Chapter 13

"Nn"

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His consciousness slowly returned.

What he vaguely saw wasn't the infirmary room that he had come to see often recently. Instead, the ceiling of an unfamiliar room, with its stand-out stained wood grain.

"Is this perhaps ...... a hospital?"

The distinctive scent of disinfectant lingered in his nose. In the corner of the room, there was a trolley filled with disinfectant and tweezers.

It seemed that Nozomu had been brought into a hospital room before he knew it.

"Night?"

Outside the window, he could see the quiet streets of Arcazam.

And the light of the stars twinkling in the sky illuminated the small room from behind the window.

"No-zomu?"

As if guided by the small whispering voice, Nozomu turned his attention to the entrance of the room, where Irisdina was standing with a tub of water in her hand.

He wondered how long she had been there.

The moonlight shining through the corridor window illuminated her beautiful figure becoming even more charming and attractive.

"G-good morning. It's a beautiful day, isn't it? but it's already night tho."

Nozomu's heart thumped due to the sight of her alluring figure.

Due to his fast-beating heart, the only thing that came out of his mouth were greeting words.

"B-but, before I knew it, it was already late... I still had afternoon class, but I must have missed it."

Nozomu scratched his head without a break in embarrassment.

Irisdina, on the other hand, remained silent and stared at Nozomu.

Iris was frozen in place, even her facial expression was not moving at all. Her beautiful, expressionless face, combined with her dignified atmosphere, turned into something strangely powerful.

"... By the way, Iris-san, why are you silent?"

For some reason, Nozomu spoke to her in a respectful manner.

Irisdina's gaze, which had been frozen, became so severe that Nozomu could sense the tense and angry atmosphere.

When Nozomu peeked at her fearfully while he was pressured by the unusual atmosphere, Irisdina grabbed a towel that was hanging in the water tub and threw it at Nozomu.

"Uo!"

Nozomu raised his voice at the sudden occurrence.

As he was startled by the towel that passed in front of him, this time, he saw Irisdina shaking a bottle of disinfectant that was close at hand.

"Wait~! Iris! What the heck !?"

"Shut up! You don't even know how I feel, what's with that greeting?"

The disinfectant passed over Nozomu's head at high speed as he quickly clutched his head.

The bottle that hit the wall cracked with a loud bang, and the room was filled with a pungent smell that pierced the nose.

For some reason, Irisdina was very angry, and she threw all sorts of things at Nozomu, regardless of the fact that Nozomu was panicking.

"Watch out! It, it will hit me!"

Gauze, tweezers, bandages, and other small items continued to fly at him.

Unable to move from his bed, Nozomu had no choice but to shrink back.

At that moment, a savior peeked out from behind Irisdina.

"Oh, Nozomu-kun, did you wake up?"

"Norn-sensei, please stop Iris!"

Nozomu's face broke into a smile as he realized that his savior had arrived.

For some reason, Norn-sensei sighed when she alternately looked at Irisdina, who was still throwing things at Nozomu, and Nozomu, who was in a panic.

"... Well, I'll call everyone, so wait here for a moment."

"Wait~, Norn-sensei !?"

With a dumbfounded look on his face, Nozomu's eyes widened as Norn suddenly tried to leave the room

He reached out his hand as if to say wait, but Norn didn't care and disappeared into the hallway.

"At least, please stop Iris!"

Nozomu shouted in grief.

The next thing he knew, he saw Irisdina spill the contents of the tub of water on him.

=================================

A few moments later, Nozomu was surrounded by his friends with water still dripping from his head.

All of his friends kept their mouths shut when they saw his appearance was so unlike that of a hospitalized person.

"Umm, why am I in such a place? And also ..."

In a room filled with a delicate atmosphere, the first to speak was Nozomu, who was soaked and had no idea what was going on.

He looked at Irisdina, who still looked angry, but she turned away when she noticed Nozomu's gaze. Nozomu didn't know the reason, but it seemed like her anger hadn't subsided yet.

"You fainted during combat training against Jihad-sensei. Don't you remember?"

