Chapter 37

### Chapter 37: Reflection (8)

* * *

#28

From noon on November 19th to the deep night, Rubea had no memory, but fortunately, there were no significant aftereffects from the kidnapping incident during the training camp.

"Are you okay? Does anything hurt?"

"I was really worried about you..."

"The professors even came to work on the weekend to look for you. You didn't suffer too much at the hands of the criminals, right? Are you really okay?"

"Umm, yeah. I'm fine, guys. See, I'm not hurt anywhere, so don't worry..."

Despite the numerous disruptions, the Sunday training camp proceeded, and the students bombarded the safely returned Rubea with questions.

Rubea was a model student with a very high reputation throughout the Lorsen Academy, including the Ministry of Magic.

Therefore, whenever Rubea tried to move even a little, the students would repeatedly ask if she needed water or if they could fetch anything for her, fussing over her with worried eyes.

"By the way, did Shuriel-senpai save you?"

"How amazing. She must have risked her life to save you, right? That's really impressive..."

"But she never told us what happened inside. It must have been something really serious that we shouldn't know about."

"The professors, who seemed to know something, were also very tight-lipped... Are you really okay, Rubea?"

The topic soon shifted from Rubea, the main subject of the incident, to Shuriel, who returned with several injuries.

The story of the senior who risked her life to save her junior in an unknown incident quickly spread throughout the academy.

If the magic students returned to Lorsen Academy on Monday after the Sunday incident, rumors filled with admiration and praise for Shuriel de La Parte, the youngest and most junior magic user of Akasha's Star and last year's top graduate, would have spread like wildfire...

On that Sunday, Rubea was partially excused from the training camp. According to her advisor, she should not move around until she had a proper examination.

In the evening, Rubea and Shuriel went to a temple sponsored by Lorsen Academy, where Rubea was declared to be in perfect health, but Shuriel left the temple with bandages wrapped around her entire body.

"Are you okay, senpai?"

"Ah, it's not severe. They said it will heal quickly if I rest for a few days."

"That's a relief..."

It was a matter that allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief.

When Shuriel returned to the training camp, she was once again bombarded with handshake requests from the third-year students, and her name echoed throughout the grand hall.

After announcing the end of the training camp, she briefly mentioned that the incident fortunately caused no significant damage and that they should always carry means to protect themselves. Then, without a moment's rest, she quickly returned to Akasha's Star.

Before that, Rubea had to speak to Shuriel.

"Senpai, yesterday..."

Shuriel, who had finished her preparations to leave, turned around.

Rubea, hesitating, finally bowed deeply.

"Thank you for saving me. I don't know how to repay you, but... I'll seriously consider the advice you gave me. If there's anything else I can do to repay you, I'll take the time to express my gratitude, senpai..."

Rubea, with her hands clasped and a deep bow, looked up.

Shuriel suddenly looked up at the sky, which was gradually darkening with the evening sunset, without saying a word.

Then, she looked back at Rubea.

"Gratitude, repayment, thanks... These are good words. If they are truly directed in the right way, that is."

"..."

Rubea didn't understand the meaning.

"I tried to do my best for you. That's all, and it's the same now. You don't have to thank me for anything. You don't need to repay me; just being alive is enough."

Rubea, who had been bowing, raised her head.

Shuriel's expression was... unreadable.

Her words sounded like a well-meaning suggestion that saving a junior is a natural duty of a senior, and there's no need to express gratitude.

But while saying this, Shuriel, who usually would have given a gentle smile, spoke with an expression that showed no change today.

"Before the graduation ceremony or before that, I'll visit you once. I hope you stay healthy until then, Rubea."

With those words, Shuriel turned around.

She walked away, her shadow gradually disappearing in the distance.

"..."

Rubea stood there for a long time.

#29

Rubea quickly returned to her normal life.

On Wednesday, about two days after she started attending school normally on Monday, she heard news about Shuriel.

Recognized for her significant contributions in this incident, despite her rank being only a Pent, Shuriel de La Parte, the youngest and official magic user of Akasha's Star, ascended to a new level. The celebration was so grand that it rivaled the historical achievements of Lorsen Academy since its founding.

How significant must it have been? What did Shuriel-senpai do while I was unconscious to receive such recognition?

Given the extent of her injuries, she must have risked her life to save me. It was said that a powerful barrier, which no one could easily break, was set up in the forest, preventing even the professors from entering...

She was a grateful person. Since Rubea entered the second year and joined the Ministry of Magic, Shuriel, who consistently maintained the top rank, recognized Rubea's talent and helped her sincerely to ensure her potential didn't fade.

Even when her important exams were approaching, she would sometimes take time to check on Rubea's progress in magic research.

Having received so much help, and now being saved from certain death, Rubea couldn't figure out how to express her gratitude or what kind of repayment she could offer to her senior...

