Chapter 61

Clack-clack.

In a room where all the lights were off, a man could be seen staring at a monitor.

He frowned at the screen, sighed, and occasionally broke into laughter for reasons unknown.

I quietly observed the man’s back.

His right arm was a sorry sight, utterly mangled.

His expression wasn’t quite right either—symptoms of facial paralysis.

‘He surely wasn’t like this back then.’

Maybe it was just a dream, I thought, as I constantly reminded myself that his arm and face had long been shattered.

“Is that fun?”

I asked without thinking.

The man, still gazing blankly at the screen, replied.

“It’s my favorite game.”

That made me chuckle softly.

“Alright then, that works.”

I still loved this game.

With a sudden jolt—

I opened my eyes.

With sweat on my face, I saw the ceiling above.

‘…A hospital room?’

As I realized where I was, I let out a light breath.

‘Someone found me.’

I couldn’t quite remember collapsing on the way up to the fourth floor of the Magung.

I had meant to regain consciousness and head back, but clearly, I hadn’t made it in time.

‘That was too dangerous.’

I had poured everything into breaking the Ice Dragon’s magic, but I should have at least saved enough energy to make it back.

‘I had less time than I thought.’

I chastised myself.

If I hadn’t been discovered, I would have died right there.

‘I wonder about Nikita.’

Had she joined up with Nia successfully? I might regret keeping Nia’s mission a secret from her.

‘Plus, I’ve been exposed as Bickamon.’

A guy who had previously liked her might feel a bit rude about it.

‘I should have stuck with Hanon as long as I could.’

I swallowed a sigh in regret.

‘Let’s get a grasp on the situation first.’

At that moment, just as I was trying to get up, I noticed—

“Huh?”

I realized belatedly that my body was stuck to something.

A strangely soft sensation along with a sweet rose fragrance enveloped me.

Cautiously turning my head to see what it was, I found a familiar face.

The term that best suited her was a mix of decadence and an exotic cat.

The 3rd Princess, Iris Haishirion.

She had me tightly wrapped in her embrace.

“…Ah, Lady Iris?”

I called out in shock.

“Mm.”

Instead of letting go, Iris just hugged me tighter, showing no signs of wanting to get up.

Why was she sleeping with me in my hospital bed? I couldn’t make heads or tails of it, and I could feel a piercing gaze on the back of my head.

A burning pain shot through me as if someone was glaring at me.

Eventually, unable to endure the gaze, I slowly turned my head.

There stood a girl with peach-colored hair.

Her eyes twisted like those of a vengeful spirit.

I understood why her eyes looked that way.

Hania Repidia.

The daughter of the Imperial Brigade Commander, and one of those who loved Iris.

“You’re awake?”

Hania smiled while approaching.

That smile was sharp enough to make me shrink back.

“…Well, I can’t sleep forever.”

“I could keep you asleep forever.”

“No thanks, I have too much to do.”

Hania let out a delightful snort.

“So can you explain the situation to me?”

I’m still baffled by how Iris is lying in the hospital bed beside me.

As I asked, Hania hugged her knees.

“A rescue team on the fourth floor was recovering everyone when the ice wall collapsed. During that process, it was discovered that Nikita Cynthia had targeted Lady Iris.”

“What about my senior, Nikita?”

“She’s gone. According to the investigators, she failed her assassination attempt and was ultimately consumed by the Ice Dragon’s magic.”

This wasn’t enough.

Feeling unsatisfied, Hania added.

“Additionally, traces of the Ice Dragon’s magic disappearing were found, so while we couldn’t find a body, it was concluded that Nikita Cynthia must be dead.”

Only then could I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

It seems they figured out that Nikita had died because of this incident.

‘Surely the 1st Prince must have had a hand in it.’

It was highly likely that Nia had asked for help actively.

“Nikita Cynthia is alive.”

At that moment, Hania sharply pointed at me.

My eyes slowly shifted to Hania.

She looked at me intently.

Her irises held a determination to expose lies and seek the truth.

Seeing this, I smiled sheepishly.

“Well, who knows?”

“Don’t give me that smile.”

Now that I looked at her, I realized it was still Hania.

Being a personal hospital room, it seemed like she had discarded her Hanon disguise.

“I… vowed to eliminate anything that could harm Lady Iris.”

Hania raised her sword for Iris’s sake.

Her sword only moves for Iris.

Nikita had targeted Iris’s life.

If I hadn’t been here, she could have taken Iris’s neck without hesitation.

“Hanon Irey.”

A sharp killing intent surfaced from Hania.

“Is Hanon an enemy of Lady Iris?”

For the second time, I was facing a life threat, this time from Hania.

I stood up for Nikita.

Hania, who was involved in this situation, knew this fact well.

If I were the enemy, she would certainly have to eliminate me.

“No.”

I had no intention of becoming an enemy to Iris.

