The Academy's Doomed Side Character

Chapter 17: Sector D [3]

Chapter 17: Sector D [3]From the corner of my eye, I caught the faint crease of worry on Lena’s brow.

She won’t leave me alone.

...just as I expected.

She rose to her feet.

Not abruptly. Not in alarm. But with that same composed grace she’d shown from the beginning—as if everything was unfolding exactly as she intended.

But it wasn’t.

I had led her here. Every word, every glance, every trembling step had been carefully placed like stones across a river. Leading her across to where I needed her to be.

I forced my legs to move, one sluggish step after another, putting distance between us.

Even as my body screamed in protest, I kept going.

My legs felt like lead, trembling with each step, but I pushed through the pain with sheer willpower alone.

Because I had to.

My entire plan hinged on her next move.

If she was the same person described in the novel—the kindhearted, meddlesome professor—then everything would go as planned.

But if I had misjudged her...

If she really was the cold, detached professional she pretended to be...

Then this was all for nothing.

My body was at its limit. If she didn’t stop me, I wouldn’t make it much further.

I wouldn’t even be able to crawl.

Which meant I’d be stuck right here.

Out in the open. Vulnerable.

A scenario I absolutely couldn’t afford.

As the distance between us grew, my chest tightened with dread.

I could feel it—the creeping panic clawing at my throat.

Was this it?

Did I miscalculate?

I gritted my teeth, forcing my legs to keep moving, even as my vision blurred at the edges.

Do I have no choice but—

"W-Wait!"

Lena’s voice rang out, sharp and urgent, cutting through my spiraling thoughts.

I froze.

Relief washed over me, and my tense shoulders relaxed just a fraction.

Got her.

Slowly, I turned my head, schooling my expression into one of mild surprise.

"Yes...?" I asked weakly, my voice barely above a whisper.

When our eyes met, I saw the worry in hers. Her lips were parted, breath uneven from calling out.

"I’ll help you," she said firmly, already stepping toward me.

For a moment, I blinked at her, feigning uncertainty.

"Oh... you don’t have to," I mumbled, forcing a faint smile despite the exhaustion in my voice. "I’ll be fine."

Lena shook her head, her footsteps quickening as she closed the gap between us.

"No," she said softly but with an unmistakable firmness. "You’re not fine. Not like this."

Her eyes locked onto mine,

"What is this?" she whispered, glancing around, trying to find the source. "Who’s there?"

[Answer the question.]

This time, the voice was closer. Sharper. It didn’t come through her ears—it bypassed them entirely, vibrating against the marrow of her bones.

Lena’s lips trembled. "No—what question? What do you mean?"

[Can you sacrifice yourself to save others?]

It wasn’t just a question anymore. It was a demand. A trial.

The spring behind her let out a low, rumbling sigh, as if exhaling something ancient and expectant.

Lena’s breath caught.

She wasn’t supposed to be part of this.

She was just helping a guy get to a spring.

But now?

Now, something had noticed her. Marked her.

The air thickened, heavy with unseen pressure. Lena could feel it pressing against her skull, trying to worm its way into her mind.

Lena’s mouth was dry.

Her eyes were drawn back to the water. She didn’t move closer—she didn’t dare—but something in her heart told her the moment she said yes, there would be no going back.

The world would change.

And so would she.

She took one shaky breath.

Then another.

And whispered, "...Yes."

The spring exploded with light.

...And she was gone as well.