On Friday, as these thoughts continued, Rubea was on her way to a different annex for a mobile class with her classmates, carrying her textbook and passing through a wooded path.

Suddenly, her gaze naturally turned to a certain place.

"..."

It was the main building from her first year.

Rubea's eyes were drawn to the third floor.

He always sat by the window. From here, she could see his profile or back clearly.

He would often lean his elbow on the desk, rest his chin, and look outside the window with a lazy gaze, or read something intently with a book open. These scenes would catch Rubea's eye whenever she passed by the main building.

He wasn't just there during class; he often sat by the same window during breaks. There were times when he wasn't there, but they were rare.

That's how it was. But...

Today, he wasn't there.

The seat was empty, devoid of anyone.

Actually, he wasn't there yesterday either.

Or the day before.

Or since Monday...

—Edgio was not in his usual spot.

...Is he very busy lately?

As she passed by the fencing department annex, the sound of fencing students, who had just left the building, chatting among themselves reached her ears.

"Did you hear? That third-year senior dropped out."

Rubea paused for a moment.

"Ah, that senior? The one who was close to Myu?"

"Yeah. I don't know what happened, but that's what they said."

"Really? Speaking of which, Myu, who used to skip a lot, hasn't been seen much lately. Is there something going on between her and that senior? It doesn't seem like they're just close seniors and juniors, does it? Am I the only one who thinks that?"

"Come on, that's ridiculous. Myu was the one who even criticized our third-year senior, Horrens. Besides, how many talented guys have tried to get close to Myu? She wouldn't like a senior like that."

"But... Myu doesn't have any close male friends in the academy except for that senior. Plus, she's kind of eccentric. Who would know if they're really that close? Her taste in men could be unique."

"Nah, I don't think so. Myu said they're not."

"Someone saw them holding hands the other day..."

"Ew, that's a lie! I can't even imagine it."

"Right? I don't believe it either. ...Ah, I'm hungry. After the afternoon class, let's go out to eat today?"

"Sure. I bought it last time... you know?"

"Whatever, it was a penalty for losing the sparring. If you're upset, challenge me again and win."

"Che."

The two girls passed by Rubea.

Even though it wasn't something worth paying attention to, for some reason, she listened to the entire conversation.

She knew why.

Because she knew who the senior they were talking about was.

Rubea knew Myu. Although she had never met her in person, she had heard her name before.

Myu was quite famous within the academy, and whenever she asked her integrated department third-year friend about Edgio, Myu's name always came up. It was impossible not to remember.

The male senior Myu was close to.

If Myu had many male friends, it would be different, but she didn't. There was only one. This was a fact that most people who knew Myu well would remember.

Edgio Crani, a third-year in the integrated department.

It was clear.

"..."

Rubea turned her gaze back to the main building.

The empty seat was still there.

—Did you hear? That third-year senior dropped out.

Rubea thought blankly.

...Dropped out?

Edgio?

...Why?

Since it was just a rumor, she thought it might just be a rumor. But someone's dropout news wouldn't be exaggerated, would it? Rubea, standing still, slowly blinked her eyes.

Something... something... isn't this too sudden?

Did something big happen?

To Edgio?

Suddenly, without any warning, to the point of dropping out... something big...?

Until now, Edgio had existed within the academy. She would pass by and look at the window where Edgio was always there. She could feel his presence. She could confirm his existence.

His lazy, somewhat cynical blue eyes. Edgio's eyes, which always gave her a sense of reassurance just by looking at them... were no longer there.

Suddenly, Rubea felt.

Sweat beads forming on her palms.

Tomorrow was the weekend. A day without classes.

On the weekend, I should visit Edgio's house...

"Rubea."

"Ah, what?"

Someone lightly tapped Rubea's shoulder, which was still in shock. Turning around, she saw a girl with long, golden hair, holding a thick textbook, nodding towards something behind Rubea.

"What are you daydreaming about? Let's go in. We have a strict professor today. That bald guy."

"Ah, right. Yes..."

Following her friend's words, she slowly moved her steps.

Glancing back.

Rubea repeatedly looked back at the main building.

#30

Even on the weekend, Rubea was busy.

She was a diligent student, and thus, she consistently practiced magic for a certain amount of time every day.

With graduation approaching, her schedule was particularly busy, and she had to prepare for the upcoming final regular exam in December. There were many things to focus on, leaving her no time to rest.

Crackle—

"Ah!"

—Pop.

The spatial rift, which had formed with a spark, closed instantly.

Rubea, who was practicing magic in a private laboratory, was startled and took a step back.

Did she fail the precise calculation? Confirming her significantly reduced maintenance power, Rubea placed her hand on her heaving chest.

This was the third mistake.

It was strange.

...Today, she was making unusually frequent mistakes.

"Ugh..."

