
Sure enough, Enoch Clark outside drew the sword at his waist and burst into the room.
He kicked the door open, ready for any attack, his entry form proving he was an Aegis Academy elite too—but what shocked me more was something else.
"You, you... Enoch Clark?"
"Y-Yes...?! More importantly, what happened?"
I forgot polite speech from the shock. It was his eyes—his bangs had swept back in his rush, revealing them.
'Luminous...?!'
I'd imagined soft, downcast eyes hidden under that gloomy curtain of hair, but peeking through was deep, transparent absinthe irises.
Overwhelming absinthe green.
"Ah, no, that's— luminous, I mean, ow, my stomach!"
"Your stomach...? Does it hurt?"
I nearly forgot why I'd yelled.
Wrapped in the blanket, I curled up and put on a desperate act.
Enoch had already hidden his face behind his hair again and approached me.
"You've been on nutrient fluids while unconscious, so no reason for stomach pain."
"I've got a chronic condition. You were briefed, right?"
"I was informed about the heart issue, but..."
"It's complicated. I requested my meds before collapsing, but they probably didn't arrive."
"Then what do we do?"
Confirming no intruder, Enoch sheathed his sword.
I beckoned him closer and made my request.
"From what I know, Theodore has the kind I need. Please take me to him. With the security measures anyway, you couldn't leave me and go alone."