"Where is this place?" a cracked voice escaped my throat.
I lay beneath a soft bedspread, just thick enough to be comforting. The unique weight of the fluffy blanket settled over me like a gentle embrace. Somewhere nearby, a faint, pleasant scent lingered in the air.
I must have slept for quite some time, yet my head throbbed sharply. Judging by my surroundings, I was bedridden.
The moment that I reflexively tried to sit up, a surge of pain tore through every inch of my body. It was the kind of pain that forced a grunt out of even someone like me, who was somewhat accustomed to tolerating pain.
My body's a wreck. Instead of pushing further, I sank back into the bed and slowly scanned the room. It looked like the academy's infirmary.
I checked myself and found I had healed to some extent. After all, I could still feel pain in a body that had been nearly destroyed. Most of the aches and stiffness made me grimace, but pain was proof I was alive. I chose to see it as a good sign.
A teacup sat on the table beside the bed, filled with a medicine of unpleasant color. The only notable thing was its terrible smell.
It was no wonder my mouth felt dry and coated. It looked like I had drunk it while unconscious. Still, I had no desire to quench my thirst with that medicinal tea the moment I woke up.
Apple juice. I want to drink apple juice. And not just a sip—I craved it. Cold, with ice cubes floating in the glass. I could drink one liter at once right now.
I pushed down the childish craving and turned my attention to making sense of the situation. My memories were hazy.
In the Otherworld, I had fought the demon king. I had managed to draw out his true form and taken a brutal, one-sided beating from that bastard.
So what happened after that?
The sunlight streaming through the window suggested it was all over now.
"You're awake?" a gruff, elderly voice said beside me as the curtain between the beds was pulled back.
I froze. Alderson was lying in the neighboring bed.
"Oh... you're safe?"
Alderson chuckled. "I should be saying that. Your condition was as critical as mine."
"I'm still young and strong," I said.
"Are you implying that I'm old and frail?" he shot back.
"Of course not," I said seriously. "Dean Alderson, you're fit for your age. I'm just unusually strong for mine."
"Judging by how smooth your tongue is, you must be fine," he noted.
I studied him as he gave a quiet smile. He looked older than I remembered.
Then a buried memory stirred. At the last moment, this man had unleashed powerful grand magic. Even with my limited understanding, I could tell how immense its destructive force had been. It had been worth risking my life to buy him the time he needed. The spell had completely obliterated the demon king's true form.
"So, since I'm still alive, I guess the disturbance caused by the demon king's descent was resolved after all."
"Disturbance..." Alderson laughed softly at my choice of words before nodding. "It is as you say, thanks to your efforts."
"Sure..." I was hardly humble, but hearing such praise from Dean Alderson, who had played the most decisive role in ending the crisis, made me feel a little embarrassed.
As I searched for words, Alderson hesitated.
"Do you have something to say?" I asked.
"Plenty. But first, I think I owe you an apology."
I pointed to myself. "To me?"
"Yes. More precisely, to all the students caught up in this incident."
"Ah. Speaking of which, are they all safe?"
"There were some injuries, and a few are still mentally shaken, but thankfully, no one died," Alderson said.
I blinked, startled. "No deaths? Not a single one?"
"That's right. It all happened in the Otherworld. The students who were killed by the dolls weren't seriously harmed in reality and were only in a state of confusion."
"But my wounds are still here," I objected.
"Aren't you a hero disciple? Those who receive blessings are immune to the Otherworld's madness, but they still suffer the physical injuries they sustain there."
"Then what about the other hero disciples in my group?"
"No deaths, but several were hurt as badly as you," he replied.
I let out a quiet breath. I didn't know how serious their injuries were, but knowing they'd all survived eased the knot in my chest. "I don't know if it's right to say this, but I'm glad the disaster happened in the Otherworld."
"Yes. However, if this hadn't occurred in a special space like the Otherworld, the church could have orchestrated such an event right in the middle of the capital," Alderson reasoned.
"That is true."
Alderson looked at me and blurted out, "You will have to be careful from now on."
"Why all of a sudden?"
"You've been unconscious for a week. Many things have happened here at the academy during that time," he answered.
I was out far longer than I expected. It felt like it was only three or four days at most.
Just as I was thinking this, Alderson's tone lowered even more. "You must hide that power."
He avoided mentioning it directly, but I knew he meant the Dark Qi.
I stared at the medicinal tea in my cup, avoiding his gaze. I opened my mouth, debating whether to drink the bitter liquid. "I have to hide it... Your words make it sound like it's still a secret."
At that time, only five people had seen me use the Dark Qi: Alderson, Seren, Charon, Evan, and Perist. Among them, Evan, the Young Dark Pope, was the most trustworthy. In a sense, he was an accomplice. I wasn't sure how Seren and Charon would react. That left Alderson and Perist. Honestly, I considered them the most dangerous. Yet Alderson seemed to have kept my secret until now.
