Ch. 96.1 - Hospitalisation (2)
Thanks to the valiant efforts of the elite Celestial Knights, the first-year students of Stella were successfully rescued.

… Or so they claimed.

In reality, most of the students who operated in the first and second layers remained oblivious to the unfolding events, while even in the Third Layer, only a handful of students experienced the repercussions of the detected dark magic.

Although a few students suffered injuries during the encounters with corrupted familiars, their wounds proved minor and posed no threat to their lives.

The Stella Academy headquarters was immediately contacted, and three members of the Stella Council boarded a dedicated ship, swiftly arriving at Skyflower Haven to escort the students.

The Stella Council held considerable power, akin to that of a noble, with some even capable of challenging kings.

The fact that three council members were mobilized underscored the gravity of the situation, with the entire freshman cohort being in jeopardy.

"... Fortunately, it seems the students are unscathed."

Of course, there were students who, right before their rescue, became restless, inquiring if they could proceed with familiar contracts and more.

As a result, Hong Bi-Yeon and Eisel astonished both the elves and the council by successfully forming contracts with Grade 5 familiar.

It was a remarkable feat for students who had only been at the academy for few weeks to contract with familiars of such high caliber.

And then...

Baek Yu-Seol and Mayuseong.

To everyone's concern, the two individuals known as the perpetrators of the dark mage’s demise remained unconscious even after a day.

It highlighted the requirement of their urgent transfer to Stella's infirmary for hospitalization.

Fortunately, although Mayuseong's injuries were severe, they were rapidly healing thanks to his unique regenerative abilities.

As for Baek Yu-Seol, it was determined that he had simply pushed his stamina to the limit, resulting in exhaustion and loss of consciousness.

This reassured those who had been worried about him.

However...

During the course of their medical examination, a minor issue arose.

It proved impossible to thoroughly examine Mayuseong's body using magic.

Occasionally, individuals from great bloodlines carrying special constitutions would employ potent magic to shield their bodies, preventing others from uncovering the secrets of their unique nature.

Mayuseong was likely in a similar situation.

However, it was not a problem which caused much surprise.

In fact, it was quite common at Stella Academy.

However...

"... What did you say about Baek Yu-Seol’s condition?"

When Dr. Rayburn asked, the nurse responded with a solemn expression, "He has Mana Accumulation Retardation Syndrome."

"Hmm... I see..."

Rayburn took off his glasses and massaged his temples.

"Mana Accumulation Retardation Syndrome..."

The term itself might be unfamiliar to many in the medical field, but those who were knowledgeable understood its meaning.

Mana Accumulation Retardation Syndrome.

It referred to individuals who were born with an innate inability to store magic within their bodies, making it nearly impossible for them to learn magic, and often led to their untimely demise before the age of twenty.

With 40 years of medical experience, even Rayburn, who had treated countless patients, rarely encountered such a condition.

Meeting someone with this condition, especially at Stella Academy, was beyond his expectations.

"How... How could someone with this condition be admitted to Stella?"

Learning magic was considered nearly impossible for individuals with Mana Accumulation Retardation Syndrome.

Though it was technically possible with tremendous effort, it was often seen as a futile endeavor.

Yet, Baek Yu-Seol had managed to overcome his condition and successfully enroll in the world's most prestigious magic academy.

To achieve that, how much blood and sweat must have been shed?

What processes did he go through to harness magic with a body devoid of mana?

It was an unimaginable feat.

"... This fact, Luna, it’s our secret. You won't do something foolish like exposing the patient's condition, will you?"

Luna was a nurse with 27 years of experience. She had worked under Rayburn, who was renowned as one of the finest doctors, for a long time.

The weight of this secret was significant, and it was unlikely to easily slip out.

However, there was a possibility that a select few individuals might already be aware of it due to the existence of medical records.

The rumors might not spread widely, but it wouldn't take long for those influential figures who desired this secret to find out.

"What on earth... was this child's motive for enrolling in the academy?"

If there were only two years left to live, Rayburn thought he would set aside all his responsibilities and embark on a journey.

Yet, amidst those musings, the child had chosen to enroll in the academy and pursue the path of learning.

Did he hope to find a cure for Mana Retardation Syndrome at Stella?

Unfortunately, it was an impossible task.

No one in this world could treat Mana Accumulation Retardation Syndrome.

Even if a god existed, they would be powerless to intervene.

The god who created the world with mana would have no means to mitigate Mana Accumulation Retardation Syndrome.

"... This sense of powerlessness is unprecedented."

Doctor Rayburn's voice carried a somber tone, and he removed his glasses, clutching them in his hands.

Luna found herself bearing the weight of his words.

Despite dedicating themselves to saving the lives of the dying, there were still many patients they couldn't save.

In the presence of such patients, the sense of duty as a doctor only intensified the feeling of powerlessness.

—————-

Mayuseong and Baek Yu-Seol were admitted to a spacious double room in the Stella Academy's hospital.

It wasn't due to any specific reason, as Stella's hospital rooms were originally designed to be roomy.

As a result, their room became a hub of activity with numerous visiting well-wishers, who left behind a growing pile of gifts.

