Chapter 34

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Since then, I couldn't grasp what had happened at all. I just stood there, dazed and confused, as the teachers pushed me aside and rushed to Safina, who had collapsed and was no longer moving.

(Ah... I was being overconfident... When I attacked Zah, he just stood up as if nothing had happened after a few seconds. I had become used to that. But this... this is reality.)

Despite my trembling and blurred vision, I was deeply shocked to see Safina's left arm pointing in an unnatural direction as they carried her away.

(I... I hurt someone... No, I almost killed someone...)

This reality crushed the self who had been jokingly swinging a sword just a moment ago. My legs were shaking, and I couldn't stand. My breathing became difficult, and I didn't even realize I was in a state of extreme panic and hyperventilating.

"What's wrong, Lady Mary! Pull yourself together!"

"...Za... ha... ha..."

Noticing my abnormal state, Zah tried to speak to me, but I couldn't form coherent words due to my breathlessness.

"Sa... Safi... na..."

"Calms down, a minor injury like this can be healed with recovery magic at the infirmary! Look, the teachers are taking her there! Let's go!"

He took my hand and forcibly pulled me along to the infirmary. At that moment, I realized that just being touched by someone was helping me calm down a bit, so I unconsciously gripped Zah's hand tightly, even though I might have been using a bit of force. Zah didn't mind at all and continued to lead me to the infirmary.

When we arrived at the infirmary, I waited outside for a few minutes. I don't know how they heard about it, but Magilka and even the prince rushed to the infirmary. The moment I saw Magilka, the emotions I had been holding back overflowed, and I clung to her, sobbing.

"Magilka... I... I hurt Safina..."

"Please calm down, Lady Mary... From what I heard, she will be fine. A minor injury like that can be healed quickly by the recovery magic teacher here."

As Magilka hugged me and gently stroked my head, my heart began to calm down. Just then, the infirmary door opened, and a teacher in a robe appeared.

"Oh? Is that the prince? Your Highness, personally?"

"Skip the formalities. How is she?"

The teacher, surprised to see the prince among us, tried to greet him but was prompted to continue.

"Yes, she has fully recovered. There are no aftereffects. However, due to the severe mental shock, her consciousness is fatigued. We are keeping her at rest for a while."

"Can I see her?"

"Yes, of course."

The prince, who had been watching the exchange, opened the door for me, inviting me in. Hesitantly, I was led by Magilka into the infirmary, which was surprisingly spacious with many beds neatly spaced out. The moment I saw the familiar chestnut-haired, wavy-haired girl lying on one of the beds, I ran over to her.

"Safina!"

"...Hmm... Ah... Lady Mary?"

Her eyes, which had been closed, opened, and her emerald eyes met mine.

"I'm sorry, Safina... I... I..."

Relief and guilt mixed in my eyes as I tried to speak, but I could only apologize. Despite my frustration, I tried to say something, and Safina, sitting up, looked at me.

"No, no, don't apologize, Lady Mary. It was my fault for being absent-minded..."

Seeing me on the verge of tears, Safina, who was also on the verge of tears, panicked. The remaining three friends looked at each other with a sigh, easing the tension and moving closer to us.

"It's a relief that nothing serious happened, Miss Safina."

"Y-Your Highness..."

Finally noticing the prince, Safina tried to get out of bed to greet him.

"Ah, no, stay there. Don't overexert yourself. The doctor said you need to rest."

"Yes... I'm sorry."

Embarrassed, Safina remained sitting up in bed.

"By the way, now that we've calmed down a bit, can I get some treatment too?"

Zah, who had been silent until now, showed his right hand, which had turned a deep purple.

"What happened, Zah? Your hand..."

Not realizing it was my doing, I asked in surprise.

"...I don't know, it just turned like this... I'll go see the doctor."

Ignoring everyone's concern, Zah went to the doctor. The stunned atmosphere softened the mood a bit, and my spirit began to calm down.

"Still, I'm really sorry, Safina. Are you okay?"

"Yes... as you can see."

Worried, I looked at her, and Safina lightly rotated her left arm to show that she was fine.

(Recovery magic is amazing... modern medicine can't compare...)

"Still, what happened, Safina? It's not like you to be absent-minded during a fight."

With his right hand now healed, Zah returned and said this, swinging his hand.

"Eh... Ah... Well... I... I was thinking..."

Feeling down and on the verge of tears, Safina looked at me, and I glared at Zah.

"Thinking? About something troubling?"

"Um... Well..."

Magilka's question made Safina even more flustered.

"Ah, I know! It's the tournament! You don't want to participate, right? Then, you don't have to!"

"No, I can't!"

Not knowing what to do, I tried to support her with a quick thought, but Safina unexpectedly shouted, surprising everyone. She didn't seem to realize she had shouted until a few seconds later, and her face turned red.

"I'm sorry..."

She said, gripping the blanket and hiding her face.

"Sigh... Well, everyone has their own issues. I'm sorry for prying."

"Ah, anyway, it's a relief that she's okay. We have classes after this, so Safina, you should rest, and we'll leave."

Magilka apologized, and the prince closed the scene. Reluctantly, I left Safina behind and exited the infirmary.

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