"What?" I looked down at my stomach, a crimson color taking over my white uniform.
"W-What?!" Selica stammered between her words.
"Gh–" I still couldn't feel the pain properly, I was numb to it.
I only felt a burning sting that sent signals to my brain.
"Ah…" I feel like puking. I thought as I felt gastric juices rising up my throat, but I soon realized it wasn't that when my breathing got erratic and difficult.
Fuck, it's blood clotting over in my throat.
I pushed myself, trying to puke it out. "Bwagh!" I finally spat it out and breathed a mouthful of fresh air, my lips and chin were all red now.
"Where the fuck did you even get a spear from?" I voiced roughly.
The lackey who stabbed me was shivering on the ground, "It wasn't me, it wasn't me, it wasn't me!" He kept repeating that, it was probably the first time he stabbed someone to death.
Well, not really, since he missed the vitals. Thank god he didn't impale my liver.
"Selica, the blade isn't really deep in, please make a cloth ready, so I don't die of bleeding out," I instructed my so-called girlfriend.
"Huh?"
"C'mon, are you really that useless?" I asked, grimacing at the pain that was getting visible by the second.
"You damn mongrel, how dare you do such an act when I lost the duel!? Luke yelled at his lackey.
"My pride was already torn to pieces, you want to shame me to death now!?" He pressed on for answers.
"I will contact your family directly, for you will have to act upon your thoughtless actions," Luke said this sentence in a calmer manner, taking a breath for himself after tearing his uniform apart.
"Here," He nabbed the spear from my hand and pulled it in a swift motion.
"Kgha!" I yelled out, "At least tell me to be ready!"
"Shut up, let me see the wound," He pulled my shirt up, my muscles becoming visible to Selica.
"Oh…?" She gazed at my body, then up at my eyes, and quickly averted her gaze.
"What a cute girl you are at such wrong times, Selica," I grinned cynically.
"S-Shut up, hmph!" She put an arm over the other under her nice breasts and whipped her head to the other side, pouting.
Luke began wrapping the torn cloth around my wound, "Be prepared for this one," He voiced, and the next instant he tightened the cloth so hard my breath separated in my lungs.
"You trying to suffocate me or something!?"
"No, simply doing what is necessary."
Damn, he's really a serious guy.
"Yeah, no. I find this weird, why are you helping me?"
"No reason, we fought a duel and I lost, fair and square. Is it wrong to help someone you may receive lessons from?"
"Receive lessons?" I repeated, my tone tinged with confusion, "What do you mean by that?"
"You'll find out later." He spoke out, "For now, we must find you a healer."
"Ah, no, it's okay, I can…" Should I tell them that I can use healing magic? Nah, I shouldn't, "I can't use healing magic, I need someone to help me with this one."
"What was with that pause?" Luke raised his brow, suspicious at my phrasing.
"Ah, for that, I can do it." Selica was the one to speak this time.
"Okay, I am in your care!" I bowed up and down repeatedly.
"Uh, okay?" Selica just eyed me like I was a mentally ill person and then got to work.
***
"Hah," I let a breath of relief escape my lips, "Being healed is the best!" I was slumped on the ground, feeling the rays of the setting sun upon my skin.
"I will send a formal apology towards your family, erm…"
"You don't even know my name!?"
"I don't!" Why so serious!?
"Sigh, Helis, Helis Roadgray."
"Oh, Roadgray, huh?"
"What?"
"No, nothing. The Crimson family will send you a sum of money as a sign of repentance and our goodwill."
"Uh, I appreciate that."
Damn, my family getting money from the Crimsons? Hell yeah!
Time to make connections with stronger families so I have their backup if I ever want to run for Kingship.
Yeah, that isn't happening though.
But so far, it's just the first day at the academy and I've already made a connection with the Golden Aubreys and the Crimsons.
This start is way better than it should be.
Today's definitely a story-worthy day for my [Story] construction against Crisyes.
"Well then, Helis, We shall meet again tomorrow." Luke respectfully bowed his head.
What's with the sudden change in this guy's behavior? I wanted to say it out loud but kept it to myself, and then he walked away from the school ground.
"Sigh, that was so stressful…" Selica slumped her body beside me, burying her face in her knees, "I thought I lost you before even making you mine…" She whispered.
"What?" I asked, acting as if I didn't hear her.
"Nothing."
"Don't worry, if you'll stay by my side and be there for me, I know my heart will ache for your love and companionship in the near future."
"So you heard me!" She punched my shoulder.
"Haha, sorry, sorry. I can't help but tease your bullyable face." I let out a joyous laugh.
Suddenly I realized, how lonely I had been during these sixteen years of my life in Crisyes.
But it's for the greater good that I had been alone.
I know I wouldn't have been able to stay focused on my goal.
I know I wouldn't have gotten this powerful if I had someone to take my mind off of things.
And I also know that something grim is awaiting the near future, why did an otherworldly being visit me during a story-storm? There must be a reason for that and for the knowledge he offered me.
Who knows, something is being cooked up in the background of this lucky-go-happy world.
"It's been fifteen years since that thing visited me, never again did he show up," I said out loud.
"That otherworldly being?"
"You trusted me about that?
"You don't look like the type of guy who lies, although that could be misunderstood as a bluff quite easily."
"That's true…"
What's with this awkward mood… I thought unmoving as the sun set and the dark night swallowed the sky.
"Well then, Helis… Shall we do it?"