Chapter 30: Raid on the Academy, Part 1

“Huff… huff… haah…”

“This… is… ridiculous…”

Even with her wounds healed and the power boost from Kayleen’s gem, Rahat was still a formidable opponent.

However, Rahat, too, had suffered a significant injury from an unexpected attack, making Lucia a challenging adversary.

The battle raged on, a delicate balance of power.

But Rahat had underestimated not only Lucia’s recovery but also Carmel and Ciella’s. Their return to the fight tipped the scales.

Overwhelmed by their combined assault, Rahat attempted a suicidal spell, but his right hand, the source of his power, was severed by Lucia’s holy sword. The student council president, appearing out of nowhere, apprehended the incapacitated Rahat, bringing the incident to a close.

“I-it’s finally… over—”

“Lucia…!”

As Lucia breathed a sigh of relief, watching the unconscious Rahat being dragged away by the student council president, a large figure engulfed her. Judging by the height and voice, it was Carmel.

“Y-Your Highness…! W-wait…”

“I’m so glad… Lucia…!”

Carmel had simply embraced her without thinking, but due to their height difference, Lucia’s face was buried in Carmel’s ample bosom.

The suffocating pressure persisted until Lucia, struggling to breathe, tapped Carmel’s arm.

“Ugh…”

“S-sorry… Lucia… I was just so relieved…”

The princess, realizing Lucia’s predicament, released her, and Lucia finally took a deep breath.

How does she smell so good even after sweating for so long? she wondered.

“Anyway, Lucia… I’m so happy… It seems you finally consider us… companions…”

Carmel held up a small glass vial, her expression tender. Lucia recognized it.

The potion bottle the merchant had given her.

The ornate decorations on the supposedly cheap potion made it memorable.

But something felt off. Carmel’s injuries had been life-threatening, and Ciella’s wound, even if inflicted by a holy sword, had pierced her chest.

Such injuries wouldn’t have been healed by ordinary potions, let alone cheap ones…

Carmel’s next words cleared up her confusion.

“Elixir… you used such a precious treasure… on me and Ciella…?”

“Elixir…?”

Clink.

“W-wait…! E-elixir…? The Elixir…?”

“Yes. And judging by the mark… it’s the work of that renowned alchemist from the Empire… As expected of a hero candidate, you possess such valuable items…!”

“The Empire…? Alchemist…? Could it be…?”

Unfamiliar with the concept of an Elixir, Lucia tilted her head, while Ciella, who understood its value, stared at the empty bottle with a complex expression.

“W-why… did you use such a precious item on me…!”

“Because…”

Because you saved Carmel. Or, because you would have died otherwise. Several possible answers raced through Lucia’s mind, but none felt satisfactory.

However, one phrase resonated with her.

Carmel’s words, spoken with uncharacteristic firmness:

“…Companions…”

While the idea of trusting others and relying on them still felt foreign and uncomfortable, it now seemed… possible.

They had reached out to her, despite her attempts to push them away, and they had risked their lives for her.

Perhaps it seemed like a twisted form of trust, requiring a life-threatening sacrifice to be earned.

But what mattered was that Lucia finally had a “people I can trust” category in her mind. A significant step forward.

“Uh… w-well… th-that’s… um…”

Ciella, flustered by Lucia’s casual reaction, stammered, avoiding eye contact.

Lucia, confused, tilted her head, while Carmel simply chuckled, understanding the situation.

“Um… Your Highness…?”

“Carmel. Call me Carmel, Lucia.”

“Um… Carmel. Is… Elixir… very expensive…?”

Lucia asked cautiously.

While she suspected the merchant might be in a similar situation to her own, she couldn’t shake off her suspicion entirely.

The merchant had provided significant assistance, yet the only payment she’d requested was Lucia’s name.

Lucia recalled a recent lecture mentioning the importance of names in demonic contracts, further fueling her suspicion.

What if the merchant demanded further payment later?

“No?”

“Is that so… that’s good…”

“Elixir’s value is immeasurable. Each bottle represents a lifetime of an alchemist’s dedication. But… if I had to put a price on it…”

Carmel held up a hand, forming a half gesture.

Relieved that it wasn’t priceless, Lucia assumed it was half a gold coin, an amount she could repay.

But Carmel’s next words shattered her assumptions.

“It’s probably worth… half of this academy, including the facilities.”

Disbelief washed over Lucia.

Who was this merchant, carrying two vials of Elixir, each worth half the academy, in her small bag, and casually giving them away to a near-stranger?

And then there was the gem.

While her knowledge of this world was limited, Lucia knew there were no items that could boost one’s power so easily.

The only exception was a holy relic, a shard of divinity, whose location was unknown…

And the merchant’s uncharacteristic kindness towards her…

Lucia couldn’t recall doing anything to earn such favor. What was her motive?

Contrary to Kayleen’s intentions, her intervention, while softening Lucia’s negative feelings due to the shared predicament, had also deepened her suspicion.

It was a half-success.

But the biggest success was that Lucia, who had been pushing everyone away, was finally opening up to those around her.

Just like the protagonist in the game.

“By the way, Lucia. You seem… more expressive now?”

“I-is that so…?”

“Yes. You always seemed so… fragile before. But after defeating that cultist… you seem more at ease.”

“Haha…”

Despite her progress, Carmel’s easy familiarity still felt overwhelming to Lucia, though not unpleasant.

“And Carmel… you’ve stopped using honorifics…”

“Oh… you’re right… should I…?”

“…No. It’s… fine…”

While still awkward, Lucia didn’t mind Carmel’s casual tone.

“…Companions…”

That’s what companions did.

“Lucia…!”

“W-wait…! Your Highness…!”

If Kayleen had witnessed this scene, she would have likely cringed at the cheesy dialogue, deeming it appropriate for Lucia’s age.

After all, Lucia was still a middle schooler by Kayleen’s modern standards.

Crack.

The sound of something breaking.

Deep within the academy, a complex magic circle fractured.

A red glow seeped into the blue light, slowly consuming the magic circle, replacing it with its own corrupted energy.

“Hmm… charming people is one thing… but destroying and modifying magic circles isn’t really my forte…”

A girl with light blue hair muttered, twirling a strand around her finger.

“I prefer… slowly breaking a family man…”

The girl, her voice languid, strolled out of the building.

A red glint flashed in her blue eyes.

“Where did… Leviathan go…?”