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Chapter 45: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 45



Eve explained that Scarlet was severely injured while defeating the monster to save people, but they had to conceal it to prevent panic.


Although the students understood, they found it hard to accept and began to raise their voices in protest.


The classroom grew noisy, but Yoon Si-woo was so lost in thought that he didn’t hear any of it.


Severely injured.


If she was hospitalized, just how badly was she hurt?


He suddenly imagined her, bleeding from her hand due to his attack.


In his mind, she was now covered in blood from head to toe.


Imagining her lying on a hospital bed made his stomach churn, and he clenched his teeth.


"Severely injured... Will she... Will she be okay? She’ll be okay, right?"


Sylvia’s anxious murmurs reached his ears. She seemed as close to Scarlet recently and didn’t know how she was either. Yoon Si-woo scanned those who stayed at school yesterday.


Among the panicked faces, some students wore grim expressions.


They must know how badly she was hurt.


After the morning assembly, Yoon Si-woo approached the one who seemed to know Scarlet best.


Mei, who always seemed strong and was acting class president, exuded an unusually gloomy aura.


"...Will Scarlet be okay?"


Mei slowly turned to look at Yoon Si-woo.


Her eyes, face, and expression all conveyed that things were not okay, and she confirmed it with her words.


"...I don’t know."


Not knowing usually had negative connotations.


"...She might even have to leave the academy..."


The truth.


The possibility attached meant her injuries were severe enough to consider quitting the academy.


Yoon Si-woo’s eyes shook like a ship caught in a violent storm.


*


As the school day ended, the class was abuzz with talks of visiting Scarlet.


Noticing the atmosphere, Eve addressed the students during homeroom.


"Evande is in serious condition and needs rest. I understand you want to visit, but too many visitors could harm her recovery. We should send a few each day. Today, as the class president, Mei will visit her."


"...Understood."


Mei answered softly.


Yoon Si-woo also wanted to visit Scarlet.


But at the same time, he was scared to see her condition firsthand.


If she were crying, how sad would he feel? That fear weighed heavily on him.


He lay in bed at home, unable to sleep.


Just yesterday, he wished to see her smile, and now, within a day, he was contemplating the opposite. It was utterly depressing.


He didn’t want to see her cry anymore.


*


The next day, Yoon Si-woo saw students crowding around Mei first thing in the morning.


They were probably discussing yesterday’s visit, so he listened in.


"So how is she? Is she okay?"


Someone asked, and Mei smiled faintly as she answered.


"Yes, she’s in better condition than I thought. She doesn’t seem too down, so she should be fine."


It was the truth.


Yoon Si-woo felt his sinking mood lift as if by magic.


[You looked like you were on death's door just a moment ago... Si-woo, how about becoming a clown?]


Yoon Si-woo smiled bitterly at Lucy’s remark.


He felt ridiculous, swinging between joy and despair over Scarlet’s news.


With the news that she seemed okay, a heated discussion ensued about who would visit her next.


"How about three people?"


"Three is too few! Let’s do four!"


"If five go, one of them might be a weirdo, so four is better."


It was decided that four people would go.


Besides Mei, the three who fought alongside Scarlet were the obvious choices, and no one could contest their reasons. The last spot was suggested to go to Sylvia, who was close to Scarlet.


"I’m too busy to make time. I wish I could drop everything and go... Please convey my apologies to Scarlet for not visiting..."


With Sylvia stepping down due to unavoidable circumstances, one spot remained.


Since no one else had a strong enough claim, the fairest method—rock-paper-scissors—was chosen.


However, once Yoon Si-woo decided to visit, it was no longer a fair game.


"I’m going to throw rock."


"Oh, really? Just because you’re stronger than me doesn’t mean you’ll win at rock-paper-scissors. I’m going to throw paper!"


It was the truth, and Yoon Si-woo threw scissors.


"You cheater!"


With someone’s scream as the price, the last spot was Yoon Si-woo’s.


[How sneaky.]


Shut up, Lucy.


*


At the hospital, Yoon Si-woo told the three others to go in first.


"Are you sure you don’t want to come in with us?"


"We don’t mind at all..."


They said it was fine, but he knew Scarlet would be uncomfortable seeing him and wouldn’t be able to focus on their conversation.


"I’m not close enough to Scarlet to chat for long. I’ll just say hi later. Go ahead."


When Yoon Si-woo said that, they shrugged and went in.


If only he could approach her as easily as they did.


That was his only regret.


Yoon Si-woo walked slowly around the hospital.


He imagined her expressions while talking to the others.


Would she be as expressionless as usual, or would she smile a bit?


He walked aimlessly, watching the sun set.


Feeling enough time had passed, he went to her hospital room.


The room was soundproof, but he could faintly hear voices and occasional laughter from inside.


He hoped her laughter was mixed in too, because he wanted to see her happy as much as he liked her.


He leaned against the wall near the room, waiting for the conversation to end.


Soon, he saw the others come out, looking much brighter than when they went in.


Yoon Si-woo approached them and asked,


"How does she seem?"


A girl from the group smiled slightly and answered,


"She seemed alright. She even laughed a bit."


With that answer, Yoon Si-woo could smile too.


"That’s good to hear."


That alone was enough to justify his wait.


*


As he opened the door, Scarlet’s face looked slightly brighter than usual.


And Yoon Si-woo finally saw where she was injured.


The left sleeve of her hospital gown was completely empty.


It was the arm he had accidentally cut, causing her to bleed.


While it didn’t seem life-threatening, it was certainly not a minor injury.


His heart felt like it was being torn apart, but he managed to hold back his tears.


