224: Alteration or Corruption?

"Blood! Blood! Help me, Weiss, help meeeee!"

Good grief, this is your own fault.

Since Duke was being so noisy, I went ahead and cast a healing spell on him. I don't use it often, but a minor scratch like this was easy enough. As the blood receded and the wound closed, life returned to Duke’s face.

"H-Haa... So this is healing... It’s so warm..."

Now I'm starting to get annoyed with this happy muscle-head, too. Maybe I should just prick him with the needle again?

Just then, a voice called out from behind me.

"You should be a bit more careful with your technique."

It was Priscilla. She had long black hair and a face that grew more beautiful the closer you got to it. In the Original Story, she was always near the top of the popularity polls despite being Neil’s maid. Man, being cute really is an unfair advantage.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied.

"...Don't underestimate it just because it's a simple spell. Even a minor treatment like this can be fatal if botched."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it."

I was feeling a bit miffed, so I gave her a perfunctory answer. Immediately, a fist came flying and cracked against my skull with a heavy thud.

The pain was a shock—but more importantly, how did it get through my Inviolable Domain?

"Weiss, listen properly when your upperclassmen give you advice."

"...I was listening, Teacher Coco. But more importantly, why did my Barrier—"

"Never mind that. Both Priscilla and Neil are at the top of Noblesse when it comes to healing magic. Do you actually understand that?"

Of course I knew that. I might have sounded dismissive, but I intended to do the job right.

"I understand."

"Good. Priscilla, keep a close eye on this cheeky brat for me."

"Understood."

"W-Weiss, it’s my turn next! Come on, let me prick you... please!"

Duke approached me, looking incredibly excited. What is wrong with this guy? Oh, I see. He's just thrilled at the prospect of finally landing a hit on me.

"I'm gonna poke ya real good! I'll be gentle, I promise—wait, GYAAAH!"

"It's still my turn."

"My forehead! There's blood coming out of my foreheaaaaad!"

"Carefully, Weiss. Do it carefully," Priscilla chided.

My enemy isn't Allen, nor Neil, nor Priscilla.

It's the Demon King.

Everything leading up to that is just a means to an end. Whether it's the corruption of the Academy or anything else, it doesn't matter. I'll turn it all into fuel for my growth.

I focused and performed the healing even more meticulously than usual. Seeing that, Priscilla gave me a small, genuine smile.

"There. One hundred points."

Good grief, she can actually make a face like that?

She quietly walked away. Meanwhile, that bastard Neil was over there teaching magic with a perfect, saintly smile.

...What is going on here?

"H-Hey, Weiss, next is my—GYAAA!"

"That was number three. You can wait your turn."

I probably don't need to mention that the chime rang immediately after, bringing the lesson to an end.