Chapter 46: Fake Stigmata (9)

The first thing I did was to put up a soundproofing barrier in the dormitory room.

Because the things I’m going to tell Yelena now should never go outside. Especially the story of my second Stigmata.

Two Stigmata. Even the strongest Stigmata for one-on-one combat, and a Stigmata that combines various debuff removal and healing effects, although only within a 10-meter range, this world wouldn’t leave me alone.

So, I said to Yelena while checking the soundproofing barrier.

“Don’t tell anyone what I’m about to say. I haven’t even revealed these things to Elissa and Regina.”

“….”

I, who always acted a little relaxed except when fighting, made a serious expression and set the mood.

Even if Yelena is almost oblivious to interpersonal relationships… she’ll be able to tell that I’m going to say something important.

Honestly, I was anxious. It’s only been about a month since I met Yelena. Telling her my biggest secret had many concerns.

I know Yelena’s personality in the game, and I know that Yelena would never tell anyone about this… but I’ve already felt keenly that the game and reality are different since I came to the academy.

“Because I really trust you, Yelena.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

However, if I keep hiding this, the relationship between Yelena and me will be shaken. I never wanted to lose Yelena.

Besides, since we’ve already decided to jump into the fake Stigmata case together… if I don’t tell her about the existence of the ‘seed’, Yelena might be in danger.

The current fake Stigmata holders are likely to have been influenced by the ‘seed’ for some reason.

If the Dark Cult guys have the seed, Yelena needed to know what role this seed plays.

“…”

Of course, I won’t talk about the Charm (A) stat. If she finds out that I’m charming in front of Yelena whether I want to or not, the relationship might become awkward.

Besides, Yelena didn’t seem to be greatly affected by the charm stat. Then I don’t need to know. I closed my eyes, thinking lightly.

“Huu…”

I lightly exhaled and pushed away the dark mana that circulated in my body for a moment.

At the same time, I slowly pulled up the pink mana gathered deep inside my body. A translucent status window appeared in front of my eyes.

[The set Stigmata is changed to ‘Cherry Blossom Garden’]

Pink mana spread out and the scent of cherry blossoms filled the room.

The Stigmata engraved on the back of my hand changed from the shape of crossed swords to a cherry blossom pattern, and my hair and eyes, influenced by the cherry blossom-colored mana, change slightly.

A faint pink color mixes with the amethyst-like purple eyes. The dark black hair takes on a faint purple color and becomes a tone lighter, and the color of the lips becomes a little deeper.

My impression, which was cute even after receiving the Charm (A) stat, changed a little more maturely. The nature of the mana I held became completely soft.

I didn’t stop there, and clenched my left hand with the Stigmata engraved on it.

[Activate Stigmata ‘Cherry Blossom Garden’]

[Limit the activation range of Stigmata ‘Cherry Blossom Garden’: 3m]

An unseasonal spring breeze blew.

The warm wind that will melt the cold winter gently strokes Yelena’s cheek. A small flower garden spreads around me, and cherry blossom petals fall softly in the room.

It wasn’t a full activation of the Stigmata without restrictions, so a large cherry tree didn’t grow like it did then, but the healing effect granted by the petals was the same.

[Stigmata ‘Cherry Blossom Garden’ grants the ‘Continuous Healing’ effect to the player]

[Continuous Healing: While ‘Cherry Blossom Garden’ is maintained, it grants ‘High-level Healing’, ‘Debuff Removal’, and ‘Fatigue Recovery’ effects to allies within the range of ‘Cherry Blossom Garden’]

[If you go outside the area of ‘Cherry Blossom Garden’, the ‘Continuous Healing’ effect disappears]

“This is…”

When the falling cherry blossom petals touched her skin, the fatigue accumulated from the sparring disappeared. A special magic that cannot be implemented with the currently existing magic system. The blessing of the Stigmata.

Yelena, who had fought on the northernmost front and seen countless Stigmata users, recognized at a glance that this was the power of the Stigmata.

Because the activation system of general magic and Stigmata is completely different.

