Chapter 97
26. Hospitalization (2)
Thanks to the efforts of the elite Heavenly Spirit Knights who protect the Heavenly Flower Cradle, the first-year students of Stella Academy were successfully rescued.
…Or so it was said.
In reality, most of the students who were active on the first and second layers didn’t even know what had happened.
Even on the third layer, as soon as dark mana was detected, the students quickly retreated, so there were few who were harmed.
Some students did get injured while fighting the beasts corrupted by dark mana, but fortunately, none of their lives were in danger.
As soon as contact was made with the main headquarters of Stella Academy, three members of the Stella Board of Directors immediately boarded a private plane and arrived at the Heavenly Flower Cradle to lead the students.
The Stella Board of Directors had power comparable to that of a duke in some countries and some of them even had the authority to have a private audience with kings, indicating that the incident where the freshmen were in danger was a significant issue.
“…It’s a relief that the students are in better condition than expected.”
Of course, it was somewhat embarrassing that some students who had fought until just before the rescue asked if they could contract with more divine beasts.
As a result, Hong Bi-yeon and Aiselle successfully contracted with 5-star divine beasts, astonishing both the elves and the board.
It was an exceedingly high-grade divine beast for seventeen-year-old students to contract with.
And then…
Baek Yu-seol and Ma Yuseong.
The two whom all the students unanimously claimed were the ones who killed the dark mage did not wake up for a day, so they were urgently transported to Stella’s medical facility for hospitalization.
Fortunately, while Ma Yuseong had severe external injuries, his unique regenerative abilities were quickly healing him, and Baek Yu-seol’s condition was just extreme exhaustion from overexerting his stamina, easing the worries of those concerned.
However,
During the medical examination… there was a minor issue.
It was impossible to properly examine Ma Yuseong’s body with magic.
Sometimes, this happens. Families that inherit special constitutions through generations often protect their bodies with powerful magic to prevent others from discovering their secrets. Ma Yuseong seemed to be a similar case.
But it wasn’t a big deal. In Stella, it was actually quite common.
However,
“…What did you say Baek Yu-seol’s condition was?”
When the attending physician, Rayven, asked, the nurse replied with a grim expression.
“Mana Leakage Syndrome.”
“Huh… I see…”
Rayven took off his glasses and rubbed his forehead.
“Mana Leakage Syndrome…”
Since it wasn’t widely known even in the medical field, many mages would find the term itself unfamiliar.
But those who knew, knew well.
Mana Leakage Syndrome.
T h is w a s c o p ie d fro m ki n g m t l .o r g
Those born with bodies that couldn’t contain mana were almost incapable of learning magic and would die before reaching the age of twenty.
With a 40-year career as a physician,
Rayven had seen countless patients, but it was his first time encountering someone with this rare condition.
He never imagined that such a student would be at Stella.
“How… was someone with this condition able to enroll at Stella…?”
It was known in academic circles that learning magic was nearly impossible for them.
However, to put it differently, it’s not entirely impossible to learn magic, just significantly more difficult compared to ordinary people. But it would still be a largely meaningless effort.
Yet Baek Yu-seol had overcome his condition and managed to enroll in the world’s top mage academy.
How much blood and sweat did he shed for that?
T h i s w a s c o p i e d fr o m k i n gm t l . o r g
What did he go through to use magic with a body that couldn’t hold mana?
It was unimaginable.
“…This fact will remain a secret between Nurse Luna and me. You won’t do something foolish like reveal the patient’s condition, right?”
Th is w a s c op i e d f ro m k i n g mt l . or g
Nurse Luna, who had 27 years of experience and worked under one of the best doctors, Rayven, had a tight-lipped reputation. This secret wouldn’t easily leak out.
However, due to the medical record, it was possible that a few related parties might have already found out.
While the rumor wouldn’t spread widely, those few powerful individuals who desired his secret would soon learn about it.
‘What on earth was this child thinking when he enrolled in school?’
If Rayven had only two years left to live, he would have dropped everything and gone on a journey.
Yet, this student chose the path of learning by enrolling in school.
Did he hope to find a cure for Mana Leakage Syndrome at Stella? Sadly, it’s impossible.
No one in the world can cure Mana Leakage Syndrome.
Even if a god existed, it would be impossible.
A god who created the world with mana would have no way to interfere with Mana Leakage Syndrome.
“…This is the first time I’ve felt such helplessness.”
Dr. Rayven spoke in a heavy tone, his expression dark, and Nurse Luna just bowed her head.
They became doctors to save the dying, but there are still many patients they can’t save.
In the face of such dying patients, a doctor’s sense of duty felt powerless.
* * *
Ma Yuseong and Baek Yu-seol were hospitalized in a double room. Their room was relatively large for a double room, not for any special reason, but because Stella’s hospital rooms were typically spacious.
Thanks to that, their room saw many visitors, and there were quite a few gifts.
