Chapter 41: A Visit to the Infirmary and a Scandalous Misunderstanding

“A Visit to the Infirmary”

Two days after Professor Hurryju’s training session—

“Uuuugh…”

Sion groaned as he lay face-down on his bed. Every joint and muscle in his body screamed in pain.

“Are you really okay? You were like this yesterday too.”

“I know… but it’s hard to move at all…”

“Jeez, what a mess.”

Patrick, his roommate, let out a deep sigh.

Just yesterday, he had been teasing Sion with questions like, “So, how far did you and Professor Hurryju go?”

But seeing him still unable to function today, Patrick’s expression turned serious.

Yesterday, Sion had barely managed to eat, relying on Patrick to bring him food. He had spent the entire day lying in bed, completely immobile.

“Alright, how about this?”

“…What?”

“There’s an infirmary at the academy.”

“There’s an infirmary? Ugh…!”

Crack.

Sion barely managed to sit up, leaning against the wall for support.

He had never even considered the possibility that Byzantium Academy had an infirmary.

I thought infirmaries were only a thing in high schools…? Well, I guess it makes sense.

Universities usually didn’t have infirmaries.

But considering this was an academy where students trained in magic and combat, it would be stranger not to have one.

“Why are you telling me this now…?”

“Well, how was I supposed to know you’d be suffering from muscle pain this badly?!”

“Argh!”

Zap!

Patrick playfully smacked his shoulder, and an electric jolt of pain shot through him.

…Just how intense had his training been?

“I’ll help you walk, but at least wash up first. You’re not seriously thinking of going out looking like that, right?”

“…Fine. Ugh…”

Sion forced himself up from the bed.

He hadn’t showered since yesterday, so heading out like this wasn’t an option.

Thankfully, their dorm had an attached bathroom.

Ssshhhaa—

As the warm water cascaded over him, Sion pondered.

The infirmary should be a normal place, right?

And if possible… I’d like to learn some healing magic while I’m there.

Unlike modern infirmaries that relied on bandages and medication, this one would undoubtedly use magic.

If the healing spells used were 2nd Circle or lower, he could learn them just by observing.

If he could master a healing spell, it would be useful even after training with Hurryju.

“Hurry up already!”

“Yeah, yeah…”

Patrick’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Even showering was a struggle with his aching muscles.

Creak—

Pushing open the door, Sion stepped into the infirmary, located on the first floor of the Student Welfare Building.

The scent of medicine filled the air.

White curtains, neatly arranged beds, and various medical tools—

The facility was so well-equipped that even a modern hospital would pale in comparison.

Inside, a woman in a white coat greeted them with a bright smile.

“Oh my, good morning! You two seem close~.”

“Good morning.”

“A-Ah… hello?”

Sion’s eyes locked onto her.

…Horns?

Protruding from her temples were small, curved horns.

Her skin was a unique shade, somewhere between violet and brown.

And her eyes—black sclera with golden pupils.

She was a demon.

Noticing his reaction, the woman giggled.

“Surprised to see a demon as the infirmary nurse? Don’t worry~. I may look like this, but I’m quite skilled in healing magic~.”

“…Ah, I see. Sorry if I was rude…”

“It’s fine~. I get that reaction all the time~.”

She waved it off with a warm smile.

She seemed used to being misunderstood.

…Which only made Sion feel guiltier.

“Alright, I’ll leave him here.”

“Thanks for helping me, Patrick. I’ll treat you to a meal later.”

“Sure.”

Creak.

Patrick left the infirmary, having done his part in dragging Sion here.

Considering it was the weekend, the fact that Patrick had taken time to escort him was something Sion would remember to repay later.

“So, what’s the issue~?”

“I… have severe muscle pain.”

“Hmm~? Are you in the Combat Department~?”

“No. It’s a long story, but I’m actually in the Magic Department.”

“Oh~ I see~. Well, muscle pain is easy to handle~. I’ll fix you up in no time~.”

She placed a hand on Sion’s shoulder.

“O divine one, grant us your miracle… Healing.”

Fwoooosh.

A warm, green light radiated from her palm.

The soothing energy seeped into his body.

Immediately—

[Spell Identified: Healing]
[Attribute: Healing]
[Circle Level: 1]
[Description: A basic healing spell that restores injuries.]
[You have identified a spell of a lower Circle than your own!]
[A new spell has been added to your Magic Archive.]
[You can now use Healing.]

