Chapter 150

The large-scale invasion of the Academy by the Demon King Army ended in an unbelievable miracle where not a single casualty occurred.

Originally, the story was about suffering great damage from the countless incoming demons and gradually being overtaken by them, finally finding and defeating Maleficent, but it had completely changed.

Even if the Academy were to collapse, it could be rebuilt quickly, and not a single student was harmed, with professors who had prepared in advance responding well against the demons, so the status of Argen Academy soared to the heavens.

It was so remarkable that conspiracy theories arose suggesting that Dean Argen might have intentionally orchestrated all this to elevate the Academy’s status.

Of course, the students who were present during that chaos dismissed such thoughts, saying it was absurd to think that way, but the Empire’s royal family was utterly shocked.

They say that no news is the best news, but not only did they succeed in defeating Maleficent, an executive of the Demon King Army that had tormented humanity for years, due to the appropriate actions of the dean, students, and professors, but the Academy also had no human casualties aside from some ruined buildings.

There was no doubt that the status of the Academy, and by extension the Empire to which it belonged, would continue to rise day by day.

That alone was enough to attain happiness, but when it was revealed that Uriel, the Empire’s princess, had also participated in the defeat of Maleficent, their status rose even higher.

She herself claimed she hadn’t done much, but well… I wonder how many would actually believe that.

Most just thought Uriel was being humble.

“Ha…”

Once again, I found myself lying in a hospital bed.

Should I call this fortunate?

Most of the injured kids had minor injuries and could be treated quickly, and most of the students had been teleported to safety via bracelets, meaning there was no one I needed to treat.

Considering that the Academy had suffered devastating damage from the large-scale invasion, it was only natural that not even a single professor would be absent.

If there had been one, perhaps, but given that multiple professors had grouped together and that most had been teleported without needing to come and rescue students, it seems that those outside had only encountered low-level demons and had no issues escaping.

Even though it was said that they were prepared, one could easily call it a miracle.

If you were to ask me if it felt like a miracle, I would answer that I don’t know.

The reason is simple.

I need students to treat for my powers to strengthen and to feel the little joys of everyday life.

But still…

‘This is enough to be satisfied…’

Since Maleficent had given me so much just before she died, I found myself satisfied enough that it was fine not to feel pain for a while.

Among all the pain I had experienced up to that point, it might be said to be the highest tier.

It was hard to evaluate.

I was so happy that I almost fainted right there and then, what more can I say?

Until now, I had never experienced pain strong enough to make me pass out.

The most intense pain had been when I was pierced by a high-level demon on entrance ceremony day and injected with magic, but this time I had endured something worse.

Even though I felt I should be satisfied with feeling pain, I found it absurd myself…

‘I guess it’s peaceful for a while now…’

For a little while after the first year ended, nothing would happen until the second year started, so I felt a bit of regret.

Of course, if one thinks realistically, the best thing would be for nothing to happen at all…

‘I should visit the Holy Kingdom this vacation…’

Just recently, I had gone to the Holy Kingdom, but I couldn’t stay long due to prior obligations.

Unlike back then, I didn’t have anything urgent to do now, so I felt I could return to the cathedral after a long time and rest.

Having decided what to do next, I turned to the side.

“Aria…”

Seeing Stella, who stayed by my side to take care of me even after I told her I was okay, made me feel quite complicated.

“Hmm…?”

Perhaps she had just woken up, as she looked around with a dazed expression and then turned to look at me.

Since I was already awake, I waved my hand at her.

“Are you okay? How’s your body?!”

Stella, with wide eyes, asked me anxiously.

What do you mean how am I?

No matter how you look at it, even being a Saint, how could I possibly end up with a permanent disability after a situation involving Maleficent, an ultimate lich sorceress?

“I’m fine. I’m just glad to see that you don’t seem to have any injuries, Stella.”

“… You really…!!”

“Ah…”

Stella’s eyes filled with tears as she pulled me into a hug.

Murmuring how relieved she was.

Um…

‘It’s odd to say this now, but I feel like I’ve shown so many sides of myself until now, why is her reaction so intense?’

She must have seen worse than how much my body melted away due to Maleficent’s magic, yet her concern for me was incomprehensible.

Is it because of who the opponent was?

Well, I had been unconscious for a while because of the magic and had been resting in my consciousness space, likely due to Maleficent…

“I wonder if anything happened? It’s been a long time since I’ve been worried about like this from you, Stella.”

“Uh, um…”

“I will explain.”

Ah.

When did you arrive?

The person who opened the door and walked in was none other than Argen Isis.

Along with her, Evan and Uriel also followed inside.

“You finally woke up. How does your body feel? Is there anywhere uncomfortable?”

“Of course! It’s actually quite comfortable!”

“Phew… I’m glad to hear that. Seeing you respond so well, it makes me wonder if you might be intentionally lying.”

From Argen’s reaction, it seemed that Maleficent had indeed done something to me just before her d*ath.

Having inflicted tremendous pain on me until her final moments, she ultimately realized my true nature and seemed to d*e with a look of emptiness.

“Seems something did indeed happen to you.”

“… Yeah. There would be no point in hiding it, so I’ll be straightforward. She had performed a mind crash on you.”

Ah, I know what that magic is.

It was even in games.

It was a mental magic that, once learned, could collapse the minds of opponents with similar or lower levels, allowing one to breeze through boss fights.

Most boss fights featured stronger opponents, so if one just leveled up normally, they wouldn’t even be able to cast or learn that magic.

By design, it could manipulate the mind with magical power, rendering one unable to act human or erase their memories.

There were plenty of horrifying things that one could do just by hearing it.

Although I couldn’t execute that kind of delicate manipulation like erasing specific memories.

But she cast that on me.

‘So there was a reason for that pain I felt.’

No wonder it had seemed exceptionally strong for the pain one would ordinarily inflict on me.

If I had been a regular person, my mind would have shattered in an instant.

Well, I almost lost my mind in a different sense because of overwhelming pleasure, though.

Comparatively, the threshold for pleasure was high, so I could be considered lucky to have survived.

“Before I explain, I want to apologize first.”

“Eh?”

“I inflicted great harm on you out of my desire for revenge. Even though you endured, that pain was unnecessary had I renounced my desire for revenge.”

Argen approached me, locked eyes, then bowed deeply.

“I’m truly sorry.”

I hadn’t expected her to come so close and bow; the others around us looked on in shock at her actions.

I was in a state of surprise, not expecting Argen to express such remorse.

I felt a disconnect from the Argen I knew.

I waved my arms in a state of panic, responding that it was okay.

I wished she would stand up again, but she continued bowing silently, repeatedly asking for my forgiveness.

“I’m… really okay…”

Of course, it was somewhat burdensome, but she truly had no need to apologize to me.

That meant that if she hadn’t been driven by revenge, I might never have tasted that paradise.

‘It’s genuinely fine…’

But I couldn’t just say that either.

As I pondered what to do, I sighed inwardly.

Maintaining this concept is truly hard…