Chapter 30: Because I Like You, Sis!

Felix Foundation Infirmary.

Located away from the school, the infirmary was established for the well-being of the faculty and staff of the Felix Foundation.

It was also where academy students with illnesses or injuries beyond the scope of the school nurse were treated.

“…….”

Ruah stopped in front of room 202. In one hand, she carried a bag with clothes and toiletries.

—Knock, knock.

“Yes!”

After hesitating, she knocked, and a cheerful voice responded from inside. Ruah pushed the door open with her shoulder.

“Oh, sis!”

Suah, sitting on the bed in a patient gown, waved cheerfully. An IV needle was inserted into her left arm.

“Thanks! Looks like you came straight from work.”

“Yeah….”

The room was a well-equipped single room, a courtesy provided by the Felix Foundation, who were responsible for the accident. Of course, the hospitalization and treatment fees were waived.

“Here’s what you asked for.”

“Thanks.”

Ruah placed the bag next to the bed and hopped onto the chair for visitors.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

Suah smiled brightly.

“I just overdid it a bit. I’ll recover after a few days of rest.”

The problem was that she had used her skills until her mana was completely depleted. The doctor had explained that she had strained her mana circuits and body, and needed rest for a while.

It would have been great if Ruah could heal her with [Healing] or [Perfect Healing], but those skills were only effective on external injuries and couldn’t restore internal depletion.

“…….”

Ruah took Suah’s hand and held it in both of hers.

“I’m sorry. You wouldn’t have gotten hurt if it weren’t for me.”

“…….”

Ruah felt deeply guilty for Suah’s injury.

Even to her, her actions, charging at the monster to figure out the conditions for Suah’s power-up, seemed foolish. She should have anticipated that Suah would overexert herself.

‘She got hurt because of me.’

If they had focused on defense and escape and waited for the teachers to arrive, Suah wouldn’t have been hospitalized.

“It was my fault, my greed.”

Ruah confessed honestly.

“Greed?”

“I wanted to see how strong you were. When you blocked the slime’s attacks multiple times with [Ether Shield] at first, I was curious about the conditions that made it possible.”

Suah looked at Ruah silently.

“I found out that you become stronger only when you’re trying to protect me… but I didn’t think you would push yourself that hard. It’s my fault.”

Perhaps Ruah was still living in this world with the mindset of playing a game.

‘This is reality now.’

She should have realized it when Himari offered to become her ‘moon’, or when Juju defeated Lee Hwi-seong. That they weren’t just game characters she knew, but living, breathing people with emotions.

But foolishly, she had pushed Suah too hard, still in the mindset of playing a game.

“It won’t happen again.”

It was a promise to herself as well.

“So don’t do that either, Suah.”

“…….”

“You don’t have to push yourself that hard just for me.”

“Sis.”

At Suah’s words, Ruah looked up at her younger sister—

“—Ouch!”

Suddenly, Suah pinched Ruah’s cheek between her thumb and forefinger. It hurt so much that tears welled up in Ruah’s eyes.

“Ow….”

Suah, her face angry, looked at the teary-eyed Ruah.

“I understand you rushed at the slime out of greed to test my abilities. I’ll forgive you for that.”

“S-Sorry….”

“That’s not what you should be apologizing for!”

—Smack!

Suah cupped Ruah’s face in her hands and pulled her closer.

“What? ‘You don’t have to push yourself that hard just for me’? What does that even mean!”

“Huh? What?”

“You’ve always been like this, ever since we were little. I would always go and punish the kids who made you cry. Remember?”

Of course, Ruah didn’t have such memories. But given their relationship, Ruah could easily imagine it being true.

“It hasn’t changed now.”

“…….”

“You’re the most important person to me. This incident made me realize that. When I think you’re in danger, I instinctively want to give everything to protect you.”

Her cheeks squeezed, Ruah just blinked and looked at Suah.

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone else.”

“Suah….”

“So don’t say things like that. It hurts my feelings.”

Released from Suah’s grasp, Ruah sat back down properly.

After pondering what to say, Ruah hesitantly spoke,

“Yeah… I’m sorry.”

Suah finally smiled and stroked Ruah’s hair.

