Chapter 236 (1/2)

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Chapter 236 – Words and Hearts

Paula was in the dorms with the warriors from Jarazack, tending to the wounded, when the sound of an explosion echoed throughout the campus. Hikaru told her to “heal them, but not too much that she'd draw attention”. It didn't quite sit right with her, knowing she could heal them completely, but she had no other choice. Her abilities had to be kept secret.

「What was that?!」

The deafening sound came from the yard, followed by the earth rumbling. What's happening? she thought. Hikaru was not here. Is he over there?

「Calm down, young lady.」one man said.「Hey! Those who can move, follow me! We're gonna see what's going on. Wait, where are you going?!」

Feeling uneasy, Paula bolted out of the room. She was running down the hallway when suddenly, it turned bright outside.

That's Lavia's magic that Hikaru-sama carries around. There are still enemies around and he's out there fighting alone. I may not be able to do much, but I can heal him if anything happens.

Hikaru always faced enemies alone, almost never bringing Paula with him. Instead, he asked her to stay somewhere safe.

But what if he gets hurt? Who will help him if he's in danger?

Paula was about to step out of the building when she heard a thunderous roar. Fear seizing her heart, she grasped both her hands tightly over her chest.

「I-If Hikaru-sama's there…」she muttered, lips trembling, and started running once more.

What she saw was a huge drakon hovering in the skies. She had just conquered her fear, and now her legs were shaking. The gigantic creature watched the ground with animosity. Then a magic circle as big as the drakon appeared.

Paula was prepared to die. She had never seen or heard of a magic circle that big. It had to be one of those spells that appeared only myths and fables, spells that could destroy a whole mountain, stop a river from flowing, or part the sea. The magic circle was pointed in her direction.

「Hikaru-sama…?」

But the threat vanished in no time at all. A black beam shot from on top of a roof. Someone wearing a black coat was up there. It had to be Hikaru. The drakon's magic circle disappeared and the creature plummeted to the ground.

「Wow… Incredible! You're so amazing, Hikaru-sama!」

Her fear-ridden heart was now filled with hope. I should go to him, she thought. I'm sure he's exhausted. I can make him some tea.

Overjoyed, she headed to where Hikaru was. On the way, she noticed a lot of people coming from the other direction. Lavia was with them. Paula a.s.sumed that they were guards that she called for help.

Lavia's here, too. That's even better. They must be cold. I can give them something warm to drink.

Hikaru was talking to the guards with his silver mask on. Paula knew that he put the mask on whenever he did something he didn't want others to find out about. He didn't bother wearing it during Ludancia's attack, but the drakon matter—where the creature came from, she didn't know—was a different story altogether. He didn't want to get involved in it.

「…Ah.」

The expressionless masked man cast a glance at Lavia. Lavia stared at the mysterious man with a serious look as though she was aware of everything going on, and flashed a smile. Hikaru smiled broadly in response.

It was as though they understood each other well, like they just connected naturally—a sign that they fully trusted each other.

I know. They're lovers and I should be happy about their good relations.h.i.+p.

「So why?」

But she couldn't stop the stinging in her heart.

Hikaru noticed Paula heading towards him with Mana Detection. She stopped halfway, however, and turned back. He wondered what was going on.

「So you're saying a drakon destroyed this whole place and you drove it away?!」the head of the guards said, repeating Hikaru's explanation.

Hikaru calmly nodded. He had already stuffed Drake into the Dimension Dragon Box so the guards wouldn't see him. The white drakon didn't want to, but his color would make him stand out, leaving Hikaru not much of a choice.

「That's what I've been saying.」Hikaru replied.

「Then where's the drakon?!」

「Who knows? Maybe it escaped.」

「You expect me to believe that—」

「Anyway, I'm leaving. You guys can do whatever you want.」

「H-Hey!」

Hikaru turned around and scuttled towards the back of the building, activating his Stealth. He breathed a sigh as he removed the mask.

All right, then. You guys can clean the place up. Right now, I need to establish an alibi about what I was doing when the drakon was around. I should ask Paula for help.

Paula returned to the dorms, but not where the wounded were. She was somewhere far, alone. Hikaru waited for the warriors from Jarazack to pa.s.s by before making his way to where she was.

「Paula? What are you doing here?」

She was at the end of a dark hallway.

「Huh? H-Hikaru-sama?!」

Hikaru was caught by surprise. Even in the darkness, he could tell there were tears in her eyes.

「What's wrong? Did something happen in the dorm while I was gone?」

「I-It's nothing! Nothing happened!」

That can't be true, Hikaru thought. The Paula he knew was always positive and cheerful. Her crying in a dark place like this meant something definitely happened.

「Are you hurt or something—」

「I-I'm fine! I'm okay, really. I'll be going now. I still need to heal the wounded.」

Hikaru grabbed her hand from behind as she pa.s.sed by him.

「Tell me what's wrong.」he said.

Hikaru didn't know what to do in these kinds of situation. Paula clearly needed help, and it felt like she was avoiding him. Should I call Lavia? he wondered. His Instinct told him no. It was he himself who needed to speak to her.

They were silent for a while. Then unable to bear the silence any longer, Paula spoke.

「Hikaru-sama… Can I really stay by your side?」

「Where'd this come from?」

「It's just… I'll get in the way between you and Lavichan.」