The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character-Chapter 311: The Reward Room [1]

"Rin, are you sure you're okay?"

Professor Lena asked again, her voice tight with worry — the same question she'd already repeated half a dozen times.

I sighed softly and gave her the same answer as before. "I'm fine. Really."

Of course, no one believed me.

Even after saying it, the looks on their faces didn't change — that same mix of pity and concern that made my skin crawl. I used to hate that kind of gaze. Now, after seeing it so many times, I was almost numb to it. Almost.

When I tried to stand up, Professor Lena shot forward like lightning and grabbed my right arm. A second later, my sister appeared out of nowhere and clamped onto my left arm.

I blinked. "Uh—Professor, Sis—how am I supposed to stand if you're both holding me down?"

"Rin, don't get up so suddenly!" Professor Lena scolded, tightening her grip. "What if you get dizzy and collapse again?"

I glanced around awkwardly. Everyone else was watching — a few of the cadets pretending not to stare, but failing miserably.

"Professor, I appreciate the concern," I murmured under my breath, "but… people are watching."

Before I could free myself, my sister chimed in from my other side, voice firm. "Yes, Rin, listen to Professor Lena."

I turned my head slowly toward her. "...Seriously?"

She met my look without flinching.

Great. Whatever happened between the two of them while I was out cold, it had clearly forged some kind of unholy alliance.

And here I was — the poor soul caught between them.

"…You two realize you're acting like overprotective parents, right?"

Neither answered. Their grips only tightened.

I glanced at Leona and Ryen for help — and immediately regretted it when they both crouched down and grabbed one of my legs each.

…What's happening right now?

Why are my limbs being restrained like I'm some kind of criminal?

Did they somehow find out about my villain act and decide the best way to deal with me was medieval torture by limb-pulling?

If that's the case… who's going to take my head? Kiera? Or maybe Nora, with that calm "I'm definitely not angry but I actually am" look?

"…Cadets, release him at once. This instructor will carry Cadet Rin Evans. It's safer that way," Professor Lena said firmly, stepping forward.

…Professor, really, I'm fine. Totally fine. I can walk—

"No," Ryen cut in immediately. "Professor Lena should stay free to act if we run into danger. I'll carry him."

Oh, no.

Professor Lena's polite smile faltered for half a second. It was the kind of expression that said, 'Ryen, I know you mean well, but I might actually strangle you.'

Before I could even process that, Leona spoke up. "No, the monsters here are resistant to slashing attacks, so I'll carry him instead."

Leona. You. Of all people. The one who can't even stand brushing shoulders with a guy in passing. Why are you volunteering for this?

"Wait— hold on—" I started, but no one was listening.

Ryen's hand was already under my arm, Leona was at my side looking way too serious for comfort, and Professor Lena was massaging her temples like she'd given up on the concept of sanity altogether.

At this point, I wasn't sure what was worse — being injured, or being manhandled like some oversized luggage by three people who clearly couldn't agree on who should do it.

…Seriously. Was this my life now?

Rin could only stare blankly at the absurd scene unfolding in front of him.

Ryen and Leona were locked in an unspoken battle of pride, both standing on either side of him like two knights competing for the honor of carrying a fallen prince. Professor Lena stood in front, rubbing her temples as if she were regretting every career decision that had led her here.

Meanwhile, the rest of the cadets had quietly stepped back — the universal signal for "we're not getting involved in this mess."

"Alright," Professor Lena said at last, voice clipped and precise, "since none of you seem capable of logical thought right now, I'll decide. Rin will walk—slowly. If he stumbles, then someone can help him."

She gave Ryen and Leona a glare sharp enough to make even monsters flinch.

Rin almost wanted to applaud.

"Understood?"

"…Yes, Professor," Ryen muttered first.

Leona, however, crossed her arms and looked away. "…Fine."

"Good."

Professor Lena turned back to Rin and softened slightly. "Can you manage that?"

Rin sighed, testing his balance. His legs felt heavy, but they held. "Yeah. I'll live."

"For someone who was unconscious ten minutes ago, that's an ambitious statement," she said dryly, but didn't stop him when he took a step.

The moment I took a step forward, a soft, warm light wrapped around me.

Healing magic.

"…Huh? Nora?"

Ryen blinked in surprise, looking toward her.

Nora stood a few steps away, her hand still glowing faintly as the healing spell faded. The warmth lingered on my skin for a moment before dispersing, but the dizziness in my head didn't go away. My qi reserves were nearly depleted—too low for simple magic to fix.

Still, judging by Nora's gentle smile, I knew her intention wasn't really to heal me.

She was giving me an excuse.

A silent way of saying, 'You're fine. Don't make it obvious that you're not.'

A small gesture, but one that saved me from unnecessary questions.

Mutual benefit.

I'd been quietly raising my favor with her all this time—and now, it was paying off.

"That helped," I said, forcing a faint smile. "Thanks."

It didn't do much physically, but I moved my arms a little to test my condition anyway. The simple motion seemed to reassure everyone watching. They relaxed a bit, convinced that I was fine.

Nora… thank you.

She didn't respond, but the faint curve of her lips told me she'd understood.

"…I think it's over now, right?" one of the seniors muttered hopefully.

At that, the atmosphere shifted. The tension that had held everyone's shoulders tight finally loosened. The civilians—who'd been clinging to one another since the start—breathed out in relief.

The word "over" spread like a spark through dry grass. It meant safety. It meant they could go home.

But I shook my head.

"No," I said quietly, my voice cutting through the murmurs. "It's not over yet."

Several faces turned toward me in confusion.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

I looked up, my lips curling into a small, calm smile.

"The reward room," I said simply. "This is a dungeon, after all."

That one line made a few people blink in realization.

Truthfully, it wasn't greed driving me—it was necessity. The biggest reason I hadn't stopped all this earlier was the reward.

Whatever was behind that door… I needed it.

So no, it wasn't over yet. Not until I stepped through that door and claimed what waited beyond.