The Academy Guard with a Terminal Illness - Chapter 14

Ever since leaving the library, my memory has been hazy.

Even after leaving, our fight didn’t cease.

We moved to a secluded area and fought knowing there were no eyes watching.

Yeong-ae tried to kill me to hide her blemish, and since my opponent was Yeong-ae, I couldn’t act rashly and focused only on defense and evasion.

Because of that, it didn’t end easily.

Then, hearing someone approaching because of the commotion, we wrapped it up and parted ways at the spot.

It seemed one of us had to disappear for the fierce battle to end, but it concluded awkwardly.

“I remember your face! Be prepared!”

Even as she left, Yeong-ae couldn’t calm her excitement.

I distinctly remember her face, flushed with shame and anger.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice was sobbing.

Her behavior was of such rudeness it was hard to believe she was a daughter of the upper class.

There wasn’t an ounce of dignity or grace, facing her felt like dealing with a wild beast.

Despite being tired, as someone with a good heart, I fully understand the girl’s feelings.

Whether or not there was a mistake doesn’t matter.

People tend to go crazy when their secrets are exposed to others.

But, is this really my fault?

She’s the one who did it, why is she trying to shift the blame onto me?

If she had taken care of it at home, none of this would have happened.

They say there are many peculiar people among nobles, the rumor must be true.

After the incident, I thought my life as a guard was over.

Having seen the disgrace of a noble, they would never let it slide.

Yet, nothing happened afterward.

There were no summons from the administration office or suspicious people, and nobody followed me.

No incidents occurred.

Although it’s good nothing has happened, I can’t rest easy.

Why is no harm being done? Is it the confidence that they can bury it quietly?

Or is it that she has forgotten or forgiven?

From the little conversation we had, she didn’t seem like that kind of person.

Not knowing the reason gnaws at my mental state as time goes on.

Why did I get entangled with a noble?

I’m already a pitiable person with only a few years left to live due to a terminal illness.

“Oh dear, my head.”

While sitting on a rarely used bench, rubbing my forehead to rest.

“You seem to have worries too.”

Turning around, Sonia was standing there.

She wore a smile that was somehow delighted. I won’t bother to point out that smile.

I’ve teased her plenty myself.

Sonia plopped down next to me, clasped her hands behind her head.

She leaned back against the seat, turning her gaze towards me.

It’s a questioning look, asking ‘What’s the matter?’

“I got scolded by a superior.”

“Really?”

I don’t feel the need to tell her the truth.

How could I explain such circumstances?

She stares at me with puzzled eyes.

Sonia seems to understand that such things wouldn’t normally intimidate me.

Even though I didn’t voice it, she seemed curious about the real reason.

I smile gently at her sharp insight, waving a hand casually.

“You wouldn’t understand yet being a student, but adults have their own kind of problems.”

“Humph. Acting grand with only a slight age difference.”

“A six-year difference is quite a bit, isn’t it?”

“What’s big about that? At least a twenty-year difference is needed. Besides, you call yourself an adult? Real adults would laugh at that.”

That’s true.

But when you include my previous life, my age should easily surpass that.

Still, I don’t bring up my past life. There’s no need for such talk.

I chuckle at her words and drink from a beverage.

Seeing what I held, Sonia wrinkles her expression.

“Ew! You actually drink that stuff?”

“What’s wrong with it? It’s so good for you.”

A health drink made by concentrating rare medicinal herbs.

The color may reduce one’s appetite and the rising bubbles may cause unease, but it’s not harmful at all.

This time, I considered taste based on my colleagues’ remarks.

“Do you want to try it? You’ll need stamina to study.”

“Who would drink that? I’d never drink it, you drink it yourself.”

“Really? This is actually quite hard to get. You won’t have another chance to drink it.”

“Just looking at it makes my stomach churn, but… if you insist, I could try a bit.”

“Wait a moment. I’ll get it ready right away.”

It’s convenient with portability, making preparation easy.

But she said.

“The one you drank is fine.”

Saying that, she snatched the one I was drinking.

With a determined face, Sonia slowly drinks from it.

It’s from the spot where I drank.

I can’t tell if she’s heedless or just bold.

Finishing it in one go, her shoulders twitch, brow furrowing.

But it seems it somewhat suits her taste as she licks her lips.

“How is it? Tasty, right?”

When I asked with glowing eyes, Sonia looked at me oddly.

