The dining table with the Princess and the Saintess was understandably intimidating for anyone, but to me, it simply looked like a hilarious sitcom.
Womp womp!
With everyone around in a flurry, the calm Princess maintained her composure while the Saintess threw jabs at her.
Bam!
The sight of poor commoners trying to cater to every little action of these two was truly a sight to behold.
Ding!
“Delicious!”
“Indeed.”
Chomp!
As this conversation passed between them, I wasn’t imagining things when I heard cheers from the kitchen.
Woohoo!
A little later, after finishing our meal, we headed towards the carriage to return to the Academy.
“Well then, I’ll head back first. Good luck, Lilith!”
“Hang in there. You blend in well when you keep your mouth shut, so be confident.”
“Is there a disease that makes you talk nonsense?”
“Lilith, is there even such a disease? Stop saying strange things.”
“…I really dislike you guys. Hurry up and leave.”
Grr!
Given the situation, I considered bringing Lilith along, but I heard she had plans for the evening.
Well… since it wasn’t like I could force her, I didn’t feel particularly sympathetic.
Her abilities often strengthen through religious means, so she must be aware of it, given her enthusiasm for public activities.
Phew!
With that, we boarded the carriage, leaving Lilith behind as we returned to the Academy.
The ride back felt wonderfully cozy, and maybe it was the bright sunlight streaming through the window, but I dozed off for a bit.
Zzz…
I don’t know how long it was, but it didn’t seem like a deep sleep because I suddenly snapped back to reality.
“…Hmm?”
“…!”
Startled!
When I opened my eyes, the carriage was still moving.
I probably hadn’t slept long, but just to be sure, I asked Seria.
“Ugh, I dozed off a bit. How long was I out?”
“Um, maybe… about 10 minutes?”
Tick-tock!
For someone who usually has a keen sense of time, she was mumbling.
She also seemed like she had just fled from being next to me.
Oh, I could see it clear as day.
“Seria.”
“N-No?!”
“You fell asleep too, didn’t you?”
“Um, ah… Yes! I dozed off too. Hehe.”
Haha!
Yeah, no matter how strong someone gets, they can’t overcome food comas.
But suddenly, the carriage was so dim. I noticed the curtains were drawn over the windows.
I clearly fell asleep basking in sunlight, so why were the curtains closed?
“I thought the light was too strong, so I closed them.”
Whoosh!
The one who said she dozed off closed the curtains?
Well… if she says so, I guess that’s that.
Stretch!
I stretched a little to shake off the grogginess.
Having dozed off for a moment, my mind felt clear yet the dimness around me was making me feel like I might fall asleep again, so I casually pulled the curtains aside.
With that, bright sunlight poured in, revealing very dark and gloomy-looking guards.
“…Why do they look like that?”
“Uh, I’m not sure? Maybe they aren’t feeling well?”
“That’s not just it.”
That expression was on par with when Seria was sent into the enemy’s camp.
This was not how they should respond while merely escorting the carriage.
“Rudion, do you know what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“I wished you wouldn’t catch on, but it feels strange to let it slide now.”
“So, what… did something happen while I was sleeping?”
“I don’t know. I bet they didn’t do anything.”
Well, there’s no way they didn’t know. And why was she talking as if she was guessing about what I did?
Seriously, I had no clue, so I decided to just enjoy the scenery outside.
Then I realized we were close enough to see the Academy.
That estimate of 10 minutes was just a random guess. If we were this close to the Academy, I must’ve slept for quite a while. No wonder I felt so refreshed.
Once we arrived at the front of the Academy, the gloomy guards stood in formation and saluted.
“Please enter carefully…”
Subdued voice!
Their voices sounded like the last gasp of someone about to meet their doom.
Dramatic gasp!
What on earth were they doing?
Cue startled cats!
The truth of their condition was somewhat understandable.
A moment ago, here’s what the guards saw.
While moving and observing the sight through the window, Rudion had started to nod off.
Before long, having fallen asleep, he was in no state to hold himself up and unknowingly leaned against Seria’s shoulder.
Whoops!
The guards, witnessing this scenario, were understandably furious. They had to hold back their swords and were about to say something when they saw it.
“Shh!”
Silent!
Seria, with her finger to her lips, looked like she was shushing them.
