The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character-Chapter 318: It Was All An Act

My sister took out something that looked like a speed gun—or maybe a scouter—from her pocket.

The examination wasn't anything complicated.

You just pointed that strange tool at someone, and it displayed their general disposition. If it came out as neutral or better, you passed.

There was a formal version of the test, but obviously they weren't going to do anything that elaborate here. Besides, if someone really wanted to avoid the tool, it wasn't hard. In the end, this test was more of a "better than nothing" precaution.

Professor Lena expression softened the moment the tool showed a neutral reading without any issues.

"Thank you for your cooperation," she said gently. "Since you seem to be having memory problems… once we escape, we can arrange assistance with basic necessities, if you'd like."

She looked at me for a moment — those red eyes studying me with quiet concern — then she smiled, warm and politely distant, and shook her head as if reassuring herself.

"Ah, thank you. But I'm fine. My memories are slowly returning, even if they're still a bit vague."

"I see. That's good to hear."

She bowed her head lightly — not toward the group, but unmistakably toward me.

Then she turned and walked back to the waiting civilians as if everything had been neatly resolved.

…Wait.

She wasn't planning to just walk away like that, was she?

It wouldn't really matter even if she did, but I was still curious about what she was planning to do next.

"Hey, Rin, did you put on cologne?"

"No? What cologne?"

Leona leaned toward me with a puzzled expression, closing the distance far more than she usually allowed. Then she started sniffing me.

…Wasn't part of her entire personality hating when guys got too close?

I played dumb, but I already knew the reason.

It was a side effect of the special elixir I had taken earlier. The one created by the Crimson Alchemist. If you consumed it, your natural scent shifted into a faint floral fragrance.

I drank it without thinking too deeply about it — it wasn't supposed to be strong enough for anyone to notice. But apparently, people with sensitive noses could.

"Why? Do I smell like something?" I asked casually.

"Well… it's not unpleasant. Actually, it's kind of nice," she admitted.

"Oh, really? The loser smells good now~" someone teased from the side.

"Oh, really? Let me—"

"Ryen." I didn't even need to look to know who it was. "If you take one more step closer, you and I are fighting to the death right here."

"Too much," he scoffed.

"Too much, my ass."

"…I'm glad you seem okay. I was worried because you looked so exhausted earlier."

Ah.

So that was why they were hovering around me, giving me those soft, pity-filled stares. I thought something felt off.

Guys… please.

It was all an act this time.

Getting looked at like that actually stings my conscience.

Ryen, Leona, the others—even my sister and Professor Lena—were all staring at me like they were one breath away from crying.

I had to admit it:

I overdid it.

Just a bit. Maybe more than a bit.

I should've remembered that, to them, I'm not just some extra playing dead for dramatic effect.

I might matter more than I realized.

To me, it was just a fun little scenario. A story beat.

An event necessary for the protagonist's growth.

But to them…

I almost turned it into trauma.

I'd been trying to prevent them from facing heavy incidents—and somehow, I ended up being the one who almost caused one.

"I'm really okay…"

Normally, I would've said that with a smile and brushed everything off.

But looking at their faces—tense, worried, hurting—I felt like I shouldn't.

So instead, I took a small breath and changed my words.

"Honestly… I wasn't okay. But I wasn't that scared, either. You were there. Leon was there. The professor was there. Everyone—seniors included. As long as I held on, I knew I'd survive. So… what was there to fear?"

Their expressions shifted—some relief, some guilt, some determination.

If today was going to remain in their memories, then I wanted it to become something they could grow from, not something that haunted them.

I'd already done what I did… so at least I could guide what came next.

"Well, but if you're really worried…"

I paused for effect.

Since I already felt bad, I might as well turn it into a clean assist.

"Next time… save me a little faster."

Ryen nodded, jaw clenched, eyes firm with resolve.

Leona straightened her posture.

The others quietly swallowed, looking like they'd made some kind of promise to themselves.

And Professor Len…

Her expression was three times more serious than Ryen's.

Honestly?

That one scared me a little.

Professor Lena stepped closer before I even realized she'd moved.

Her heels barely made a sound, but the air around her grew heavier… colder… sharper.

"Next time," she repeated, her voice soft enough to be gentle — and yet somehow carrying more weight than a threat. "I will not allow such a situation to occur again."

…Why did that sound less like a promise and more like an announcement that she planned to personally dismantle the universe if it tried something?

Her red eyes flicked over me from head to toe, evaluating every inch as if she were checking for damage the spell couldn't reveal.

"It seems there are no lingering abnormalities," she murmured.

"I told you I'm—"

She raised a hand, and I shut up on instinct.

"You are not 'fine.' You are upright, breathing, and conscious. That is not the same as fine."

Uh.

…Okay then.

Ryen cleared his throat, stepping between us as if to break the tension.

"Professor, he's really okay now. We'll make sure he—"

"Ryen," she said calmly.

And Ryen immediately stopped talking.

Even he wasn't immune.

Lena slowly exhaled, then offered me a polite smile — the kind that hid something dangerous beneath it.

"You said your memories are vague… but even so, please refrain from reckless behavior. If something had gone truly wrong, the consequences—"

She paused.

Her pupils trembled faintly.

"There would have been no way to fix it."

The others went quiet at that, and even Han-hee—usually the one to break any heavy mood—didn't speak.

I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

.... It's seems that my villain act went beyond little too much.