Chapter 47: Ch 47: Who’s side are you on?

For the first time in a while, Noah did not dream. His mind felt blank and refreshed when he woke up, which meant that the medicine had worked well.

’Maybe I should ask for more medicine in the future. My head feels much more refreshed than normal.’

But Noah knew that the only reason the medicine had worked was because he was too stressed out and because of the heavy burden his body had suffered after being healed.

Otherwise, even stronger medicines did little to affect his constitution.

For now, his body had needs, and he needed to head to the bathroom to relieve himself. But he started hearing low voices as soon as he opened the back room door.

Doctor Riku was standing in front of the door, blocking Noah’s view of the other person. But he could tell who it was based on the voice alone.

It was their guide teacher, and she seemed to be discussing something important.

Noah closed the door and concentrated on hearing what they were talking about. He had a feeling it was an important conversation he should know about.

"Doctor Riku, is the patient awake? If so, then can I meet him? I have something urgent to talk to him about."

The teacher sounded desperate, but Riku did not seem to move aside.

Instead, he spoke to her in an equally calm but determined voice.

"You can meet Noah if you leave those papers behind, and I will be present in the same room as well. My patient is in no condition to be persuaded, so I would prefer it if you all stopped trying to convince him right now."

He told the teacher, who sounded upset by his words.

"I would never try to convince a student of anything. I just want to offer my advice as a fellow guide and his teacher. All I want is the best for him."

The female teacher sounded like she was holding back her tears as she spoke, but Riku sounded unmoved.

"Does ’the best’ you want for him include giving up any chance to get compensation for what happened to him? Not only did that kid almost lose his vision, but he could have lost his life as well. And from what I know, this was not the first accident he has suffered either. Are you truly doing what is best for him, or what is best for yourself and the academy?"

Noah had not expected anyone from the academy’s staff to ask this question in his favor. So Doctor Riku’s words surprised him.

But hearing his timid teacher raise her voice startled Noah even more.

"Why does it matter if it’s for the student or the academy? It’s not like we have another choice! Don’t you, of all people, understand this?"

Had it been another esper, they would have struck the guide who dared raise their voice. But Riku did not do that.

Maybe it was because he was a doctor, or maybe he was someone with actual ethics, but he did not even sound frustrated when he spoke again.

"You are right. I do understand your situation and your stress. But I also understand that kid just as well. And between the two of you, he seems less hopeless."

That concluded the discussion, and their teacher let out an audible sigh.

"Alright, if this is what you have decided, then I will not question it. But just because I gave up does not mean the others will give up as well. This will continue until that kid either signs this waiver or gets expelled."

Noah would love nothing more than to get expelled. But only after he had fulfilled his mission.

He heard the sound of someone heading back inside, but he did not hide himself from the other person.

Riku opened the door and instantly saw him. So naturally, Noah expected him to bring up what had happened as well.

"I will tell your friends that you are too tired for their visit. You should take this time to rest and recover. You won’t be able to hide in the medical wing forever."

That was a warning Riku gave him without openly bringing up the conversation he had just heard.

Noah could only nod in agreement at those words as he watched Riku walk away.

...

"I am afraid that Noah is in no condition to see you today. He just went through a lot during his treatment. You might have to wait if you want him to get better."

Daniel looked like he was going to kill the doctor, and Alan felt the same way inside. But he was much calmer than the guide because he knew that he needed Doctor Riku alive to keep Noah healthy.

Before Daniel could cause Doctor Riku’s untimely demise, Alan decided to act first. He grabbed Daniel by the collar and tugged him back.

"We understand. Luckily, there is another thing we need to do today anyway, so we will take our leave now."

Alan dragged Daniel out, and Ethan followed behind. His presence was starting to get on Alan’s nerves, and he felt a much stronger irritation toward him than toward Daniel.

’I can ignore Daniel because he’s a guide and thus won’t pose a threat to my claim on Noah. But this parasite, on the other hand...’

Ethan would have to go. But only after Alan had secured Noah’s safety.

"Hey, let me go! What do you think you are doing?"

Daniel questioned as he was tugged out of the office. He would have happily scratched Alan’s face, but Alan decided to stop him a few seconds before that could happen.

"Guide Daniel, you avoided my question this morning when I asked you what happened to your and Noah’s room. Are you still going to pretend you don’t know what I am talking about?"

Alan gave Daniel another chance at redemption, but the guide refused to take it.

So he had to resort to an underhanded tactic.

"You might want to tell me what happened. Who knows? I might just decide to help. The issue would be solved much more easily if I got involved, right?"