Chapter 215: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 215

The flames blazed.

They consumed everything.

Not far from home, a familiar street—one he had passed countless times—was now engulfed in a raging inferno.

The streetlamps that once lined the road.

The little restaurant he often visited to grab a meal.

All of it was now reduced to blackened, charred remains, with nothing but dark scorch marks left behind.

It was a sorrowful sight.

But what pained Yoon Si-woo more than anything, what was truly unbearable and horrifying, was—

Aaaaaah—!!!

—a girl, standing in the midst of the burning street, wreathed in furious, crimson flames.

Crying fiery red tears, tears the same color as the flames she spewed out, she howled in agony.

Yoon Si-woo didn’t need to ask to understand.

That wasn’t Scarlet, not the Scarlet he knew.

Even though it looked like her, even though it wore her face, it was no longer the girl he knew.

Yet, why?

He wanted to scream and cry, to shout out in sorrow like that girl.

But it was as though the heat from the fire had dried up his tears before they could fall.

As though the thick black smoke that filled the sky had clogged his lungs, suffocating him, choking him so much that not even a sob could escape his lips.

All he could manage was a faint whimper.

“Ah... hnnng...”

After choking for a moment, his gaze returned to the girl wailing in the flames. That’s when he understood the true weight of the pain he felt.

It was the weight of a promise—a promise he had made to that girl long ago.

The promise that if she ever ceased to be herself, he would be the one to end her life.

It was a promise he had desperately denied, but now, the time had come to fulfill it.

And that promise now weighed heavier on him than anything ever had.

“Augh...”

His hand trembled.

Yoon Si-woo looked down, staring blankly at his shaking hand.

The crimson flames that engulfed the street bathed his hand in an ominous, blood-red glow.

The sight brought back a memory he had long tried to forget.

“Stab here. If you stab here, it’ll stop.”

The sickening sensation of his hand piercing through something.

The memory of someone’s heartbeat slowly fading away.

And the warm, red liquid, so similar to the girl before him, trickling down his hand—memories he had buried deep.

That vivid feeling surged through his body, making Yoon Si-woo recoil in horror as he frantically shook his hand.

But no matter how much he shook it.

The ominous red glow staining his hand refused to disappear.

The memory of that day, when he had pierced her heart during their duel, would not fade.

So he clenched his trembling fists tightly, but it felt as if the blood-soaked hands were speaking to him.

The hands that had once embraced her, wiped away her tears, and comforted her were now the hands that had to drive a sword through her heart, just as they had that day.

But he couldn’t accept that. He shook his head in denial, staring blankly at the ground.

“Damn it...! What the hell is that?!”

“Why is that student suddenly like that?! She was fine earlier!”

Suddenly, the frantic voices of those around him reached his ears.

The people were shouting, staring at the girl in the flames with a mixture of fear and confusion.

Their voices were filled with shock, panic, and dread.

“I don’t know, but be careful! Another student almost got burned alive! She’s definitely not on our side!”

And finally, hostility.

Yoon Si-woo looked up, his first instinct to say something in defense of the girl. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t think of anything to say to convince them otherwise.

Because, in truth, the girl standing there, surrounded by a torrent of malevolent flame and radiating hatred and fury, did indeed seem like an enemy.

“It's a witch...! Tell everyone the witch has appeared!”

To them, she looked like nothing but a witch.

Gritting his teeth, struggling to accept this terrible reality, Yoon Si-woo noticed that other heroes, unable to approach the flames, were now rushing toward him.

“Ah! Captain Yoon Si-woo...!”

“You came to support us?”

The ones who recognized him called out, and Yoon Si-woo’s heart sank as he met their eyes.

In their gaze, he could see it.

‘Hero, please kill the witch.’

He had seen that look so many times before.

He could feel it from all around him.

Everyone was looking at him with that same expression, with that same silent plea.

They all wanted him to kill her.

‘Be a hero, not for one, but for everyone.’

Without realizing it, Yoon Si-woo’s feet began to move.

Step by step, toward the girl engulfed in flames.