"Mmm ... Aah, I remember"

As if prompted by Norn's words, Nozomu began to recall the combat training.

Nozomu's [Phantom -Flash-] and Jihad's [Single Stroke] clashed.

As a result, Nozomu's [Phantom -Flash-] was crushed by Jihad's Jaw Drop after a brief moment of confrontation.

It was reasonable. Under the state of Ability Suppression, the effect of extreme strengthening by Qi was also diminished.

Jihad's Jaw Drop, which put pressure on Nozomu's katana, crashed into the ground under Nozomu's feet.

Nozomu was blown away by the shockwave of the explosion, and lost consciousness.

"Furthermore, Jihad-sensei only ever seriously swung his sword during that combat training... Jihad-sensei, he truly is a master, and people at his rank are complete nonsense..."

Even though the Ability Suppression prevented Nozomu from displaying his true power, Jihad had crushed his best techniques in a one-sided manner.

Even putting aside his [Single Stroke], he had an extraordinary amount of Qi and skills to face Nozomu's technique head-on.

He also had the political skills and achievements to practically run this school.

Even after all this time, Nozomu can only sigh at Jihad's incredibleness.

"... I wonder, is it really as you said?"

Seeing Nozomu like that, Shna and the others dropped their shoulders. From their point of view, even though Jihad held himself back and went along with Nozomu's specialty, which was close combat, his opponent was a person who was even called a hero in the great invasion 10 years ago.

How many people would be able to fight such a person with the handicap of Ability Suppression to such an extent?

The dry smile plastered on her face told her thoughts to the others.

With such Shna and the others like that, Norn called out to Nozomu.

"Well, Nozomu-kun, how long do you think you've been asleep?"

Nozomu glanced sideways at Irisdina, but she still looked unhappy.

Nozomu didn't know why Irisdina was so angry, but he decided to answer Norn's question for the time being.

"Umm, it's already night, so ... about half a day?"

He looked out the window and saw that the sun was already going down and everyone was asleep, so he was sure it was midnight.

"No, to be exact, two and a half days."

"...Ha?"

Nozomu was dumbfounded hearing the words added by Norn with his mouth half-open.

"And you have internal bleeding all over your body, don't you? As a matter of fact, you were in a very dangerous condition."

Hearing her words, Nozomu looked at his arm and saw that it was bruised and pale in many places.

According to Norn, Nozomu was extremely weak after he fainted during the combat training with Jihad at the Martial Arts Garden.

Even though they were shallow, he had countless cuts all over his body.

Furthermore, his body was extremely weak, and because of this, the recovery magic was not very effective, and the wounds did not heal properly.

Nozomu's eyes widen as he realized that his wounds were more serious than he thought.

The reason for this is the excessive use of chi and the extreme strengthening of the body.

Norn continued to explain.

"The cause was the excessive use of Qi and the repeated use of extreme physical strengthening. Especially the last sword-drawing technique you used. It was not good."

"The last ..."

Nozomu tilted his head, wondering if she was referring to [Phantom -Flash-] or not, but Norn nodded and answered.

"Umm, I understand that overuse of Qi can cause debilitation, but what about body strengthening?

"Nozomu, you were able to confront Jihad-sensei's [Single Stroke], albeit momentarily. This is impossible if you think about it normally."

After she said so, Norn took out a bandage, put magic power into part of it, and pulled the bandage as hard as she could.

The bandage, which would normally be torn off, was able to withstand the stretching force as Norn momentarily increase its strength with magic power.

"It's true that extreme body strengthening, when fully coordinated with your body movement, can make it possible to do things with less force than one would normally be able to withstand. However, if that coordination is disrupted even for a moment..."

Then she pulled the bandage with all her might. The thin fabric of the bandage reached its limit before enough magic power could be applied to it, and it tore off.

"... This is what happens. the bandage was torn to shreds. In Nozomu's case, the extreme consumption of Qi had slowed down his movements, so the coordination between his Qi and the movements of his entire body was momentarily disrupted, causing him to injure himself."

