The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned

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Chapter 195: The Witch's Resolve (2)

It had been over a week since I started helping Lanez with her daily training.

“Lanez. Let’s take a break today.”

“Huh? Why? Do you have something else to do today…?”

Lanez looked startled at my words.

I sighed deeply and shook my head.

“Lanez… do you even realize how you look right now?”

Her face had become so haggard that it was painful to see.

“I-I’m fine!”

“No. You’re not.”

I shook my head firmly.

“Lanez, let’s go to your dorm room.”

“Huh? M-My room? Why?”

“Let’s go. Now.”

Ignoring her question, I grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

‘I can’t just leave her like this—who knows what she might do if left alone.’

I decided I’d make sure she got proper rest by supervising her directly in her room.

Click.

When we entered Lanez’s room, it was the first time I had ever seen it.

Her room was so sparse it could only be described as barren.

There was a bed, a small desk, and a dining table. That was it.

The stereotypical image of a female student’s room—cozy and full of pink decorations—was nowhere to be seen.

“Ugh… this is so embarrassing,”

Lanez muttered.

Even a room like this was apparently embarrassing for her to show to someone else.

She glanced at me, her face flushing red.

“…Sorry. My room is so empty, isn’t it?”

“Why would you need to apologize? It’s your room.”

“But still…”

“Well, I do think decorating it a bit more could be nice. Having nothing in here might make it feel a bit lonely, don’t you think?”

I wasn’t one to talk, considering my own room was just as empty.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“O-Okay. I’ll think about it.”

“Good. For now, sit down. I’ll make you something to eat.”

“W-What? You’ll cook?”

“Yup.”

I lifted a bag of ingredients I had brought along.

Before meeting Lanez that morning, I had stopped by the store to pick up some fresh groceries.

“N-No, I’ll do it!”

“Hey. I told you we’re skipping training today so you can rest. How are you supposed to rest if you cook?”

“B-But…”

“Just sit down already.”

I pressed down on her shoulders, forcing her into a chair.

“Now, let’s see…”

Today’s menu was chicken soup, or samgyetang, a traditional dish known for its restorative properties.

‘It’s not too difficult to make, either.’

While I wasn’t as skilled as Lanez or Iris, I could manage a decent meal.

I cleaned the chicken, stuffed it with ingredients, and placed it in a pot with medicinal herbs to simmer.

Bubble, bubble.

After about 30 minutes, the rich aroma of the broth filled the room.

“Careful, it’s hot. Eat slowly.”

“O-Okay.”

Lanez, clearly starving, quickly devoured the chicken soup.

“T-Thank you, Dale.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“I-I’ll handle the dishes!”

“Nope. Rest, remember?”

I pushed her back down into the chair as she tried to stand.

Then, the doorbell rang.

Ding-dong.

“Huh. Must be the others finishing their morning classes.”

“O-Oh? Did you invite someone?”

“Well, when I mentioned you, someone insisted on coming along.”

I opened the door to find Iris and Yurina standing there.

“Iris? Yurina? Why are you two here…?”

“Dale told us you’ve been overworking yourself lately, Lanez.”

“I was worried, so I decided to come too,”

Yurina added.

Iris walked over to Lanez, who was sitting in her chair, and examined her closely.

“…You do look unwell. Your complexion is poor, and those dark circles under your eyes…”

“I-Iris…”

“Shh. Don’t move. I’m checking your condition.”

Iris placed a hand on Lanez’s cheek, gently brushing her under-eye area.

Then, without warning—

“Pardon me for a moment.”

Squish.

Iris suddenly cupped Lanez’s left chest.

“Eek!”

“Don’t move…!”

“Ah…!”

Startled, Lanez flinched, causing Iris to grip even harder.

Her hand pressed so firmly that the contours of Lanez’s chest were visibly outlined through her clothes.

“…!”

Quick! Send my magic to my eyes and burn this scene into memory—!

“Hey!”

Yurina, standing behind me, covered my eyes with her hand.

“Y-Yurina?”

“Dale… you’re being indecent.”

A chill ran down my spine at her sharp tone.

I reluctantly turned my head away from Lanez and Iris.

“I-Iris… what are you doing all of a sudden…?”

“Stay still.”

Iris placed her hand over the left side of Lanez’s chest, where the Stigma was engraved, and began channeling her magic.

A pure white light flowed from her hand into the mark.

“…I see.”

Iris’s face contorted in concern.

“Her mana circuits are severely damaged.”

The overuse of the “blessing” had left Lanez’s internal mana pathways in shambles.

“Dale, help me move Lanez to the bed—what are you two doing?”

“Ah, nothing.”

“Hmph.”

Yurina finally released her hold over my eyes.

I followed Iris’s instructions, lifting Lanez and carrying her to the bed.

“T-This isn’t necessary…”

“It is. You’re officially a patient now. Please follow my instructions until the treatment is complete.”

