Volume 4 Chapter 7.1
Seeds of Rekindling Part 1
Translator : PolterGlast
*Step, step, step,
step*.......
In the hospital
attached to the Gloaurum Institution. Shina Juliel and Razward were making
their way down the cold, quiet, white corridor.
Their destination was
a certain hospital room. Once they arrived at their destination, she slowly
regulated her breathing. There was a nameplate on the door with the name of
Nozomu Bountis written on it. She put her hand on the doorknob and opened it
noiselessly. Long black hair could be seen through the gap of the door.
"Irisdina-san,
you're here."
"Oh, Shina-kun,
huh......"
Despite it being early
in the morning, Irisdina had already visited the hospital room.
On the table beside
her were trays of replacement bandages and disinfectants, as well as tubs of
clean water and towels. Nozomu, wrapped in bandages all over his body, was
lying quietly on the only bed in the hospital room.
Both Nozomu and Ken
were swallowed by the raging waters, but Nozomu was able to be found.
It was thanks to the
communication earring he was wearing.
Originally, it was a
magical device made of a special stone called a curbstone. Combined with the
fact that there was a communication link, they were able to quickly locate him
as he was swallowed by the raging waters.
It was also fortunate
that Shina, who had sensed Nozomu's situation, immediately sent Razward to his
rescue.
Razward rushed into
the water supply through the exit from which Irisdina and the others had
escaped. He pushed aside the rushing water with his wind spirit power and
tracked Nozomu. As a result, they were able to rescue him not long after he was
swept away by the waters.
Incidentally, the
water that had flooded up to the water supply managed to be drained out by the
emergency drainage mechanism installed. However, in exchange, the water supply
in the residential area was completely cut off. It was estimated that it would
take more than a week to restore it.
After being rescued,
Nozomu was rushed to a hospital room in the Gloaurum Institution.
And several days have
passed. He still has not regained consciousness.
"Irisdina-san,
how is Nozomu-kun's condition......?"
"He still hasn't
woken up. At this rate, who knows when he's going to wake up...... Even
Fadrey-dono cannot bring back Nozomu's consciousness."
According to Fadray,
there are parts of the human body that can be restored to normal and parts that
cannot. This is especially true for the functions related to the head, and he
cannot do anything about this part.
"Raz......"
[Chichichi...... (It's
not working, after all. I can't seem to connect the link directly to wake it
up).]
"Nozomu......"
Irisdina gently placed
her hand on Nozomu's cheek. The heat that gradually transmitted from the palm
of her hand told her that he was still alive.
That's why it was so
frustrating, and sadness stirred deep in her heart.
At that moment, the
door was opened and Norn entered the room.
"Good morning,
you two. I see you're here again today."
"Yes, I'm sorry,
Norn-sensei, for asking you to do something unreasonable......"
"Don't worry
about it. You guys are just concerned about him, right?"
Nozomu was currently
not allowed to have visitors, and only a limited number of people were allowed
in this hospital room.
This was done on
Jihad's instructions and was a measure to protect Nozomu's safety. Irisdina and
the others were only allowed in this hospital room because Norn, the doctor in
charge, suggested that it was necessary to ensure his safety.
"Thank you."
"Well, let's get
on with the morning checkup, shall we? Ah, right. We have someone to assist us
today."
"Eh?"
"Come in."
As though responding
to Norn's call, the door to the hospital room was opened again.
There stood Lisa
Hounds, one of the main culprits.
†
While Norn was
examining Nozomu, the three of them stood side by side and looked at Nozomu
lying on the bed.
The only sound in the
hospital room was the clinking and clattering of the examination instruments.
An awkward atmosphere filled the room.
Lisa had been
manipulated by Mefi, so the reason she was in this hospital was to diagnose
whether or not she had any aftereffects of being manipulated by the spirit.
Fortunately, there was no bad aftereffects and she was able to be discharged
from the hospital.
"I hear you're
being discharged from the hospital today."
"Y-Yeah......
Irisdina-san and Shina-san, have you two been ...... umm ......"
"Yes. They've
been assisting with Nozomu's medical examinations. They don't have the
expertise, so they can't do much, but I asked Jihad-sensei for
permission."
"I-I
see......."