Most of them were gifts from first-year students. While the students who stayed on the first and second layers didn’t know much, those who directly experienced the dark mana rampage of the divine beasts on the third layer genuinely felt threatened.
This fact naturally spread, and the names of Baek Yu-seol and Ma Yuseong made headlines in newspapers worldwide.
T h is w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n g m tl . o r g
[Dark Mage infiltrates ‘Space of the Divine Beast’ in Heavenly Flower Cradle…]
[Two Stella students defeat the Dark Mage?]
T h is was c o p ie d fr o m k i n g m tl .org
[Who is the Dark Mage?]
[They defeated the Dark Mage due to their mission to protect everyone…]
From articles based on facts to those mixed with speculation.
Reading the countless articles about Baek Yu-seol and Ma Yuseong, Aiselle sat quietly in the hospital room, looking out the window.
The once crowded visitors had dwindled, leaving the room quiet. Aiselle quietly peeled fruit.
Today was the day the ‘Gourmet Club’ met once a week.
Unfortunately, with two of the three members bedridden, they couldn’t carry out their activities.
Crunch!
The apple prepared by Flame was quite delicious.
What was it they said?
That peeling apples while waiting in a hospital room was a cliché for waking patients.
But no matter how many apples she peeled, the two showed no signs of waking.
The doctor said they had both recovered enough to wake up, but he couldn’t understand why they remained unconscious.
He speculated that it might be due to the excessive mana outburst during the battle.
He assured her they would wake up soon, so there was no need to worry too much, but how could she not worry?
“Sigh…”
Letting out a blank sigh, she passed the time.
Creak!
The door to the hospital room opened without a knock.
‘…Huh?’
Click, she entered.
Thud.
Aiselle’s heart dropped.
Goosebumps ran down her spine, and her hair stood on end.
She looked in her direction.
Locking eyes.
“Oh? My, my~”
She smiled with a bright smile.
Thump.
Thump.
Aiselle’s heart began to pound wildly. Her pupils trembled, lips quivered, and cold sweat formed on her palms.
The reason why the young Aiselle Morf was driven to the brink.
The reason why a girl named Aiselle Morf was still alive.
Aiselle Morf, whom the mage… had etched hatred into her soul.
‘Hong Si-hwa Adolevit.’
The very person who framed and killed Aiselle’s father, Isaac Morf, as a traitor.
Now, she was here, looking directly at her.
Her heart urged her.
‘Kill that woman right now.’
Just as her father had suffered, extract her heart and show it to her face.
But…
But, she couldn’t.
A crushing pressure paralyzed Aiselle’s body. She could only glare with bloodshot eyes, unable to do anything else.
“Is that the girl from back then~? You’ve grown up so pretty? Why not marry me someday?”
“…What face do you have to show up here?”
Grinding her teeth like a beast, Aiselle forced herself to speak, and Hong Si-hwa pretended not to understand, touching her chin with her finger.
“Hmm~ Is there a condition for a visit? I have no idea~ Is it wrong to visit the benefactors who saved my brother? Or maybe…”
Hong Si-hwa smiled cheerfully and approached Aiselle, slightly lowering her head.
“Do I need permission from the child of a traitor to come here?”
“You…!”
Whoosh!!
In an instant, cold air spread, chilling the entire hospital room. But Hong Si-hwa didn’t flinch and walked towards Baek Yu-seol.
“Have you been nursing him affectionately? Do you think you’ll be rewarded for it?”
“…I’m not doing this for some reward. Do you think everyone is as materialistic as you?”
“Oh, all humans are the same in their materialism. It’s just that some deny it. Look.”
Hong Si-hwa pointed alternately at Ma Yuseong and Baek Yu-seol.
“These kids have extraordinary pasts and powers. Unlike you, the child of a traitor. You know that, don’t you?”
“That’s…
T h i s was c o pi ed f r o m kin gm t l .o r g
“Sure~ If you stick with them, something might come out. If I were a beggar like you, I’d do that! Yes, it’s a pitiful and despicable but smart decision. I should praise you.”
As Aiselle ground her teeth, Hong Si-hwa mocked her even more.
“But… do you know what secrets these kids have, and you’re sticking with them?”
“…What?”
What nonsense is she talking now? Aiselle was about to retort when Hong Si-hwa threw a chart at her. Tossing it carelessly, she added.
“That kid is going to die soon.”
What did she just hear?
Aiselle stared blankly at Hong Si-hwa, who was now gazing intently at the sleeping Baek Yu-seol without giving her a glance.
For a moment, it felt like she sensed a tiny amount of emotion in the otherwise emotionless Hong Si-hwa… or was it just an illusion?
T h i s w a s c op i e d f r om ki n g m tl . o r g
“Mana Leakage Syndrome. He was born unable to contain mana, so he’s supposed to die before he turns twenty. That’s Baek Yu-seol’s condition. You’re close to him, didn’t you know?”