According to Norn-sensei, in the worst-case scenario, every muscle in his body could have been ruptured and everything from bones to internal organs could have been messed up.

"Well, that's definitely true. There's that much risk involved in that technique... But since I can't overwhelm him with my usual strength, I really need Shish's technique in such an emergency."

"I know. Given that power, I can't tell you not to use that technique."

Even so, Nozomu needed a few ways of fighting.

Considering the risk of waking up Tiamat which was sealed inside of him because he was releasing Ability Suppression, it was necessary to have another "secret technique" that can be used without releasing his Ability Suppression.

Norn understood this.

Still, with a sad smile, she looked at Irisdina and others who were beside her and spoke to Nozomu gently.

"But keep in mind that there are people who will be sad if you get hurt. Irisdina and the others have been helping to nurse you through your treatment."

"Ah"

When Nozomu heard those words, he turned to Irisdina with a surprised expression.

He remembered Irisdina's appearance who had just brought a tub of water to this room. There was no reason for her to bring such a thing here, except to nurse Nozomu.

Finally, he understood why Irisdina was so angry.

"I mean, Nozomu, why did you have to be so reckless? You didn't have to go that far, did you?"

"That's right! You were too reckless! You almost got into an irreversible situation!"

Mars and Irisdina approached Nozomu, who finally understood the situation.

Mars was still asking calmly, but Irisdina was clearly still in a rage.

Now that he understood why she was so angry, Nozomu could only bow his head.

"I-I'm sorry, everyone. When I was crossing swords with Jihad-sensei, I felt nostalgic... It felt like when I was training with Shish."

When Irisdina heard Nozomu's words, she leaned forward and scolded him.

"That's not an excuse for you to go that far!"

Probably her emotions were getting the better of her.

Nozomu's eyes widened at her fierce tone of voice, which was unimaginable from her usual calm demeanor.

The others were also shaken and shocked. That was how unusual she looked right now.

"Bleeding to that extent..."

Then her raging emotions fell all at once.

Nozomu, who had been dumbfounded, saw Irisdina's eyes that had moistened.

"A~ a~. You made her cry ~~"

"Wha~!"

Mimuru's teasing words echoed, and Nozomu panicked for a moment.

However, his words were soon replaced by a heavy silence.

Seeing Irisdina, who usually kept the dignified expression on her face, show so much emotion now, it was easy to see how worried she was about Nozomu.

"Umm... sorry, Iris. I'm sorry I made you worry..."

"... No, I won't forgive you."

Irisdina was showing a sulky expression as if she were a child.

When Nozomu saw Irisdina's face distorted in pain, he felt a pain as if he had been shot through the chest.

"Last time, I thought you won't be able to make it... Why do you always make me worry? ..."

Irisdina's mind drifted back to the last time Nozomu had been nearly taken over by Tiamat.

Nozomu had been seriously injured that time and had been bedridden for nearly a week. He was unconscious for nearly five days, and his weakened body could have extinguished the light of life at any moment.

And even after he woke up, his senses, such as sight and hearing, were still affected.

The fear of that moment had squeezed Irisdina's heart.

Irisdina held her arms like a frightened child, her eyes wet with tears as she looked down.

Nozomu was heartbroken to see her like this, but he thought he should at least tell her what he thought, so he slowly opened his mouth.

"...... Maybe it sounds like an excuse, but... I've been running away for a long time, haven't I? Not just from Lisa and Ken, but from this school as well."

Nozomu slowly spoke about his feelings.

"At that combat training, the students of this school were watching me. I didn't want to run away because I decided to face them again."

It was a place where many people were watching.

The Nozomu of the past would have retreated into his shell under the scornful gazes and the heartless words of the people around him and would have done nothing. He wouldn't have tried doing anything.

However, the words that came out of Nozomu's mouth right now were words that showed his solid determination.

Nozomu was looking straight ahead, not looking away from Iridina, who was still casting her eyes downward.

"That's why I confronted Jihad-sensei with all my might. To be honest, I was surprised when I heard about this combat training from Anri-sensei..."