"Okay, done. I
don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but there is no change in
his condition. Now we just need to change the bandages. Can you guys give me a
hand?"
Hearing Norn's
instruction, Irisdina and Shina approached the bed and turned Nozomu, who was
lying there, sideways.
Nozomu suffered
various injuries, both major and minor, during the incident, the worst of which
was the stab wound to his abdomen.
To counter the full force
of Mefi and Ken's attack, he used his treasured sword, [Mumei], to perform a
ritual act of self-inflicted injury. Although he stabbed himself so as not to
damage his internal organs, the wound itself was still deep.
"Lisa, you too,
hurry up."
"Ah, yes......"
Urged on by Norn, who
was putting away the examination equipment, Lisa also approached the bed a step
behind.
"Ah......."
But just before Lisa's
outstretched hand touched Nozomu, it froze and stopped.
Her breathing became
ragged all at once, and sweat broke out on her forehead. Her hands were
shaking, and one could see her hesitation and agitation at the thought of
touching him.
"......Irisdina-kun,
Shina-kun, sorry, but can you switch places with her?
Lisa-kun, help me with
the preparations over here."
"B-But......"
"You can't do
anything if you're hesitant to touch the patient. Just help me over here."
Lisa's shoulders
slumped at Norn's strong words, as she helped Norn put away the examination
equipment.
Meanwhile, Irisdina
and Shina swiftly changed Nozomu's bandages and even changed the bedsheets.
Lisa watched them with a distant look in her eyes.
"Lisa-kun, don't
space out."
"Ah, Y-Yes!"
Even though Norn
warned her to concentrate, Lisa's eyes naturally focused on him.
The ugliness of herself
further stirred up her guilt. What shallow feelings I am harboring now, she
thought.
At that moment, Lisa's
and Irisdina's gazes crossed.
Lisa reflexively
looked away as Irisdina's deep jet-black eyes met hers.
Irisdina just kept
staring at her. Her expression was like a Noh mask. However, contrary to her
expressionless face, the depths of her eyes were shaking.
†
After Nozomu's medical
examination, Irisdina and Sheena returned to the academy a step ahead of the
others.
Lisa, on the other
hand, was brought to the next hospital room by Norn.
It was an empty room
with only two beds, a desk, and two round stools.
Norn gestured for Lisa
to sit down and then she left the room. A few moments later, she returned with
a teapot and two cups.
"Sorry, please
stay with me for a bit."
After saying this, she
quickly finished her chanting and invoked her magic. She quickly turned the
water in the teapot into hot water and poured the brewed tea into the cups.
This magic only alters the state of the water in the pot, rather than boiling
it with heat. It was an advanced, yet quite wasteful use of magic.
"When I'm busy
with a lot of things, I tend to become lazy. Well, just pretend you didn't see
it. In return, I'll keep my mouth shut about your morning classes."
With a wry smile, Norn
placed a cup of steaming tea in front of Lisa and sat down opposite her.
"U-Umm. What do
you-......"
"I just wanted to
talk to you for a bit. You seem to have a lot on your mind."
Being pointed out by
Norn, Lisa looked down. The amber-colored surface of the water reflected her
expression. Her face was as clouded as the dark clouds that covered the sky.
"I'm sorry, I was
the one begging you to let me help, but I couldn't do anything......"
"You don't need
to worry about it. Looking after the students' emotional well-being is also my
job."
Norn spoke in a light
tone as she took a sip of her cup.
Lisa, on the other
hand, looked down and seemed unable to even touch her cup.
It was understandable.
Even though she had been manipulated by Ken's schemes, she had stabbed her best
friend, and had driven her childhood friend, who had always cared for her, into
such a state.
It would be impossible
not to be tormented.
In fact, she was so
tormented that she even hesitated to touch the unconscious Nozomu.
"It's true that
there is still a lot of conflict between you two. It's not an easy problem to
solve, but fortunately, both Nozomu-kun and Camilla-kun are still alive. I
think it's still too early to give up in despair."
Contrary to Norn's
concern, Lisa's reaction was not good. She looked down and could not even make
eye contact with her. Her face, reflected in the steamy tea, was stiff and
tight-lipped.
"I know you're going
through a lot, but don't do anything rash. If something happens, come to the
infirmary. We can at least talk as a distraction."