Rubea sighed deeply.

She couldn't concentrate at all.

Since spatial magic couldn't be taught by just anyone, Rubea had to immerse herself in research and put in her utmost effort. However, she failed multiple times due to her inability to maintain high concentration, as her mind kept wandering.

"..."

It was because of Edgio.

Since hearing the news of Edgio's dropout, his thoughts had been occupying a corner of her mind.

No, she had always thought about Edgio, but it had become more intense. It was affecting her magic casting to the point where it was becoming a serious issue...

Rubea was aware of her problem.

If she continued like this, her subsequent practice wouldn't go well. After tidying up the table cluttered with textbooks, Rubea picked up the key to the laboratory, locked the door, and stepped outside.

—Tap, tap, tap.

After standing there blankly for a while, Rubea finally.

Looking at the sky, which was beginning to turn crimson with the evening sunset, she started walking quickly towards somewhere.

#31

It was just yesterday.

Rubea had asked her third-year friend in the integrated department about Edgio's recent situation to confirm whether the news of his dropout was true.

—Oh, our homeroom teacher mentioned it.

She received the answer that the rumor was true.

When asked why, the friend naturally said she didn't know.

She also didn't know where he had gone.

He had simply disappeared without a trace after that day...

'...What happened, Edgio...'

Rubea became more anxious and restless.

To quell the growing unease that was gnawing at her, she stopped her routine magic research and quickly left the building.

Tap, tap...

...Tap, tap, tap, tap!

Her steps quickened. Walking briskly, she eventually started running.

"Hello, senpai..."

Some students from other classes and second-year juniors greeted her enthusiastically, but unfortunately, Rubea didn't have the time to respond to each one as she usually did.

"Huff, huff, huff..."

Finally, when she reached the academy dormitory building, Rubea, breathing heavily, entered the lobby and asked where the room of a second-year fencing student named Myu was.

"Ah, thank you!"

With the answer she needed, Rubea quickly climbed the stairs. She was in too much of a hurry to wait for the elevator from the upper floors.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

She didn't know if Myu would be there, but it didn't matter. Myu was the only person who might know Edgio's recent situation in detail, so Rubea had come to ask her directly.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

After a while, she reached the end of the long corridor and stopped in front of a door.

"Huff, huff..."

Rubea, trying to calm her overheated breathing, placed her hand on her chest and spoke softly.

"Are you... there...?"

Knock, knock, knock...

With no response, she tried again.

"Excuse me, if you're there, could you open the door for a moment?"

Knock, knock!

A little louder this time.

Then,

—Creak...

The door, which had been firmly closed, opened.

The first thing Rubea saw was the interior of the room, which was half-neatly organized.

Stacks of luggage were placed in the corner of the room.

One side was filled with the remnants of daily life, looking a bit messy, while the opposite side was excessively clean, creating a strange atmosphere.

The person who appeared in the gap of the door.

"Who are you?"

"Ah..."

Rubea caught her breath.

In the dimly lit room, the face illuminated by the corridor light revealed deep, sunken eyes, completely opposite to the room's atmosphere.

Dull, dark purple eyes slowly scanned Rubea's body, and the surrounding flesh seemed slightly swollen.

It didn't look like she had just woken up. It was as if all the vitality had drained from her, like a plant on the verge of death. Seeing this seriously troubled girl, Rubea swallowed hard and asked.

"Are you... Myu, the second-year fencing student?"

After a moment, a quiet answer came.

"Yes, but what is it?"

It's you.

Thankfully, you're here.

"I have a question. I'm Rubea, a third-year in the Ministry of Magic."

At that moment,

Myu's lips seemed to twitch slightly.

"Ah, you're the one?"

"..."

Rubea blinked. Did she not like something? What is it? This girl seems a bit scary...

Feeling a bit intimidated, Rubea cautiously asked.

"So, can we talk for a moment...?"

"..."

Myu looked into Rubea's eyes.

It was scary to meet her gaze, but Rubea held her breath and didn't look away.

"Sure, go ahead. What do you want to know?"

She got a fairly positive response.

Relieved, Rubea quickly asked.

"Um, there's a male student in the third-year integrated department named Edgio Crani. I heard you were close to Edgio... So, do you know why he dropped out?"

"..."

Myu's eyes moved, looking up at Rubea.

"Yes, I know."

"!"

Well, it made sense that Myu would know, given the rumors that had been circulating.

"Do you know why he dropped out?"

Rubea asked cautiously.

After that,

"..."

Myu remained silent for a while.

A long silence stretched between them, but Rubea patiently waited for a response.

During this time, she noticed something Myu was holding tightly in her hand. It looked like a piece of paper with writing on it, but the details were obscured by the shadow.

After a while, Myu spoke.

"What are you going to do with that information?"

"..."

"Exactly.