Aftermath and Rising Ripples

Stagger—

Maybe it was because the tension had finally released.

The strength left my legs, and I stumbled.

Abella quickly tightened her grip and supported me.

“Are you okay?!”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Y-Your arm… it’s bruised… your whole body is a mess!”

“I said don’t worry.”

“H-How can I not worry? Look at this!”

She pulled back my robe.

Bruises.

All over my arm.

And not just there—my entire body was covered in them.

If not for the loose robe, everything would have been exposed.

…It was heavy.

In the game, pain was reduced.

But this was reality.

It hurt like hell.

If not for the reinforcement from the belt, my bones would have shattered.

Still—

It was worth it.

“Why did you fight… you could’ve just avoided it…”

“If I had?”

I glared at her.

Staying silent wasn’t Raon’s style.

“You want me to just ignore people who treat me like trash?”

My voice growled.

Abella froze, then fell silent.

“I’m not going to live like that anymore.”

“Y-Young master…”

“Be quiet!”

She looked at me with worried eyes.

But she didn’t doubt me.

Of course not.

This stubbornness was part of Raon’s nature.

And she knew how broken he was inside.

“Y-Young master! That’s not the way! You need treatment first—!”

“Right. Stop being stubborn and get treated first.”

I looked ahead.

Helena stood in my way.

“…What?”

“Don’t be so sharp.”

“Who are you to say that?”

She smiled brightly.

Like she had just witnessed something she had been waiting for.

“Your friend.”

&

In the end, Helena and Abella dragged me to the infirmary.

Even though Helena should still be early-stage like me,

she was far too strong.

At least mid-game level.

Completely different from Philip, whom I could handle.

So I, the so-called weak Raon, couldn’t resist at all.

Well…

I couldn’t resist anyway because my body felt like it would collapse.

“…Back again? Didn’t I just see you? Who beat you up this time?”

“It was just a light spar.”

“A light spar did this? Did you do it, Helena?”

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“Lie down. You’re not leaving this time. You’re staying here for a day.”

…

“Aren’t you supposed to be in class?”

“…Ah.”

Lying there, I reorganized everything in my head.

Even considering some wasted time,

overall, things were progressing much faster.

Originally, I would’ve been stuck in a frustrating route.

Ignored, unable to participate properly, punished for skipping…

But now—

Everything had changed.

And more importantly,

two protagonist-level characters had entered the story.

And naturally intertwined with Raon’s narrative.

…Still.

This might actually be better.

Helena seemed friendly.

Philip hated me, but that would likely change after the fight.

If I had to stay in the academy, it’d be troublesome—

but I’m leaving anyway.

What I need to focus on now isn’t them.

It’s survival.

Specifically—

not dying from mana overload.

Even in that fight, there were no signs of it…

But my biggest threat isn’t physical strength.

It’s magic.

Mana released by other mages stimulates mine.

For normal mages, it’s nothing.

But for me—

it could trigger an internal explosion.

That’s why the fight with Philip was lucky.

It was purely physical.

Still—

I need countermeasures.

To stabilize my mana,

I need to absorb it internally.

And block external influence with artifacts.

What’s the fastest route for that…

While I was thinking—

“You can’t go in.”

“Just for a moment!”

“No—!”

Noise outside.

…Helena?

I opened one eye slightly.

Smack!

“…As expected.”

A green-haired girl stood there, frowning at me.

“You weren’t fine.”

…Who are you?

Why are you talking about my condition?

Before I could react—

Madri grabbed her shoulder.

“Melia. What do you think you’re doing? Even if you’re from the Oscula branch family, this is disrespectful!”

“Just a moment! Please!”

“Get out. He’s a patient.”

“Just let me confirm one thing!”

“No. I won’t allow it.”

Ah. I remember.

Melia.

A branch member of the Oscula family.

Admitted to support Philip due to her talent.

But—

…not very smart.

Worse, she was obsessed with Philip.

