The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 204

When they set up traps in the Arkenent Territory, it wasn’t just Solia they were targeting.

Even if they succeeded in capturing Solia, they would use her as bait to eventually draw out me and Lee Han.

Their intentions were obvious.

They were few in number but powerful dark magicians—each of them formidable enough to be on par with an Archant-level combatant.

Yet, not everything goes according to plan, even for them.

They thought they could easily overpower Solia, but now the entire rescue squad had gathered at the scene.

Lee Han, the strongest at the academy, charged forward like the wind.

His strike seemed to tear through the very fabric of space.

The robed figures, startled, stumbled backward.

Seymour pushed forward in support of Lee Han.

Adela, using telekinesis that seemed to upend the forest floor, and Yoon Haul, rapidly catching up to the 6th-year top students, followed close behind.

“…Quite a lot of uninvited guests have gathered,” a displeased voice murmured, carried by the wind, but I had no time to pay attention.

The battle was in good hands with Lee Han and Adela. At the very least, they would be able to hold the enemies back.

I only had to focus on one person.

I sprinted toward Solia.

“Han… Siha?”

Solia’s usually firm voice was uncharacteristically shaky, her lips pale as if even swallowing was a struggle.

She was in a dreadful state; there was no need to look further.

“Solia, don’t speak.”

“Uh….”

“Just lie down here.”

I hurriedly laid Solia down on the spot.

If there was a safer place nearby, I would have moved her there, but moving her in this condition was impossible.

Rip—.

I tore the sleeve of my shirt without hesitation.

A chill ran through my exposed left arm as I stretched the ragged fabric tight between my hands.

I wasn’t sure if it would help, but…

I tied Solia’s leg to prevent the poison from spreading further.

“Aah!”

Solia bit down in pain. I spoke to calm her, repeating my words like a mantra.

“It’s okay.”

“Ugh….”

“It’s okay, Solia. You’ll be okay….”

All I could offer were these hollow reassurances.

I didn’t know if I was comforting Solia or just trying to convince myself.

“You’ll be alright….”

The malice that had exploded like a bomb was spreading from Solia’s feet.

Her detoxification artifact had already reached its limit; makeshift measures were no longer effective. We needed to return to the academy as soon as possible.

I bit my lower lip and extended my hand to Solia.

“Get on, I’ll carry you.”

The others were fighting tooth and nail, but in the end, I was likely the primary target.

Fleeing while carrying Solia was dangerous, especially with the possibility of another ambush looming.

Solia, aware of the burden she posed, lifted her head with difficulty, her eyelids fluttering.

She called my name.

“Han Siha.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s dangerous… Why… Did you come?”

The reason I had to save Solia was clear.

She was one of the most formidable opponents for the dark magicians, an invaluable asset we couldn’t afford to lose.

Saving her would also make the story significantly easier.

Yes, those were reasons I used to believe in.

“Why…?”

But now, it is different.

I had risked my life to come here, standing in the midst of enemies. There was no longer any excuse or ulterior motive.

It’s just… just…

I want you to live.

I don’t want to lose you, that’s all.

A world without the Light Mage would be shrouded in darkness.

And I didn’t want to live in that darkness.

“I came to save you.”

I ran my fingers through Solia’s hair and smiled.

But even now, I couldn’t tell her the truth, so I gave her a convenient excuse.

“Because you’re my fiancée.”

It was a feeble cover, but Solia chuckled and shook her head.

“No, we’re not. I know you didn’t want that engagement.”

“What?”

“Don’t worry about excuses… I’ve known from the start.”

We had fought so hard to avoid that engagement.

Solia reminisced, eyes half-closed.

“But… you know what?”

“I… I said I didn’t want it… but… I actually liked it.”

She forced the words out with difficulty.

“I wanted to be engaged to you.”

I hadn’t known.

I thought she hated it.

I had only wanted that engagement for my own needs, but Solia had been sincere.

With trembling hands, Solia grasped her necklace. The pendant, reflecting her own light, shone sorrowfully in this moment.

Solia looked up at me and asked, as if she had already known the answer.

“This… isn’t an engagement gift, right?”

Without waiting for my reply, Solia gave me a sad smile.

“I’m not your fiancée….”

“To you, I’m really nothing….”

“But still… Still, thank you for coming.”

Despite her pain, despite how hard it was for her to speak, Solia cherished each word.

I was speechless in the face of Solia’s fragile smile.

“I’m in pain, but I’m not lonely.”

“Of course not. I’m right here.”

“Yes… yes….”

Solia, dazed, clung to my arm, gasping for breath.

Afraid I might let go of her fragile hand, I tightened my grip.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Y-yes. Thank you….”

You’re struggling to breathe.

You’re suffering from the poison spreading through you.

So why… Why are you thanking me?

Thud.

Solia’s weak grip slipped from my hand.

“I like you, Han Siha.”

Then, she smiled and closed her eyes.

I held her close, as if she might break.

* * *

White curtains fluttered before my eyes.

Swaying left and right like a mirage.