At that moment, no one was able to act further.
Afterward, Seria promptly covered the window with curtains.
Whatever her intention was, it was laid bare, leaving a greater shock in its wake.
A few of the guards must have seen Seria smiling a smile that was unknown to them.
At least not the innocent smile they all knew.
“Your Highness… why…”
For Seria’s followers, that sight must have felt like the world was crumbling.
Because of that, the guards currently faced severe mental trauma, ending up in such a dazed state.
Pew!
Unbeknownst to them, we had no option but to follow Seria’s hand and quickly headed back to the Academy.
Once we returned, the first thing to do was treat my injured arm.
The new clothes provided by the Royal Palace were long-sleeved so it didn’t show, but I still had some visible signs of injury.
I might have a numb sensation in my body, but thankfully, it wasn’t painful nor too bothersome.
And having been injured made me realize something: the natural healing system wasn’t in play.
Ding-ding!
But that didn’t matter. As long as I don’t get hurt in the future, it’s fine.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Thinking of not getting hurt going forward.”
“Please make sure to keep that promise.”
Promise!
We chatted about such trivial matters as we headed to Professor Reina’s lab.
Fortunately, Professor Reina was in her lab.
“You’re back early?”
“Just happened that way.”
As we knocked and entered, Professor Reina greeted us with an expression of surprise upon seeing us.
But as soon as her gaze landed on me, her expression turned somewhat stern.
“…What’s this? How did you get hurt?”
Dramatic gasp!
Even though it wasn’t visible, she noticed immediately. Truly, the child of a healing family is different.
“It’s just a little scrape.”
“So what scraped you?”
Describing it was a bit awkward, so I tried to brush it off. Yet, her reaction was far more intense than I expected.
Normally, she would’ve just treated me and moved on. Why was she being so particular?
She stared at me for a while… assuming I wouldn’t answer, she subtly gestured for Seria to come closer.
Seeing this, Seria approached her, and soon they began talking quietly enough that I couldn’t hear.
“So? What happened? There shouldn’t be anything that could cause an injury in the Royal Palace… Did you get into a fight with the Knights?”
“No way.”
“Then why are you hurt?”
“Um… I don’t really know.”
What could I say that would make Professor Reina’s expression so bewildered?
While I pondered this, their conversation continued.
“But what’s clear is that it was something that could have resulted in injury.”
“You can’t say that when you don’t know the cause.”
“…It’s true.”
Seria recognized how absurd she sounded.
But honestly, how could I explain it? Saying I got hurt while stopping an apocalypse would land me a one-way ticket to a mental hospital.
I felt like I’d only be treated like I was crazy.
Professor Reina, clearly frustrated, sighed and stood up.
“If you come back hurt like this again, I won’t treat you, so keep that in mind.”
Snark!
With those words, she started treating my wound.
What used to be an uncomfortable sensation inside my sleeves vanished in an instant.
As soon as I unwrapped the bandage around my arm, a clean forearm appeared.
“Any explanations?”
“I don’t plan to get hurt again, so I’m fine.”
“None of those guys who said that came back unhurt.”
“No need to be worried. I’m not like those guys.”
Swagger!
After all, I have invulnerability along with evasion. Getting hurt is a bigger challenge.
Proud!
Though that last injury was an exception. If it had been anyone else instead of me, they would’ve been cut to pieces.
Gulp!
Was that why I felt overly confident? Even if I heard flag warnings, it was still overshadowed by my confidence.
As I sailed through a storm of blades, only my forearm had been grazed; there was no way anything could harm me.
Evading and deflecting is divine, and I am invincible.
Fanfare!
While I was triumphantly dispelling the flags, Professor Reina turned the conversation.
“Well, let’s talk about this later. For now, go to the Student Council.”
“Suddenly?”
“I’ve had five students come to me for treatment since you left.”
“Oh, I see.”
Dun dun!
It sounded like something had happened while I was temporarily unavailable.
Just when I wanted to rest, they wouldn’t give me a moment’s break.
Since there was no more that needed to be discussed, I stepped out of Professor Reina’s lab immediately.
“Shall we go right away?”
“Of course.”
“I knew you would say that.”
No choice!
What else would I say? Of course, I was going.
Seria and I promptly headed toward the Student Council Building.
Step step!
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