(Raven's POV)

I don't know how long I was out.

But as soon as I regained my consciousness...

'How long?'

I asked that question in my head without even bothering to open my eyes. My mind was still a little hazy, but the first thing I wanted to know was the time I had lost.

[5 hours.]

And Sariel immediately replied, his calm voice echoing in my mind without any delay.

'I was out for that long, huh...'

I muttered internally. Five whole hours had passed while I was unconscious... that alone felt both strange and frustrating.

Anyway, feeling the soft sensation supporting my back, together with the fact that I don't feel any lingering pain in my body anymore...

I concluded that I'm currently lying inside the Lunar's medical center.

'Ruby must've been the one who brought me here after I passed out...'

I thought to myself, then my memories started flashing back— particularly the last moments of our spar.

'My body gave up...'

I had tried to use my strongest sword technique, <Dance of the Lightning God>, while at the same time consuming a large amount of mana to produce and control <Lightning Spears>.

Not only that, but I was also using <Emperor's Aura> at that time as a weapon aura, coating my blade with it to boost every strike.

It's no wonder why my body completely collapsed and wasn't able to handle everything...

During that time, I was in a trance. I was solely focused on attacking Ruby— ignoring every single warning sign my body was sending me. I didn't care about the damage I was doing to myself.

But now that my head is clear and I'm thinking properly again, I realized how reckless and stupid I was for pushing things that far.

'Anyway, our spar this time made me realize something important... the gap between us is still pretty big.'

I might have managed to injure Ruby this time, and that alone already felt like an achievement, but the fact remained— I was still unable to land a clean, direct hit on her.

If Ruby had the intention to truly kill me back then, it wouldn't even take her a minute. My defeat would have been instant.

'I should just be satisfied that at least... I got stronger compared to before.'

I thought to myself, trying to console my pride, then I finally opened my eyes.

"Oh, you're awake."

And as soon as I did, a familiar voice entered my ears, cutting through the silence of the room.

I immediately looked toward the direction where the voice came from. What entered my sight surprised me a bit.

I already had a feeling that someone else was in the room with me.

But when I saw who it actually was, I couldn't help but frown slightly.

"What are you doing here?"

I asked flatly.

"I came to check if you're okay."

She replied without hesitation.

My frown deepened after hearing her response. This situation was just really unexpected for me.

"Did Lillen ask you to do this?"

Lillen, the president of the [Student Council].

And the one who I was currently talking to...

Was none other than Lana Dennise, the vice-president.

(Check chapters 81-82 for more info about them.)

Anyway, after hearing my question, Lana shook her head.

"I came here on my own accord."

She stated calmly.

"I also have some things to talk about with you."

She added immediately after.

She was still as emotionlessly calm as usual, and for some reason, it was irritating me.

So with a mischievous smile forming on my face...

"Is it about the incoming field trip?"

I asked Lana, deliberately testing her.

"...!"

Her eyes widened in surprise the moment those words left my mouth.

The field trip thing wasn't supposed to be out to the public yet, after all.

The poker face she always carried around disappeared in an instant.

And seeing that happen, an odd sense of satisfaction washed over me.

'She's cute.'

I unconsciously thought before my mouth moved again.

"You're cute."

"Eh..." -Lana

"Eh?" -Raven

And what came out of my mouth surprised both me and Lana at the same time.

'What the fuck did I just say?!'

My nonchalant demeanor and mischievous smile crumbled instantly when I realized what had just slipped out of my mouth.

[HAHAHAHAHA!]

And the next thing I heard was Sariel's loud laughter.

'What are you laughing at?'

I asked him, clearly annoyed.

But instead of answering my irritation directly...

[You're... currently under the effect of a drug that was given to you by a nurse earlier.]

Sariel stated calmly.

"?"

Which confused me even more as to why he was telling me that now of all times.

'What?'

[The drug's effect is similar to anesthesia, just more advanced. It's used to eliminate the patient's pain completely.]

Sariel explained, but I was still unsure why he felt the need to mention this now.

'What is your point?'

So I asked him bluntly.

[The drug has a side effect.]

'Huh?'

[It will make the patient very loose-lipped for a whole day.]

After hearing Sariel say that...

<Understanding> immediately activated, and I finally understood what was happening.