He wasn’t moving by his own will—he was being pushed forward by the countless gazes on his back.

Step after step.

“A-ah...”

From behind, a voice filled with despair reached his ears, and when he turned, he saw Sylvia Astra watching him with an unspeakable expression on her face.

Knowing the promise he and Scarlet had made, Sylvia shook her head desperately, trying to stop him.

“No... you’re not really going to... right?”

Her eyes pleaded with him not to do it.

She was the only one in this place who didn’t want him to kill the girl.

No, she wasn’t the only one.

Yoon Si-woo himself didn’t want to kill her either.

But with the countless others around him demanding the witch’s death, how could he refuse?

“...I’m sorry.”

With a single word of apology, Yoon Si-woo turned his back on Sylvia.

“...! No... Nooooo!!!”

Ignoring Sylvia’s anguished scream, he continued to walk forward, urged on by the stares pressing against his back.

Clad in his shining white armor, he stepped into the blazing inferno.

---

“Ugh...!”

The moment he set foot in the flames, the first thought that flashed through his mind was, ‘It’s hot.’

It might have seemed like an obvious thought, but it shocked him nonetheless.

The armor formed by the Holy Sword of Protection should have provided a shield many times stronger than the barrier the sword normally deployed.

It was a force capable of blocking most attacks, yet the heat of the flames still reached him.

Which meant that the power of the flames burning around him was truly immense.

[...Si-woo, be careful. The flames are infused with dark magic. Even a small touch will cause them to burn until nothing is left but dust.]

Even without Lucy’s warning, he could feel it.

The danger these flames posed.

It felt as though they had been born to burn everything in existence.

Aaaaaah—!!!

In the distance, through the fire, the witch let out a scream.

As the flames engulfed everything, the witch cried fiery red tears.

Just the sight and sound of her made it clear.

She was filled with resentment and hatred toward the world.

And that being—she could no longer exist in this world.

...The next time we meet, don’t try to talk—just swing your sword.

He had spoken with her once before, and she had seemed stable then. But now, just as he had been warned, she was beyond any conversation.

The witch seemed intent on burning everything around her, as if that was the only thought left in her mind.

"...Damn it."

Yoon Si-woo clenched his sword tightly, struggling to accept the reality that the girl who once hated causing harm to others had become such a destructive force.

Fine, I’ll end it just like you wanted.

I’ll keep my promise to Scarlet.

With that determination, he took another step forward.

Aaaaah—!!!

"Khaaa...!"

A powerful surge of flames roared toward him, as if to forbid any further approach. The fire, now burning far hotter than before, sent waves of searing heat through the air, making him feel as though his lungs and skin were being scorched. He couldn’t help but scream in pain.

[Si-woo...!]

“I’m... fine...!”

Despite Lucy’s concerned voice, Yoon Si-woo forced himself to focus through the pain and glared at the witch. 

So this is the Witch of Wrath.

Unlike the fake one he had defeated before, this was the real deal—true witch power, capable of wiping out entire kingdoms like Astra. And standing before it, he could feel that her strength was no exaggeration.

[You can't get any closer! Si-woo, in this blaze, no one will see you. Use my power. I know you’ve already pushed it to the limit today, but if just for a moment, you can unleash a blow strong enough to cut through both the flames and her!]

Lucy’s voice urged him to rely on her power again. He had already drawn on it extensively today to defeat the beasts, and while her power was dangerous if overused, it seemed the only way to defeat this witch was to borrow strength from another witch—Lucy herself.

He gripped the sword of humility tightly, preparing to release Lucy’s power for a decisive strike.

But just as he was about to move, something made him stop.

[Si-woo...?]

Lucy’s voice carried confusion, sensing his hesitation, but there was something more important on his mind now.

"...Why?"

Yoon Si-woo stared at the witch who was sending waves of fire his way and murmured his question aloud.

The heat was intense, capable of burning through his armor. With that level of power, she could have easily turned not just the street, but the entire district into ash.

Yet she hadn’t.

Aaaaaah—!!!

Even now, with all her fury, hatred, and desire to destroy the world... 

