Chapter 163

『Lilith has reached level 13!』

『Lilith has reached level 14!』

『Lilith has reached level 15!』

『Lilith has reached level 16!』

Two days had passed since the day I nearly drowned in the lake and was somehow brought back to life.@@novelbin@@

Unsurprisingly, the date we had planned that day was canceled. In fact, considering how close it came to becoming a funeral, it wasn’t exactly the right time to think about continuing the date.

I still felt as if I could see the last scene from two days ago lingering in front of my eyes.

The chaotic situation where so many people were calling my name.

‘Lilith! Lilith…!!’

‘Thank goodness you’re safe, Lady Lilith. However, you still need to rest, so we should hurry to the church for further treatment….’

‘I will personally take care of you until you’re fully stable! It’s not like the hero told me to do this or anything!’

‘…Are you really alright?’

Of course, given that I had almost died, it was understandable that everyone was so concerned.

Especially Ethan, who wouldn’t let go of me, holding me tightly, showing just how worried he had been.

Luckily, in the game world of 『Luminor Academy』, as long as you were alive, the divine power could heal you.

For now, I was continuing my recovery in a private room of the Aurelia Church to ensure stability.

In the Private Room of Aurelia Church

-Creak.

“How are you feeling today, Lady Lilith?”

“I’m feeling much better, thanks to your devoted care, Saintess.”

“I’m relieved to hear that…. There was a moment when I truly feared for your life….”

Serista, cautiously entering the church’s infirmary from the morning, was the face I had seen the most over the past two days. She had taken charge of my treatment after my near-death experience.

From her occasional slip-ups, I could infer that it was the hero who had assigned her to take care of me.

‘Assigning Serista to take care of me… Is it part of his strategy?’

Although it felt odd to say it myself, Lilith’s abilities in the game were quite useful.

The standard strategy involved including Lilith in the party as a supporter and sub-tank.

Judging from the hero’s recent actions, it seemed he was aiming for a standard, stable strategy to clear the game.

This wasn’t a good sign for me.

I had no intention of joining the protagonist's party to defeat the Demon King.

It was natural for any sane person to avoid dangerous situations.

Moreover, considering the event where the hero takes Lilith as a companion, I found it even more unsettling.

The thought of the hero decapitating Ethan and taking me as spoils was a sight I never wanted to witness.

Even though Ethan had changed significantly, and it was clear now that the hero was an isekai character, things might not spiral out of control like that.

But it still seemed better to return to my routine as soon as possible rather than relying too much on Serista.

Missing more classes would make catching up difficult, and I also needed to resume my student council duties.

“I think I might be able to return to the academy as early as tomorrow, Saintess.”

“But you still need to rest a bit more. You were literally at death’s door…. If it weren’t for the hero’s CPR… it was truly dangerous. Even though there don’t seem to be any side effects…”

“…You mean CPR, right?”

“Yes, yes…. You remember well…?”

I didn’t just remember; it was knowledge from my past life. From the context, it was clear that the hero had used CPR to save me.

The thought of my heart stopping and being restarted was terrifying.

Even though I was scared when I had to rely on the church after fighting the Hooked Claw, this time I had injuries even the church couldn’t heal, which was even scarier.

If the hero hadn’t been nearby, I might not have survived.

…I never expected to receive CPR from the hero.

‘No one else but Ethan has touched me.’

Even though I was unconscious, knowing another man had touched my chest felt weird.

Of course, it was necessary because Ethan couldn’t perform CPR, and there was no way he could learn it on the spot.

It was medical treatment, not something to be overly concerned about.

Still, I couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable knowing another man touched me in front of Ethan.

‘It seems they even performed artificial respiration.’

The faint memory of someone else’s lips touching mine lingered. It had to be the hero, given the circumstances.

Even though it was to save my life, Ethan must have felt terrible seeing his loved one’s chest touched and lips kissed by someone else.

I felt a bit guilty even though it wasn’t my fault.

If I were Ethan, I would have felt very uncomfortable too.

‘It might have been better if it was Ethan.’

Since he often touched me anyway, having him touch my chest wouldn’t have bothered me.

Even artificial respiration, if done by someone familiar, would have been less awkward.

I also felt guilty for not being able to give a proper answer to his confession.

If I ever had to kiss someone, it might have been better if it was Ethan….

‘No, what am I even thinking?’

“Are you feeling hot, Lady Lilith?”

“Oh, no…. It’s not that….”

“……?”

Suddenly embarrassed by my thoughts, my face felt warm.

Thinking about Ethan had been like this for the past few days, making me unnecessarily conscious.

I had anticipated that Ethan might confess at some point.

It hadn’t changed my perception of him.

In the critical moment, he showed signs of becoming a Sword Expert and blocked the Kraken’s final attack.

Even when we sank to the bottom of the lake, he pulled me to the shore.

Naturally, thinking about these things made me more conscious of him.

Even as a man, anyone would feel their heart race in such situations.

Anyone who didn’t feel gratitude towards someone who saved their life would be heartless.

There’s also the suspension bridge effect. In crises, hearts beat faster, often mistaking this for love towards someone nearby.

Thinking of Ethan, my heart raced. It must be a combination of the suspension bridge effect and conditioned response.

…Of course, I felt genuine gratitude towards Ethan. His help was invaluable.

If he asked for something in return, I’d have no choice but to agree.

Touching my chest? No problem. If he asked to reschedule the date, I’d agree.

If he asked me to be his girlfriend as repayment, I might not be able to refuse.

Or even more than that….

-Tap, tap.

“Lilith, how are you feeling?”

“E-E-Ethan?!”

Startled by Ethan’s voice from outside the room, I instinctively panicked.

I quickly turned to Serista for an explanation.

“H-How did this happen? I thought visits weren’t allowed yet….”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mention it. After your condition stabilized yesterday, we informed Lord Ethan and Princess Seraphine. We allowed visits for one person at a time….”

“Why are you telling me this now?!”

“I-I’m sorry…! I meant to tell you after checking your condition….”

What should I do? How should I face Ethan now?

I need to wash my face…. No, I should fix my hair first….

“Lilith, may I come in?”

“J-Just a moment, Ethan!”

I hurriedly removed the sleep from my eyes and tidied my hair with my fingers.

Using a Clean spell, I cleaned my clothes and the bed. Then….

“Head dress!”

“Yes?!”

“Could you hand me the head dress over there?”

“This one…?”

“Yes, that one!”

Taking the head dress from the maid outfit hanging on the rack, I quickly put it on, tidying my hair underneath it.

It looked presentable enough.

“You can come in, Ethan.”

-Creak.

After ensuring I looked like ‘Lilith, the exclusive maid,’ I called Ethan in.

As soon as I finished speaking, the sliding door opened, and Ethan entered.

Seeing his face for the first time in three days, my heart unexpectedly started pounding.

“Lilith, how are you feeling?”

-Thump.

“…Lilith?”

“Oh, yes…. My body, you mean…?”

-Thump, thump.

“…Are you still not feeling well? Even with the saintess’s care….”

“Oh, no, it’s just….”

-Thump, thump, thump.

Suspension bridge, suspension bridge….

It’s the suspension bridge effect….