Iris’s voice was firm as she gently pushed Lanez to lie down.

Holding her hands in hers, Iris lowered her forehead to their joined hands as if in prayer.

“O holy Seven Gods, grant your child rest and peace.”

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With a soft chant, the light radiating from Iris’s body flowed into Lanez, filling the room with a serene glow.

“…Ah.”

“…Ah.”

A soft sigh escaped from Lanez’s lips.

Her cheeks regained some color, and her expression relaxed a little.

“Feeling a bit better?”

“Y-Yeah. Thanks, Iris.”

“Still, you must take absolute rest for at least three days.”

“Three… three days?”

“If you train before that, I won’t send you that picture of Dale drying his hair after the hot spring as promised.”

“T-That’s not allowed!”

“….”

What is this?

I feel like I just overheard a deal that I shouldn’t have.

“Dale… drying his hair…?”

“Oh my, Yurina, are you interested too?”

“Ahem. N-No, it’s not like that… uh, when did you take it?”

“Hehe. I had Juliet sneak it during the school trip this time….”

Juliet, you little…!

I thought it was weird when you suddenly suggested taking commemorative photos!

“….”

While I stood dumbfounded, staring at this blatantly illicit exchange unfolding before my eyes—

Knock knock.

A knock came at the door.

“Hm? Did you call someone else over?”

“No.”

Tilting my head in confusion, I opened the door to find Senior Sophia and Berald standing there.

“Huh? What’s this? Why’s everyone gathered here?”

“I came to check on Lanez since she wasn’t feeling well… but what brings you here, Senior Sophia?”

“Hmph. I’m here to catch a delinquent cadet who’s been skipping classes without permission.”

Sophia snorted, glaring sharply at Lanez, who was lying in bed.

Lanez flinched, trembling slightly, and turned her head away from Sophia’s gaze.

“Skipping… classes?”

“That’s right. I heard she hasn’t shown up in class for about a week. I only found out today when Professor Elisha mentioned it, since we’re in different sections.”

Clicking her tongue, Sophia strode into the room.

Trailing behind her, Berald scratched his head awkwardly, as if to say, I was dragged here by Sophia.

“You missed class because you were sick? Then why didn’t you file a sick leave request? Why skip without saying anything?”

“T-That’s…”

Lanez stammered, looking flustered and lost for words.

“Sigh. Fine, I’ll explain to the professor and submit the sick leave request for you.”

“S-Sophia…”

“Tsk. Honestly, such a hassle.”

“…Sorry.”

“Forget it. That’s what friends are for, to hassle each other a bit.”

“….”

Lanez lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper.

“Thank you… everyone….”

Lanez’s shoulders shook slightly, and tears rolled down her cheeks, soaking the blanket.

“W-What? Why are you crying all of a sudden?”

Sophia turned to Berald with a panicked expression.

“B-Berald! Do something to stop her tears!”

“How am I supposed to…”

“Do something!”

Sophia pushed Berald’s back urgently.

“Hmm.”

Scratching his head, Berald walked to the kitchen and came back with a metal spoon.

“Alright, I’ll show you a magic trick.”

Holding the neck of the spoon delicately between two fingers, Berald began to sway it lightly.

Crack.

Thunk.

The spoon split cleanly in two.

“Ta-da!”

“Ta-da, my foot! You just broke it with your fingers… Wait, what?”

Sophia’s eyes widened as she stared at the broken spoon.

“You… tore metal… without magic?”

“Haha! That’s the power of magic!”

“No… that’s not magic….”

Sophia looked at Berald in utter confusion.

“Pfft!”

Lanez let out a clear, bell-like laugh.

“Haha!”

“Ooh! I did it!”

Berald clenched his fist triumphantly, watching Lanez clutch her stomach as she laughed.

“Well then, for my next trick, I’ll split the table in half…”

“Are you trying to destroy everything in the room? We don’t have that much furniture to begin with.”

Sophia smacked Berald on the head.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that and head out. Lanez needs rest.”

“Rest well, Lanez.”

“Don’t forget what I said—absolute rest for at least three days!”

“Come back to class when you’re fully recovered.”

With some light-hearted words, everyone stepped out of the room.

Lanez waved from her bed as the door clicked shut.

“Thank you, everyone.”

Silence descended on the room, as if the bustling commotion moments ago had been just a dream.

“…I’ll never forget this, ever.”

Lanez gazed at the firmly closed door with a faint smile.

* * *

The next day.

Thinking it would be nice to train with Yurina since Lanez wouldn’t be joining, I was getting ready to head out.

Bang!

The door flew open, and Senior Sophia burst into my room.

“D-Dale…!”

“What’s the matter?”

“L-Lanez left this…!”

Sophia thrust a piece of paper at me.

It was as if night had fallen on a snowy field.

Black words were written starkly on the white paper:

“Withdrawal Form.”

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