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Chapter 238: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 238



The night was deep.


The night sky, filled with demonic energy, was so thick that not a single starlight could penetrate it, leaving the world in complete darkness.


Yet, the darkness did not feel intimidating, perhaps because of the warm flame beside her, gently enveloping the surroundings.


Was it said that the flame appears when one feels joy or happiness?


Recalling the words she had heard a little while ago, Sylvia smiled softly.


Did she know just how happy Sylvia was when she said she was glad they had become friends?


As Sylvia thought about this and shifted in her place, she turned her head slightly to look at where Scarlet was lying.


At that moment, Scarlet seemed to sense Sylvia's gaze, and as she glanced back, their eyes met. They naturally exchanged soft smiles.


Just that small exchange felt like it melted away the fatigue and hardships of the past, and Sylvia thought that Scarlet resembled the flame she had kindled.


Like a flame that gave her strength, shining warmly even in the face of any adversity or hardship.


At that moment, Sylvia noticed Scarlet blinking slowly as she looked in her direction.


She had, after all, just come back from the brink of death.


It was only natural that she would feel tired, having expended a considerable amount of energy, both physically and mentally.


But the reason she wasn't sleeping must have been because she was worried that a monster might attack while she slept, and Sylvia could get hurt.


Feeling that Scarlet, even in this situation, was always thinking of others before herself, Sylvia spoke softly toward her.


"...If you're tired, you should get some sleep."


"But, the monsters..."


"Don't worry. I'll cast a spell that will set off an alarm if anything approaches."


"But using magic would be a burden on you, Sylvia..."


"That's hardly a burden at all. And—"


Sylvia reached out toward Scarlet's worried gaze.


Gently placing her hand on top of Scarlet's, Sylvia smiled slightly and said,


"Because we're friends, let me do this much."


For a moment, Scarlet remained silent.


"...Alright. Then, I'll trust you."


She nodded and slowly closed her eyes.


It seemed like she had been quite exhausted, as Scarlet soon began to breathe softly in her sleep.


Sylvia smiled at her.


She could feel that Scarlet had opened her heart to her.


It was no longer a one-sided relationship of giving help, but rather one where they could rely on each other.


Gently holding Scarlet's hand as she slept, Sylvia looked up at the night sky.


The starless sky was pitch black.


Just like the situation Scarlet found herself in.


The path ahead would undoubtedly be treacherous.


But she wouldn't despair.


She would do everything in her power to walk that path alongside her.


No matter how hopeless it seemed.


No matter how bleak the situation appeared.


Because somewhere in that night sky, there had to be a star shining.


And so, like she had done as a child, Sylvia looked up at the night sky and prayed to the unseen stars.


To protect her precious friend.


To ensure that her flame never extinguished.


She prayed earnestly.


***


That night, Sylvia dreamed.


[Child.]


In a world completely covered in pitch-black darkness.


Sylvia heard a voice calling out to her.


[Child.]


It was impossible to tell whether the voice was high or low, small or large, but it seemed to echo in her mind.


[Child of the stars.]


However, Sylvia could tell that the voice's owner was in the sky.


When she raised her head, she saw it.


A tiny star shining beyond the darkness.


Realizing that the star was speaking to her, Sylvia asked,


"Are you the one talking to me?"


[That's an amusing question. We've always been speaking to you. It's just that you couldn't hear us all this time.]


The star twinkled faintly as it responded.


[But it's not your fault. The path that connected us was burned away. The fact that you've managed to connect with us, even so weakly, is nothing short of a miracle. You, child of the stars, with the purest heart.]


The star’s light shone on Sylvia.


[Perhaps this too is fate. Fire destroys everything, but at the same time, it purifies and brings new life. On the scorched earth, new sprouts will eventually grow. Your arrival here, leading the flame, was also the pull of fate.]


Sylvia tilted her head at the incomprehensible words, and the star asked,


[Yes, child. You made a wish upon us.]