Despite losing her arm, she didn’t seem despondent, which gave him the strength to endure as well.


When their eyes met, her previously bright expression turned into a slight frown, as if it had never been there.


Feeling the sting of her hatred, he smiled bitterly.


“...Why are you here?”


“Obviously, to visit you.”


“...That’s not what I meant.”


Ignoring her cold tone as he entered the room, Yoon Si-woo answered naturally.


He knew she was asking why he came despite her telling him not to worry, but he chose to act as if he didn’t hear it, telling himself that today was an exception.


The sorrow that subdued his excitement created a strange calmness, allowing him to act as he did.


“How’s your body holding up?”


“...Other than my arm, I’m fine. I’ll be okay once I get a prosthetic. Now, can you leave since you’ve asked your questions?”


She still answered his question, showing her kindness.


Having confirmed that she was relatively okay, his purpose was technically fulfilled.


But Yoon Si-woo decided to rely a bit more on her kindness.


“Before I go, I want to ask one more thing. Are you going to keep attending the academy?”


“Yes, I will. Now leave.”


His question about continuing at the academy held multiple layers of meaning.


Losing a limb as a hero, whose body is their weapon, was a significant loss of combat power.


Many heroes who lost limbs and returned to duty with prosthetics often couldn’t adapt and died.


So, his question was also about her determination to continue aspiring to be a hero despite the risk.


Yet she answered that she would continue.


Curious about her reason, he asked again.


“Why?”


“You said only one question…”


She looked displeased but answered without hesitation.


“Because I want to save people.”


An idealistic and heroic answer, just like in stories.


“Thanks for answering. I’ll be going now.”


After saying his goodbye, he left the room.


As he walked out, Yoon Si-woo thought.


Honest, kind, and willing to help others.


For those reasons, he realized he couldn’t help but like her.


Therefore,


“Lucy.”


[What is it, Si-woo?]


“I want to become stronger.”


The boy declared.


[Aren’t you already strong enough?]


“It’s not enough.”


[How strong do you wish to become?]


He knew she would continue to risk her body to save others.


And he didn’t want her to get hurt.


So,


“Strong enough to protect everyone.”


He would take on her role.


At the boy’s words, the Holy Sword of Humility burst into laughter.


[Ahahaha, what an arrogant answer.]


But even while laughing, it was pleased with his resolve.


[But it’s a response I truly love.]


The Holy Sword always devoted itself to its wielder.


[Then let’s make a pact. I will help you unlock the true potential of the Holy Swords.]


The sword’s hilt glowed as it enveloped his body in pure white light.


The radiant light dyed the boy’s right eye the same color.


[If I grant your wish, you must fulfill one of mine.]


A contract was never one-sided, and the boy had to pay a price.


“What do you want?”


The previous contract’s price was to grant one wish in the future. And now, the Holy Sword of Humility, Lucy, stated its terms.


[I never want to see my contractor lose.]


[So become stronger than anyone else.]


The boy gripped the sword’s hilt firmly, making a vow.


To protect the girl,


He would protect everyone.


“I accept.”




Comments

  1. Thanks for the chapter

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  2. thanks for the chapter

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  3. Unwillingly powered up the omc, heh.
    Tftc

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  4. He could've asked for her to become stronger. To give her some sort of ability...

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    Replies
    1. I don’t think that’s how it works, furthermore I don’t think Scarlet would even want to be close to him to receive it in the first place.

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  5. Gracias por el capĂ­tulo. Thank you for the chapter. Al menos el chico no es tan molesto esta vez.

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  6. A bit better than I expected.
    I thought he will legit make himself became more hated XD

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  7. Atleast he didnt act like an idiot this time, its still kinda creepy that he stalked mc though

    Thanks for the chapter !

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  8. Who's the love interest here? I'm confused

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    Replies
    1. Pretty sure they’re not trying to outright reveal who mc is going to end up with atm.

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  9. He’s def getting his endgame power boost early

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  10. Good for the world that he gets stronger, but that has nothing to do with MC's wishes, which frankly, he's ignoring as usual.
    How difficult it is to NOT appear in front of a person that doesn't want you?
    Then ask things like he has a right to do so.
    What if he didn't like the answer then?
    He would have said or done something that nobody asked for then feel butthurt that MC doesn't appreciate it.
    It already happened once and this guy didn't learn from it.
    He may know in his mind but has no self contfol whatsoever.
    Besides, he really abuses his power, for something MC didn't even want (his visit).
    That price that Lucy asks for, i have my doubts of being innocent in the end. After all, this story is darker than it seems.

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  11. Meh. Good on Siwoo for reasonably respecting Scarlett, but he is still falling short. He needs to actually apologize for his actions, extend the olive branch and leave.

    Something like "Look, I know you want nothing to do with me. I was completely out of line with what I did and I am truly sorry. I hope you can forgive me someday and that we can one day maybe become friends but I understand if you don't and I will respect your choice. I won't completely leave you alone, because you are a classmate and future comrade, but I will respect your decision and keep my distance."

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  12. Honestly the Mc is an idiot for hating the male Mc so much. It’s so annoying to see how much she doesn’t like him because of his reaction to her creating misunderstandings like sleeping around with bald old men for money. She is too oblivious to realize what it looks like to an outsider which led the male Mc to intervene because her financial situation doesn’t look good, honestly don’t see the problem with his action when 1. He sees his classmate spending what little she has left to be friends with someone who doesn’t like her (at the time) 2. She has to sleep around with people in order to continue doing that. Sure he meddle a bit into her life, but it’s perfectly reasonable because he doesn’t know the situation and she too is oblivious to simple misunderstandings

    ReplyDelete

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