Mizoe, in bloodless armor, jumped on the ground and turned back for a moment to pat the mare's neck.

"Good girl, thank you."

He thanked the animal in a soft voice and the animal raised her head proudly – very clearly responding to the compliment.

The light-blue-haired man knew it would be foolish to just march inside the Academy with dried up blood all over him so he cleaned himself with his magic right at the beginning of the journey and now his mana was full again and he was completely dry too – with that in mind he was ready to enter the Aspakeony Academy.

"Now, stay a good girl and wait for me here."

Mizoe patted the mare's neck again with a smile and then ran to the dormitory.

"...?!"

The mare hit the ground with her right front hoof a few times and shook her head as if showing her dissatisfaction and to complain about the light-blue-haired man just leaving her unattended and not even grooming her after such a good run...!

But Mizoe had his head full of concern over his son's health - it was already late at night, the moon was shining brightly and the light-blue-haired man couldn't wait any longer to see Zoemi.

"..."

He was hurrying towards the main entrance when he spotted it opening and breathed out in relief seeing it not being closed...

"...?"

To his great surprise, Mizoe realized that the person walking out was none other than the little lady Espine herself who must have been waiting for him by the entrance to the dormitory this whole time.

"My lady."

No matter how worried Mizoe was, there was no way that a knight like him would forget the courtesy towards his master's daughter – so he kneeled the moment that she was in the hearing distance.

Plus if she was here Zoemi was most likely safe, so the worried father calmed down just a little bit.

Honestly, everyone in the Espines' household knew that Miriette liked Zoemi - though no one really knew how strong her feelings truly were.

"My mother told me you would come... Mizoe, I'm so sorry..."

The dark-haired girl's shoulders shook and she lowered her head, apologizing...!

"You are sorry...?!"

At her words, Mizoe almost fainted.

"D-does that mean...?"

He stuttered and raised his head fearing that the worst has happened.

Miriette sobbed and buried her face in her hands.

"I'm so sorry, Mizoe, because of me Zoemi got hurt again...!"

"...whew...!"

She cried and Mizoe sighed out in relief.

|Just hurt - so he hasn't died...!|

For a second poor Mizoe thought that his son has left this world but thankfully it was just him overthinking Mirirette's opening words.

"My lady, don't worry, Zoemi is a strong-willed boy, he did what he thought was right."

Mizoe smiled warmly towards Miriette.

"Can I ask you to lead me to him, little lady?"

The light-blue0haired man asked while standing up.

"Of course."

Miriette nodded and guided Mizoe to her room.

"Almost all medics are already sleeping. They patched Zoemi up the best they could and said that everything looks good. But even so, they are taking turns watching over him just in case."

Miriette explained before entering the room without knocking or anything.

"...!"

A red-haired middle-aged man raised his brows at the Miriette and Mizoe who showed up unannounced.

"Lady Espine, we told you that young Zoemi is unconscious, there's no reason to bring anyone else here until he wakes up."

The medic explained calmly probably thinking that Mizoe is a teacher wanting to question the boy.

"I'm his father."

historical

Mizoe explained and the red-haired man opened his mouth and nodded.

"Oh, I see... Sorry..."

The red-haired man looked to the side slightly embarrassed.

"Will my son be alright? And what even happened to him to push him to such a state?"

Mizoe asked the important questions, staring with horror at the bandages covering the entire torso of his son.

"We've used very strong concoctions so he should be able to move in around a week or so, but for the next month, at least, he shouldn't strain himself too much. I've heard he is an attendant, the basic chores should be alright but for things like carrying heavier things, even the tray with the food or a laundry basket, it would be best to have someone else do that for him."

The red-haired medic leaned back on his chair and explained in a calm voice.

"So his life isn't...?"

Mizoe asked and his voice trembled.

"In danger? No. There was a moment that we could feel the knife on our throats..."

The red-haired man finished the sentence for him, shaking his head in denial as he stealthily glanced at Miriette.

"But everything ended up fine. Now he just needs a lot of rest."

The man added looking back at the light-blue-haired man.

"...thank the heavens...|

Calmed down by the medic's words Mizoe walked towards the bed and looked at his son laying on his stomach and his head resting on a pillow.

The black-haired boy was placed in such a way that the left side of his face, the pretty one, was visible, but whether it was a position that didn't bother the wounds or was it merely an aesthetic choice was unknown.

Zoemi's whole torso and upper arms were covered in thick bandages suggesting the severity of the wounds, but thankfully there was no pain visible on the boy's face and his breathing was firm and steady.

"So there will be no problems? When he will wake up?"

Mizoe asked, looking back at the man on the chair.

"In about three to five days."

"...!?"

The red-haired medic declared calmly and Mizoe flinched.

"It will take that long? Is it really fine?"

The light-blue-haired man gasped looking back at his son and clenching his fists from worrying too much.

"Well... we had to give him strong painkillers or he wouldn't be able to have a wink of sleep - the wounds caused by a whip filled with ice enchants are dreadfully painful, you see."

"A what? Whip? Did you just say that my boy's wounds were caused by a whip?! My son was whipped!? WHY?! BY WHO?!"

"URGHHH...!"

Mizoe who was leaning over to his son suddenly straightened his back and lifted up the unsuspecting red-haired medic by the collar of his shirt and shook him in anger.

"MIZOE!"

"...ah...!"

Miriette cried out in shock, causing the light-blue-haired man to gasp and hurriedly release the medic.

"I apologize – that was uncalled for..."

Mizoe bowed his head, embarrassed by his sudden outburst and leashing out at the innocent man, who was one of the people who saved the boy's life.

"...ugh... ekhe...!"

The medic coughed, massaging his throat but there was no anger on his face.

"No, it's alright – I would react the same way if something like that happened to any of my kids."

The red-haired man waved his hand dismissively and patted Mizoe's arm.

"Thank you... and still – why has this happened in the first place?"

Mizoe nodded gratefully to the medic before straightening his back and looking questioningly at the dark-haired girl.

"It was because..."

Miriette's chin started trembling - and she told Mizoe everything that she already told her mother.

When she finished her story Mizoe could barely control himself.

"And the teachers allowed that...!?"

The light-blue-haired man uttered through his teeth and clenched his fists so hard that his fingers made cracking sounds.