Most of the gifts came from their fellow first-year students.

While the students from the first and second years might not fully comprehend the situation, those who had directly experienced the rampage of the dark magic-infected familiars in the third year felt the true threat to their lives.

Naturally, the information spread, and the names of Baek Yu-Seol and Mayuseong started appearing prominently in newspapers worldwide:

[Skyflower Haven Infiltrated by Dark Magic-Infected Familiars…]

[Did Two Stella Students Vanquish It?]

[What Is the True Identity of the Dark Magic-Infected Familiars?]

[Their Determination to Protect Everyone Led to the Defeat of the Dark Magic-Infected Familiars…]

Various articles were published, ranging from fact-based reports to speculative pieces.

Eisel sat quietly in the hospital room. Her gaze lingered outside the window after reading the multitude of articles about Baek Yu-Seol and Mayuseong.

The once bustling room was now tranquil, with only a few sporadic visitors.

Eisel took solace in slicing fruits and enjoyed the silence of the room.

Today was the day when the Gourmet Club would usually be active.

Unfortunately, with only three members and two of them confined to their sickbeds, carrying out any activities was simply not feasible.

Eisel took a bite of the apple prepared by Edna, and savored its deliciousness.

She pondered the saying about sitting quietly in the hospital room, slicing apples while waiting for the patients to wake up, realizing that it was an overused cliché.

However, despite her efforts, there were no signs of Mayuseong and Baek Yu-Seol awakening.

The doctor had assured that both of them had sufficiently recovered and should have awakened by now, leaving everyone perplexed.

Speculations arose that the excessive release of mana during the battle might have played a role, but the true reason remained unknown.

However, the nurse's encouragement that they would wake up soon and not to worry provided some solace.

But how could she not worry?

"Sigh..."

Eisel let out a sigh, lost in her thoughts as she whiled away the time.

Then, without any warning, the door to the hospital room swung open.

"... Huh?"

Her heart sank.

A chill ran down her spine, and her body bristled with anticipation.

And there she stood, without a knock.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She turned her gaze towards her.

Their eyes locked.

"Oh? Well, well..."

She flashed a mischievous smile.

Thump.

Thump.

Eisel’s heart pounded heavily. Her pupils trembled; lips quivered, and her palms grew damp with cold sweat.

Eisel Morph, the one who plummeted into the abyss.

Eisel Morph, the girl who miraculously survived.

Eisel Morph, the mage with hatred etched into her very soul.

Hong Si-hwa Adolveit.

The one who betrayed Eisel’s father, Isaac Morph, and took his life.

She appeared before her, meeting her gaze directly.

Her heart surged with an impulse.

‘Kill that woman immediately.’

Ch. 96.2
She wished to tear out her heart, just as her father had suffered.

But... she couldn't bring herself to do it.

The weight pressing down on Eisel felt like an immense boulder, rendering her paralyzed.

Even her eyes bulged with veins as she could do nothing but glare intensely.

"So, you're that child, huh? Hehe, you've grown up so beautifully. Would you consider marrying me someday?"

"... What brings you here with that face?"

Eisel reluctantly managed to speak, her words dripping with animosity.

Hong Si-hwa nonchalantly touched her chin, as if feigning ignorance about what Eisel meant.

"Hmm~ Is there a face for visiting the sick? I'm not quite sure. Is it wrong for me to come to the ones who saved my younger sister? Or perhaps..."

With a sly smile, Hong Si-hwa approached Eisel, slightly bowing her head.

"Do I need permission from a traitor to be here?"

"You...!"

Sssaaaah!!

In an instant, a chilling coldness spread, enveloping the hospital room.

Yet, Hong Si-hwa remained composed as she calmly walked towards Baek Yu-Seol.

"You must have been taking care of them diligently, huh? Is there a reward for your devotion?"

"...... I'm not seeking any such reward. Do you think I'm as materialistic as you?"

"Oh, humans are all inherently materialistic. There are only those who pretend otherwise. Look, even now."

Hong Si-hwa pointed alternately at Mayuseong and Baek Yu-Seol.

"These children possess an extraordinary past and power. Unlike you, who are just a traitor's child. Don't you know that too?"

"That's..."

"Well~ I guess anything will come out when pushed. If I call you a pathetic worm, you'll respond as such, right? Yes, it's a pitiful and demeaning judgment. I'll give you that praise."

As Eisel gritted their teeth, Hong Si-hwa mocked even that expression.

"But... are you sticking around because you know the secret this children hold?"

"... What?"

What nonsense was she spouting now?

As Eisel tried to retort, Hong Si-hwa threw a chart at her.

Dismissing it casually, she said, "He won't last long."

‘Did I just hear what I think I did?’

Eisel stared blankly at Hong Si-hwa, but she paid no attention and instead focused on the sleeping Baek Yu-Seol.

At that moment, Eisel felt a faint trace of emotion, or so she thought...

It was just a fleeting illusion in Hong Si-hwa, who seemed devoid of any feelings.