Recalling the wish she had made, Sylvia nodded.


[Unfortunately, we are not beings who can grant wishes.]


The star gently told Sylvia it couldn't grant her wish.


[But, we can help you achieve that wish on your own.]


The star's voice softened with kindness.


And as the star spoke,


[Child of the stars.]


It called to Sylvia and said,


[If you seek our help, recite the oath.]


At those words, Sylvia instinctively recalled a phrase.


The one she always uttered when borrowing the power of the stars.


And so, Sylvia spoke the words aloud.


"Alf Ad Astra."


Immediately, a voice filled with satisfaction responded.


[Child. Remember.]


And Sylvia saw.


[Even if they are hidden by darkness and cannot be seen.]


That countless stars were concealed behind the thick darkness.


[We are always here.]


They were radiating a brilliant light that could banish the darkness.


[We will always respond to your call.]


"Alf Ad Astra."


As the Elf’s hand reached out to the sky,


"Astra Ad Alf."


Radiant starlight shone down upon her.


***


The warmth from her hand woke her.


When she opened her eyes and turned her head slightly to the side, she saw Sylvia clinging tightly to her hand, sound asleep.


Scarlet tried to gently pull her hand away without waking Sylvia.


"Mm..."


But Sylvia, as if refusing, clung even more tightly to her hand, making Scarlet chuckle softly.


Sitting up with her upper body, Scarlet glanced at Sylvia, who had fallen asleep on the hard ground, clearly uncomfortable.


Unsure of what to do, Scarlet remembered how she had once offered Yoon Si-woo her lap as a pillow, and so she knelt down carefully, lifting Sylvia's head onto her lap.


This was surely better than sleeping on the hard ground.


It seemed to be more comfortable than the ground, as Sylvia snuggled into her lap, still holding onto her hand tightly.


Thinking she resembled a cat curling up on her lap, Scarlet gently stroked Sylvia's hair, and the contented sound Sylvia made brought a smile to her face.


As Scarlet slowly stroked Sylvia's hair, she looked around.


Fortunately, nothing had happened during the night.


This place was said to be extremely dangerous, so it was truly a relief.


Under normal circumstances, Scarlet wouldn’t need to sleep, and she had intended to stay up through the night. But for some reason, she couldn’t resist falling asleep.


Perhaps she had used up too much energy while healing her injuries.


She touched the back of her neck, and finding no wounds, she assumed it had healed completely.


The memories of being cut at the back of her neck and then waking up here were blurry, making it hard to grasp the fact that she had been so close to death.


She would have to ask Sylvia what had happened later.


As she was lost in thought,


She suddenly sensed movement in the distance and quickly turned her head.


Her heightened senses caught the sound.


"They're close. Move carefully and keep watch."


"Oh, over there, it’s Lady Sylvia...!"


Voices and footsteps were approaching.


At the same time, a magical alarm, likely set by Sylvia during the night, rang loudly in Scarlet’s ears.


"Sylvia! Sylvia, wake up quickly!"


"Mm...? What's going on...?"


Scarlet, in a panic, shook Sylvia, who was sleeping on her lap.


Sylvia let out a sleepy groan as she slowly woke up.


She looked around as if trying to understand what was happening,


"Oh..."


And when she saw the Astra extermination squad approaching from the distance, she let out a weary sigh and buried her head back in Scarlet's lap.


Sylvia's reaction left Scarlet flustered.


"W-wait, Sylvia! This is no time for that! Those people are coming! We need to run or something...!"


Scarlet shouted, but Sylvia, like a stubborn child, clung to her lap, refusing to move, mumbling for "just five more minutes."


Was she still half-asleep and not thinking clearly?


Just as Scarlet was about to force her to get up,


"There's no need to panic like that, Miss Scarlet."


Still lying in her lap, Sylvia looked up at Scarlet and said,


"Just trust me. I'll take care of everything."


With an oddly confident smile.


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


TL Note: From now on New Chapters will Updated on Patreon


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