So this is healing magic…

If necromantic spells felt eerie and writhing, then healing spells were soft and gentle.

The sensation of mana varied depending on the type of magic.

And now—he had another spell to add to his arsenal.

“A Scandalous Misunderstanding”

What would it feel like to actually use it?

“…Healing.”

“H-Huh~?”

Fwoooosh!

A soft green light radiated from Sion’s hand, flowing gently into his body.

The aching muscles that had been screaming in pain gradually eased, returning to normal.

The sensation of using the spell felt just as warm and fluffy as receiving it.

It’s fascinating. Even though it’s the same mana, the feeling changes depending on the attribute.

If he compared his heart to a plastic bottle and mana to water—

Then casting a spell was like pouring water out of the bottle.

But depending on what type of liquid he imagined, different results would come out.

If he imagined cola, cola would pour out.

If he imagined juice, juice would appear.

The infinite possibilities of mana fascinated him.

But just as he was lost in thought—

“D-Did you just cast a Healing spell~? Without even chanting~?”

“Oh.”

He had been so focused on the magic that he had forgotten about the infirmary nurse in front of him.

“S-Sorry. I couldn’t use it before, but… I just learned it.”

“J-Just now~? Wait, could it be… your name is…?”

“My name is Sion. First-year student in the Magic Department.”

“S-Sion…?”

The nurse staggered backward.

Her face suddenly turned pale as she took a few unsteady steps away from him.

Then—

She bolted.

With a whoosh, she dove onto one of the infirmary beds, wrapping herself up in a blanket.

What… is she doing?

Now cocooned in the blanket like a caterpillar, she trembled and shouted—

“Aaaaaah! I-It’s my turn to be defiled!!!”

“…Excuse me?”

“Hurryju Professor fell for you! You soaked Professor Londa Margaret’s clothes in water! You spent an intimate night in a cabin with Professor Lunia Yggdrasil!!!”

“And now it’s me?! Am I next?! Aaaaaah!!!”

“Wait—Professor?”

The sheer absurdity of her words made Sion’s mind go blank.

…What did she just say?

“Professor, what exactly are you talking about—”

“D-Don’t come any closer!!! If you do, I’ll be defiled!!! You’ll grab my horns like handles and ravage me, saying things like It doesn’t matter if you’re a demon!!! Aaaaahhh!!!”

“…OL.”

Sion suddenly felt immensely grateful that there was no one else in the infirmary.

If there had been anyone else to hear this conversation, he would have been arrested on the spot.

Even though it was the weekend, there was still a chance that someone might come by.

I should block the infirmary entrance with Earth magic and use Wind to soundproof the room.

Crunch! Fwoosh!

A simple elemental magic setup quickly prevented any unwanted intrusions.

Of course, if someone actually tried to enter, it might cause even more misunderstandings…

But for now—

The most urgent matter was shutting up the still screaming nurse.

“V-Violated—Eek?!”

“…Professor. What exactly are you saying?”

With one swift motion, Sion yanked the blanket off her.

Underneath, the nurse—still trembling—had tears welling in her eyes.

Now that they were face-to-face, the obscene words she had been shouting just moments ago came to an abrupt halt.

“…Professor, I don’t know what you heard or where you heard it, but—

Everything you just said is a massive misunderstanding.”

“O-Ooh~? A misunderstanding~?”

“Yes. A complete misunderstanding. But more importantly—where exactly did you get that information?”

Sion massaged his temples.

I soaked Professor Margaret’s clothes? Sure, that happened.

But what’s this about being intimate with Professor Lunia?

The way these rumors twisted reality… It was malicious editing at its finest.

“I-I heard it from here~.”

“…Huh?”

The nurse hesitantly pulled out her professor’s ID and showed it to him.

[Byzantium Academy]
[Magic Department – Healing Magic Division]
[Professor Maguniria Mamyas]

…Maguniria Mamyas? That’s a pretty unique name. But more importantly—

If she was showing her ID in response to his question…

That meant only one thing.

The communication system built into the academy’s student and professor IDs.

“…No way. Byzanity?”

“Yes~. The academy’s community site… That’s where I read all about you~.”

Maguniria nodded shyly.

Byzanity—the communication network built into student and professor IDs.

It was like an online forum for the academy.

And apparently—

Sion’s name had been circulating there.

The sheer thought of it made his head spin.

Where do I even begin explaining all of this…?