Everything revolved around him.

He had to be the best.

Normally, she’d be dealt with immediately.

But…

Simple people are easier to handle.

…That kind of thinking would later cause major trouble.

“Melia. Last warning. Leave now.”

“Just one moment!”

“No. Three seconds. Three. Two. One.”

If Madri weren’t kind and respected honor,

Melia would’ve been thrown out already.

Or worse.

Finally, as she was dragged away—

“I refuse to accept it!”

“Accept what?”

“That someone like him defeated my master!”

Madri looked at me, shocked.

“…What happened?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“You’re difficult. Fine. I’ll step out for a moment. Stay here.”

“Ugh…!”

Melia suddenly flared up with mana.

She looked ready to break free and attack me.

…Is she insane?!

I knew she was dumb, but this level?

What kind of broken game is this?

I grabbed my chain—

Bang!

“Melia!!!”

Philip entered, furious.

His face was red with anger.

“Y-Young master…”

“I knew you were reckless. But this is disappointing. If it’s for me, you should stay quiet. What are you doing?”

His teeth clenched.

“Don’t… make me look worse.”

Melia froze.

Then collapsed.

“…I’m sorry.”

“I apologize, professor. My subordinate has been rude.”

“It’s fine. Just take her.”

“…Thank you. Melia. Come.”

Before leaving,

Philip glanced at me.

Even seeing my battered body, his gaze didn’t change.

“…Next time.”

Thud. Thud.

The moment he left—

…I need to get out of here fast.

That look—

He now saw me as a rival.

&

“…My apologies. I didn’t expect this to happen while I was away.”

“I-I’m sorry… young master…”

We had forgotten.

Class hadn’t even ended when we left.

They had to return briefly—

and this happened.

I turned away, uninterested.

But they continued.

“I’ll report this to her family.”

“I-I’ll also try to request punishment!”

“You’re just a maid. You don’t have that authority.”

“B-But…”

Why are you even arguing about that?

“Enough. Abella.”

“Yes!”

“Any message from the family?”

There should be one by now.

Their network would already know I defeated Philip.

“…Y-Yes.”

As expected,

she took out a letter.

“From the head of the family.”

…Directly?

I opened it.

Three lines.

Cold and precise.

“A priest will arrive to verify the truth.”

“Once confirmed—”

“Return to the family.”

…He’s trying hard to hide it.

I smirked.

I know what he’s really like.

&

Raon Rigbelto.

His evaluation was simple.

Trash.

That judgment came from his own family.

And spread everywhere.

But—

one report shook everything.

Raon defeated Philip Oscula.

Philip—

a genius with the potential to surpass even a duke,

possibly even reach the level of a king.

Already acknowledged by the emperor.

For someone like him to lose to Raon—

was enough to overturn everything.

But not necessarily in a good way.

“That idiot beat Philip? These rumors are getting creative.”

An elder of the Rigbelto family scoffed.

He had once taught the current head.

He had seen Raon’s talent firsthand.

Back then—

he thought Raon was a genius.

His mana was overwhelming.

But—

he couldn’t control it.

Which made him useless.

He would be eliminated soon anyway.

At seventeen—

the age of adulthood.

That would be his end.

Creak—

“…My lord.”

The family head entered.

Cold face.

Red eyes.

One of the strongest among all current heads.

Even his former teacher feared him.

“I heard about Raon Rigbelto.”

His voice was emotionless.

“Send a priest.”

…

“Verify the truth. Ensure the bloodline is intact. Confirm no external power was used. After verification, allow his return.”

…

“This must remain secret. Even within the family.”

“…Understood.”

The elder bowed.

But a question lingered.

Why tell him?

As if hiding it from someone else.

Perhaps—

Raon’s siblings.

And why a priest?

…No.

It must be a misunderstanding.

There’s no way that man would worry about a child.

If he did—

he wouldn’t have ignored him all this time.

The elder, a warrior to his core,

did not understand politics.