"...Why hasn’t she burned more?"

His question hung in the air, unanswered. But the realization slowly dawned on him.

"...I see."

With a bitter laugh, he sheathed the sword of humility.

[Si-woo?! What are you doing? Why are you putting your sword away?!]

Lucy’s voice echoed in his mind, frantic, but his decision had already been made.

The only reason he had been ready to kill the witch was because he believed Scarlet was truly gone, that there was no hope left.

But now...

"...You’re still in there, aren’t you?"

In the fact that the witch hadn’t completely destroyed everything in her path, Yoon Si-woo found a glimmer of hope.

Or rather, he *wanted* to believe that hope still existed.

And for him, that was enough to change his course of action.

Lucy’s voice grew louder, trying to reason with him, to pull him back from this irrational belief.

[Si-woo, do you really think that girl is still alive in there? That’s just your wishful thinking! Draw me again, and—]

'Even if it is wishful thinking, it doesn’t matter.'

Whether it was a 1% chance, 0.1%, or even less—it didn’t matter.

If there was any chance, no matter how small, that Scarlet was still inside, fighting against the witch’s flames, resisting the urge to burn everything...

If there was even the slightest chance that he could bring her back...

Then he would bet everything on that possibility.

[...What exactly are you planning to do, then?]

Lucy sighed, realizing that Yoon Si-woo wouldn’t change his mind. She questioned him with a resigned tone.

In response, Yoon Si-woo quietly drew the True Sword from the air.

It was a white dagger, forged from the horn of a unicorn. Normally not used for combat, the True Sword had a special ability aside from its usual powers.

"Holy Sword, release."

At his command, the white blade began to shift, becoming translucent like frosted glass, glowing faintly.

This was the True Sword in its true form.

In this state, it couldn’t harm physical beings. But it had another function—it allowed communication with the soul of whoever it touched, regardless of distance, for a brief time.

It was the first time he’d used it in this way, and he wasn’t even sure if it would work in this situation. But if there was any chance that Scarlet could hear him...

Maybe, just maybe, she could regain her senses.

[Even if her consciousness still exists, this sword won’t bring her back. It can only transmit your voice. And to do that, you’ll have to get through those flames! Are you really going to risk your life on a gamble like that?]

Hearing the plan, Lucy’s voice grew cold and frustrated. She couldn’t understand why he would throw his life away on such a reckless gamble.

[Si-woo, do you even remember the contract we made?]

Of course, he remembered.

The contract to become the strongest.

A contract with a witch was absolute.

If he died here, he wouldn’t be able to fulfill the contract.

‘So, will you stop me?’

But instead of worrying about that, Yoon Si-woo posed the question to Lucy.

He knew, deep down, that she wouldn’t stop him.

Because Lucy—

[...You stubborn, self-righteous master. You ask that question even though you know I wouldn’t stop you if this is what you truly want.]

—was always incredibly lenient with him.

Feeling a bit guilty for her resigned tone, Yoon Si-woo chuckled bitterly. Lucy, already having given up, sighed and added,

[Fine. That girl is the very reason you want to become stronger, isn’t she? Do as you wish. You’re still the same fool who throws his life away for women, both then and now.]

‘Don’t worry. I won’t die.’

He couldn’t say it with certainty, but he offered her those words of reassurance anyway. Lucy muttered something dismissive in response.

[I don’t need your empty promises. And this time, no matter what, I won’t let you die. Not if I can help it.]

Her voice was tinged with frustration. With a small smile, Yoon Si-woo ended their brief mental conversation, gripping his sword again.

Ahead of him, the witch continued to unleash waves of searing flame, seemingly oblivious to his intentions.

The heat radiating from the fire was as intense as ever. 

It was still hot, unbearably so, but somehow, with a single shift in his mindset, it felt more manageable. 

Lucy was right—he was indeed self-righteous.

With a smirk, Yoon Si-woo raised his sword and pointed it toward the witch, speaking as if addressing Scarlet within.

“Don’t get mad at me for breaking my promise. You broke it first.”