Norn herself never
thought that this would be enough to ease her depression.
But for now, she would
continue to reach out to her. Even if she did not respond.
When someone is in
such a mental state, the best thing that a third party can do is not to leave
them alone.
Loneliness can quickly
drive a person's mind into a corner.
".......Sorry. I
have to go."
With a downcast look
on her face, Lisa stood up and turned away, as if to get away from Norn.
"Are you leaving
already? Since I went to the trouble of brewing it, why don't you at least
drink it before you go to the academy?"
"No, I'm heading
back......"
With a weak but firm
refusal, Lisa left the room.
The door slammed shut
and Norn, left alone, began to put away the tea, which was untouched, with
regret. While placing the cups on the tray, Norn called out to the door.
"Come on
in."
After a few seconds of
silence, the door was opened hesitantly.
In front of the room
stood Camilla Vecnose, a girl with dull crimson hair.
Judging from the way
she was standing firmly on her own feet, it was hard to believe that she had
been seriously injured just a few days ago. The reason for this remarkable
recovery is that the wounds were able to be sealed at an early stage thanks to
proper first aid and the medical treatment provided by the Gloaurum
Institution's advanced magic.
"Excuse
me......"
"Why didn't you
come in? If you're looking for Lisa-kun, she's already left, you know"
"I didn't know
what expression should I make when I saw her. After everything I've done, I
can't call myself a friend now, nor can I tell Lisa that I'm her
cousin......"
Camilla is a former
noblewoman of the Cremazzone Empire and Lisa's paternal cousin. However, due to
the special circumstances of having fled from the Empire, she was blackmailed
by Ken into helping him to bring down Nozomu and the others.
"But you are
worried, aren't you?"
Camilla nodded her
head slightly at Norn's words.
No doubt she was drawn
to the daughter of her benefactor and her personality, and that was her genuine
intention.
That was why she could
not forgive herself for betraying her trust.
"I do understand.
The reason I couldn't see Lisa earlier or help take care of Nozomu was because
I was scared."
Camilla has always
lived in fear. Even when she was a child, her life was in danger and she was
constantly being hunted.
This past inevitably
made her cower.
But at the same time,
she also understood. If there is something she truly wants to protect, she must
not run away.
After all, there are
only two ways to go. Either to walk away and never be seen again, or to go see
her, prepared to be chastised.
In her stiffened
heart, she recalled Nozomu's back.
Despite being the
biggest victim, he didn't blame Camilla.
Then, what
should I do now? The answer came immediately.
"I will go and
talk to her properly. Even if she insults me, even if she scorns me, I will
face her properly this time."
Looking closely,
Camilla's legs were shaking. Her body was still not completely healed. Even
though she was healed with magic, her lost strength has not yet been restored.
But in her eyes, a
strong fire of will, unbefitting her pale, sickly face, burned brightly.
"......Nice eyes.
I wonder whose influence it is?"
"It's all the
fault of that hopelessly good-natured guy. Norn-sensei, that man who saved my
life ...... please take good care of him."
With a gentle smile,
Camilla bowed deeply to Norn.
"I know. That
goes without saying. Of course, knowing Nozomu, it wouldn't be surprising if he
suddenly woke up out of nowhere."
"You seem to have
a lot of experience with it."
"He has been a
regular patient in the infirmary, after all."
It has been a long
time since Camilla has felt such an uplifted mood. Smiling at each other's
lighthearted comments that leaked out unintentionally, Camilla quietly left the
room. Her steps were steadier than she had expected.
After seeing her off,
Norn was left alone in the empty room and looked down at the cup that was left
behind.
The surface of the
steaming water was glistening in the morning sun glinting through the window.
Picking up the cup,
she brought it to her mouth and gulped down the contents quietly.
The tea was slightly
cold, but for some reason, it tasted much better than the one she had just had.
‡
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
Aiden Elliott
Edgar M
Elite
Konstantinos Frietchen
Max Kneifel
sergioalf2 .
Swagaraga
[Gold]
B random
DavidA
Jose Granados
[Silver]
blue shooting
CoolmanMTD
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Matzar1
Pristia
Sơn Hồ
Anton Lim
Ctdela
Curious Panda
Hikigaya Hachiman
Matias Soto Ramirez
XXX Demon Hunter XXX
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