In the beginning, it was Anri-sensei who had brought the idea to him. Nozomu thought that she was probably the one who passed the idea on to Jihad-sensei. Before the combat training, it was impressive that she was more enthusiastic than usual.

When Nozomu glanced over at Anri, she smiled and gave him a V-sign.

Rumors that have accumulated over the years were flowing on their own.

And before he knew it, the unconfirmed story was recognized as the "truth" and will be taken for granted.

This combat training can be a catalyst to blow away the false rumors that have been circulating.

It wouldn't be possible to dispel all the rumors, but at least it could have a big impact on those who believed in those rumors.

Maybe Anri knew all this from the beginning, and that was why she came up with this idea. These thoughts flashed through Nozomu's mind.

"That's why I used my techniques without reserve. Well, it's also because I remembered the time when I crossed swords with Shish. Jihad-sensei was the same as Shish. He was not injured by my Qi techniques. That's why ... umm..."

"... I'm going to wipe your head for the time being."

"Eh~? Wa~ppu!"

Shna threw a towel at his head as he was looking at Irisdina's expression. Water droplets were dripping from Nozomu's head.

She turned her gaze on Irisdina as she wiped Nozomu's head with a towel

"It can't be helped like that. In Nozomu's story, I think this was necessary. Think about the future."

"There's no point in sulking like that. According to Nozomu's story, I think what had happened was necessary. Let's think about what we will do after this."

"That's ... I know ..."

Irisdina slowly nodded at Shna's words as she shrugged her shoulders and spoke.

She is an intelligent person by nature, and she fully understands what Nozomu is saying. And the reason why he is now trying to do his best again in this school.

"Besides, it couldn't be helped that Nozomu-kun acted without restraint this time. Because it reminded him of the time when he was with someone important to him."

Irisdina understood this as well. It was pure combat training against a swordsman of the same rank as Shino, Nozomu's master.

That was the first time Nozomu had been able to use his Qi techniques to the fullest in this school, as he had usually avoided using them in school. Just like when he was training with his master.

Remembering the expression on Nozomu's face when he happily shared his memories about his master, it was understandable that he acted without restraint due to that.

However, even though she understood, she still felt a squeezing sensation in her heart towards Nozomu for his recklessness.

"Umm, I'm sorry for making you worry..."

Looking at Nozomu, who continued to bow his head apologetically, she also began to calm down.

She could still feel the anguish in the back of her chest, but now that she had heard what he had to say, the ache in her chest had somewhat eased.

"...No, I should be the one apologizing. If I think about it, Nozomu's reputation at the school had hardly changed at all. Given that, your reasoning certainly makes sense..."

After a moment of silence, Irisdina finally turned to Nozomu.

Nozomu was relieved, and a smile returned to his face.

"Thank you, Iris. Thank you for worrying about me. ......"

Seeing Nozomu smiling in relief, Irisdina's face suddenly becomes heated up. Her heart began to beat even faster, and her gaze began to swim through the air.

"N-no! D-don't worry about it!"

"Mm ..."

Shna, who was watching Irisdina, frowned.

Her facial expression hardly changed, but the hand that was wiping Nozomu's head was strengthened as she put all her strength into it.

"Aw~, aw aw~! Shna, It hurts!"

"Hmph!"

She ignored Nozomu's complaint and finished wiping his head. After that, Shna turned and walked away from the bed.

Mimuru and the others seemed to be smirking at her, but when Shna glared at them, they hurriedly turned their eyes away and shrunk back.

"Come to think of it, you said it felt nostalgic. Now that you mention it, was it like that when you and your master were sparring?"

Mars asked Nozomu as if to change the subject.

"Hm~. I didn't do anything that extreme, though. There were times when she threw [Phantom] with a precision that I could barely avoid. She was going easy on me to the extent so I didn't die?"

Nozomu recounted his unforgettable memories of his master. He smiled when he watched everyone's cheeks cramp.