The whimsical movement made me open my eyes.

But…

“Huh…?”

It wasn’t curtains; it was silver hair.

Flowing silver hair and glittering violet eyes…

Someone was looking down at me.

Wha… what?

“Eek!”

The moment I realized it, I jolted upright in bed in shock.

Solia, startled by my sudden reaction, flailed her arms and fell backward.

Wha… what…?

Solia completely lost her balance.

Crash.

“Aaaah!”

“Ahh!”

I reached out to grab her, but instead, I ended up rolling off the bed with her.

“Argh!”

I let out a sharp cry as my knee slammed into the corner of the bed.

The pain was enough to fully wake me up, sending a shock through my system. Solia, who had also rolled onto the floor, groaned as she tried to sit up.

“Are you okay?”

“Ouch….”

After spending several sleepless nights taking care of Solia, I’d collapsed and fallen asleep without realizing it.

Now that Solia was starting to recover and I’d gotten up, she must have been curious and came to check on me, only to find me fast asleep.

And then I’d gone and screamed right at her.

“You scared me. You really startled me.”

“S-Sorry!”

I belatedly clutched my chest, trying to calm down as I checked on Solia’s condition.

For a second, she’d looked like some kind of ghost with her long, flowing hair hanging down like that.

At least she looked alive, thank goodness.

“You’re awake.”

“Yeah…”

I had carried Solia, who had passed out in the cursed forest, all the way here.

I had sprinted madly to Ardel Academy, catching the train just in time.

There were many close calls, but Solia managed to endure.

Seeing her looking so much better brought a smile to my face.

“Thank goodness….”

It was a close call, but she survived.

I was so grateful she pulled through safely.

As I looked at Solia, her words echoed in my mind like an afterimage.

‘I like you, Han Siha.’

Why is that coming to mind now?

I cleared my throat and shook my head vigorously.

“Ahem.”

“What?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

People say all sorts of things when they’re delirious from poison.

Yeah, that must be it.

But…

But still…

Should I be feeling like this when I’m completely sober?

You’re not sick or anything!

‘I like you, Han Siha.’

‘I like you, Han Siha.’

No, no, that’s not it!

This is driving me crazy.

Smack.

I slapped my ears as if to drown out the vivid voice replaying like a broken record. It must have looked insane.

Solia, with wide eyes, grabbed my arm.

She was clearly startled by my erratic behavior.

“What’s wrong with you? Are your ears hurting? Is it from being exposed to too much malice? Is it some kind of side effect…?”

“…No. I’m fine.”

“Really?”

“I’ll feel really fine if you let go of my arm.”

I glanced at my wrist, which Solia was clutching tightly.

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing, sorry.”

Even at this moment, Solia’s voice echoed in my head like an illusion.

Maybe I’m the one who’s losing it….

I swallowed and stared at Solia’s face.

Whether it was because of the morning sunlight or her regained complexion, her eyes sparkled unusually brightly today.

Almost like…

The necklace I’d given her….

“I’m definitely losing it.”

“Huh? Suddenly?”

“Don’t mind me. I’m just going senile.”

“…?”

I lightly slapped my cheeks, trying to clear my head, and my thoughts became a bit clearer.

Yeah, I’m definitely acting crazy.

“Ah… I’m starting to think straight again.”

Whew.

I took a deep breath, trying to change the topic.

Solia looked at me, puzzled, as if she didn’t understand what was going on.

“Anyway, even if you’re feeling a little better now, don’t push yourself. Stay in the infirmary for a while. Don’t go wandering around….”

And then…

I almost choked up again, faced with Solia’s unbearably earnest gaze, but thankfully, the infirmary nurse slid the curtains aside and entered like a savior.

“Oh, you’re looking better, I see?”

“Oh, Miss Dana!”

The Ardel Academy infirmary nurse and a top-class healer, Miss Dana checked Solia’s complexion with a satisfied nod.

I had performed the initial emergency treatment, but Miss Dana had taken great care of Solia for days on end.

Thanks to her, we had managed to pull through the life-threatening crisis.

I bowed my head in gratitude.

“Yes, it seems like she’s a bit better.”

“That’s good to hear. You’ve got a face worth living.”

“Yes….”

“Guess it’s not time for you to kick the bucket yet.”

“Haha….”

Solia gave an awkward laugh, and Miss Dana, finding Solia’s reaction amusing, pointed at her necklace.

“Oh, right. I was curious about that artifact of yours when you came in. Is it some kind of high-end artifact?”

“Oh… that… I made it myself….”

“Whatever it is, it saves your life.”

“What?”

Miss Dana chuckled as she continued.

“When you collapsed, that thing was spinning nonstop like it was trying to protect you.”

“R-Really?”

“If you hadn’t had that, you would’ve been a goner for sure. If you bought that from someone, you better go thank them.”

Miss Dana’s casual comment made Solia glance over at me.

She didn’t say anything in particular, but the sparkle in her eyes told me she had something she wanted to say.

“Yes, I’ll go and thank him.”

Solia turned toward me and gave me a shy smile.