The activation of general magic is a structure in which a wizard asks a favor of the mysteries of nature. However, Stigmata was a little different. Stigmata is to use the power of the stars to draw on the mysteries of nature.

Yelena was not so foolish as not to recognize this difference.

“…So, that’s why you were reluctant to talk about it.”

“Yes. Because there’s nothing good about knowing this.”

Two stigmata. Even a person with a Stigmata that can be used for multiple purposes in various missions is a talent that everyone wants.

If this fact becomes known, Sian will probably become a strong candidate for the Imperial Knights Commander.

However, Yelena knew too well that Sian would not want that. The Sian Yelena saw was a girl with no desire for power.

Despite becoming a gold-ranked adventurer at the young age of seventeen, she chose to enter the academy.

Even though she became close friends with herself, who is expected to be the next commander of the Northern Knights, she didn’t ask for anything. All Sian wants is just a normal life.

‘…Still, I think I should tell you this now, Yelena. Since Yelena decided to help me. I don’t want my precious person to get hurt.”

“Precious person…”

Yelena was just happy that Sian called her a precious person. Because she was confirmed that she wasn’t the only one who cherished the other.

And, since she even called her a precious person. The thought that they might be able to move beyond a friendship arises.

“…”

“…Thank you for saying that.”

Nevertheless, Yelena couldn’t carelessly speak those words. Because, she was terminally ill.

Sian is a girl with a lot of affection. She might be cold to hostile enemies because of her unfortunate past, but she loves her friends terribly.

If by any chance. If she’s lucky enough to become more than friends with Sian… she’s still going to die in three years. She can still act actively, but by then her body will be really weak.

That was why Yelena couldn’t carelessly approach Sian. She didn’t want to hurt Sian with her death.

In fact, it was right to end the relationship from now on to do that. The longer they spend together, the greater the sense of loss Sian will feel.

The deeper our relationship becomes, the deeper the swamp of sadness Sian will fall into.

She didn’t want to stab a dagger into Sian’s heart. Because Yelena, who understands the pain of losing a loved one better than anyone else.

However, once she felt the warmth from Sian, it was close to impossible to go back to the way it was. So Yelena listened to Sian’s explanation with a guilty expression.

“…So, a strange tree was growing in the middle of the academy’s underground waterway? You absorbed the seed that came out after killing it, and you got a second Stigmata?”

“Yes.”

“And the Dark Cult guys are plotting something with something similar? The terror caused by a guy named Marcus in the autonomous district this time is the proof?”

“That’s right.”

“In many ways, it’s a hard story to believe.”

If Sian hadn’t shown her second Stigmata, she wouldn’t have believed it. Even if it was the words of Sian, her closest friend, it was too absurd.

“But I’ll believe you. Sian, you trusted me and showed me your second Stigmata, so I want to repay that trust.”

“Thank you.”

I smiled and looked at Yelena.

I was so grateful for Yelena’s trust in me. Honestly, I didn’t think she would believe everything I said.

This was a huge achievement. Yelena can’t help me directly right now… but once Elin-sensei finishes the work of finding the fake Stigmata holders, there will be no ally as reliable as Yelena.

Yelena is the Northern Grand Duchess. If necessary, she can use her power, and her power itself is excellent, so she will be a great help if a battle breaks out.

“Then, what are you going to do with those ‘fake Stigmata’ holders?”

“For now, the best way is to lock them up. Lock them up and remove all the magic circles just before the magic circle is activated.”

“If that’s the best, what’s the second best?”

“…I have to kill them.”

Even if touching the fake Stigmata is not a crime punishable by death, the safety of the students came first. Regina’s safety came first.

Clearly, sacrificing a few for the safety of many is wrong… but it’s not right for many to sacrifice for the safety of a few.

You have to know how to cut off what needs to be cut off.

“Even if that friend named Elissa is a fake Stigmata holder?”

“…Yes.”

Unfortunately, I had no choice.

In the trolley dilemma that forces the sacrifice of both sides, I didn’t have the power to stop the train.

So, I couldn’t help but be tempted by Yelena’s following words.

“Then, I’ll take that role.”