"Although Jihad-sensei did use the Jaw Drop, he was also going easy on me. Even when we crossed our swords, he was swinging his sword while observing my condition while we were fighting. Also, he didn't even hit me directly with that stupidly big blade of Qi..."

"Is that level of attacks not a problem for you!?"

Mars had a point.

Unbeknownst to Nozomu, due to Jihad's [Single Stroke], the magic barrier installed in the martial arts garden was having a problem and the arena became unusable.

It was said it would take about a week to restore it, but even so, it was clear that this was not the kind of attack that could be used in combat training.

At least none of the students at this school would call it "holding back" no matter how much Jihad tried not to hit him.

"Well, if we want to have a combat training with someone of Shish's caliber, we have to be prepared for that kind of attack, don't you think? That's what I think..."

Irisdina and the others were utterly shocked by Nozomu's words.

Once again, they recognized the reason why this combat training had been so abnormal.

================================

"Well then, everyone should come back for today. I'm going to take care of Nozomu until morning."

"I understand. Norn-sensei, I'll leave him in your care."

After Nozomu woke up and it was confirmed that there was nothing wrong with his body, his friends who had gathered went home.

Norn was the only one who stayed in the room to take care of Nozomu.

"But after what happened the day before yesterday, I'm sure your surroundings are going to be very different from now on, Nozomu-kun..."

"Eh?"

After everyone had left, Nozomu tilted his head at what Norn muttered to him.

"Nozomu-kun, why do you look like you're still wondering about it?"

"It's just, that rumor hasn't been completely wiped out yet, right?"

That combat training might have crushed the idea that "Nozomu is weak", but the problem was the rumors about "he was the worst bastard who betrayed Lisa". Nozomu thought that combat training wouldn't have much effect on that rumors.

"That's ... Well, you haven't heard what's going on at the school, I guess it's reasonable to think that way..."

Norn muttered so and began to stare at Nozomu.

"What is it ...?"

Nozomu flinched as he received a gaze that made his back itch.

"Well, seeing is believing, I guess. You'll find out when you go to the school tomorrow."

"... Haa?"

Norn left the room before Nozomu could ask her about it, leaving behind a statement that made him even more curious.

She had probably gone to borrow some bedding, but Nozomu, not understanding why could only look at the door through which Norn had disappeared with a stunned expression.

=========================

The next morning, Nozomu, who had a brief medical examination to make sure he was okay, went to school just as the sun was starting to rise.

It was probably in the middle of the morning class now.

The words that Norn-sensei had said yesterday flashed through Nozomu's mind, but he headed for the classroom anyway.

Perhaps it was because classes were already in session, there was no one in the school's corridors, and only the sound of Nozomu's footsteps echoed through the vast hallways.

Suddenly, Nozomu looked out the window and saw the students of the first year working on their basic training.

They were swinging wooden swords and being taught how to use them, just like Nozomu and the others had been two years ago.

He himself had wielded a wooden sword as part of his training back home, but at this school was the first time he had learned how to use it properly.

However, he himself is much more skilled with a katana than a sword, and now he is wielding a katana instead of a sword.

"Ohh? Aren't they Eldor-kun and the others?"

If he looked closely, he could see Eldor and the others among the students who were swinging their swords. Perhaps this class is the first class of the first year.

At that moment, a bell rang throughout the school, signaling break time.

Students came out of their classrooms here and there, asking, "Did you understand what we just learned? or "No, not at all!" as they came out of their classrooms, exchanging words of their own.

Right now, Nozomu is near the first-year classroom. He had planned to continue walking past the second-year classroom to the third-year section, but at that time, his eyes met with a student coming out of the classroom.

"Ah"

"Hm?"

A female student stared at Nozomu with a surprised expression.

Nozomu tilted his head at the strange reaction of the girl he had never met before.

A group of first-year students nearby noticed her gaze and looked at Nozomu, and their eyes widened in the same way that the previous girl had just done.

At first, Nozomu wondered if they were reacting this way because they knew about the rumors about him, but their gazes didn't show the negative feelings of contempt or mockery that he had always felt.

