"I'm alive."
I uttered those words out of relief. But I was still on the brink of death.
Both of my arms were on the verge of falling apart, my left lung was punctured, and there was blood in my trachea, making it practically impossible to breathe.
My mind was wavering; my head felt sluggish with each step I took.
However, in the distance, I could clearly see the Royal Capital, my final goal.
'I need to get rid of my clothes… If I were to approach the gates looking like this, they'd arrest me on the spot.'
I removed my bloodied clothes and threw them inside of my private subspace.
At the same time, I got a black t-shirt and a pair of jeans, the most normal clothing that I could think of.
Each step felt heavy, but, at last, I had managed to reach the Royal Capital's gates.
"Please show some form of identification!" One of the two guards exclaimed.
"Y-Yes… please give me a second."
As I tried to grab my fake identity from my pockets, I suddenly felt extremely dizzy, and I could only think of a single thing.
'Fuck… did I really fail?'
***
"I still have no idea how he can still be alive."
The voice was faint but still found its way to my ears.
'Did they find me?'
I couldn't even find the strength to open my eyes as my right arm wandered on the small table next to me.
'I-I need a weapon…'
My fingers brushed against the table silently as I felt a sharp object on it.
With quick and silent movements, I grabbed it and hid it behind my back; only then did I "awaken" from my slumber.
"Argh…"
I made the noise on purpose.
I needed to analyze the look on that person's face.
"Y-You're already up?!"
'Mhm. Surprise.'
Only then did I feel the muscles in my body relax.
My fear was all for naught.
I was scared that they might have found me again.
But luckily, it seemed that it had been saved by normal people.
"You should rest some more; you're still very low on blood. If you push yourself right now, you might have a heart attack."
With a quick glance at her attire, I could tell that she was the person who had healed me.
"Thank you, but I have to leave."
I tried to stand up, but my legs instantly gave out. Still, this much was nothing, as I pushed myself back up with the help of the table and the bed.
The woman frowned as she got right in front of me.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you leave. Not like this."
I stayed silent and didn't move a muscle. However, my intentions were as clear as day. Nothing would be making me stay here.
"If you're worried about people finding you, then don't worry; I can vouch that no one here will reveal your identity to anyone. You have my word!"
"H-How do you know my identity…?"
Instinctively, the Killing Intent Aura was released from my body.
The woman began shaking, tears falling on both sides of her face.
"Your name is Yike Vale! You're an orphan who doesn't have any peculiar bloodline! That's all I know, I swear! We just retrieved your identification card from your pockets."
'The secret identity I prepared for my escape… good.'
I felt a sense of relief wash over my entire body.
For the first time since I was born, I could finally take a deep breath and relax.
No one was trying to kill me in my sleep.
I was free.
"I see that's… good. I-I think I'll sleep some mo—"
Before I could even finish my sentence, I lost consciousness once more.
***
-Beep.
-Beep.
-Beep.
All I heard was the rhythmic sound of my heart as I opened my eyes once more.
My body felt light, and so did my mind.
I was fully recovered.
"Y-You're finally up!"
The same woman had a few days ago joyfully exclaimed as she jumped from her chair.
On her right were a bunch of unfinished snacks and meals.
'Did she stay here until I woke up? Is she crazy?' I frowned a little. 'Why does she look so happy to see me anyway? Most people I've met in my life would run away at my mere sight.'
"I did it~!" The woman began chanting over and over again.
She even went as far as to dance right in front of me.
"Did something happen?"
She smiled brightly. "You're the first person that I've ever managed to save~!"
My eyebrows raised on their own. 'I was stuck with this crazy maniac while unconscious?'
Both of her cheeks began turning bright red as if she read my thoughts.
"It's not that I'm bad or anything! I-I swear! It's just that you were the first case assigned to me. I've been learning from the other healers for the entire summer, and they decided to test my skills on you as some kind of test."
"A test?" I tilted my head. "They were making a test with my life on the line?"
The girl scratched her head innocently. "Mhm, well… if you say it like that."
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I'll take my leave from here."
"W-Wait, before you leave, could I at least run a few tests on you?"
"That won't be necessary. I feel perfectly fine."
She opened her mouth again, but no words came out. "Then, at least, take my card. If you ever get into any trouble, don't hesitate to call me~!"
[Amelia Lix]
[Affiliation: Royal Academy Student]
[Insert your mana in this card to call me!]
My eyes widened a little as I discovered her identity.
'The Lix Bloodline? The strongest healing bloodline in the entire world? Not only that, but she's a student at the Royal Academy?'
My thoughts began running wild as I watched the crazy maniac before me.
'The Royal Academy… It was my first option to hide my identity. I was just worried about getting a connection to join it, but… it seems that I've found it.'