Although I was an illegitimate daughter raised by the Bailey family in the countryside, they had never given me a single cent for living expenses. Everything I had came from the skills my grandfather had taught me basic first-aid techniques, modern emergency care, and the small jobs I took to earn enough for school. It wasn't much, but it kept me warm and fed.
And now I had a chance to attend school again without having to struggle for it. If I didn't go, wouldn't that be such a waste?
While I was still thinking about all this, Captian had already stood up. He put on his leather shoes and, without saying another word, opened the door and left. I watched his back disappear and was momentarily stunned. That demon just… left? He didn't cause trouble for me? He really came only to give me a ribbon and talk about school? Why did I feel something was off…
Trying to guess the thoughts of Director Anderson was like trying to find a needle in the ocean. I didn't dare think too deeply. What mattered most was that tomorrow, I could go to school. After staying in this mansion for so long, I had almost forgotten I was just an eighteen-year-old girl, someone who should be hanging out with friends her age, not being locked in a villa all day dealing with a demon king.
The next morning, I stared at the ribbon on my vanity table, unsure whether I should wear it. It was beautiful, but something about it felt unsettling. Still, if not wearing it somehow provoked Captian's anger… my whole body shuddered. I quickly tied my hair into a ponytail with the ribbon and slipped into a pink dress.
In the mirror, my face looked bright, youthful, full of energy even beneath the anxiety. With my hair tied up, I felt like a sunflower turning toward the wind. Since Captian hadn't returned last night, I ate breakfast peacefully, put on my small backpack, and headed out.
Heatherwick University, one of the most prestigious private schools in Alchimie City. Only when I saw the golden gates did I realize the word "private" should really be "aristocratic." Lining both sides of the entrance were rare ornamental trees, and ahead were rows of majestic European-style academic buildings, complete with a grand fountain in the center. Students wearing designer clothes and luxury watches walked in groups, chatting casually.
Carrying my tiny backpack, I clearly looked out of place, and more than a few curious eyes followed me. I ignored them and walked toward the sports field.
A crowd had gathered there, someone was playing basketball, and a group of girls were screaming at the top of their lungs, shrieking Halley's name like he was some celebrity. Curious, I walked closer.
On the court, two teams were battling fiercely. Just as a ball was about to be thrown into the hoop, a boy with pale skin darted in like the wind and stole it in one swift motion.
The girls screamed like maniacs.
"It's Halley! He's so handsome!"
"He's amazing! Did you see that move?"
I glanced over. So that was Halley. Fair skin, bright eyes, radiating sunny energy, he really did look like an adorable golden puppy. Handsome, athletic… absolutely the type these girls would worship.
I watched him for a moment, then quickly lost interest and turned to leave. But I had barely taken a few steps when the excited screams behind me suddenly turned into panicked shrieks.
"Ah! Halley fainted! Why did he collapse?"
Hearing someone had fainted, I immediately stopped. Even though I grew up in the countryside, my grandfather had taught me modern first-aid and clinical basics. Instinctively, I turned back to look. But Halley was completely surrounded by crying girls, so I couldn't see anything.
All they did was scream. If shrieking could cure heatstroke, the world wouldn't need hospitals.
I rolled my eyes and pushed my way in. "Move. Make space."
The girls looked offended. Who was I? Another Halley fangirl? Why was I squeezing in here? How disgusting! They glared daggers at me as if I were dirt.
Ignoring them, I knelt beside Halley and checked him carefully. His cheeks were flushed, his skin drenched in sweat, his limbs limp. Classic heat exhaustion under this blazing weather, and after intense exercise, it wasn't surprising at all.
I opened my backpack to find my emergency medical kit. Suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist.
"Take your filthy hands off him! Don't use Halley fainting as an excuse to touch him! Get lost!"
It was one of the girls. I stared at her, speechless. Was everyone in this noble school insane? I flicked her hand away and said coldly, "I know modern first-aid. He has heat exhaustion and needs ventilation. Surrounding him like this is making it worse. Step back and give him fresh air."
The girls hesitated, startled by my serious tone.
But then the ringleader Liona snorted, "Do you think I'll fall for that? You just want an excuse to get close to him!"
"That's right! Who do you think you are?"
"The school doctor will be here soon. Don't act like you know anything!"
I sighed. The place was chaotic, hot, cramped, and Halley's condition was clearly worsening, his hands were already trembling.
"If you don't move," I snapped, my voice cold, "and something happens to him, every one of you will be responsible."
The sharpness in my voice finally scared them. I took out my emergency kit, the sterilized metal tools glinting under the sun, and they all instinctively stepped back.
"L-Liona… maybe she really does know something…"
"I mean… those tools look real…"
Liona reluctantly backed away. I pressed two fingers to Halley's neck, checked his temperature again, then his pupils. After confirming his condition, I prepared the rapid-cooling emergency pack I always carried and applied it carefully to help bring his temperature down.