As Nozomu thinking to find out what was going on, one of the underclassmen stepped forward.

"U-umm. You are Nozomu Bountis-senpai, right?"

"Y-yeah, that's right."

The underclassman spoke to Nozomu in a timid manner, and Nozomu's reply was somewhat awkward.

The girl in front of him was fidgeting and continued to speak as she was looking at Nozomu's appearance.

"Um, I'd like to ask you a question. I heard you have "Ability Suppression", but is that true ...?"

"Yeah, that's right ..."

Perhaps it was because he was nervous and cautious, Nozomu's reply was somewhat awkward.

Contrary to Nozomu's behavior, the girl in front of him suddenly leaned forward with a big smile on her face when she heard his reply.

The girl's eyes shone with sparkling light.

"U-umm! I was watching the previous combat training!"

"I-is that so..."

Because she spoke with a strange intensity, Nozomu couldn't help but back away.

On the other hand, for some reason, the excited girl continued to talk as if a dam had burst without noticing Nozomu's appearance.

"I'm so impressed! You can't even move your body well because of your Ability Suppression, right? and yet you are going up against Jihad-sensei!"

"No, I couldn't reach him..."

Nozomu, whose senses were sharpened, could sense that Jihad had been holding back and he was still being defeated one-sidedly, but the girl in front of him is an ordinary student with normal senses.

Nozomu made Jihad, who was even called a hero, pull out his giant sword, the Jaw Drop. In her mind, Nozomu was just as good as Jihad, even though he had been embellished by her admiration.

"I was able to enroll in this school, but then things didn't go as well as I expected ... The other students are all much better at magic and Qi technique than I am..."

The girl suddenly showed a depressed expression.

Certainly, this school attracted many talented students from all over the continent. Even if they were hailed as child prodigies in their hometowns, many were more gifted than they were here, and many of them were gradually buried.

This girl might be one of those people.

However, the girl's depressed expression changed, and she looked at Nozomu with excited eyes again.

"But! When I saw Nozomu-senpai's appearance at that time, I understood! Even if I couldn't win with my strength, there are many things I can do! I'm not very talented! and I'm only in the tenth class, but I've come to think, "So what!"."

"I-I see ..."

Nozomu's helpless reply fell completely on the girl's deaf ears as she spoke passionately in front of him.

Setting the puzzled Nozomu aside, the girl became even more heated up. The girl suddenly took Nozomu's hand with an expression full of emotion.

"Haa !?"

"I'm rooting for you, Nozomu-senpai! Please do your best!"

"T-thank you ..."

The girl let go of his hand, bowed, and went back to her friends at once.

The friends who welcomed her back were making some sort of commotion, but Nozomu couldn't keep up with the situation at all and was just dumbfounded.

"E-eh? It's strange ..."

Nozomu was puzzled by the reaction of the people around him, which was different from what he had expected.

At that time, he heard a voice calling him from afar.

"Hei, Nozomu-kun. How are you doing?"

The person who spoke to him was Norn-sensei, who had come to the school earlier this morning.

She raised one hand and approached Nozomu with a smile that implied something.

"Norn-sensei, what is the meaning of this?"

"While you were in the hospital, you were becoming the talk of the school, especially among the underclassmen who witnessed the combat training firsthand. They've been asking a lot of questions about you."

Surprised, Nozomu looked around and saw many underclassmen peeking at him from the shadows of the classrooms and hallways.

"They asked me about the rumors. Of course, every time I get asked, I told them that it was just a rumor, that it had no basis at all. Especially for the underclassmen, since it hadn't been long since they heard about the rumors. You did your best and played a good match with Jihad-sensei, so all I had to do was tell them that the rumor had nothing to do with you."

Nozomu's shocked at the events that had happened while he was unconscious.

However, the next words that Norn spoke rendered him completely speechless.

"Above all, the most decisive thing was Irisdina and Shna's figure."

"Eh?"

"Right after you collapsed, Irisdina and the others were the first to rush to your aid, and they were desperately trying to help you. And after that, they nursed you."