“No, that can’t be…
That can’t be true.
Because Baek Yu-seol was a genius who could freely control the historically extreme difficulty magic ‘Blink.’
And yet, he’s supposedly born with a body that couldn’t contain mana? A constitution that made learning magic extremely difficult?
“Well~ Isn’t that what makes it interesting? He achieved what even genius mages couldn’t, with a body that couldn’t properly accept magic. Isn’t that fascinating? I was really excited when I heard about it.”
Aiselle hurriedly read the chart Hong Si-hwa had thrown.
It wasn’t a lie.
No, would she even have a reason to lie after coming all the way here?
‘Really…?’
As she quietly read the chart, Hong Si-hwa approached with a smiling face and said.
“You thought you knew a lot about him?”
“You thought you could share everything with him, experience everything together, and know everything about him. But no~ He doesn’t share his secrets with you. There are countless other secrets too.”
It was true.
He treated and acted like he shared everything and guided her…
But she knew nothing about him.
Baek Yu-seol’s hometown.
Baek Yu-seol’s parents.
Baek Yu-seol’s story.
She knew none of it and didn’t even try to find out.
“So, why don’t you stop with the unnecessary theatrics? Honestly, seeing a dropout like you meddling around is a bit annoying for me.”
T hi s w a s c o p ie d f r o m kin g m t l.o rg
As Hong Si-hwa said that, she approached Aiselle to deliver one last word.
“…Let’s stop there. It’s rather disgraceful.”
Startled by the familiar voice, Aiselle backed away, trembling.
Hong Si-hwa, who had been driving Aiselle into a corner, froze her expression and looked up.
“Oh my, who is this~ My pretty little sister?”
At the entrance of the hospital room, Hong Bi-yeon stood with a stern expression, looking their way.
“Could you please choose the time and place for your antics? It’s embarrassing to call you the princess of Adolevit.”
That statement seemed to sting a little, as Hong Si-hwa’s expression stiffened slightly.
“Oh… really? But…”
She approached Hong Bi-yeon, saying.
“Do you think someone like you has the right to talk about the dignity of a princess to me?”
T h is w a s cop ie d f r o m k i n gm tl . or g
Gulp. It was a weakness or trauma that had oppressed Hong Bi-yeon’s heart, and in the past, she would have bowed her head immediately, but not anymore.
“…Yes. As a princess, I am a legitimate heir with the right to the throne.”
“Now you’re confident? Or should I say brazen? You squeezed into the position left by the death of others?”
Hong Si-hwa’s attack made Hong Bi-yeon bite her lip slightly.
Watching this, Aiselle ground her teeth.
She didn’t want to live passively anymore. Just like Hong Bi-yeon…
Even while a predator bared its fangs in front of her, she wanted to speak her mind confidently.
So, she forced herself to open her mouth, suppressing the groan that wanted to escape, and spoke.
“…Aren’t you the shameless one?”
“What?”
“Snooping behind people’s backs to gather information, and then boasting about it proudly, what kind of mentality is that?”
“Ha, what nonsense is that–”
“It’s true, isn’t it? He didn’t want to reveal his secret, yet you forced it out and act all high and mighty.”
That made Hong Bi-yeon flinch slightly, avoiding her gaze.
“Yes, you’re right. I know less about Baek Yu-seol than you do. But… at least, I can hear it directly from him. Without having to dig it out like you.”
This w a s c opi ed f ro m ki n g m t l.o r g
As Aiselle retorted, Hong Si-hwa looked at her with an ambiguous expression.
It wasn’t a face of anger, nor of joy… it was an entirely indiscernible expression, making it impossible to read her emotions.
No, did such a woman even have emotions?
Though she had mustered all her courage to respond, who knew what crazy things this woman might say next, so Aiselle clenched her fists as hard as she could.
“Well~ That could be true~”
“…What?”
Surprisingly, Hong Si-hwa quickly agreed, smiled, and strolled out of the hospital room as if dancing.
“These days, young folks are full of energy. I hope to see more of that next time~!”
Then she disappeared with quick steps.
“…What, what was that?”
Feeling as if a storm had passed, Aiselle stared blankly at the hospital room entrance.
In the hallway, nurses and Stella guards, who had come to stop the commotion, were anxiously standing there. They didn’t have the guts to chase out the two princesses of Adolevit.
‘Is she… really gone?’
As Aiselle cautiously peeked out to confirm if she had truly left, Hong Bi-yeon quietly placed a humble box of fruits on Baek Yu-seol’s desk.
There were so many gifts that there wasn’t even space for it.
She looked at the sleeping face of Baek Yu-seol for a moment before turning around and walking out of the hospital room.
Just like 30 minutes ago, the hospital room was empty again. Aiselle plopped down on a chair in the now silent room.
“Sigh…”
It had been a truly chaotic week.
End of Chapter