I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

28 – 28. Like a Snowball

As I regained my senses, I sat up on the bed and looked around.

A completely unfamiliar landscape wherever I looked. I tried to get up to figure out what had happened.

“Cough!”

And at that moment, a shiver ran through me, and I spat out blood. I stared at the bed, now tainted with a deep crimson color of dried blood, with trembling eyes.

What on earth happened? The state of my body—ah.

In that moment, I realized I had survived the Black Ocean. Certainly, using the Eyes of Twilight—

Yes, I had survived.

But more than the relief of surviving, the pain shaking my entire body felt even more intense.

The vision was spinning wildly. A piercing ringing filled my ears, and the taste and scent of vomited blood induced nausea.

And, above all else—my head was throbbing in pain as if it would split open.

“Ugh….”

I felt like I was going to die. My whole body trembled, and my arms wouldn’t move properly.

As I writhed in pain on the bed for a while, the door opened, and someone entered the room.

“…Ah, you’ve awakened. Don’t worry, this place is safe. Just rest. Your body is not in good condition yet.”

“…Who.”

No, there was no need to ask. If someone in priestly attire was talking about the state of my body, they had to be a priest.

“All the blood vessels in your body are torn, and above all, your brain is in the worst condition. It must be the consequence of using magic beyond your limits.”

…”

I stared at the priest in front of me. The priest spoke with a serious expression.

Due to the lingering dark magic in my body, recovery is progressing slowly. I’ll have to lie down for a few more days. I survived because the response was relatively quick.

Probably because I had swallowed the magic stone, a considerable amount of dark magic had accumulated in my body.

Well, it’s quite amusing to think that I believed there would be no side effects after using such uncontrollable energy.

With my throat feeling like it would tear apart, I barely managed to speak.

“Where… am I?”

The priest opened his mouth.

“This is the Duke of Delphias’s mansion. Vanessa Delphias brought you here herself.”

Upon hearing that, I uttered a sound of realization. Now that I thought about it, the mask was also removed, and I was dressed in different clothes.

“For now, rest a little more. As you recover, you’ll be able to move gradually.”

Hearing those words, I lay back on the bed. Miraculously, the priest instantly purified the blood-stained sheets.

Gradually, my eyes closed, and I fell into a deep sleep.

So, for several days, I rested at the Delphias mansion. My condition improved over time, and when I was somewhat better, someone visited me.

“Is the painful area better now?”

Snow-white hair. And eyes so blue they seemed distant.

It was Vanessa Delphias who had come to visit me.

She casually sat on the chair next to my bed and spoke.

“Oh, I didn’t introduce myself. I was hiding it, but my name is Vanessa Delphias. I brought you to my estate because your condition was critical.”

… It was already a known fact, but I nodded my head slightly in greeting. Vanessa looked at me and asked.

“Um, what’s your name? I wanted to thank you because I could survive even against the Black Ocean, thanks to you.”

As soon as I heard those words, I felt as if my breath was caught in my throat.

If I revealed my name and she found out that I was originally a member of the Delphias, one of the five major noble families, and had fallen from grace, what would she think?

There is no shame in the family. However, I didn’t want to reveal the fallen state of my circumstances. So, I said,

“…I don’t want to say my name.”

Upon hearing my words, Vanessa made a surprised sound and said,

“Why? Did I do something wrong?”

“Just personal reasons. I don’t have any particular dissatisfaction with Vanessa, the lady.”

Upon hearing those words, Vanessa sighed.

“At first, I thought you were reluctant to speak because of the surveillance I conducted, but I’m relieved that it’s not the case. So, what should I call you then? Magician?”

Fortunately, she didn’t delve further into the aspects I preferred to keep hidden.

“Yes, that will do for now.”

Although we would meet again at the academy, I didn’t want to disclose my situation and circumstances unnecessarily. Vanessa made a sound of realization and said, “Get a hold of yourself. I brought food, and I forgot about it. You must be hungry.”

Indeed, it was gradually approaching lunchtime. Vanessa placed a tray with a bowl on my bedside table.

Inside the bowl was a watery porridge. Of course, given my current digestive condition, I couldn’t handle anything meat-like, but at least it should have some chewing sensation. However, a sigh escaped me as soon as I looked at its contents.

“Ugh…”

“It might not taste great, but it’s the best option for your current condition. Eat it. I’ll feed you.”

Saying so, Vanessa scooped porridge onto a spoon and brought it to my mouth.

I muttered with reluctance, “What is this?”

Vanessa replied as if it were obvious, “It’s feeding. I’m feeding you.”

I looked at her and asked, “Why are you doing this? My arm moves fine now.”

Vanessa shook her head.

“Stability is a priority for patients. That’s why I’m feeding you. Hurry, or your arm might give out.”

I grimaced. Staring at the spoon in front of me for a while, I eventually opened my mouth and reluctantly tasted it.

In response, Vanessa smiled brightly and scooped another spoonful of porridge.

“Eat a lot. It’s necessary for your recovery.”

Though not entirely false, did it really have to be like this? Feeling something within me, as if the essence of my humanity was crumbling, I had no choice but to accept and consume the porridge she offered.

Before I knew it, the bowl was empty, and Vanessa instructed the maid to take the remaining food before turning her gaze towards me.

I looked at her and spoke, “Are you not busy? Lady Vanessa, it seems like you would have a lot on your plate.”

It was a subtly implied suggestion for her to take a break, but Vanessa continued to smile, shaking her head gently, “No, I’m not busy. When my father heard that the Black Ocean survived, he was so surprised that he gave me some time off. Besides, I thought you might feel lonely, so I wanted to keep you company as a fellow magician.”

No, it’s unnecessary.

Even though I thought so inwardly, I forced a polite response, “Well then, feel free to do as you please.”

Vanessa brightened at my words. Was she always like this? I hadn’t noticed when she wore a mask, but she seemed quite cheerful.

Looking at me, she said, “Why did you happen to come to the North? Didn’t you say last time that you were trying to conduct research, but due to practical circumstances, you ended up using forbidden magic?”

“Ah…”

As Vanessa nodded while listening to my explanation, I asked her, “So why were you in the village where I was? You’re the daughter of a duke, aren’t you? Aren’t you busy?”

In response to my question, Vanessa made a sound of consideration before answering, “I don’t have much to do. I’ve heard that socializing is challenging for central nobility due to the social hierarchy, but apart from the ways of ruling I learned since childhood, there’s nothing particularly significant.”

It seemed like she didn’t have to think about others, being confined to the North. I felt pure envy at that statement.

“So, before enrolling in the academy, I decided to tour the North. I wanted to learn how to handle situations by going to places with suspicious activities and solving problems myself.”

Was that why she observed me so closely? As I pondered that, Vanessa continued, “Well, it did put my life in danger by doing so accidentally, but I learned from watching you, Master. Magic is incredibly useful in various situations.”

I see. So, what’s the point?

“And that’s when I made up my mind! If I go to the academy, I want to study magic as well. There are hardly any magic users in the North, so I learned swordsmanship, but I think learning magic will be useful.”

Wait a moment.

“Of course, I have no intention of giving up swordsmanship now that I’ve reached the level of an expert, but I plan to learn both magic and swordsmanship. Especially combat magic.”

—

“Hey.

“So if it goes well, nullifying abilities like the sorcerer did – hey, why are you like that?”

I bit my lip, cold sweat trickling down.

It seemed like… things had gotten quite out of hand.