According to Norn, it was because Irisdina and Shna, who were admired by everyone even the teachers. It seemed that these girls' desperate attempt to help Nozomu touched the hearts of the underclassmen.

"And what's more, you helped Eldor and the others the other day, didn't you? It was also significant that they told their classmates about that time. Hearing the stories of those who were actually saved close to them, everyone realized that you are not the cold-blooded man that the rumors say you are.

"Is that so"

As they heard about the real Nozomu from Irisdina, Norn-sensei, and Eldor and his friends. The false image of Nozomu that had been imprinted on the underclassmen's minds was erased.

However, Norn, who had been smiling just now, suddenly had a cloudy expression on her face.

"However, I'm still skeptical about the third and fourth-year students who have been enrolled since the time when that rumor began to flow ..."

"It's okay, considering what everyone has done so far, that's enough."

Aside from the first-year students who just entered the school and the second-year students who didn't know the rumor when it first started, it seemed like false rumors couldn't be completely dispelled for students who had been hearing those rumors for a long time.

Certainly, only a few days had passed since the combat training between Nozomu and Jihad. It was probably not enough time for them to overturn the story they had believed for several years.

However, for Nozomu, what happened in the last few days had been a real eye-opener.

Of course, the problem had not been completely solved.

However, it seemed as if the end of the road, which had been completely unknown to him until now, was opening up at once.

"Yes, it's more than enough ..."

While thinking of his friends who struggled with him, his heart filled with a sense of contentment like never before. A smile naturally appeared on his lips.

He was sorry that he had made them worry again, but Nozomu still felt satisfied regardless.

"Then I'm going back to the infirmary, and you should go to class as soon as possible. Everyone in the class was worried about you."

"Yes, thank you very much."

Norn turned and left.

Nozomu saw her off while expressing his deep gratitude.

He could see Norn's back as she returned to her normal routine. As he looked at her, the smiling figures of his companions were reflected in his eyes.

====================================

The city of Arcazam is a bustling place. Many people come and go throughout the city including the commercial district, living their daily lives and nurturing their lives.

In the midst of all this, the military police of Arcazam take turns patrolling the city all day long, without a break, to ensure the security of the city.

The military police work in pairs assuming for unforeseen circumstances.

And even now, there was a group of military police walking along the cobblestone streets, illuminated by the rising sun.

"Oi, are you sure you're okay? Your injury has just healed ..."

"Thank you very much, sir. But it's not a problem. The wound healed quickly, and the doctor said I can go back to my normal life."

A young military police officer put his hand on his shoulder as he said this. He was the military police who had been mobilized for the Abyss Grief experiment at the Gloaurum Institute the other day and had suffered a shoulder injury.

The older, bearded military police looked at his younger colleague with a worried look in his eyes.

The wound was one thing, but that was no ordinary demon beast. Even though the doctor had said that there was no problem, it didn't take away his anxiety.

"I'm really fine."

The young man smiled at him as if to make him relieved. The senior military police officer, who was still frowning, finally pulled back when he saw the smile.

"Alright, if you say so. But ..., don't overdo it. It would be a shame if you collapsed before you got married."

"Yes. If I get hurt and make her worry, she gets angry and doesn't want to talk to me for a while. Once she's angry, it's hard for me to change her mood. ......"

In fact, this young man had proposed to his girlfriend to marry him not long ago.

On the other hand, the senior military police officer already had a wife, but their relationship was cold ...... and they were in the so-called period of lassitude.

The young man patted his own shoulder once more.

There was no pain in the area where the black demon beast had bitten him, but the scar felt a little feverish, but he still had no problem in his daily life and figured it would go away soon.

"Oh, alright, alright. Kahh~! I can't stand it! My wife looks like a wine barrel, and she's not even cute. ......"

The young man smiled bitterly as he watched his senior shrug his shoulders in a light tone.

While expressing his gratitude to his senior for his concern, the two of them continued their patrol of Arcazam at night.

However, the young man did not notice.

The wound was still burning. Something inside of it began to beat albeit silently.