Chapter 106: Ch 106: You are overworked

Noah had a feeling Erin really wanted him not to participate in the upcoming festival. But he did not think his exploitation was that bad.

After all, Noah would have to carry out these unnecessary tasks whether he participated in the festival or not, so he might as well do it.

Still, Noah nodded at Erin’s words, although he had no intention of actually backing out unless things became completely unbearable. He had already made up his mind to enjoy the festival as much as possible, even if the teachers tried their best to ruin it for him.

"I understand. I will keep that in mind."

Erin looked at him for a few seconds before finally letting out a quiet sigh.

"Good. Then at least promise me that you will not try to handle everything yourself if something happens. You have a bad habit of pretending that everything is fine even when it clearly isn’t."

Noah stiffened slightly at those words, but he quickly forced himself to smile.

"Do I really do that?"

"Yes."

The answer came so quickly that Noah almost felt offended.

"Alright, alright. I will try to be more careful."

Erin seemed satisfied with that answer and finally stepped aside, allowing Noah to continue down the corridor.

He expected Erin to leave him alone since the teacher looked worried, but Erin stepped behind him and started to follow him around.

Noah allowed this for a few seconds before he decided to turn around and ask Erin what he was doing.

"How long are you going to keep following me around for?"

Noah asked in a small but suspicious voice, only for Erin to chuckle at his suspicion.

"Don’t worry. I have no intention of following you around for long. I just have some work to do in the central building, so I might as well accompany you."

That sounded like a lie. Noah was willing to bet that Erin was accompanying him because of the rumors surrounding the disciplinary committee.

It was said that the committee was set up by powerful espers from all years, but unlike their name, the only discipline they enforced was their own. They ruled this academy with an iron fist, and the only reason they had not started meddling with the first years was because they were busy.

They, along with the finance committee, were the antagonists in the middle part of the first year...or so Noah recalled.

For some reason, his memory had started to become blurry. He felt his head aching when he tried to recall certain memories.

[Your access to your vision has been temporarily down. Please try again next time.]

The system message flashed across Noah’s vision, making him let out a groan of annoyance.

He clutched his head and leaned against the wall, causing Erin to immediately step forward and turn toward him with a worried expression on his face.

"Are you alright? Look at how sick you look. You should truly sit this festival out. If you are too afraid to say anything, then leave it to me. I will deny the requests for you."

Erin kneeled in front of Noah as he reached out to touch Noah’s face. It made Noah flinch because he did not even recall when he had lost all strength in his legs.

’Huh-! How weird. I was just fine a second ago. What is happening to me?’

Why was Noah feeling like this? His body felt so heavy and tired.

’Maybe I should listen to Erin and sit this out.’

Noah’s body was aching a little, and the concerned look on Erin’s face looked worse and worse.

"Erin, I-"

Noah tried to speak, but even his throat felt like it was burning. It was just too hot around him, and Erin was starting to look a little guilty.

"Hey, Noah-! Don’t lose consciousness. Don’t close your eyes right now! Noah-!"

That was the last thing Noah heard Erin say before he fell asleep. He felt uncomfortable, and he felt his body being picked up in his half-conscious state and being taken somewhere.

But Noah did not want to think about it or feel anything. All he wanted to do was sleep a little more so that he could make himself feel better.

...

’What time is it? I feel like I was supposed to do something...’

Noah’s head felt like a mess when he pushed the covers back and forced himself back on his feet. He tried to push himself, only for the world to spin around him.

"Hey, don’t move too much. You have a high fever, and you need absolute rest. It will be for the best if you stay in bed."

Riku pushed Noah back onto the bed, and he blinked at the presence of the medical esper who was pushing him against the bed.

It took a few seconds for things to register in Noah’s mind, but once they did, he could not help but gasp in shocked surprise.

"I...have a fever?"

Noah was the definition of healthy. He was genetically modified to never have a fever or get common sicknesses. There should have been no way for him to get a fever like this.

’So how? And why? Has my body started to change and adapt to normal conditions?’

Somehow, that did not seem like the answer Noah was seeking, and it was hard for him to focus.

His eyes looked around the room and then fell on Erin, who had a guilty look on his face.

"Erin, what happened?"

Noah asked, doing his best to focus on this conversation. But Erin only flinched before he walked to Noah’s side and grabbed his hand.

"I am sorry! This is all my fault. I must have pushed you a little too much. I did not mean to..."

Erin tried to speak, but his words felt like they were stuck in his throat.

"Erin, what did you do?"

Noah asked, not being able to make out why Erin was apologizing, and the esper took a deep breath before he shook his head.

"I did not do anything...and that’s the problem."