* * *
It shouldn’t have mattered who helped carry him.
There wasn’t a designated person for such tasks, so Chester’s remark was more than enough to spark confusion in Colin.
Seeing the look of incomprehension in Colin’s eyes, Chester seemed to snap back to his senses, his shoulders twitching slightly.
However, without saying another word, he gripped the arms of the unconscious Ruite.
With the help of the nearby classmates, he successfully hoisted Ruite onto his back and stepped out of the classroom.
Leaving the noisy classroom behind, Chester quickened his pace.
He could feel the labored breathing against his back, causing him to click his tongue involuntarily.
‘How could he have kept sitting through lectures when his condition was bad enough to run a fever like this?’
The image of Ruite dozing off helplessly throughout the class suddenly flickered through his mind.
“…”
He wasn’t sure whether to call it stubbornness or sheer stupidity.
While clicking his tongue, Chester applied as much strength as possible to his hands supporting Ruite and hurried down to the first floor.
There are two infirmaries within the academy.
The First Infirmary is for general student examinations and treatment, while the Second Infirmary is a specialized facility for students with Alpha or Omega traits.
Philia, the supervisor for both, usually stays in the First Infirmary.
Therefore, students with business there enter the First Infirmary first to consult her, moving to the Second Infirmary only if the issue is trait-related.
With a steady hand, Chester pushed open the door to the First Infirmary.
Philia, who was organizing medicine on a shelf, turned her head with a look of surprise.
“What’s happened?”
“Ruite Everhart from Magic Class 3 collapsed. He seems to have a very high fever, so please take a look at him quickly.”
Philia quietly repeated Ruite’s name in her mind, let out a low “Ah,” and glanced at Chester.
“Right. Could you lay him down on this bed? You can head back now.”
“Shouldn’t he be taken to the Second Infirmary instead of here?”
Philia’s eyes widened in surprise. Generally, a student’s trait was a private matter that others didn’t know.
While extremely close friends might share such information, it was rare.
Professors who knew these traits were bound by a strict moral code of confidentiality.
Philia had intentionally avoided mentioning the Second Infirmary in front of Chester to protect Ruite’s personal information.
Yet, here was Chester, asking if they should go to the specialized Second Infirmary.
“I am aware that he is an Omega, Professor.”
“I see. Then move him to the Second Infirmary.”
Chester laid Ruite down on an empty bed. His face was flushed much deeper than before.
Philia approached and skillfully checked Ruite’s condition, taking the necessary measures.
Fortunately, after a few of her treatments, Ruite’s expression began to settle.
“Why is he like this?”
“Hm? Oh, you mean Ruite?”
“Yes.”
“Usually, when an Alpha or Omega develops a severe fever without a specific cause, it’s due to a heat cycle. But you all aren’t at the age for pheromone secretion yet; your bodies are still growing into your traits, so it’s not time for a cycle to manifest.”
Chester knew that. That’s why when he first saw Ruite collapse, he had vaguely assumed it was a cold or exhaustion.
But the more he observed, his instincts told him otherwise.
It wasn’t a typical illness; it was a trait-related issue.
“Ruite has been overexerting himself lately, especially with that incident during the practical test. I heard he used an excessive amount of mana then. If we look for a root cause, it’s likely the abnormal loss of vitality from that influence.”
Philia explained that since they were born with these traits, it was surprisingly common for such fevers to occur before the body fully matured.
“Omegas, in particular, have a higher probability of this. That’s why I personally gave him stabilizers… but it seems he didn’t take them. He’s likely just not used to the idea of having to take medicine because of his trait.”
Philia let out a sigh of relief, saying it was a relief it wasn’t any worse.
Ruite was sound asleep, his hair disheveled and damp with sweat.
Chester stared at the symmetrical face for a moment before turning his head away.
“By the way, Chester, you knew about Ruite’s trait? I didn’t realize you two were close enough to share something like that.”
“…We aren’t close. That’s not how I know.”
It was a statement that could be interpreted meaningfully, but Philia didn’t pry.
It was just a gut feeling based on her long experience as a professor.
“Anyway, good work. Ruite will probably sleep a bit more because of the medicine. Professor Harold should be here soon… do you want to stay longer?”
“I don’t see a reason to. I’ll be going now.”
Chester bowed his head and left the infirmary.
Watching his retreating figure, Philia tilted her head.
