Awaiting soft rains(An extra's novel)-Chapter 99: Father’s Hand

With Alice gone, I was free to observe my surroundings properly. It was a hospital room, a rather familiar one at that.

’Same one I came to after the simulation.’

As though to confirm my suspicions, a familiar-looking nurse walked in. Her eyes widened a bit at the sight of me.

That wasn’t enough to stop her from walking right up to my bed.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah."

"That’s good."

Our conversation ended there. She fiddled with the machines beside me a bit before walking out.

’Same nurse too.’

Regardless, now that the room was clear again, I could finally think things through properly.

The skinwalker incident had been tied up somewhat neatly. Besides the four originally infected, there’d only been one other student affected. Most importantly, there hadn’t been any potential S ranks caught up in the chaos.

It would all work to make suppressing the information and handling the backlash much easier for Alice. In fact, I was sure she’d already done so.

In comparison, the original timeline had been an absolute mess. The skinwalkers going on a rampage killed fifteen cadets, three of whom were potential S ranks. The killings had also worked to flare up tensions between Varic and Racheal’s factions, with both being framed for the murders on either side.

Needless to say, that catastrophe was dealt with now.

There’d certainly still be backlash, and I couldn’t say the relationship between the rival blocs in the Academy was anything remotely peachy. Especially after my... uhm, unique tactics in investigating nobles.

I had no regrets regarding any of it, though. The alternative was infinitely worse.

’At least the path to the midterms was relatively clear.’

With the skinwalkers wrapped up this early, that peaceful period had been expanded a bit further. A very rare moment of calm I’d made in my book, right before the absolute shitstorm that was the midterms.

The things worth noting that occurred during this time were the fight for the seat of Vice President and the flare-ups between the differing factions.

’The latter part should be reduced a bit now.’

Then again, I couldn’t be too sure of anything now, not with the plot deviating so quickly already. Alice’s words only added to my worries.

’Human, huh?’

It couldn’t be the Church in that case. They were much more subtle in their means of influence, and all the more insidious in how they accomplished their objectives. Their followers wouldn’t be a danger to the Academy, not yet.

The Hand of the Father, or the Father’s Hand, was the more likely suspect here. There were two characters of import somewhat associated with them in the Academy. Both were paragons.

One was Kaito. The other was one of the last two paragons I hadn’t seen yet.

’It can’t be Kaito.’

The only reason I even considered the man associated with them was due to the organization attempting to invite him into their ranks. He promptly responded by killing the recruiters. It happened before he reached the rank of paragon.

That only left the other paragon. But he wasn’t even in the Academy currently, so I couldn’t see how he was a threat.

’Haaa.... Baby steps.’

I had to focus on the problems I could currently fix. Number one on that list was growing stronger.

It had been about half a month now since my very first heartblood injection. I could feel myself rapidly approaching a minor breakthrough.

The clogginess I’d felt from the injection had already reduced significantly. At the rate I was going, it would take about a week, or a week and a half at most, for me to clear it completely.

Then I’d become a proper E ranker, instead of remaining stuck on E-.

The speed of progression felt wondrous, but it wasn’t all too surprising. The higher a person’s potential, the faster their growth. Rowan was already a proper E ranker now, I was sure of it.

Potential, that was the area where his superiority lay. Even Racheal and Varic couldn’t dream of matching his progression speed. That speed would be the reason he eventually surpassed them.

But rankings weren’t everything. I still needed skills to match.

I had absolutely zero methods of attacking while weaponless. Even if I did possess a weapon, I wasn’t the best at using them.

The crossbow back in the simulation served me well, but it was only because I had support back then, and I could afford to avoid close combat.

I couldn’t avoid it anymore. It would find its way to me; the skinwalker had shown me that, and there wouldn’t be a Kaito to save me then.

’I have to double my efforts. Triple them even.’

Any and everything that could give me even the slightest boost was necessary. For now, that was training and increasing my skill in the rapier.

’My next artifact has got to be a weapon for sure.’

It would be best if I could find ways to carry weapons on me in the Academy, too.

’That’s all I can do for now.’ 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

I checked the desk beside me. The clock on it showed the time was around noon now. There was still a bit of time left today. I couldn’t go wasting it.

I cradled my chest as I got off the bed, still feeling pangs of phantom pain running through it.

’At least my burden isn’t flaring up now.’

A day’s rest had been enough to calm it down. Mostly. I only felt mildly dizzy as I got on my feet.

A fresh set of uniforms was folded neatly on the desk. It was only then I remembered I was still dressed in a hospital gown.

Right as I was about to get to changing, I noticed an icon blinking rapidly at the corner of my vision. The moment I pressed it, messages upon messages flooded my view.

Some from Rowan, some from Song, a few from Shin, one from Ayo, and one from Alice. I couldn’t bother going through all of them now, so I swiped them away before throwing some clothes on.

I glanced back at the bed before stepping out of the room. I had a feeling that I’d be laying down there a lot more often.