A faint scent of medicine hung in the air.
When I opened my eyes, a white ceiling greeted me.
…Well, look at that. I’m actually alive.
I could feel the warmth of my body and the sensation in my fingers. The light was so bright I had to squint. I was alive; I knew it instantly.
Then, at the edge of my vision, I caught a familiar shadow.
"…Yuka?"
My voice was raspier than I expected.
The shadow moved immediately. I heard the scrape of a chair as someone drew close.
"…Lord Luka," came a short reply, her voice thick with unshed tears.
Yuka was dressed in her usual crisp, wrinkle-free maid uniform.
…It looked like she hadn't sustained any major injuries. Thank goodness. Just knowing that made the knot of tension in my chest loosen a little.
"Ah…"
I felt like I should say something. But my head was still foggy, and my thoughts wouldn't quite form. In the end, the only thing that came out was a hollow apology.
"…I’m sorry."
Yuka froze.
"If I had been able to do just a little more…"
I stopped mid-sentence, realizing it sounded like a pathetic excuse.
"…I’m really sorry."
For a long time, there was no answer. I wondered if I’d said something to offend her.
"…Lord Luka, please do not apologize."
The response was laced with a deep, simmering regret. Her voice was low and guttural, more ragged than I had ever heard it. I couldn't find the words to respond. I never knew what to say in moments like these.
"Please, do not apologize," she repeated.
Yuka remained standing right beside me, her head bowed low. Her fists were clenched tightly over her knees.
"It is wrong for you to apologize, Lord Luka."
She tried to sound stoic, but I could hear her voice trembling.
"…Protecting you is my duty."
Aren't maids supposed to specialize in serving and chores, though?
"And yet—"
Her words caught in her throat.
"…Because of me… it’s my fault…"
A single tear fell, splashing onto her hand.
Crap, I made her cry. I hurried to shake my head.
"No, that’s—"
"No, it isn’t," Yuka said, cutting me off. "It isn’t wrong."
She lifted her head. Her eyes were rimmed with red, but she refused to let any more tears fall.
"I have resolved to always stand before you, Lord Luka."
Her lovely face drew closer to mine.
"So…" Her voice dropped an octave. "Please… do not step out in front of me and leave me behind again."
"…I was terrified."
Those words sank into my chest. It wasn't anger or a reproach. It was just her raw, honest truth.
…Man, I really put her through it, didn't I?
"I cannot bear… to see you get hurt, Lord Luka."
I was silent for a while. In the back of my mind, that moment flickered back to life: Yuka’s back, and her unwavering Protection Flame. And then there was me, the one who had lunged forward past her.
I didn't regret it, though.
"…Sor—"
I started to apologize again but caught myself. Instead, I took a breath and chose my words carefully.
"Look, I’m supposed to protect you, Yuka. But so far, I’ve done nothing but let you protect me, right?"
Yuka’s eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.
"If things stay like that, you’ll be the only one getting hurt," I continued, averting my eyes. "I can't have that. I have my own sense of pride and dignity, too."
Like not making the people I care about cry. I’d clearly failed at that part just now, though.
Yuka didn't say anything, but I could see the tension finally leaving her shoulders.
"So…" I spoke as gently as I could. "Next time, I won't act on my own. But I’m definitely still going to protect you."
It was less of a promise and more of a declaration. It was a choice I had made for myself.
"…If you still hate the idea of me getting hurt while protecting you, then we’ll just have to protect each other."
Yuka was silent for a long moment. Then, she let out a tiny breath.
"…That’s playing dirty," she murmured, sounding like a pouting child for a split second. "Saying it like that."
Our eyes met for a fleeting moment.
"…But… very well."
Hearing that, a gentle warmth spread through my chest. She’s really changed. For me, it was a welcome development.
Yuka sat back down in the chair beside my bed. However, the distance between us felt just a little bit closer than before.
I’d been hospitalized for a broken bone in my previous life, but I certainly didn't have a beautiful girl sitting by my side back then. This is a definite advantage. A reincarnation perk, honestly.
A quiet peace settled over the room. Yuka sat there without saying a word, but the stifling tension from earlier had vanished.
"…Oh, right," I said, remembering something important. "What about Elicia, Caiel… and Allen?"
I needed to know that everyone was safe. Yuka’s gaze wavered for a fraction of a second, but she immediately regained her professional composure.
"Yes. Everyone is in stable condition; their lives are not in danger."
The weight in my chest finally evaporated.
