I have to say, the timing of Serina's appearance was a little too perfect.
Based on the authority I gained after conquering her, I could not help but suspect that she might normally possess a similar ability, one that allowed her to listen clearly across vast distances.
Just that, if Serina really knew what I was doing…
Then that would absolutely be tacit approval, or even indulgence, right?
She is an angel. She's undoubtedly an angel.
"It is just a light injury, it is nothing to worry about. Besides, saliva has disinfecting properties too, does it not?"
"It does, but the effect is very weak, and there is also a risk of worsening the infection." Serina looked at me very seriously. "So, please allow me to tend to the wound for you."
With such earnest kindness, it was hard to refuse. After buying the bento I was bringing for Ako, I led Serina back to Schale.
Just as I had expected, when Serina saw the bite marks and scratches on my body after I took off my shirt, she showed no surprise at all. She did not ask any questions either, simply dipping a cotton swab in iodine and carefully wiping, disinfecting the wounds for me.
"By the way," I said, eating the loving bento Serina had specially prepared for me as I spoke, "if I remember correctly, Trinity has another round of exams coming up, right?"
I had heard this from the After School Sweets Club, who had once again come to me for tutoring help.
But since I had been quite busy lately and really could not spare time to meet in person, I could only do my best to answer their questions online.
Logically speaking, with her duties in the Remedial Knights and the fact that she also needed to take the exams, Serina should be extremely busy during this period.
Serina nodded, but then said something that left me puzzled.
"Yes. It is precisely because there is a very important exam coming up recently, one that everyone, no matter who, must prepare for seriously, that I came to look for you."
Could this be a declaration of intending to make a sneaky move while taking advantage of the situation?
Just as I vaguely felt that something about my guess was still off, Serina spoke again.
"May I ask, do you have time later? If possible, I would very much like you to accompany me to a certain place."
I turned my face slightly and took in the solemn expression revealed by the girl, without missing a single detail.
Choosing a time this important, on the eve of an exam so critical that "no matter who" had to study seriously…
Sensing the implication in Serina's words, I smelled a hint of something unusual.
After a moment of contemplation, I gave a slight nod. "Of course."
Serina smiled. "Thank you very much, Sensei."
After taking care of some trivial matters, I followed Serina and left Schale.
The destination was not very far, probably a small town also located on the outskirts of D.U. However, we did not use any transportation the entire way, relying solely on our legs. The little nurse deliberately chose secluded side paths to walk along, and she also seemed consciously intent on avoiding surveillance, so it took quite a bit of time.
To be honest, the counter surveillance awareness Serina displayed during this period made me feel a little afraid.
Before the sky completely darkened, Serina finally slowed her steps, then turned back to me and said, "Sensei, thank you for accompanying me all this way. Please hold on for just a little longer, it is just ahead."
At this very moment, we were inside a quiet, secluded small woodland, deep and rarely visited by people.
Hearing Serina's words, I rallied my spirits and rekindled my curiosity about why she had brought me here.
There must be something extremely important, something that absolutely could not be known by others.
So important that it had to be arranged at a time like this, in order to avoid certain people's notice.
For example… those few individuals in Trinity who held the highest authority?
Amid my guesses and thoughts, after walking several dozen more steps, the view suddenly opened up.
Compared to the densely growing trees around us, in a relatively open clearing, a girl stood quietly at the very center, her back facing us.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, the long blue haired girl suddenly turned around. Her eyes were emerald green, her profile delicate, a dreamlike beauty.
She was most likely the person Serina wanted me to meet.
After seeing us clearly, the vigilance in the girl's eyes faded, and her expression softened.
Serina quickly walked forward. "Captain, sorry to have kept you waiting."
From the way Serina addressed the unfamiliar girl, I could roughly guess her identity.
The captain of the Remedial Knights. Why would she want to meet me in a place like this?
The blue haired girl spoke, her voice gentle, clear, and healing.
"It is nothing, Serina. I am already used to waiting." Then she looked at me. "So, you are the teacher from Schale, correct?"
"Yes."
"Nice to meet you. I am the captain of the Remedial Knights, Aomori Mine."
Mine extended a hand wearing a white glove toward me.
After a brief handshake, Mine looked at Serina, her tone apologetic. "I am sorry, Serina…"
Seeing her captain hesitate mid sentence, Serina nodded with understanding and smiled. "I know, Captain. You suddenly left, then suddenly contacted me through an anonymous email, hoping I would bring Sensei here. There must be a very important reason, right? I will cover my ears and take a walk around the area for a bit."
However, Mine's expression grew even more awkward. "Uh… although I am very grateful that you are being so considerate… it might not be something that can be finished in a short time… at the very least, it will not be over before curfew…"
"I see…" Serina nodded as if she understood. "I understand. Then, in order not to leave any openings, I will hurry back to the academy as soon as possible."
After saying that, the little nurse spoke to me. "Sensei, just as you heard. The captain has something she wishes to discuss with you alone."
"It is a very important matter," Mine emphasized, her emerald green eyes staring straight at me. "And regarding this matter, you are the only adult I can trust."
"…Although I do not quite understand the situation, since you have already said this much, then please feel free to discuss it with me."
I paused for a moment. "Of course, I also cannot guarantee that I will be able to help."
Mine showed a grateful expression. "The fact that you are willing to trust a request made by someone you have never met before is already more than enough. No wonder she trusts you so much."
Hearing that, I had a faint guess in my heart.
"Then, please follow me."
After briefly saying goodbye to Serina, I followed Mine, leaving the woodland from another direction, then got into a sedan that looked completely ordinary on the outside, but whose windows were treated to prevent peeping.
The car started and drove onto the road. Sitting in the passenger seat, I asked Mine, who was driving.
"Now that we are here, you can give me a rough explanation first, right?"
"Indeed." Mine gathered her thoughts, then let out a soft sigh. "You should already be aware of this as well."
Mine gently pressed the accelerator, and the vehicle gradually picked up speed.
Amid the low hum of the engine, the girl's voice, lowered to an extreme, still reached my ears clearly.
"It is about, Seia."