Chapter 59 - Midnight, and What Lies Beyond (4)

In , 'Aptitude' and 'Proficiency' might seem to cover a similar spectrum at a glance, but there was actually a big difference.

'Aptitude' is the possibility of becoming so. The possibility of showing outstanding talent in that field.

'Proficiency' is the possibility of having become so. You gain proficiency when you have taken even a small step into that field.

That is the general understanding of aptitude and proficiency...

[System: The balance of the inherent origin is collapsing.]

[System: Proficiency, 『Origin Magic[F]』 has been acquired!]

[System: Mana increases to [D]!]

Then, what on earth is this?

The balance of the inherent origin is collapsing? I couldn't even understand the meaning of the words.

'It doesn't seem to be a sentence that appeared in the original work, it's too unfamiliar.'

It was also strange that I suddenly gained a proficiency. In , proficiency was usually granted at the beginning or obtained by taking lectures or training...

'And why did my mana go up?'

My mana suddenly jumped up. And that, from F+ to D. E-, E, E+, D-. It jumped a whopping four stages.

'Since it's a low stage, the requirement for it to go up is small, but...'

Well, anyway, aside from the suspicious parts, it was good growth. The fact that I could now use Origin Magic, and that my mana had finally escaped the cripple stage.

'That being said, with a mana level of D, it won't be significant in this world overflowing with power inflation.'

Well, I just had to find a way to use it efficiently.

Maybe I should consult with Arien or Albert later...

Only if I deem them trustworthy, that is.

***

Although I had woken up from a coma and there were no major problems with my physical condition... I couldn't be discharged immediately after waking up.

'Mana is such a mysterious thing, so they have to observe my progress for a while, or something.'

Anyway, I ended up staying in the hospital room for at least three more days.

In other words, I missed a whopping ten days of lectures.

'Good grief, I'll have to study even harder when I'm discharged...'

Such a thought might cross one's mind. No, isn't it enough to just get stronger? Why bother studying so hard?

Well, I wasn't an idiot, clinging to something I didn't have to do.

I knew about the benefits that top students received as depicted in , and there was also an event that would happen if I became the runner-up or higher.

Well, there's also the fact that studying comes naturally to me, but let's set that aside for now.

Anyway, since I was staying in the hospital room for three more days, I came to face several people who came to visit me.

“Your complexion isn't very good. Here, this is a special decoction from my tribe, made by simmering various ingredients.”

The one who brought the most unique get-well gift was, without a doubt, Khan.

And judging by the very proud expression he had when he brought it, he seemed confident.

He brought a decoction whose ingredients I didn't even know, who could beat that?

“...Where did you get the ingredients for this?”

“I went out on my day off and got them. Unlike Orvatar where I used to live, the mountains are quite far away, so it was a bit of a struggle.”

He even procured the ingredients himself.

“Thank you...”

“Try opening it.”

At his words, I opened the lid, and a smell that felt somewhere between herbal medicine and cold syrup wafted out.

Hmm, it was very unfamiliar.

The color was also a color that was difficult to describe, and the consistency was thick.

“Hmph.”

Khan was looking at me with a triumphant expression, as if telling me to try it. He was even handing me a spoon...

It was really hesitant to put it in my mouth... but I couldn't not eat it, out of consideration for his sincerity. That was polite.

“...”

I picked up the spoon and took a spoonful of the thick decoction in the bowl.

And, I put it in my mouth-.

...I'll skip the rest. Nothing happened. Really.

Ah, you ask how it tasted?

[ System: Stamina stat temporarily increases by 1 stage! ]

It tasted like my lifespan was increasing.

The next person I met was Yuna... but.

“...”

Yuna's condition was a bit strange.

“Miss Yuna?”

As soon as she entered the hospital room, she sat down on the chair in front of the bed where I was sitting, and with her lips tightly shut and her head bowed low, she was staring at me only with her eyes.

“...Miss Yuna?”

I called Yuna again, who didn't answer. Then...

“...thought something happened.”

She muttered so softly.

“Yes?”

I couldn't hear her well, so I asked again-.

“...I thought something really bad was going to happen...!”

Yuna suddenly lifted her head and shouted.

“...Is that so?”

On Yuna's raised face, I could see a little moisture in her eyes.

'I wondered what was going on.'

At that sight, I tried not to laugh, but I couldn't help but let out a laugh.

“...Hoho.”

How could I hold back my laughter when I saw her sincerity, her clumsiness revealed right on her face?

“Are you laughing? You're laughing? You're laughing after making someone worry?”

Thwack-.

Keuk.

“Wait a minute, I can't even dodge here... I'm a patient.”

She was about to resort to violence as usual, but when I protested, she lowered her fist with that same expression.

The patient guard is convenient.

“Geez, how can I not worry when you've been lying here for 7 days? Your face was also paler than usual...”

I scratched my head. If she shows her concern so directly... it makes me a little embarrassed.

“...I apologize for making you worry. And I'd also like to thank you for coming to see me.”

I managed a small, unaccustomed smile and looked Yuna in the eye as I said that. Then...

“K-hmph...”

She made a sniffling sound and avoided my eyes.

'Oh no, did I create too much of a cheesy atmosphere?'

Well, that atmosphere dissipated after a little while.

After that, we talked about various things.

Whether I had been slacking off on my studies or training while she was gone, if she could bring some textbooks from the dormitory so I could study in the hospital room, and so on...

To those stories, Yuna's reaction was simple.

“You persistent bastard...”

Was I that persistent?

Well, anyway, after chatting with Yuna for a while, it was soon time for her to leave as well.

As Yuna was getting ready to leave, I unconsciously looked towards the door of the hospital room...

Peek.