With a bitter smile, Alderson said, "Hero Disciple Luan, if you hadn't held out there, everyone would have died. I may be called eccentric, but not to the point of betraying someone who saved my life. By the way, I'm curious. Why did you do it?"
Instead of answering Alderson's question right away, I finally reached for the medicinal tea. I couldn't overcome my thirst. The bitter liquid, just as harsh as I had expected, slid down my throat.
Although I wasn't sure how Alderson would react, I answered honestly, "Dean Alderson, I have more means than you realize. I simply chose the option that gave me the best chance. In that situation, using that power was the most viable choice. I had to do it, and I could. I hope that answers your question."
Having seen me use Dark Qi, Alderson's true concern was not how or why I acquired the power. I sensed genuine worry in his voice. That was why I decided to be open.
After a brief pause, Alderson asked again, "Can you conceal that power?"
"For now."
The total amount of Dark Qi I possessed wasn't great. If my internal energy measured 100, my Dark Qi was only about three to five. That made it possible to keep it sealed deep inside my dantian. Unless I drew it out, no one would notice.
"In that case," Alderson said, "instead of fleeing recklessly, it's better to stay at the academy for a while. That way, you'll raise less suspicion."
"What do you mean?"
"At present, the capital is in a state of high alert. The academy is at the center."
At that moment, I heard laughter from outside the window. I turned to look. Two students in plain clothes passed by, eating meat skewers.
"It looks peaceful enough out there," I muttered.
"The eye of the storm is always calm," Alderson commented. "The incident at the academy has already spread throughout the capital. The scale of the commotion made it impossible to keep hidden."
That was true. Even in the best-case scenario, the toll could have reached hundreds. Counting everyone involved, the total could have climbed into the thousands.
"First of all, Princess Perist will not escape punishment. Some extenuating circumstances mean she won't lose her life, but a harsh future awaits her. I wish I could postpone it until after graduation, but..." Alderson sighed deeply. "I no longer have that much influence."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm no longer an Archmage. I can't see the seven colors anymore, and the meridians that once served as channels have all broken down," he explained.
My mouth tasted bitter; not just because of the medicinal tea I had just swallowed.
"Is recovery impossible?" I asked.
"It's not impossible, but I'm too old now. My life passed its twilight long ago. All I want now is to rest."
"I see."
"I will also be removed from my position as dean soon, which is regrettable." Alderson burst out laughing, as if to lighten the mood.
Then he looked at me again. "Of course, your situation differs from mine. As the head of the academy, I should have recognized the danger and prevented this long ago. Meanwhile, you were merely a guest, and you performed brilliantly. Truly heroic. The students already consider you a hero. Your fame will spread throughout the capital and soon reach distant corners. There will be good news from the imperial court soon."
I hummed absentmindedly.
"You don't sound very happy about that."
I didn't deny it. Being praised by others wasn't a bad thing, but it wasn't my highest priority. Instead, I worried my reputation would become a burden. The Dark Qi was part of the problem. So was my purpose in meeting Eldest Senior Brother, a demon king. Somehow, my future seemed more likely to be spent walking through shadows, with the moonlight hidden behind clouds, than basking in sunlight.
Alderson said, "You risked your life to save us. Therefore, I won't ask you any more questions. That would be rude."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"For now, it's best you stay here," he suggested. "Cartel Academy is temporarily closed. Even after discharge, you can remain in the dorms without running into anyone."
Puzzled, I asked, "Running into anyone?"
"Ah, I forgot to mention. There are many outsiders at the academy now. The empire's inspection team sent a heretical inquisitor from the Sun Church and a bishop from the Seventy-Two Churches. Add to that the reporters from various media outlets..."
Was staying at the academy the right choice? If I were in better shape, I could have smashed the window and run away.
"However, the most important ones to watch out for are the three heroes from the Hero Society," he cautioned.
The the Hero Society was probably my next destination, yet I could end up never even entering for the rest of my life if I made a wrong move.
I said with a bitter smile, "Thank you for the advice. I guess I won't have many chances to talk with you like this anymore."
"That's right. I'll attend the imperial court as soon as my condition improves. I expect a harsh reprimand."
Despite Alderson's sullen tone, I sensed the punishment would be severe. Of course, Alderson had been careless, but no one had died, and we even struck a blow against a demon king. If it were up to the Badnikers, they would likely praise him.
It felt ridiculous for someone my age to comfort an old mage who had lived for over a century, so I changed the subject. "I want to ask you something about Leone."
"Leone?" he echoed.
"Yes. I think my ability to manipulate miasma is connected to her," I explained.
Alderson tilted his head as he looked at me and asked, "Who is Leone?"
What kind of reaction was that?