“Why do you drink this stuff? Won’t it make your health worse?”

“It’s all about health. You have to take care of yourself while young.”

“Health, huh. Have you always been this weak? From the outside you seem fine, but you do cough a lot.”

Her eyes were unusually serious.

They tremble slightly with unease and worry.

I can’t tell someone with such eyes that a curse has made me weaker and I only have a few years left.

Our relationship has changed significantly since the beginning.

Maybe not before, but now she’d definitely worry.

But it seems hard to nonchalantly evade like I usually do. Acting that way would only indicate there’s something going on.

To deceive someone, mix truth and lies appropriately.

“It’s an aftermath of the war. Being on the battlefield for so long, small ailments came about. It’s nothing major, so don’t worry.”

“Alright… if it’s that.”

Her face showed acceptance and understanding.

I felt relieved thinking she bought it.

But her expression slightly darkened when the war was mentioned.

Perhaps it brought back bad memories.

The atmosphere became heavy.

“Oh, right. Do you know a student with blonde hair and greenish-blue eyes?”

“Blonde hair and green eyes?”

Sonia leaned her chin on her hand, falling deep into thought.

With the topic change, the heavy atmosphere dissipated.

“Are you talking about ‘Aria Asclepios’?”

Asclepios?

I snapped my fingers as it finally came to me.

“Yes, that was the family name.”

A family noted for their blond hair and emerald eyes.

The Asclepios family.

A duke family known as the pinnacle in fields related to medicine in the kingdom.

“Why do you ask about her?”

Sonia’s question makes me recall the event at the library.

I absolutely can’t talk about that.

I decide to deflect with something mundane.

“It’s nothing. I just saw her from afar and she seemed different from other students. I got curious about what kind of student she is.”

“Well, she is a bit different.”

Sonia spoke as if she knew her.

“Do you know her?”

“Well, I’m in the same class.”

At Akashic Academy, class assignments aren’t based on status.

I heard that it’s based on skill.

Even though Sonia takes supplementary lessons and seems unfit for studious environments.

She’s quite a distinguished student.

It wouldn’t be odd if she’s placed in an upper class.

“What’s with that look?”

“It’s nothing. So what is she like?”

“I haven’t talked to her, but…”

Aria Asclepios is said to be the protagonist of her class.

She supposedly maintains a calm and elegant demeanor, befitting a noble lady.

And despite being in a high position, she is kind and courteous to commoners, gaining admiration from many.

Since she is a small and cute girl, she’s popular among boys and adored by other girls as a mascot figure.

“In our class, she’s called the little saint, little goddess… She already has more than 15 nicknames. Oh, I heard she has the potential to be a great saint.”

“Wow, well a family like that is bound to have such nicknames.”

A saint.

Imagining Aria in a saint’s attire.

Crowds gather on the plaza, reaching out and praising her.

Aria gently smiles and extends her hand to them.

But her benevolent and gentle face overlaps with what she showed in the library.

A saint.

Could she have been a saint (聖女) in appearance but actually a siren (性女)?

“Don’t take too much interest in her.”

“Huh? Why?”

Her tone bore a peculiar animosity.

“She’s of a different status. If you get close, you probably won’t live long. I heard students following her even have secret meetings.”

“Wow. That sounds intense.”

Aria could potentially influence students with just a word.

This could get really big if mishandled.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m a much better choice.”

I didn’t catch her last words as she mumbled quietly.

When I asked again, her face turned beet red.

Sonia abruptly stood up.

“Oh, nothing!”

Sonia flailed her arms, fuming.

I wonder if it’s because of the health drink?

It must not suit students.

“Oh, speaking of which, there’s a strange rumor going around school.”

“A rumor?”

I relayed a rumor surrounding Sonia.

Predictably, Sonia flared up in anger and fumed.

Her antics amused me, I burst into laughter beside her.

That only aggravated her more and she shook my collar roughly.

I laughed for a good while.

◆

Today some class is heading outdoors for a lesson.

It’s different from the regular academy practical lessons.

It’s a course where students spend three days and two nights in the forest, self-sufficient, gaining experiences through their own efforts.

Even after such an incident, they still conduct such lessons.

The academy’s educational policy is beyond understanding.

I accompany to guard the students with other guards.

“Ah!”

“Huh?!”

And I came face to face with a student with blonde hair and emerald eyes.

Aria.

Of all places, meeting her here.

Is today a special day?