The First Letter (61)

When I opened my eyes, I was looking at the now-familiar ceiling.

The snow-white marble scattered a soft glow, using the cozy sunlight as illumination. The hospital room, furnished with expensive furniture despite its lack of flashy decorations, was needlessly luxurious.

It was not the sort of luxury a rural viscount's second son could enjoy. It was only possible because this was the Academy.

The moment I rose, a dull pain spread through my forearm. The stinging pain made my hand feel numb. All I could do was clench and unclench my fist with a bitter smile.

I had already lost count of how many times it had happened. Lately, it felt as though I had been visiting the temple every other day. That was not counting just the days I had been hospitalized, either; visits to injured acquaintances were included as well.

In particular, I visited Emma's hospital room once or twice a week. I figured I should go see her on my way out today as well.

Since I was already awake, I tried to sit up, only to hear breathing tickle my ear.

I shifted my eyes toward the wheezing sound. There, a petite girl with black hair was asleep with her face buried in the bed.

It was Celin. After we hurriedly stopped the bleeding last night, we headed to the temple, but the bleeding grew severe afterward, and she ended up passing out. Yet it seemed Celin had stayed by my side all night instead of returning to the dormitory after I had fallen asleep.

That was only natural. I had been hospitalized because I was injured while dueling Celin with live blades...