The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character
Chapter 43 - 43: The Last Day

"Ah..."

A deep sigh escaped from Lena's lips, and she couldn't stop herself from rubbing her temples. Tomorrow was the big day—the day she'd officially begin her career as a professor at Velcrest Academy.

She was about to teach Sacred Flame to Class 1-A, the first-year students, and yet... she didn't feel the excitement she thought she should.

Before this, Lena had been the secretary to the Chairman, handling all the paperwork and administration, but this year, things had shifted. She had made the bold decision to step into the role of a professor—specifically, to teach the Sacred Flame class.

The funny part? She didn't even have to ask for the position. The Chairman had already planned to assign it to her, regardless of her decision.

So, technically, she had gotten what she wanted.

But why didn't she feel happy about it?

Lena sighed again, the weight of uncertainty pulling at her chest.

"What's wrong, Lena?" The Chairman's voice broke through her thoughts. "Oh! Sorry, I mean Professor Lena. Haha."

She chuckled softly, a teasing grin tugging at her lips.

Lena glanced at her sideways, then sighed yet again.

"It's nothing, Chairman."

The Chairman raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair as she studied Lena with a knowing look.

"Hmm... Let me guess? You must be thinking about cadet Rin Evans, right?"

A blush crept up her cheeks. How did she know? But she couldn't deny it.

"Ugh..." Lena exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. "Yes, I've been thinking about him."

Rin Evans. She couldn't help but worry about him. Not just because he resembled her younger brother, but because she saw so much of herself in him—especially his unwavering determination, despite his frail body.

On more than one occasion, she'd secretly gone to check on him. She'd watched him struggle, trying to lift dumbbells that were far too heavy for him, pushing his limits in ways that were clearly dangerous.

This morning had been the worst. She had found him in the gym, struggling with a 30kg dumbbell, trying to lift it without any magic assistance. His arms were shaking, and his face was contorted in concentration.

Her heart had almost stopped when she saw him nearly drop it on his chest. It had taken everything in her to rush over and stop him, scolding him like the protective older sister she wished she could be to him.

"That's how boys are," the Chairman remarked, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "They do reckless things when they feel like they have something to prove."

Lena stayed silent, her expression clouded with worry.

"I understand how you feel," the Chairman continued, "but you're not his sister. You're going to be his professor starting tomorrow. There's a line, Lena. A fine one."

"I know," Lena murmured.

But knowing didn't make it easier.

She wasn't blind—she saw how the other cadets looked at Rin. Some were curious, others dismissive. A few were openly hostile. His name might've been Evans, but unlike the prestigious family he came from, Rin didn't command respect. Not yet.

And Velcrest was not a place where mercy was in high supply.

"You can't protect him from everything," the Chairman added gently. "Especially not from himself."

Lena looked down at her hands.

"I just don't want to see him break."

The Chairman stood up, walking over to place a firm but reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Then help him learn how not to."

Their eyes met, and Lena finally allowed herself to breathe.

She nodded, slowly, as if grounding herself in the truth of those words.

"Right," she said, straightening her back. "I'll teach him. Like I would any other cadet."

The Chairman's smile faded a little as she leaned forward. "You know you can't show favoritism in your classes, right?"

Lena nodded automatically. "I'm fully aware of that, Chairman."

She paused, trying to steady her emotions. "I know how to separate personal and professional matters. You don't need to worry about that."

The Chairman gave her a skeptical look, her eyes narrowing slightly. Lena could practically hear her internal monologue: You may say that, but you're not always great at keeping things separate.

But she wisely kept those words to herself.

Lena just wanted to do her job well, but she knew there were going to be challenges. Rin Evans was only one of them.

The Chairman studied Lena's face carefully—the way her brows were knitted with concern, her lips pressed into a tight line. She looked like someone carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Serena couldn't help but sigh herself.

"Well… I think I understand your concern," she said softly. "Just like you said, he's a good kid."

That caught Lena completely off guard. She jolted upright, her eyes wide as if someone had poured cold water down her back.

"Wait—hold on! You've already met him?" she asked, mouth falling open. "And you didn't even tell me?! You didn't do anything to him, did you?!"

Serena gave a small, amused shrug.

Lena stared at her, dumbfounded.

"You seriously didn't say anything? I can't believe you."

"I didn't tell you," Serena said calmly, "because I knew this would happen."

She pointed at Lena's current expression —a flustered mess of disbelief, concern, and something dangerously close to panic.

"You're too emotionally invested," Serena said, crossing her arms. "I didn't want you barging into my office demanding answers like a worried mom."

"I wouldn't have done that," Lena muttered.

Serena tilted her head with an unimpressed stare.

"…Okay, I might have done that," Lena admitted, shoulders slumping.

"There it is." Serena smiled victoriously. "And don't worry. I didn't do anything to him. I just had a brief conversation after the aptitude assessment. That's all."

Lena narrowed her eyes. "Define brief."

"He tripped on his own bag, apologized twice, and tried to pretend like he didn't twist his ankle. I told him to get it checked and sent him on his way."

Of course it was all Lie but Lena doesn't need to know that.

Lena blinked.

That did sound like something Rin would do.

"Still," Serena added, her tone softening, "he was polite. Honest. A little too self-deprecating, maybe, but that's part of the charm, I suppose."

Lena frowned. "He's not supposed to be charming. He's supposed to be focused."

"Right. Focused. Of course." Serena smirked again, clearly enjoying herself.

Lena groaned and buried her face in her hands. "I'm going to regret all of this, aren't I?"

Serena walked back behind her desk, placing a stack of untouched papers neatly to the side. "Only if you forget why you took this job in the first place."

Lena looked up, confused.

"You wanted to stop hiding behind paperwork," Serena said quietly. "You said you were tired of watching from the sidelines. That you wanted to do something."

Lena's chest tightened.

She had said that—during one of their late-night talks, when the academy hallways were empty and the two of them stayed behind in the office, surrounded by moonlight and unsorted files.

"Just remember that teaching is a form of protecting, too," Serena continued. "Not by shielding them from harm, but by preparing them to face it."

Lena slowly nodded, her eyes thoughtful now.

There it was.

Not the duty.

Not the fear.

The reason.

"…You're right."

"Of course I am. I'm the Chairman."

Lena rolled her eyes, but the tension in her shoulders had eased. Her breath came more steadily now.

"I'll start fresh tomorrow," she said. "No favoritism. No emotions clouding my judgment. Rin Evans will be just another student in my class."

Serena gave her a long, considering look.

"…Good," she said at last.

But even as Lena spoke those words with conviction, deep down, she knew it wouldn't be that easy.

Because Rin wasn't just another cadet.

And she wasn't just another professor.

"Well, enjoy your last night of peace, Professor Lena. Tomorrow, it's a battlefield."

Lena groaned, but she couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips.

Yeah… tomorrow was going to be a long day. But maybe not as bad as she thought.

----

End Of Volume One—> Awakening

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