"Lady Elicia was… well…" She paused, choosing her words. "She was quite distraught, but she has calmed down now."
"…I see."
I remembered the scene—her screaming, her hand reaching out desperately. Man, I’m really loved. I’m such a heartbreaker. (I was definitely being narcissistic).
"Lord Caiel suffered only from minor magical exhaustion. Lord Allen also has no major injuries."
I listened to her confirm each name one by one. Everyone was alive.
…Seriously, thank goodness.
"Is that so? Well, that’s a relief."
The honest sentiment spilled out of me. Yuka gave a small nod.
"Everyone was very worried about you, Lord Luka."
"…I bet."
I gave a self-deprecating laugh. If they hadn't been worried, I’d actually be pretty hurt. If our positions were reversed, I wouldn't have been able to stop worrying either.
"I will inform them later that you have regained consciousness."
There was a brief pause before Yuka spoke again, her eyes cast downward.
"…Should I call for him?"
"?"
"Lord Fazil."
Ah, my brother. No need for that. Really, no need at all.
"Wait, is he here? Actually, where even is this?"
"This is the Academy Infirmary. Lord Fazil was here until just a few moments ago."
Whoa. This place is so high-end it makes you forget it's part of a school.
Yuka took a step back and gave a polite bow.
"I shall go and fetch him."
"…Thanks, Yuka."
She quietly slipped out of the room. As the door clicked shut, I looked up at the ceiling.
Ugh, you’d better be grateful for Yuka’s consideration, Brother.
…But man, I’m really alive. I thought I’d been sliced open pretty deep. It must have been magical healing; there was no pain and not even a scar left behind.
A short while later, a voice called out.
"Yo, Mr. Survivor."
It was a familiar, breezy tone. I knew who it was, but I turned my head anyway.
"Brother Fazil…"
He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Man, what a relief," he said. That was his opening line.
This guy is way too casual.
"Seriously."
"Isn't that reaction a bit light?" I asked.
"Making it heavy would just make things harder for you, wouldn't it?" He grinned. It was his usual face. It was a comfort—and a little bit annoying.
"Anyway, the important thing is that you're alive."
"Yeah, I agree."
"You're taking this pretty lightly yourself, aren't you?"
Look who’s talking.
Fazil walked over to the bed and peered at my face. "…Your complexion is as terrible as ever."
"Are you making fun of me?"
"Yep."
I’m going to hit him.
"Well, for someone who almost died, you're doing great."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Sure, let's go with that."
He was being way too half-hearted, but it was better than him being overly dramatic.
"…Luka." His voice shifted, turning more serious.
"W-What is it?"
Fazil shrugged. "Ah—right, about Brother Noin…"
Ah. I hadn't really been thinking about it, but I guess he was being thoughtful since Noin hadn't come to see me. Brother Noin was the eldest of the three of us. I used to see him often when I was a kid; we didn't talk much, but I knew his face well.
"He’s currently investigating things on your behalf."
The academy, the attack, the barrier, the intruders. With all those elements, it felt like a fantasy academy thriller. And Noin was exactly the type of person who solved those kinds of problems. I knew that because my parents were always so proud of him. Apparently, it was already a given that he would join the Royal Knights.
"He said he couldn't come to visit."
"No, if Brother Noin is the one investigating, that’s reassuring."
"He said, 'I'll prioritize the investigation for now.'"
That sounded exactly like him.
"Well, he was worried, you know?"
"Really?"
"Probably."
What do you mean, "probably"?
"He said he might drop by later once things settle down."
"I understand."
That was enough for me. Noin was here at the academy too, even if we were in different divisions. I figured I’d run into him eventually.
Fazil’s expression clouded over for a moment. "This time… it was a real disaster."
"Yeah."
"But you did well to survive." For a split second, his gaze sharpened. "Even if you were way too reckless."
"…Yes."
"Don't do it again. I’m not fond of my blood running cold like that."
With that, his usual breezy attitude returned.
"Anyway, just rest for now."
"You don't have to tell me twice."
My body still felt heavy; even just sitting up was a chore.
"Right, I’m heading out."
"Oh, already?"
It’s not like I wanted him to stay or anything!
"If I stay any longer, someone else is going to start crying again."
Oh, right. Point taken.
"See ya. Get some rest, okay?"
"Yeah."
Fazil gave a casual wave and left the room.
Left alone in the quiet, I let out a long breath. I was alive, and I had managed to protect the people I cared about. I couldn't protect everyone, but for me, it was enough. That reality was all that remained in the depths of my heart.