The aftermath of the corrupted slime reeks of charred wood and acrid fumes.
The forest around us bears the scars of the battle—trees sag under the weight of wilted leaves, the ground marred by blackened slime stains.
It's a grotesque kind of calm, but I'll take it.
My body feels like it's made of stone. Every step is a reminder that I've pushed myself to the edge. The dark mana from that potion was no joke; it's like a hammer pounding inside my skull.
Rustle rustle...
I glance around, expecting another monster coming my way.
But when I see a familiar face, my shoulder relaxes.
It'd be much easier if you found me early, sigh.
It is Silva's approach from the trail of destruction the slime left. Her steps are unhurried, calculated, as if she's inspecting a battlefield.
"Master," she greets, her tone clipped but with a thread of concern buried beneath. "My apologies for being late."
But then she turn to the surprised red-haired girl.
Before I can answer, Valeria chimes in from my left. She's staring at Silva with a look that's equal parts surprise and caution.
"You... What's she doing here?" Valeria asks, her voice rising slightly as she gestures toward Silva.
Silva raises an eyebrow. "I could ask the same."
Why are they so hostile to each other?
"Do you two... know each other?"
They give each other a look and in unison, "No."
"Silva, my maid" I say, pointing to her, then to Valeria. "Valeria, somebody apparently."
Neither of them looks particularly satisfied with my explanation. They exchange glances—quick, sharp, and laden with some kind of unspoken understanding.
It feels like I'm missing something between them but my tiredness overshadowed my curiosity.
Before I can press the issue, a sharp beep in the corner of my vision demands my attention.
[Warning: You are fatigued. Ten minutes before your consciousness shuts down.]
Oh, fantastic. I love when my own body gives me ultimatums. That's why I feel like something is sitting on me.
Silva steps closer, studying me like I'm about to keel over any second. "Master, you don't look well."
"Just… peachy," I mutter, trying not to let the spinning in my head show.
"Peachy?" Valeria echoes, crossing her arms. "You look like you're about to pass out. You sure you don't need a nap or something?"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I deadpan, scanning the clearing for distractions.
My gaze lands on the shimmering blue pentagram stretching across the sky. The teleportation spell—our ticket back to the Academy.
The forest sounds quieter now. The demons are dealt with and other forest monsters are still hiding quietly not to get involved in the chaos.
So they have done it... I guess that's the hero for you.
"We can go now," I announce, reaching into my pack to check on the herbs. Three precious plants, intact and practically glowing with mana. They're the key to acing this trial, and I'm not about to leave them behind.
Silva's eyes flick to the contents of my bag. She doesn't say anything, but there's a glimmer of approval—or maybe curiosity—in her expression.
"You gathered all three," she remarks, her voice betraying a hint of surprise. "Impressive, Master."
Valeria leans over to peer into my bag. "What's so special about those? They just look like weeds to me."
"They're not weeds," I snap, yanking the bag away.
She shrugs, unbothered.
I ignore her and focus on Silva, who looks far too amused for my liking. "Would you be able to go back without me losing an item?"
"Rest assured, Master," she replies smoothly. "For this once the academy regard me as a registered student, I'm exempt from such concerns."
Of course she's already thought this through.
Then we both turn to her.
"Wait," Valeria cuts in, raising a hand. "I'm not a student. Does that mean I'm stuck here?"
"Yes," I say without hesitation.
Her mouth drops open. "What?! Can't you just bring me with you?!"
"You're not a student, it'd be highly illegal to take you," says Silva, "Why would you expect any of us to do that for you, a random person. Secondly, my Master can only bring three items that he found in this trial."
"You can't just leave me here! I... I have to..."
Her face is red and eyes are wet.
I shrug, already turning back to Silva. "I took care of the monster chasing you, isn't that why we met? Now you can go back to whetever you came here for without me."
Which is really weird because no one just casually enter the forest. But she is not my concern anymore.
"You can't!"
Silva hides a smirk behind her hand, clearly enjoying this more than she should. "Master, shall I go ahead? I should prepare everything when you come back to your dorm."
I nod, dismissing her with a wave. "Go."
With a graceful bow, she speaks the headmistress's name. The blue light envelops her, and in a flash, she's gone.
I exhale, steeling myself for my own teleportation.
But before I can say the spell, Valeria's hand clamps over my mouth.
"Wait!"
Her grip is firm, her eyes wide with some mix of desperation and urgency.
"What are you doing?" I mumble through her hand.
"Just—listen," she says, glancing around as if the trees might be eavesdropping.