You were the one who first broke the promise not to push yourself too far.

So, I’ll break my promise not to kill you.

I’ll bring you back, no matter what.

With that declaration, Yoon Si-woo inhaled sharply and began running toward the witch.

Her blood-red eyes, filled with fury and malice, locked onto him.

Then—

Aaaaaaah—!!

A new wave of blistering heat crashed over him, far worse than anything he had felt before.

“Aaaaaagh...!!!”

The pain seared through his entire body.

His skin blistered, and the searing agony from the burst blisters forced him to scream.

But it was a pain he could endure, so he didn’t stop.

He would gladly bear this pain if it meant not losing her forever.

But the true extent of his suffering came moments later.

“Gah...?!!”

With a dull thud, his body faltered.

A ringing sound pierced his ears, and his head spun. His hearing had gone, the organs inside his ears damaged by the intense heat.

The closer he got, the stronger the flames became.

Yet in that moment—

“Like hell I’m stopping!!”

The power of the Indomitable Sword surged, healing his body instantly.

That incredible ability came at a steep cost—his lifespan.

Lucy had warned him not to abuse it, but he didn’t hesitate to use it now. 

However, it bought him barely a second.

“Grit...!”

Almost immediately after healing, the same agonizing sensations returned, and this time his vision went dark. His balance wavered as even his optic nerves burned out, and he was forced to regenerate once more.

Again and again, his body faltered.

[Si-woo...!]

Lucy’s worried voice echoed in his mind, her panic evident. She knew he was pushing his body too far, and Yoon Si-woo quickly realized it too.

He couldn’t just keep using his powers recklessly like this.

“Hnnng...!”

Taking a deep breath, he halted for a moment to regenerate. In the brief instant his vision returned, he checked his path to ensure he hadn’t veered off course.

The same sensation struck again—dizziness, blindness—but this time, he didn’t regenerate.

He had already confirmed his direction. Even with his senses dulled, his legs knew where to carry him—to the witch.

If he didn’t adjust to this pain, he wouldn’t reach her before his lifespan ran out.

So he decided to regenerate only when he couldn’t take another step.

“Haaah!!!”

As he continued forward, the flames grew hotter, faster, and his body broke down at an accelerating rate.

But in this way, he could take a few more steps between each regeneration.

“Khh...!”

Even so, each step gained him mere moments. He had lost count of how many times his body had burned and healed, over and over, in a gruesome, torturous cycle.

With every step, negative thoughts stormed through his mind.

“Gaaah...!!”

Why did he have to endure this kind of agony?

Was there any point in enduring all this suffering?

Scarlet’s return was nothing short of a miracle, and was it right for him to stake everything on such a slim chance?

Each time doubt clouded his thoughts, his legs hesitated.

But then—

‘I believe in you more than anyone in this world.’

That one sentence, echoing in his mind, cleared away all his hesitation.

“Haaah!”

He pushed forward again.

He wasn’t relying on miracles. He didn’t believe in miracles.

He believed in Scarlet.

Just as she had believed in him more than anyone else in this world, he too trusted her more than anyone.

He believed in her strength, in her kindness.

He believed that she hadn’t lost to the witch.

And with that faith, he took the next step.

“Aah...!”

Even as his blood boiled.

Even as his breath burned in his throat.

Even as his body turned to ash.

“Aaaah...!”

He regenerated.

And regenerated.

And regenerated again.

But even as his body repaired itself repeatedly, he could feel his lifespan dwindling away.

If it ran out, then so be it.

If his soul, his mind, and everything else were consumed in the process, that was fine too.

If there were any gods watching, he prayed desperately, pleading for just one thing:

Let me reach her.

One step.

One more step.

And then, another.

“Aaaargh...!!!!”

Finally, when he could no longer tell if it was his own voice screaming in agony...

“...Ah.”

At last.

He took a final step.

And the tip of his sword reached her.

“...I’ll use my wish.”

He uttered the words he had been dying to say.

“Come back, Scarlet.”

And at last, he spoke those words to her.

------------------------

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