'Everything that runs through my head... will come out of my mouth if I'm not careful...'

I thought grimly.

[You're right.]

And Sariel confirmed.

'Fuck.'

I cursed inwardly.

I carefully thought about what to do next, then after a short pause...

'Can't we just remove the drug's side effects somehow?'

I asked Sariel.

[If we do that, the drug's effect will disappear entirely. It doesn't just eliminate your pain— it also helps accelerate your healing and improves your overall health.]

And I immediately received his explanation.

Though what I heard from Sariel made me frown deeper.

'That sounds like a very expensive drug was used on me...'

I grumbled in my head.

[It is indeed an expensive drug, but Ruby still bought it for you.]

Sariel revealed.

"..."

That left me completely speechless.

The thought of removing the drug's effect immediately left my mind the moment I realized Ruby went out of her way to buy it for me.

"Ehem..."

And that's when I heard Lana's deliberate fake cough.

'I almost forgot about her.'

I thought, snapping back to reality.

Then I quickly put on my poker face and looked directly into Lana's eyes.

"I appreciate your compliment..."

Lana mumbled softly. She had already put her usual emotionless expression back on her face.

But her ears were undeniably bright red.

'Cute...'

I thought again, struggling hard to stop my mouth from blurting it out once more.

"Anyway, let's move to the main reason why I came here."

Lana then changed the topic.

"Okay."

I simply replied.

"You received your first job as a member of the [Student Council]."

Lana declared.

"..."

I just remained silent, waiting for her to continue. At the same time, I was trying to avoid saying anything unnecessary— since something stupid might come out of my mouth again.

"I'm gonna assume that you already know the details of the incoming field trip?"

Lana asked.

I just nodded my head in response.

"Okay."

She mumbled under her breath...

"You were tasked to help me in convincing the students to attend the field trip."

She declared firmly.

"..."

Her words made my eye twitch a little, but I managed to keep quiet.

"The information about the field trip isn't known to the students yet, so it's also our job to inform them properly."

Lana added right after.

"I can handle the job of informing the freshmen."

I suddenly spoke after a pause.

"You sure?" -Lana

"A hundred percent sure." -Raven

Lana looked at me without saying anything for a couple of seconds, her sharp eyes studying me.

"Okay."

She eventually nodded, granting me permission to take the task I brought up earlier.

"Is that all?"

I asked.

"Yes, that's all."

She immediately answered without hesitation.

"Are you sure?"

I asked again, narrowing my eyes.

This time, Lana frowned slightly.

"Do... you already know?"

She asked carefully.

And with a shrug of my shoulders...

"It's obvious."

I replied.

I knew the [Student Council] always had a lot of work, so it was strange that my load seemed too light.

It was clear that I had more tasks waiting for me, but Lana was intentionally not telling me about them because of my current condition.

'It's very considerate of her... but I don't need her pity.'

I thought, locking my gaze with hers.

And after a moment of silence...

"Well..."

She finally spoke again.

"I was planning to start working on some paperwork, and technically, you're obligated to help me with it."

"But seeing your condition right now, it seems that you can't handle it properly."

"I can manage it on my own so you can rest comfortably here."

Lana declared seriously.

She was really being considerate this time.

After hearing her words, I opened my mouth again...

"I'm sure I'm not allowed to train for a few days because of my body's condition."

"But paperwork? I can handle that much. My condition isn't that bad, you know."

I stated with a confident smile.

"..."

Lana went silent again, locking her eyes onto mine.

I didn't look away.

Then...

"Got it."

She mumbled suddenly before turning her back to me.

"Where are you going?"

I asked.

"I'm going to get the documents."

She replied immediately.

"We're gonna do them here?" -Raven

"Yes. You aren't allowed to leave this room yet after all." -Lana

"Says who?" -Raven

"Professor Ruby." -Lana

"..." -Raven

After our short exchange of words...

Tap– Tap– Tap–

Lana started walking toward the door.

Shhh–

She opened it slowly.

And before leaving, she turned her head and looked back at me.

"Do you have something to say before I leave?"

She asked plainly.

Out of impulse, I nodded.

"What is it?"

She asked again.

And after hearing her question, I unconsciously smiled...

"You have such beautiful eyes."

I mumbled those words softly to her.

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