Chapter 31
Daniel looked toward the area that had been sealed off.
Classes had resumed, and daily routines continued, though curfews were still in place.
Nightly petrols were a norm now.
Despite academy's efforts,rumors still spread throughout the Academy that monsters had invaded on the night the earthquake occurred.
A mass panic ensued and before the snowball effect occurred academy took radical measures to erase any suspicions.
The students were still nervous, but the professors showed no signs of panic and resumed classes almost normally.
Although the atmosphere remained unsettled, the palpable tension was slowly melting away.
He had received formal news from the royal family, but it lacked some details because the Church had already intervened.
But royal family's eyes and ears were everywhere and he had heard all the necessary details he needed to know.
The most shocking piece of information, however, was that a student had broken free from the infection and played a vital role in eliminating the source.
Azek Willowheart.
Daniel had attempted on his own as well to find clues that night about what was happening as it was against his nature to just rely on blindly what was served to him, but the people from the Magic Tower ensured not even a strand of mana went unchecked. He was caught in act and thus scolded bitterly but was let off since it was his first offense.
He glanced toward Professor Ashvile and then focused intently on the lecture.
Right now, he couldn't afford to let his thoughts wander.
He didn't know whether he was strong enough to show the same courage in a moment of peril as Azek had shown, or to use the unorthodox method he applied to get rid of the poison in his body—he had literally played with fire.
Ashvile continued the lecture in an unassuming manner.
Edrin was already efficient at sorting important points and focusing only where necessary. His practical application had improved significantly.
Meanwhile, Mathew watched quietly, wearing an unbothered expression.
Edrin glanced at him and sighed.
That bastard had been trying hard lately pushing past his limits. He had even sacrificed sleep after discovering that Azek had gone through an earth-shattering ordeal.
Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't have known. But Vivian had accidentally bumped into them while they were trying to sneak in to check on Azek.
After that, they received confirmation.
They began working hard since that day forgetting even sleep and meals.
After all, despite being the one with the least capability, Azek hadn't hesitated to sacrifice himself and risk his core to protect the people unrelated to him.
Even if he had stood on sidelines, nobody would have blamed him.
But he didn't back down.
Edrin hadn't known he possessed that kind of courage.
So a thought came to him.
Maybe—
Maybe if he stayed by his side…
Someday, he too would be able to look at himself differently.
Like Azek...
Whoo had become someone he was proud to call a friend.
He shook his head and returned to his notes.
Mathew had already completed basic command theory and elemental theory and had mastered two beginner-level spells.
He couldn't be the only one left behind.
•••
Vivian stared at Bishop Elion.
He was visibly unsettled by her gaze.
"Did you perform it properly?" she asked calmly.
"Yes—yes, I did it properly. I even supplemented the healing twice," he replied nervously.
"Just to be safe… could you do it one more time?"
Elion looked at her incredulously.
"My brother hasn't woken up, and I'm worried the internal healing wasn't sufficient.
Please… grant my request."
Her voice was gentle.
But Elion felt a chill.
It was difficult to believe in that gentle tone while she wiped her already sharpened sword and looked at him with slightly unhinged eyes.
He sincerely prayed for the Cardinals' swift return—otherwise, he might take a one-way trip to Valhalla before they came back.
"It's fine, Vivian. Don't be too hard on him."
A raspy voice echoed from the bed.
Vivian froze.
She sprang from her chair and rushed to the bedside.
Azek was awake—his eyes open, alert, fully conscious.
He slowly rubbed his throat.
"Some water…"
His voice was hoarse.
Vivian didn't hear him.
Instead, she pulled him into a tight embrace.
Azek nearly choked.
Barely managing to steady himself, he motioned toward Elion, who stood frozen.
"Ah?"
"Water!"
Realization dawned on him, and he rushed to fetch it.
Azek tried to extricate himself from Vivian's grip but eventually gave up.
Vivian's hands were trembling.
Tears streamed down her face.
"Stop… don't cry," he muttered weakly.
It was a flimsy attempt. He had no idea how to comfort her.
After a while, Vivian calmed down and straightened.
Azek took the water Elion had brought and drank slowly.
"How much time has passed?" he asked once she regained herself.
"It's been two weeks."
"Two weeks?!"
Azek felt as though he had only slept for a single day.
But two weeks had passed.
He immediately sat upright.
"What happened to Professor Methilia?"
Vivian hesitated before recounting everything—the Church meeting, his new core, the investigation.
As she spoke, the pieces gradually settled into place in his mind.