"Mana Accumulation Retardation Syndrome. It's a congenital condition where one cannot accumulate mana in their body, and they die before reaching twenty. That's the condition Baek Yu-Seol is suffering from. You claim to be close, yet you didn't know, did you?"

"No, that's... that can't be..."

It couldn’t be true.

Because Baek Yu-Seol, the genius among geniuses, could effortlessly control Flash, the most outrageously difficult magic in history...

And yet, he had a condition in which mana couldn’t be stored in his body?

A condition which made learning magic extremely difficult?

"Well, isn't that interesting? To think he achieved what even genius mages couldn't, with body that resist accepting magic. Doesn't that pique your curiosity? I was so excited when I heard about it."

Eisel hurriedly skimmed through the chart thrown by Hong Si-hwa.

It was not a lie.

Or rather, was there any reason for her to come here and lie in the first place?

"Is it really... true...?"

As Eisel silently read the chart, Hong Si-hwa approached with a smile on her face.

“You thought you knew a lot about him, didn't you?"

“Living closely together, sharing everything about him, you must have thought you could share all his secrets. But that's far from the truth. He doesn't share his secrets with you. And there are many more secrets beyond that."

It was true.

He had spoken and acted as if he knew everything about Eisel, leading and supporting them.

But in reality, did Eisel know anything about him?

Not even his hometown.

Not his parents.

Not his story.

She knew nothing and was not told anything.

"So, how about you stop with the pointless pretence? Honestly, it's quite bothersome to see a loser like you prancing around... It rubs me the wrong way."

As Hong Si-hwa spoke, she approached Eisel to deliver the final blow...

"That's enough. It's quite pathetic."

Startled, upon hearing a familiar voice, Eisel shrank back, trembling, and distanced herself.

Hong Si-hwa maintained the same expression she had while intimidating Eisel, and lifted her head.

"Oh my, who is this? Isn't it my pretty little sister?"

At the entrance of the hospital room, Hong Bi-Yeon was sitting there, looking at that side with a gentle expression.

"Please choose the right time and place to tease someone. It's embarrassing to go somewhere and say that you're Adolveit’s princess."

Perhaps those words were a little provocative, as Hong Si-hwa's expression hardened slightly.

"Oh... really? But... By the way..."

She approached Hong Bi-Yeon and said, "Do you think you have the right to lecture me about the dignity of a princess?"

Flinch.

It used to be that if it were the same as before; it would have remained the weakness or trauma that had pressed down Hong Bi-Yeon's chest, but now it was different.

"... Yes. I, too, as a princess, have the qualifications of a queen."

"Now you're confident? No, should I say shameless? A usurper who took advantage of someone's death to enter the position?"

Hong Bi-Yeon bit her lip slightly at Hong Si-hwa's attack.

Eisel, who was silently observing this, listened carefully.

She no longer wanted to live passively, constantly being pushed around.

Instead, even in the face of a beast baring its fangs right in front of her, she wanted to speak her mind confidently.

So she forced open her mouth, as if trying to suppress a groan, and spat out her words.

"... You're the one who's shameless, aren't you?"

"What?"

"Snooping around and proudly boasting about the information you dug up without even taking consent. What kind of act is that?"

"Oh, so that's what you meant."

"It's true, isn't it? Even though he didn't want to reveal bis secrets, you forcefully dig them out and act all high and mighty."

Hong Bi-Yeon seemed slightly stung by those words as well, as she averted her gaze.

"Yes, you're right. I know less about Baek Yu-Seol than you do. But... at least I can listen to him honestly and openly without prying like someone else."

As Eisel responded with brief replies, Hong Si-hwa looked at her with a peculiar expression.

It wasn't an expression of anger, nor was it one of happiness...

It resided in the ambiguous boundary of emotions, making it impossible to discern her true feelings.

Or perhaps, does such a woman even possess emotions?

Although Eisel mustered a strong retort, she clenched her fists tightly, unsure of what kind of insane words the woman might spew next.

"Well, I suppose that could be possible."

Unexpectedly, Hong Si-hwa quickly accepted it, wearing a sly grin, and swiftly departed from the hospital room as if dancing.

"Young people these days are so full of energy, aren't they? I hope to see more of that kind of attitude in the future!"

With those words, she vanished with light steps.

"... What... What was that?"

Feeling as if a whirlwind had swept through, Eisel stared blankly outside the hospital room.

In the corridor, nurses and Stella security guards stood there in a state of confusion, attempting to quell the sudden commotion.

Nevertheless, they didn't dare to confront and remove two princesses of Adolveit.

"She's gone... Did she really leave?"

With a bewildered expression, Eisel cautiously peered outside to confirm if she had truly departed.

Meanwhile, Hong Bi-Yeon wordlessly tucked a simple fruit box into the crevice of Baek Yu-Seol’s desk, as there was no more space left due to the abundance of gifts.

After briefly gazing at Baek Yu-Seol’s sleeping face, she turned her body and walked out of the hospital room.

Just like thirty minutes ago, no one remained in the room, and Eisel sank down into the now tranquil atmosphere.

Sigh...

It had been an incredibly tumultuous week, filled with utter chaos and unrest.