The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character-Chapter 44: Sacred Flame [1]

Honestly, all I wanted right now was to go back to the one place that felt right.

The gym.

Over the past week, my body had finally started to feel better—stronger. Not only had I conquered the 20kg dumbbells, but I was also beginning to challenge the next boss in the lineup: the 30kg dumbbells.

We were currently locked in a tense stalemate.

Some days, I managed to get the upper hand.

Other days, not so much.

But I was close. So close to beating it.

That is, until Professor Lena showed up.

"This is your last day before the semester officially begins. You do realize that, right?" she said, arms crossed like she'd caught me sneaking out past curfew.

Yeah, I knew.

"If you push yourself too hard today, what are you going to do tomorrow? Limp through orientation?"

I'd figure something out.

"And what if you get injured?"

I can take care of myself. You don't have to hover over me like a babysitter.

Of course, none of those thoughts made it past my lips.

I just stood there, sweating, arms limp from the last set, as she continued to look at me like I was an unruly younger brother.

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And just like that, I was banned from the gym for the day.

It was... frustrating.

I felt a flash of annoyance toward Professor Lena for interrupting what I considered a sacred duel—me versus a cold, silent chunk of metal.

But at the same time... I was grateful.

Truth was, I wasn't going to win.

The 30kg dumbbell was on a different level than the others I had conquered. The moment I picked it up, I knew—this was no ordinary opponent.

I'd gone through plenty of dumbbells in the past few weeks. Every weight had its own feel, its own resistance. And through that, I'd learned to listen to my body.

And my body was telling me: Not yet.

If Professor Lena hadn't stepped in when she did, I probably would've ended up straining something. Or worse.

To be honest, the best I could manage before the start of the semester was a clean lift with the 25kg dumbbell.

And that's without any kind of magical enhancement or buffs.

I wasn't a superhuman.

Not yet.

But I was no longer the frail, wheezing kid I used to be either. At the very least, I could call myself... relatively healthy.

Sure, my brain felt half-melted from overthinking sets and reps all week—but that was just until today.

Guess I had no choice now but to rest.

Still, I couldn't help feeling a few regrets.

For one, I hadn't gained any visible muscle.

My arms were still as skinny as ever, and I could probably still fit into a middle schooler's uniform if I tried. But, unlike before, I wasn't fragile anymore.

I had to remind myself—this wasn't about looking strong. I started working out because I'd nearly died a month ago.

Because of this pathetic body.

If Professor Lena hadn't stepped in back then... I didn't even want to think about what might've happened. Maybe I wouldn't have died on the spot, but I would've been dangerously close.

And that was terrifying in itself.

Still, things were different now.

I wasn't a walking pile of glass bones anymore. My stamina wasn't amazing, but it wasn't non-existent either. I could at least jog across campus without blacking out.

That was something.

An improvement.

A slow one, but still progress.

I let out a sigh and glanced up at the ceiling.

I didn't want to admit it, but I was nervous. Tomorrow, Velcrest Academy would officially begin.

And with it... the plotline.

Everything I'd been preparing for—every choice I'd made—was finally starting to matter.

There were so many things to do. So many paths to consider. So many people I needed to watch, protect... or eliminate.

This wasn't a game anymore.

I pulled the blanket over my chest and stared into the darkness.

"Alright," I murmured to myself. "Let's see how this story unfolds."

I just hoped I'd be ready for it.

***

The next morning came faster than I expected.

Sunlight poured through the curtains—warm, golden, and a bit too cheerful for what today meant. I sat up slowly, my body reminding me with every stiff movement that, yes, I was still stuck in this body. Still not where I wanted to be, physically or mentally.

But none of that mattered.

Today marked the official start of Velcrest Academy.

Day one of the real game.

I went through my morning routine on autopilot. Shower. Brush teeth. Get dressed. My uniform hung crisply from my shoulders—tie a little off, hair mostly in place, and eyes a touch sleep-deprived but sharp.

Not perfect. But it would do.

I was ready to face whatever this place threw at me.

Just as I was about to leave, a voice called out behind me.

"Which class are you in, Rin?"

I paused at the doorway and turned slightly, only to see him—or rather, her—Leona Harper.

Leona, the cross-dressing girl who'd chosen to live as a boy at the academy. This was the first time she'd spoken to me since we both woken up.

Strange, right?

She had actually woken up earlier than me, got ready in silence, dressed in the male uniform with practiced ease. I know her real identity and that's why I decided to wake up hour later then her.

...And since waking up we don't talk with each aside from normal morning greetings.

It was quiet. Peaceful. I thought we were both fine with that arrangement.

So why talk to me now?

I glanced at her—him—Leona. The usual composed expression was there, but now tinted with curiosity. Was she trying to be friendly? Or maybe she just didn't want to walk alone?

Either way, it felt like a small victory.

In the original novel, Ryen—my predecessor—never got this moment. He ruined his first impression with a poorly timed bathing joke, and Leona kept her distance for days.

But now? Here she was. Talking to me.

I'll take that as a win.

"I'm assigned to Sacred Flame, Class 1-A," I replied.

Leona blinked. "Oh? Then we're not in the same class. I'm in Sacred Blade."

"Hm," I nodded. "Guess we won't see each other much during class, then."

"Probably not. Still..." she trailed off for a second, then slung her bag over her shoulder, "Want to walk down together?"

I blinked, genuinely surprised for a second.

Then I smiled slightly.

"Sure. Let's go."

Maybe today wouldn't be so bad after all.