Even if she played the role of the boss in the final chapter.

I would save her in place of Lucas.

Hania fell silent for a moment after hearing my firm answer.

Then she exhaled, releasing her intent to kill.

“That’s good enough.”

Surprisingly easy to understand.

“Don’t mistake this. It’s not because I trust Hanon.”

Hania’s eyes shifted to Iris.

“Lady Iris is extremely sensitive. She never shows weakness in front of someone she perceives as an enemy.”

I could agree with that.

Iris displayed a perfect form toward others.

But right now, Iris, who was behind me, showed no signs of waking up from her sleep.

“However, she does show that kind of side to Hanon. It’s proof that Lady Iris felt no hostility towards Hanon.”

Iris, imbued with the power of the Evil Zone.

She must be more sensitive than anyone else regarding enmity and malice.

So Hania’s judgment was indeed sound.

“Of course, even considering that, this scene is…”

Crack!

Hania’s teeth ground together as if they might shatter.

“It’s hard to understand.”

While looking at how I was curled up in Iris’s embrace, she struggled to contain her rage.

Don’t be angry.

It’s scary.

“It’s an unavoidable circumstance. Even I don’t know why I ended up like this.”

“Lady Iris hugged Hanon because she thought it was warm and felt good.”

Like some pup that finds warmth and likes to cuddle or something ridiculous.

I couldn’t believe it.

But I had a rough idea of the reason.

‘The steel skin absorbing the flame of fire must be in the process of getting more steel-like.’

The steel skin had absorbed the flame for quite some time.

It had the characteristic of releasing heat to prevent melting.

Yet the flame had managed to penetrate this, deeply embedding itself within me.

So now, every part of me radiated the heat contained in the flame.

‘At least this would help suppress the remnants of the Ice Dragon.’

Within me lay the remnants of the Ice Dragon.

Moreover, since I had already awakened once from the remnants, it would undoubtedly try to consume me at some point.

For now, this would be effective in holding it back.

“So just stay like that until Lady Iris wakes up.”

I was essentially told to play the role of a heater.

“It’s been a while since she’s slept so peacefully.”

Hania gazed at Iris with a sympathetic look.

She had been the longest to see Iris suffering from nightmares.

So if Iris could sleep comfortably, Hania was ready to do anything.

I understood Iris had struggled to sleep within the Magung.

Reluctantly, I decided to remain still until Iris woke up.

After all, Iris wouldn’t be able to sleep long due to her nightmares.

She wouldn’t take long to wake up.

“By the way, there’s an issue that both Hanon and I need to resolve.”

“What issue?”

I wondered if there was still an issue left to address.

As I voiced my uncertainty, Hania smiled widely.

“Well, the both of us are now dating, aren’t we?”

Ah.

“Isn’t it enough if we act appropriately in front of Professor Barcob?”

“Yes, that would suffice.”

Hania rested her chin on her knees, grinning brightly.

But that grin held a hint of annoyance.

“But now that rumors are circulating, the number of watching eyes has increased. It would be better to act for a while.”

After all, rumors only shine brightly for a moment; they naturally fade away with time, and we could break up then.”

“Barcob is really stirring up trouble.”

Since I had already decided to help with Hania’s situation.

Hania and I were in the same Martial Arts department.

It wouldn’t be difficult for us to pretend to date if we were on the same page.

“But will the rumors be okay?”

Every rumor associated with me had a bad reputation.

My skills seemed to have been somewhat acknowledged now.

But there were still a majority of negative opinions towards me in the Martial Arts department.

Especially in the Magic Arts department, I had become quite the nemesis.

Being involved with me would definitely harm Hania’s reputation as well.

“Rumors about Hanon? I don’t care. Hanon isn’t that kind of person anyway.”

“It’s a stretch to say he’s not that kind of person with the things he’s done.”

I’ve rubbed shoulders with Isabel more than once.

“I’ll be the one to judge.”

But Hania didn’t seem to care one bit.

“More importantly, instead of worrying about me, Hanon should be worried about something else.”

“Worry about what?”

Hania smiled brightly.

“There are many people at the academy who like me.”

That was quite a self-confident statement.

And just like she said, Hania had a magnetic charm that attracted people regardless of gender.

There were undoubtedly many who had feelings for her.

“I can’t guarantee where they might go.”

“So, the one who captures a beauty must be prepared for weighty matters.”

“…Haha, yes, I guess I am a beauty.”

Hania’s nose lifted slightly.

Regardless, I leaned my head back onto the pillow again.

‘After a few days off, it’s time for the second semester again.’

The first semester of my second year had many ups and downs.

As I drifted off, preparing for the upcoming Act 4, I decided to rest well.

And at that moment, I had no idea.

The temporary contract couple I had with Hania would soon lead to a problem that didn’t concern only those with feelings for Hania.