He had looked so urgent when he burst through the door carrying Ruite, yet now, as he turned away without hesitation, he seemed like a different person.
Philia thought about it for a moment, then covered her mouth and let out a small laugh.
By the time Chester returned to the classroom, the final lecture had already begun.
Whether his classmates had explained the situation or not, the professor didn’t say much despite his late arrival.
He opened his textbook, held his pen, and looked up.
He tried to focus on the professor’s explanation, but strangely, the words wouldn’t sink in.
His gaze kept drifting to the empty seat beside him.
Scattered across Ruite’s desk were the materials and textbooks used in the previous hour.
Ultimately, Chester couldn’t focus properly until the last morning lecture ended.
As the classmates stood up one by one to pack their things, Colin suddenly turned around.
“Chester, how’s Rui?”
“In the infirmary.”
“Is he okay?”
When Chester nodded, Colin let out a long sigh of relief.
“I was really shocked earlier. He said he felt like he should go to the infirmary because he wasn’t feeling well, and then he just collapsed.”
It seemed that while Chester was away consulting Harold, Ruite had tried to head to the infirmary but collapsed from the rising fever.
“I heard a lot of kids are catching colds lately. I wonder if that’s why Rui collapsed? Either way, I should go check on him.”
Colin started packing his things and stood up.
Ruite was currently in the Second Infirmary due to his trait-related fever.
Colin, assuming it was a cold, wouldn’t know that.
If Colin went to the infirmary and saw Ruite lying in the Second Infirmary… there was a chance he might realize Ruite was an Omega.
“…”
“Hm? What is it?”
As the thought struck him, Chester subconsciously grabbed Colin’s wrist as he was about to leave.
The thought of Colin finding out about Ruite’s trait sparked a strange surge of irritation.
“Professor Philia said it’s important for him to rest because of the fever. He fell asleep because of the medicine, so it’ll probably be a wasted trip.”
The fabricated words flowed out smoothly.
At the very least, Philia hadn’t explicitly said he must not be disturbed.
“Ah, I guess you’re right. Hmm… then I should hold off on going. I’ll see him tomorrow anyway.”
Colin thought it over and nodded, looking convinced.
“See you tomorrow, Chester.”
With a light farewell, Colin headed for the back door.
Chester remained in his seat, staring at his back.
Colin’s broad shoulders and tall stature felt unusually bothersome today.
“Colin.”
“Yeah?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Even at the somewhat absurd interaction—calling him only to say it was nothing—Colin just laughed.
Left alone in the classroom after Colin departed, Chester shook his head and covered his mouth with a heavy hand.
Just now, he had almost asked Colin about his trait.
Whether he was an Alpha.
But he couldn’t understand why he was suddenly interested in someone else’s trait or why he felt compelled to ask.
In this academy, asking about one’s trait could be considered rude, and he knew that well.
Yet, he had almost acted out of character.
He felt frustrated by how many of his actions lately had become a mystery even to himself.
“Ah.”
And he was doing it again.
He had clearly intended to leave the classroom and go straight to the dormitory, but when he regained his senses, he was standing in front of the Second Infirmary.
He had delivered the collapsed Ruite safely; that should have been the end of his duty as a fellow human being.
So why was he back here?
Now, when the lectures were over and he had no reason to be in the main building?
Chester hesitated as he was about to turn back toward the entrance.
‘Well, since I’m already here, it shouldn’t matter if I just take a look.’
He felt responsible for bringing him here, and he thought he’d feel uneasy if Ruite’s condition had worsened.
After checking his surroundings, Chester carefully opened the infirmary door.
Through the slowly widening gap, Philia was nowhere to be seen.
She seemed to have stepped out.
Then, Chester came to a sudden halt as he stepped inside.
Ruite, whom he expected to be sound asleep, was sitting up in bed.
However, he looked as if he had only just woken up; his hair was messy and his eyes were nearly closed.
Whether he had changed clothes because of the sweat, he was wearing comfortable infirmary attire rather than his school uniform.
His pale skin was clearly visible through the slightly loose top.
Still dazed, Ruite was straining his eyes so hard that his eyelids creased, appearing uncomfortable.
The sight of him pressing his tired eyes with his hand and letting out a small yawn was… well, it was vulnerable.
As Chester took in that sight from a distance, he felt a sense of self-alienation.
It felt utterly nonsensical.
Because, looking at the vulnerable Ruite, the thought “he’s cute” had just flashed through his mind.
* * *
