Beep- beep- beep-

As I opened the door and entered the room, a rhythmic sound flowed through the air.

With heavy eyes, I gazed at the source of that sound.

The first thing that caught my eye was the patient monitoring device, beeping and displaying various readings on the screen, along with infusion drips and respiratory assistance devices that were typical of an intensive care unit.

Then, as I lowered my gaze slightly, I saw a boy lying on the bed.

“…Yoon Si-woo.”

Sylvia let out a soft sigh as she took in the sight of Yoon Si-woo, connected to all the devices in the room.

His figure, adorned with wires and tubes from various machines, resembled a marionette, a doll strung up with threads.

Yoon Si-woo lay there, pale and lifeless like a puppet on a string.

As Sylvia stepped closer and reached out her hand, she involuntarily flinched the moment she held his hand.

It felt as if she had touched a lifeless object, cold and devoid of warmth.

Even though she knew he was still alive.

The constant mechanical sounds proved that he was breathing, yet the vitality that should typically be present in a living being was completely absent. Sylvia let out a breath.

So this is why they described him as a mere shell.

Muttering this to herself, she recalled her phone call with the doctor from the previous night.

[Ah, Doctor. Why are you contacting me… Is something wrong with Yoon Si-woo?]

[Well, I’ve done all that I can, but… I’m afraid I can’t provide any hopeful news.]

[…Is his condition really that serious? I only heard he was in a coma.]

[…To explain, it feels like everything that should be inside him has evaporated, leaving only his body behind. Like a hollow shell…]

[Hollow shell… Does that mean it will be difficult for him to regain consciousness?]

[Yes… Frankly, the fact that he is still breathing is nothing short of a miracle… I don’t know why he is in this state, but it seems impossible unless some miracle occurs.]

[Then…! Does that mean Yoon Si-woo will remain like this for life? Isn’t there any way… ?]

[Hoo… The reason I contacted you is for that. Your ability, Sylvia. I thought it might be worth trying in the treatment.]

[You mean my ability to summon the star spirits?]

[Yes. Isn’t it a power known to counteract magic? If Yoon Si-woo is in this state because of a witch, maybe that power could offer some help.]

[Do you think it will work?]

[…I don’t know. I also feel there’s no answer through medicine, so I wanted to try turning to a miracle. I’ll look for a way on my end, but if you feel it’s too much, you can refuse.]

[…No. Let’s give it a shot. Please move Yoon Si-woo to the mansion in the morning. If we’re doing this, maximizing contact time would be best.]

That was why one of the rooms in the mansion was transformed into an inpatient room for Yoon Si-woo.

Since Aegis Academy had its own attending physician, it made sense to reduce travel time, which would be better for his treatment rather than going back and forth to the hospital.

Of course, whether this method would actually yield any results was a separate issue.

Lost in such thoughts, Sylvia shook her head lightly and focused, drawing out her power.

The starlight glimmering from her hands slowly seeped into Yoon Si-woo’s body.

As expected, that alone did not cause Yoon Si-woo’s eyes to open.

But it is said that miracles come to those who sincerely wish for them.

Holding onto Yoon Si-woo’s hand tightly, Sylvia, just like when she was a child, made a wish to the stars somewhere.

I hope this boy before my eyes can be healed.

I wish for a miracle to come to him.

At that moment, the door opened behind her, and she heard the voice of the servant, Sebastian.

“…Miss. I’m sorry, but the Central Committee just issued an emergency summons.”

“…Understood. I will prepare now, so please wait a moment.”

An emergency summons.

The reason the Central Committee was urgently looking for Sylvia was obvious, without the need for much thought.

Before standing up, Sylvia quietly took in the sight of Yoon Si-woo lying on the bed once more.

Then she silently asked him.

Yoon Si-woo, how did you end up like this?

Did you end up like this while trying to save Scarlet?

If that’s the case, do you not regret it?

Of course, there was no answer, but that was enough.

What she just did was merely to steady her own heart.

As Sylvia stood up, she thought.

Yoon Si-woo.

If you do not regret saving Scarlet, even after reaching this point.

Then I too, shall not regret it.

*

Students stood in line, row after row.

With tension in the air, sounds of swallowing could be heard here and there.

The expressions of those watching the students were quite a sight to behold.

Some were clutching their heads as if suffering from a headache.

Others wore expressions as if they could not comprehend the students’ thought processes.

“No, um… this is, ha…”

One man stood before them, unable to get his words out due to the absurdity of the situation. He finally broke the silence with a frustrated voice.

“What were you all thinking…?”

“…”

“I asked what you were thinking!!”

When the man’s question received no response from the students, he shouted angrily.

Well, it was only natural that this would happen.

Seeing the man’s reaction, Sylvia thought.

What other reason would they have to be gathered here in such a manner?

It must have been that they got caught for their antics last night.

“Disobedience? Alright, I’ll let that slide. But how can supposed aspiring heroes collectively engage in treason? This is truly maddening…”

From the way he spoke, it was evident that he was already convinced they were the ones responsible.

The class president, Mei, glared at the students, her eyes fierce.

Didn’t we all agree to play dumb yesterday? Who got caught, anyway?!

As she looked for the culprit, Sylvia observed a few students avoiding her gaze, seemingly guilty, but she didn’t want to blame them.

There was no way all these kids could be good at deceiving people, and to expect not to get caught after doing something so foolish in the first place was nonsensical.

Still,

“Who started this nonsense!?”

“…It was me. I was the one who suggested it.”

Since I had announced that I would take responsibility, something had to be done.

Thinking this, Sylvia stepped forward in response to the man’s question.

“If you are asking who started it, it was me. So if you intend to hold someone accountable, it should be me.”

“Ugh…”

Seeing the heir of Aegis step forward, the man wore a slightly startled expression, but he soon shouted loudly.

“What makes you think you can act so brazenly? Do you think being Aegis grants us a pardon!?”

“No. I didn’t think that.”

“Then what? You say you initiated it, so you want to take the blame? Are you willing to face the consequences for the others? Do you even know what the punishment for treason is?”

“Yes, I do. It’s summary execution.”

“You know that and yet—”

At the man’s words, Sylvia pressed her hand against her throat.

Then she covered her hand with magic.

Thud, her neck was cut.

In an instant, silence fell, and right after, the man’s eyes widened in shock as he saw the blood running down her neck.

“What… what are you doing!?”

Sylvia responded in a calm voice.

“I am taking responsibility and accepting the punishment. If I’m to take the blame, I would appreciate it if you could show some leniency for the other students.”

“Stop! I understand you want to take responsibility, but stop it!”

At the desperate shout of the man, Sylvia halted her hand.

Blood flowed down in rivulets.

If it had been just a moment later, things might have been a bit dangerous.

While she waved her hand dismissively toward the screaming students, assuring them it was okay, she thought.

Of course, I didn’t intend to die.

This was just an act to take control of the conversation in this adverse situation and demonstrate my resolve.

And it seemed that this dramatic gesture of solidarity worked surprisingly well.

“Hm… You engaged in such an act knowing you could face summary execution. Let’s hear it. Why did you all act as you did?”

On the side, Diakonos, who had been silently observing, spoke up, prompting Sylvia to think.

Somehow, a chance to speak had opened up.

But if she couldn’t persuade the very person who had ordered Scarlet’s death, it would all be meaningless.

From here on out, it would determine their future treatment.