...Somehow, at some point, something like the shape of a human head was visible through the slightly open gap of the door. About three of them.

And I made eye contact with one of them.

'I've seen them somewhere before...'

I thought so, but actually, there was no need to guess.

Well, if they came here, they must be my guests.

“Instead of doing that at the door, please come in.”

“Huh?”

When I said that, Yuna also looked towards the door.

And after a moment of hesitation...

Creeak-.

The door opened cautiously, as if they were embarrassed.

“Ahaha...”

And what appeared were three girls, including one who appeared with such an awkward laugh.

And those three were...

'I wondered where I'd seen them, they were Yuna's friends.'

Yes, they were the characters who appeared as Yuna's friends in .

'Were they Kaylee, Shasha, and Michel respectively?'

What do you think Yuna's reaction was when she saw that?

“W-why are you guys here...!”

“U-uhm. Still, he's someone you owe a lot to, Yuna... Isn't it polite for us, as your friends, to come and visit...?”

“Polite my foot...! You guys have been prying into our relationship since before, you just came because it looked interesting!!”

“Ugh, you're not wrong, but still, still...?”

It sounds a bit, something, when you say 'our relationship.'

“...”

And as if Yuna had realized that too, she quickly turned her face away from me and pretended to be looking at something else.

“I'm Rain Enlight.”

In the meantime, I exchanged simple greetings with Yuna's friends.

Well, I couldn't just ignore them.

“I'm Shasha~.”

“I'm Kaylee.”

“I'm... Michel...”

Hmm. It was the same lineup I had seen in the original . To think that even if the timing of their talent blossoming is different, their friends are the same... is this fate?

While it felt refreshing, on the other hand, it also weighed on my mind a little.

Because two of them were destined to die as the story progressed in the original work.

***

Well, right after that, Yuna pushed her friends' backs and left the hospital room.

In the original work, except for Kaylee, they were somewhat boisterous girls, so she must have been embarrassed to show them.

Anyway, even after that commotion, quite a few people came and went.

First, in the case of Regina, she gave a box of luxuriously wrapped chocolates as a gift. To eat and cheer up?

There wasn't much talk. Just small talk and a simple compliment, perhaps.

“Well, there's a lot I want to say about this incident... but let's catch up later, personally and at our leisure, shall we? Hoho.”

The words she said while showing her characteristic alluring smile were quite impressive.

Other than that... Elwin and Arien also came and went.

In Elwin's case, he showed his gratitude once again for saving him at the south gate.

I just said, well, it was fine. It wasn't like it was nothing, after all.

He seemed to have more he wanted to say... but Elwin quickly left the hospital room, saying he wouldn't hold up a sick person for long.

'He's a righteous young man, just like in the original.'

Though less so than Serene.

With Arien, of course, we talked about Origin Magic. There were various things... but let's save the specific story for later.

It seems the time to talk about him will come soon.

In Serene's case... um, her reaction was stranger than I thought.

She did come to visit, but how should I put it. Her reaction was very different from usual.

Unlike usual, it felt like she was choosing her words carefully. She had a worried look on her face.

“...I hope you get well soon, Mister Rain.”

I nodded at her words.

And just before Serene left the hospital room...

“If there's anything I can help with, please tell me. Please.”

“Yes...? Ah, yes.”

It felt like the atmosphere had changed strangely. Well, if an acquaintance gets seriously injured, of course they would worry... but it felt like it wasn't just that.

Well, anyway, that was that. Should I say it was fortunate, but other than that, no notable incidents occurred.

“...It's been a while, this kind of leisure.”

I muttered so. In real time, it had only been a day since I had moved away from peaceful days...

But since I live in a different time from other people, well, it can't be helped.

Thinking about it that way, I was starting to feel a little lonely.

Knock, knock-.

I heard someone knocking on the door.

'Everyone who was supposed to come has already come.'

If so, are they the guys who have been pestering me for no reason since the Judgment subjugation last time?

Thinking that, I felt my energy drain. They are the ones I hate dealing with the most in the world.

“...Come in.”

I said so in a voice that sounded even more tired. I thought that if I looked tired, they would go easy on me and leave.

And, the person who appeared while carefully opening the door was...

Creek.

“Ha, haha, y-your voice... you seem to be having a hard time... S-sorry to bother you when you're in so much p-pain.”

A middle-aged man with a weak-looking impression, characterized by his stuttering speech.

'Mathieu... I didn't expect him to visit.'

Yes, it was Mathieu. In this round, we had ended without meeting, so we were strangers.

“...No, it's alright.”

“Hoho...”

Mathieu let out a good-natured laugh and put down the get-well gift, then opened his mouth again as if he had just remembered something.

“Ah, aah. Come, come to think of it. You w-wouldn't know who I am... I-I'm Professor Mathieu. I work, in the Magic Department. I was in Ail-Ailton Hall that day.”

“I see.”

Thud.

Saying so, Mathieu pulled out a chair and sat down by the bed.

“I c-came to say, thank you. Even a p-promising student like you was so s-severely injured...

If it w-weren't for you guys, we would p-probably have been in big trouble...”

And then he took both of my hands. They were the rough hands of a middle-aged man, but perhaps because he was a scholar, they were not gnarled.

“...Thank you so much.”

“...”

Honestly, I had never thought that I would receive thanks from anyone for this incident.

No one knows about the path I have walked, and there is no way for them to know.

But, even so, there was one thing that was certain.

'...I, saved someone.'

It was a fact that had felt somewhat vague, but it was certainly true.

It wasn't that I was deeply moved, or that I was so desperate for this much comfort that I would burst into tears just by hearing it.

But with this small gratitude and motivation... I had the natural thought that I would be able to live on.

Because people live by such small things.

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