“Juju came by earlier.”

“Oh, really?”

“I heard you’re giving Juju and Himari special tutoring.”

“Oh, uh….”

Surprised that the two had talked, Ruah nodded, flustered.

“I want to join too when I get discharged.”

“You, Suah?”

“If I have an ability I don’t know about, I want to use it to protect you.”

Her younger sister’s expression was serious.

“I don’t know what kind of lessons they are, but I’ll practice to use the power I used to protect you more safely and whenever I want.”

“…….”

“So help me.”

Ruah’s lips parted.

It was difficult to readily agree.

Certainly, the power Suah had displayed while protecting Ruah was more than enough for a party’s mage. Her relationship with Ruah and the other party members was also good.

But Ruah was afraid of hurting Suah again.

“I know what you’re worried about.”

Suah said.

“But I’ll always step in if you’re in danger. And then I’ll end up hospitalized like this again, right?”

“What?”

“Then wouldn’t it be more reasonable to train beforehand?”

Suah smiled, making a cute threat.

“And I can’t leave you alone with just those two.”

“What do you mean….”

Ruah sighed softly.

Suah saying she would always step in if Ruah was in danger was a checkmate. It was a pattern Ruah couldn’t avoid, even if she knew it was coming.

Then, as Suah said, it would be better to train her to control her power rather than let her recklessly overuse her skills again.

‘Besides….’

It seemed she still couldn’t let go of her gamer self.

Because the prospect of a party enhanced by Suah’s power excited her.

“Okay.”

“Really?!”

As Ruah nodded, Suah smiled brightly and hugged her. Ruah’s hair was messed up after she finally escaped from her sister’s embrace.

“Then we’ll start when you’re discharged.”

“Okay!”

“Make sure you recover completely. It’ll be tough.”

“Yes, teacher!”

Ruah chuckled and stood up, walking towards the door. It was time to go.

“See you tomorrow!”

“…….”

Ruah stopped with her hand on the doorknob.

“Hey, Suah.”

“?”

Ruah looked back at Suah.

“Why… do you go that far for me?”

It was the question she had been keeping deep inside. Why was Suah so determined to protect her?

It was a heavy question, but Suah’s answer was incredibly light.

“Huh? That’s because I like you, sis!”

“…Is that all?”

“Do you need another reason?”

Suah tilted her head, answering with a question.

“Y-Yeah, okay….”

Ruah blushed for some reason and left the room with her head down.

The next afternoon, a hearing regarding the monster research class incident was held in the chairman’s office, located on the top floor of the academy building.

“Is everyone here?”

Sitting at the head of the long table was Chairman Pyo Young-han. He usually didn’t interfere much with the school’s operations, but this incident was serious enough for him to take action personally.

“Yes, Chairman.”

“All the first-year teachers are present.”

The first-year teachers sat in a row on one side.

“All the second-year teachers are here as well.”

The second-year teachers were seated on the other side. It was only natural, as the incident had occurred during a joint class for the first and second years.

“And the witnesses?”

The chairman’s gaze shifted to the chairs placed separately at the other end of the table.

—Gulp.

There were four witnesses.

On the far right sat the monster research teacher, trembling nervously. Next to him was Ruah. Then Himari.

Ruah, as the only teacher who had witnessed the entire incident, was required to attend. Himari was there in place of Suah, who had defeated the slime.

And on the far left sat a man with his arms crossed, eyes closed.

‘The Hunter from the academy’s operations team who captured the slime.’

He was arguably the most responsible, but he showed no signs of nervousness, calmly awaiting his turn.

“I-I-I’m all—”

“Yes, we are all present.”

Himari calmed the stammering Ruah and answered in her stead. As if telling her not to worry because she was there, Himari subtly placed her hand on Ruah’s.

“Good. Let’s begin.”

Chairman Pyo Young-han’s sharp gaze swept over the attendees.

“This incident has shaken the trust in our Felix Academy and threatened the safety of our students. We are taking this matter very seriously.”

It was a statement that bordered on a warning.

“The purpose of this hearing is to thoroughly understand the details of the incident and clearly establish accountability.”

“…….”

“Then let’s begin. Call the first witness.”