It would have been better if the flame had only burned the evil energy, but the flames had also burned her aura and vitality.
A destructive flame that had even slightly diminished her spirit.
But there was a bigger problem.
"I have no strength in my body. I feel weakened."
"It's because your evil energy is gone."
"...Was it really evil energy?"
"We confirmed it, didn't we?"
"No, that could have been a trick!"
"What would the Saint of the Order gain by deceiving you like that?"
Bella closed her mouth, finding no words to say.
"But I've never even seen a demon."
"I know. You were just infected by chance. The problem is that we can't find the source of your infection."
Bella let out a sigh of relief at Luina's words.
It was unfortunate that they couldn't find the source of the infection, but at least she wasn't being accused of being evil.
Even though people had dulled to the threat since demons hadn't appeared for a thousand years, demons were still the archenemies of humanity.
Originally, the Empire itself was established after defeating demons, so it was even more so.
An instinctive aversion was natural.
"So what do I do now... by the way, did I drink?"
Bella sniffed.
The source of the smell wasn't far. It was her clothes, her hair, and her body.
"I sprinkled it on you. I had to pretend you were drunk to bring you here."
"Didn't we meet at lunchtime?"
"Yes."
"So, I became a woman who was drunk in broad daylight and carried on your back?"
"Sorry. But I covered your face with a robe."
"That's some consolation... right?"
At the point of being carried on Luina's back while drunk, it probably wasn't that hard to identify who she was.
"My academy life is over... wait."
Bella, who had been sighing deeply, turned her gaze toward the window. The light coming through the closed curtains was a soft orange.
"...How many hours have I slept?"
"...Sorry."
"No way?"
"Sorry."
Luina avoided her wavering gaze. Bella hastily drew back the curtains.
The sunset was beautiful.
"...Quick. Tell me quickly, Luina."
Luina carefully held up her fingers.
"...Two hours?"
No, that couldn't be right. It was noon, so how could there be a sunset at 2 PM?
Luina shook her head.
"...Twenty hours?"
That didn't make sense either. If 20 hours had passed, it should be 8 AM. There shouldn't be a sunset.
"Ah, no, right? Huh? I had several lectures... it can't be. Right?"
Sensing the worst-case scenario, Bella's voice trembled. In response to her desperate denial of reality, Luina shook her head.
"I'm sorry...."
"Two days? Really two days? I, I already missed a few times, so I couldn't miss more! You know that!"
"I know well."
What were yesterday's lectures? What's my current attendance record?
Bella's mind raced furiously. But as the answers didn't come, her complexion gradually paled.
"Gerhard! Janice! Those bastards...!"
"No, Bella."
At that moment, Luina recalled Gerhard's request.
"Redirect Bella's anger, Luina. To where it should rightfully go."
"You're saying I'm pushing my friend into a pit? What nonsense. I think it's stranger to ask her to stay silent after being attacked by a demon."
"What do you mean 'no'? Because of those guys, I...!"
"The ones you should curse and be angry at aren't Gerhard and Janice."
She held Bella's shoulders, calming her down. Then, slowly and deliberately, she continued.
"They did nothing wrong. If anyone is at fault, it's the demons and the evil ones."
"Demons? Evil ones?"
"Think about it. What made you like this, what infected you with evil energy, was an evil one. Not Gerhard or Janice."
"That may be true, but...."
"Of course, I admit that Janice's treatment method was quite extreme."
"I was unconscious for two days, and you're just calling it 'extreme'?"
Luina shook her head once more.
"That's not what's important, Bella."
"I nearly died, you know?"
"But you didn't."
"...Luina, were you always like this?"
She didn't address Bella's question.
"Bella. Regardless of the outcome, Janice was trying to treat you. Though it was accompanied by some pain, you were treated."
"That's true, but."
"What's important are the evil ones. Shouldn't we catch the cause of what made you like this?"
Finally, Bella's anger began to be directed where it should have been.
"...I'll catch them and get revenge. For my grades."
"That's right, Bella. I'll help you. We can do this together."
"You?"
"I found traces of another evil one. Want to go hunt evil ones together?"
"Of course! I'll kill them all!"
It took a while for Bella to calm down.
"So where is it?"
"Gerhard said there's a high possibility that evil ones will infiltrate the upcoming yacht club event."
"The yacht club? The one I know?"
"Yes."
"But that place is filled with top students! If an evil one does something there, it would be a disaster, wouldn't it?"
"That's why we need to stop them."
Luina took out an invitation from her pocket.
"An invitation to the yacht club?"
"I got it from Gerhard."
"The one who prevented you from joining the yacht club was Gerhard, but now that there's a demon in front of him, he remembered the greater cause?"
Bella snorted.
"Alright, I understand everything. Let's go shopping for clothes first."
"Suddenly?"
"You don't have anything suitable to wear to a gala, do you?"
Originally, Luina hadn't attended any galas since entering the academy.
She only strived for grades and swordsmanship, living a life far from enjoyment.
"That's why we need to buy some. Moreover, this event's concept is a masquerade ball. We need to buy masks too."
"...Gerhard didn't mention anything about a concept."
"Why didn't he tell you? It's a club where you can't enter if you don't follow the concept."
Perhaps he just didn't tell her so she would hear it from Bella.
"Anyway, let's go shopping. I need to vent this anger through shopping."
"Wait, I don't have money...."
"Just come with me. I already have a few dresses that I thought would suit you."
"When did you...?"
"I only kept them in mind because you always refused when I invited you to galas."
Bella grabbed Luina's wrist and pulled her along.