"Thanks, Sharkai. With your frequent visits, I feel closer to my rich-person goals."

Inside the familiar infirmary room of Celestial Carving Academy, Earth Spirit Rehake stood by Sharkai Bai’s bedside, smiling.

"...Heh."

Sharkai Bai had no better reply. He stared at the familiar white bandages wrapped around his chest.

After triggering Berserk Mode twice straight and nearly dying from the First Attendant’s blows, he’d apparently been saved.

"How many times have you ended up in this bed? Are you secretly a terrorist posing as a student?"

"Hey, hey... What terrorist group wants a D-rank mage?"

"Rest well. You’ll be discharged this afternoon."

Earth Spirit Rehake left after speaking.

In Sharkai Bai’s memory, no matter how badly injured he was, the answer upon waking was always the same: discharge by afternoon.

(...No way that’s this messed up, right?)

Sharkai Bai sighed inwardly.

Shortly after Earth Spirit Rehake left, a familiar face entered.

If he could, Sharkai Bai wouldn’t have wanted to see this person.

Shinji Sanmi wore her usual confident, proud smile.

"Carrying you back was exhausting."

"So I was saved by you—the one who looks like you had all the festival fun right in front of me?"

Sharkai Bai’s displeasure dripped from his tone as he glared at Shinji Sanmi’s grinning face.

"Yes!"

"You shamelessly admit it..."

Sharkai Bai still couldn’t recall who’d shielded him when he was dying.

The person who stood before him as death closed in.

In his near-death haze, no features of that savior remained clear.

"Don’t worry. Hesna’s situation is resolved."

"Huh? Did you wipe out the Ghost Dragon Martial Consortium?"

"Impossible. Too many complications. I only secured Hesna’s future safety."

"...Thanks. But why help me?"

Sharkai Bai stared at Shinji Sanmi with a vacant gaze.

Was she planning to dissect him later, cashing in this favor?

(No way...)

Cold sweat prickled his back.

"Haven’t I said it? You’re fascinating."

"..."

"Relax! Worried I’ll dissect you? Hahaha!"

Shinji Sanmi patted his shoulder and burst into laughter.

"Defeating two of the Five Dragon Kings alone. Defying all of Celestial Carving Academy for a girl’s life. Even dreaming of wiping out a whole faction solo—doesn’t that make you interesting?"

"...Seriously, how deeply have you investigated me?!"

She’d uncovered nearly everything.

Like a total creep.

"Oh! What about Situ Sheng?!"

He suddenly remembered Situ Sheng, who’d lost consciousness during their fight.

Why vanish from the continent? Why join that bastard Xia Yuan’s side?

So many questions burned in Bai’s mind.

"Oh? That Five Dragon Kings guy? Not my type. Didn’t bother bringing him back."

Shinji Sanmi spoke matter-of-factly.

"Don’t glare. He disappeared after the Winged Deity Punishment Church war. Xia Yuan likely modified him. Dragging him back would be pointless."

Arms crossed, Shinji Sanmi sat on the bed’s edge, leg propped up, radiating impatience.

"Tch! Either way, I’ll settle this with Xia Yuan."

That insane sorcerer had caused endless trouble.

No reason to spare him—even after helping with Xia Feina.

"Certain things about your body... fascinate me!"

"W-What do you mean?"

A bad feeling surged as Shinji Sanmi pounced on the bed, crawling toward him.

"Aaaaaah!!! Don’t touch there!!"

"It’s fine! I trust Earth Spirit Rehake’s skills!"

"My clothes——! H-Help! Aaaaaah——!!"

Just as Shinji Sanmi did something "excessive" to Sharkai Bai, Hesna burst through the door.

"Big brother! Are you okay?! I heard you went to the Ghost Dragon Martial Consortium behind my back!! That’s so dangerous! If you do it again, Hesna won’t... talk to... you... anymore..."

Hesna’s voice faded.

Before her, a girl barely older straddled Sharkai Bai, tearing at his clothes as he struggled wildly.

Sharkai Bai and Shinji Sanmi froze mid-motion.

The world seemed to stop.

"V-Very sorry! I disturbed you, big brother!"

"Don’t go! Hesna! Stop!"

Helplessly, Sharkai Bai watched Hesna flee, screaming, "Aaaaaah—Sister Xia Feina!!"

Finally, a rare blush on her face, Shinji Sanmi climbed off him.

"Ah, ah—Kami Miraishi needs me. I’m leaving."

She masked something with her usual arrogant tone.

Sharkai Bai fixed his clothes, relieved as Shinji Sanmi headed for the door.

"Cecilia Xuelian should be at the academy gate now."

"Xue...lian?"

Sharkai Bai froze mid-motion.

In his mind, the one who’d shielded him near death was a blonde girl.

Her voice wasn’t unfamiliar either.

Could it be... Cecilia Xuelian?

Sharkai Bai shot up from bed, ignoring his wounds, and sprinted out.

It was the fourth day of the academy festival.

Cecilia Xuelian wandered alone through the academy, weaving past the chaotic crowd.

Yesterday’s talk with Shinji Sanmi had revealed everything. While rushing to save Sharkai Bai, she’d regretted sending that impulsive annulment letter.

Outside the operating room, after confirming he’d survive, she’d only glimpsed nurses carrying him to his ward.

No matter how much she cared, no matter how deep her regret—

Xuelian now had no reason left to stay by his side.

Every corner of this academy held memories of her and Bai.

Bai probably... wouldn’t forgive her, right?

Tears welled in Cecilia Xuelian’s eyes, but her steps didn’t slow.

Dazed, she finally reached the academy gate.

As she stepped toward her butler’s waiting car—

A shout came from behind.

"Hey! Xuelian!"

Cecilia Xuelian turned to see a familiar figure.

She stood frozen as tears spilled over.

"Huff... Just come back..."

Sharkai Bai panted heavily, looking utterly clumsy in his patient gown.

He didn’t know how she’d respond.

Having spoken his heart, Bai’s nerves tightened.

Facing the sweaty, disheveled boy, Xuelian wiped her tears and let out a soft "pfft" laugh.

"Let’s go!"

"...Huh?"

"Punishment time, darling~~!"

Xuelian threw herself into Bai’s arms.

"The festival’s not over yet. Let’s go!"

"...O-Okay!"

Agony flared through his body, but Sharkai Bai gritted his teeth and answered.

The blonde girl smiling through tears. The boy pretending pain didn’t exist.

Their story would keep unfolding in this academy.