Chapter 61: Comfort in Friends
“Hmm, looks like you’re relatively fine now…. Just a few pain relievers and a few healing potions will do,” the doctor said, her voice a blend of professionalism and reassurance.
As she scanned me with her magic, her expression seemed satisfied.
Adjusting her glasses, she trifled with her notes for a moment before grabbing a vial with a red liquid that glowed with a golden hue.
She shook it gently before handing it to me.
“This is a high-grade healing potion mixed with honeydew butter from Leviathan honey bees, so it should go down your throat with ease,” she said with a smile.
I nodded in understanding and accepted the vial, feeling a slight warmth from the potion. “Thank you,” I said, appreciating her care.
“Oh, and don’t forget to rest for a few more days. Your body still hasn’t fully healed,” she added, her tone firm but kind.
I nodded again, taking her instructions seriously. She gave me a few more pointers on how to aid my recovery before standing up and giving me a polite goodbye.
As she left the room, the door closing softly behind her, I was left alone with my thoughts and the potion. I stared at the glowing liquid for a moment, the golden shimmer reflecting the sterile light of the infirmary.
“Well, here goes nothing,” I muttered to myself before uncorking the vial and downing the potion. True to her word, it had a surprisingly pleasant taste, the honeydew butter soothing as it went down.
Almost immediately, I felt a warm sensation spread through my body, easing the lingering pain and fatigue.
Leaning back against the pillow, I let out a sigh of relief. The potion was already working its magic.
With my body resting on the bed, I began to relax a little as I slowly came to terms with my situation.
“Are you okay now, Riley?” Seo asked, concern etched across her face.
“Yes…” I replied, though my mind was still groggy and confused from the sudden nightmare I had earlier.
Looking at the bandages around my arms, legs, and even my chest, I realized the doctor was right—I did need more rest.
The pain began to resurface as I became more aware of my injuries.
“That’s good….” Seo said with a subtle, gentle smile. Although her face remained mostly emotionless, I could tell she was very happy right now.
Seeing me resting, she nodded her head and proceeded to peel the skin off an apple she was preparing for me.
As I watched her, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for her presence.
Her calm and caring demeanor provided a sense of comfort that eased my troubled mind.
She carefully sliced the apple, her movements precise and practiced, and handed me a piece.
“Here, eat this. It will help you regain your strength,” she said softly.
I took the apple slice, savoring its sweet, crisp taste. “Thank you, Seo. For everything.”
She shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You don’t need to thank me, Riley. I’m just glad you’re okay….”
We sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the weight of recent events hanging in the air. I knew I had a lot to process and many questions that needed answers, but for now, I was content to simply rest and recover.
“Seo, how long have I been here?” I finally asked, breaking the silence.
“Five days….” she replied. “You’ve been unconscious for five days. Both the professors and the doctors were really worried about you.”
“I see…. Five days, huh…”
I whispered to myself, trying to make sense of the time lost.
My mind raced with unanswered questions and lingering dread. The vividness of the dream—or whatever it was—left me with an uneasy feeling.
It felt more like a memory than a nightmare, and that thought alone was enough to unsettle me.
It still didn’t feel real at all.
‘So I’ve been asleep all this time?’
My mind was having a hard time processing it all. I felt disoriented, my heart still beating fast as I recalled that life-ending dream… it felt so real, as if the real Liyana was actually touching, licking, and even kissing me.
Her scent, her touch, her voice… her everything, it all felt too real to just be a mere nightmare.
Did she cast a spell on me, perhaps?
Could it be that she’s actually watching me right now?
‘I don’t know….’
Haah… Letting out a large sigh, I crumpled down on my bed, trying to forget the stressful thoughts of my fiancé, as I proceeded to process the influx of facts and information I had received.
First and foremost, the exams ended around 5-6 days ago, with Rose emerging as the top student among all first years.
Despite the incident involving Princess Snow and General Auvin, which nearly led to the cancellation of the exams, they proceeded as usual upon her request.
Secondly, I found myself deeply involved in the incident. Somehow, I managed to save the princess from the ambush and rescue her from the terrorists just in the nick of time.
However, it came at a cost, resulting in the injuries I was currently nursing.
Thirdly, I was hospitalized in critical condition, where I slipped into a deep coma for five straight days.
The doctors attributed my survival to a white-maned wolf, who seemingly transferred its life essence to me through some contractual vow we had made.
And lastly, the academy is temporarily closed down in the aftermath of the events.
The closure is expected to last for two weeks as the authorities assess the situation and ensure the safety of the students and staff.
As I mulled over these details, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions—gratitude for surviving, guilt for the trouble I caused, and uncertainty about what lay ahead.
Reflecting on the situation, it became evident that the academy’s decision to close temporarily was understandable, given Princess Snow’s involvement and the gravity of the events that unfolded.
Their heightened dedication to security measures showed the seriousness with which they were addressing the situation.
However, I couldn’t shake the realization that my interference had caused significant deviations from the expected course of events.
The premature appearance of someone like General Auvin, who was supposed to be a final act boss, highlighted the unpredictability of this world and the limitations of relying solely on my foreknowledge.
I needed to keep in mind the changes I had introduced to the main scenarios and not rely solely on my previous knowledge of the future.
My existence in this world had already caused ripples, and it was foolish of me to think everything would go according to the original scenarios as long as I followed them in order.
Was this some sort of wake-up call? If so, I rightfully deserved it.
It was a sobering reminder that my existence in this world wasn’t a guarantee of smooth sailing or adherence to preconceived scenarios.
Perhaps it was a wake-up call—a signal to be more cautious and adaptable, and to recognize the consequences of my actions.
In hindsight, my assumption that everything would unfold according to plan as long as I followed the established order was naive.
This experience served as a humbling lesson, reminding me to approach each situation with a healthy dose of skepticism and preparedness for the unexpected.
‘Although I did prepare for the unexpected…. The encounter with the tempest wolf alone proved otherwise’
“I was really worried, you know, Riley…. You were really hurt….” Seo’s voice carried a sadness that pierced through me, tears welling up in her eyes once more.
“You really scared us, you know. We didn’t know if you were going to wake up.”
Seeing her display such genuine concern, despite her usually emotionless expression, tugged at my heartstrings.
I had inadvertently caused someone to worry about me… It was a sobering realization.
Honestly, the events leading up to my injury were a blur.
Only fragmented memories remained as I tried to piece together what had happened.
While I had a general understanding of the situation, I knew there was more to it than met the eye.
I resolved to seek a more detailed explanation from Snow when we met next time. But for now, I owed an apology to this dear friend of mine.
“I’m sorry, Seo….”
“Mhn….” Seo struggled to contain her tears, nodding slowly as she attempted to hide her face from me.
At that tiny little moment, I knew the best thing to do was to let it go and not make the situation more embarrassing for her.
In this moment, as the two of us sat quietly facing each other, it felt like a touch of peace in heaven had graced us both.
The soft hum of the infirmary, the gentle rustle of the bed sheets, and the muted light filtering through the windows created a serene atmosphere.
Seo, still peeling the apple with meticulous care, seemed to find solace in the simple task, and I found comfort in her presence.
The silence between us wasn’t awkward or heavy; it was a shared, calming quiet that allowed me to reflect on everything that had transpired.
“Thank you for being here,” I said softly, not wanting to break the tranquility but feeling the need to express my gratitude.
Seo looked up from the apple, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She gave a small, almost imperceptible smile and nodded. “Of course, Riley. I’ll always be here for you.”
“We’re best friends Afterall~”
