As Void, Miku, and I were bickering over who got to kiss who, Oujin timidly raised his voice.

“Sorry to interrupt, but everyone, can we talk seriously now?”

At his words, everyone’s gaze shifted toward him—Void and Miku included.

“We still haven’t found the stairs to the upper levels. At this point, we need to decide. Do we move together with the injured, or do we split up and send a small scouting party?”

Impressive. Oujin understood that waiting here for rescue wasn’t an option. The instructors, including Lili, said they had only explored up to the third floor. Considering we’re below that, it’s clear that even they would struggle to search for us.

We don’t have much time. Especially not for the injured male student. Even so, given his condition, it’s unlikely we’ll make it in time.

His complexion had worsened. It wasn’t just his ribs—his internal organs were damaged. His breathing was shallow.

Oujin continued.

“As you all know, this place isn’t safe. Goblins are one thing, but there’s also that monster—assuming, of course, that the famed Instructor Ituka hasn’t already defeated it.”

Oujin glanced up at the massive hole in the ceiling. The darkness above remained silent. I muttered to myself.

“Lili—ah, I mean, Instructor Ituka—I don’t think she’d lose. But we shouldn’t act based on wishful thinking. That would lead directly to death or total annihilation. Oujin, don’t think. Feel, like an animal. That’s how you avoid danger. I believe a small group should move forward.”

Oujin looked at me in surprise. Maybe I said too much—it wasn’t something a ten-year-old would normally say.

“Ah, right. You’re right. I’m surprised—no wonder you skipped grades. I agree with Eremia. Let’s assume rescue isn’t coming. We need to prepare for the worst.”

Void smacked me on the back. My thin, small frame staggered from the force, and I started coughing. My weakness was almost pathetic.

“Heh, not bad, kid. I’m with you.”

“Don’t call me ‘kid.’ I’m Eremia Neu.”

“Alright, ‘Neu-boy.’”

“You…!”

As a ten-year-old kid, maybe I shouldn’t be butting in unless they come up with a truly ridiculous plan. At this rate, it feels like I’m the instructor. What a pain. I don’t even remember giving this much consideration to my disciples in my previous life.

Miku turned her gaze to the immobile male student—the injured one.

“But moving him is kind of scary, right? His wound isn’t even closed.”

“Yeah. If we were in a safe area, we could make a stretcher and carry him carefully, but that’s not an option right now.”

The ground was stained with goblin blood. The male classmates had moved the bodies to the edges, but it wasn’t a pleasant place to be. In half a day, it would reek of decay.

Oujin continued.

“This plaza is dangerous, with corpses everywhere, but I think we should use it as a base. A small group can scout for the stairs to the upper levels. Each time we find them, we’ll regroup and move up as a whole. We repeat this until we’re out.”

Void nodded. Miku looked up at him, surprised.

“Oujin’s a goodie-two-shoes, but you’re surprisingly considerate, Void. For someone who acts all tough.”

“Huh? I’m not trying to act tough. I just live honestly. Unlike you.”

He paused, then glared at Miku.

“...Unlike you, Orunkaim.”

“Oh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

I agreed with him about Void. My impression of him had changed a lot since we first met—ever since he dove in to help Oujin when he was isolated among enemies. He gave off the strange vibe of someone determined to protect everyone here. Honestly, if he said he was a reincarnated soul like me, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Still, it seemed like Miku wasn’t part of the group he wanted to protect. But more conflict here would only complicate things.

I stepped between them to change the subject.

“Oujin, can you explain the plan to the other classmates?”

“Got it.”

As Oujin and I started walking, Miku followed. Void leaned against the wall, standing watch.

Near the injured male student, a few group representatives had gathered. When I was about to address them, Oujin stopped me with his hand.

“Wait, Eremia.”

“Huh?”

Due to my short stature, I hadn’t noticed, but at the center of the group was another boy, crouched beside the injured student, doing something.

He had other students holding the injured boy, while his own hands glowed with magical light. Healing magic?

But his hands were trembling.

“I-I’m not a healing mage. Just because I’m from a mage family doesn’t mean I was taught how to heal! I didn’t even want to be a mage—I ran to the knight academy! I can’t do this…”

A girl scolded him.

“You have to try! If you don’t, Ilga will just wait here to die!”

Can he really use healing magic? If so, there’s a much better chance of saving Ilga.

Miku pushed past Oujin and me, stepping forward. The boy argued back at the girl.

“I know that! Damn it… Fine, I’ll do it… I’ll try…”

His breathing was ragged. Worse than the injured Ilga’s.

“Um, in this case, what do I do again…? Repair the mana circuits and ease the pain, then bypass the flow—no, it’s not working! The damage is too extensive! My magic power isn’t enough to reconstruct everything! There’s no way I can fill such a huge hole…”

He was on the verge of panic. Miku leaned over him, observing quietly before speaking.

“Since he’s unconscious, there’s no point easing his pain. Instead, why not half-materialize your mana to reinforce his tissues? Kind of like artificial blood vessels. Don’t aim to heal him, just focus on keeping him stable until we escape.”

“What…? But if I do that, I’ll have to keep pouring mana into him the whole time… I might run out of magic. And if enemies show up, I won’t be able to fight…”

“Got any better ideas? I don’t mind leaving him behind, but will you regret it? Running away again, after coming all this way?”

“Re…gret…”

The boy lowered his head, grinding his teeth.

“Let me ask, Orunkaim—can you use healing magic?”

“Nope. Just knowledge. I can do basic treatments, but not without tools. Seriously, if someone can use magic, they don’t usually come to knight academies. It’s an incredible talent. You’re pretty much the only exception, right?”

The boy raised his head, determination in his eyes.

“Yeah… You’re right. I’ll try.”

“What’s your name?”

The boy closed his eyes and placed his glowing hands on Ilga’s sunken chest. The light streamed into the wound like threads of a river.

“Fix Ougus.”

“Good luck, Fix. Our group will scout for the stairs and find a way out. Everyone else will protect you and Ilga with their lives… right?”

Everyone present nodded at Miku’s words.

“Yeah. I’ll do my best. I’m not confident, but… until my magic runs out.”