Ch. 5: Chapter 5 — It’s Not a Problem
“Honestly, I was so annoyed when that old bastard kept approaching the female members with that fake concerned look. I really wanted to draw my sword and cut off his…”
“Hm.”
“It’s all thanks to me. You hear me, Yu? If it weren’t for me, Camelia would have caused a huge mess.”
Yuma smiled faintly as he watched Lavis keep talking without pause.
Chaiden, wearing a scornful expression, moved closer to Yuma.
“Don’t believe him, Your Highness. In reality, he was the one whining to Camelia. It’s true that he stopped the mess, but what’s so impressive about that? Even the vice-captain of the sword division took a step back when he started whining. I’m sure that if he had to choose, that vice-captain would have rather strangled his own captain.”
“Really?”
Yuma looked at Chaiden’s chubby face as he nodded enthusiastically.
Fortunately, Lavis hadn’t heard him.
If he did, the commotion in this room would only become even worse.
But Lavis continued talking.
“And then, over there…”
“Only I could do it so gallantly…”
“You know, Yuyu, I…”
“And that’s why I…”
“Then! Hah! With my sword…”...
After an hour, Lavis still hadn’t stopped talking.
“Hm…”
Yuma blinked several times, the faint smile still lingering on his face. He began considering whether to call Rue or Camelia through his communication earring.
After all, they were the only two who might be able to match Lavis’s seemingly endless energy.
But before Yuma could even touch his earring, Chaiden had already handed Lavis a glass of water.
“Thirsty? Drink first. You can continue afterward.”
“Hm? You’re rarely this nice to me. Are you also captivated by my greatness? Hehehe.”
Yuma watched Lavis drink the water with a hint of concern.
There was something in it…
And sure enough.
The moment Lavis put down the glass and was about to start talking again, his vision suddenly blurred.
His body swayed, then fell forward, right toward Yuma’s bed.
The last thing he saw was Chaiden’s face, filled with murderous intent.
Ah… Damn shorty.
“Sleeping medicine?”
Chaiden snorted.
“Of course. Only His Highness has enough patience to keep listening to his rambling.”
“… Really?”
“It’s because you never get angry. That’s why he keeps taking advantage of you.”
Yuma let out a small laugh.
If you’ve been lonely for too long, even that kind of conversation can feel precious.
But Yuma did not explain that.
He simply watched in silence as Chaiden dragged Lavis out of the room.
Despite his small body, Chaiden’s strength was roughly equal to that of an ordinary soldier. After all, that body was not actually a child’s.
Bang.
Chaiden shut the door with an annoyed expression, then returned to Yuma’s bedside.
This time, there was no trace of humor on his face.
“Let’s talk.”
“Okay.”
“First, I want to apologize if I’m about to do something that might sound disrespectful.”
“It’s fine.”
Chaiden took a long breath.
“What actually happened to your body?”
“Haven’t you already seen it yourself, Professor?”
“I’m asking because I don’t understand.”
Yuma fell silent.
“You almost died several times.”
“I won’t die.”
Chaiden stared at him sharply.
“I’m not joking, Ark.”
Neither am I. I can’t die.
But Yuma only lowered his head.
“I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t ask you to apologize.”
Chaiden’s voice softened.
“I just want to know what condition you’re in.”
Yuma remained silent.
“Is this why you always avoid medical examinations?”
“Yes.”
Chaiden fell silent.
He hadn’t expected Yuma to admit it so easily.
His expression then turned serious.
“Your soul is damaged, Ark.”
“…”
“If someone’s soul is damaged, their body will have trouble staying healthy as well.”
Chaiden lowered his head slightly.
“The problem is when it started and what caused it.”
He frowned.
“You’ve always been under the watch of us elders.”
“…”
“Did this start seven years ago?”
“You know it wasn’t because of that.”
Chaiden was silent for a moment.
“Right… You were still perfectly healthy back then.”
Yuma gently closed his eyes.
At the beginning of each regression, my body and soul are always fine. It’s only after several hours that the wounds in my soul appear.
Chaiden lowered his head and ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Whatever it is, then why didn’t you say anything?”
“Wounds of the soul can’t be treated.”
Yuma opened his eyes.
“You know that, Professor.”
Chaiden fell silent.
After all… It was true.
The reason Chaiden’s body remained in the form of a ten-year-old was because his soul was damaged. If it hadn’t been for the little Ark who once treated him until he came down with a fever, someone named Chaiden might never have existed in this world.
And yet…
“… We can find a way.”
Chaiden’s voice grew quieter.
“Anything. I can find a way.”
“If a healer’s ability is weaker than that of the person being treated, there won’t be any effect.”
“Not no effect, but—”
“A little?”
Yuma smiled faintly.
“But that statement only applies to physical wounds, not non-physical ones.”
“I…”
Chaiden opened and closed his mouth, his face filled with sadness.
He knew.
But he still couldn’t give up.
“I still want to try.”
“Hm.”
“I’ll look through old records. Even those from neighboring kingdoms.”
“It won’t be useful.”
“We don’t know that.”
No… I do.
Yuma looked at Chaiden with calm eyes.
I already told you, and you did that. Yet even after you died in several regressions…
Failed.
Failure was the only answer.
So… None of it was useful.
Besides, I’m used to it.
It’s fine.
It doesn’t matter.
“I’ve already made up my mind.”
Chaiden took a breath.
“First, you have to stop using your power.”
“Impossible.”
Yuma’s answer came without hesitation.
“I’m the Supreme Commander.”
“… Ark.”
“There are responsibilities I have to fulfill.”
Chaiden let out a heavy sigh.
“Then… At least reduce it. Leave the smaller battles to the younger ones.”
Yuma fell silent.
“Aren’t you going to school?”
“…”
I knew it. Is this school really nothing more than a plan by Uncle and my cousin?
Suspicious.
Chaiden suddenly grabbed Yuma’s hand, his face lighting up.
“That’s right, Ark. Our Ark is going to school.”
Chaiden’s eyes sparkled.
“At school, you won’t need to use that much power. I can help suppress your power and limit how much you use. Just use a small portion, okay?”
Yuma looked at him.
“What if there’s an emergency?”
“We’ll prepare a container for it. A bracelet, an earring, or a necklace… Hm, I’ll think about it later.” Chaiden rubbed his chin. “If there’s a real emergency, you can just break it.”
He then looked at Yuma with a serious expression.
“But other than that, you have to obey, okay?”
Yuma remained silent for a moment.
“… I’ll try.”
“Good.”
Chaiden immediately looked satisfied.
“Then I’ll also look for old records on soul injuries.”
He muttered quietly, more to himself than to Yuma.
“There has to be something… There’s no way there isn’t a way out.”
Yuma tilted his head.
“I’ll do it.”
“Really?”
Chaiden’s eyes widened.
He knew how stubborn Ark was. Once Yuma refused something, persuading him was no easy task.
“But you have to meet my condition too.”
Chaiden immediately became wary.
“Condition?”
“If I hear that you’ve been researching until you pass out, skipping meals, or pushing yourself too far…” Yuma paused for a moment. “I’ll use my power as usual and won’t tell you anything about my condition.”
Chaiden fell silent.
“You’ll really tell me if you’re in pain, right?”
No.
“Yes.”
Without knowing about the lie, Chaiden once again looked satisfied.
Yuma watched him for a moment before continuing.
“And I’m only going to school to investigate something. I’m not actually going there to study.”
Chaiden’s mouth formed an O.
“Ahem.”
He straightened himself again.
“It’s still a school, Ark.”
His expression turned serious, as if he were about to give some very important advice.
“Ark has to act like a school student. No student is as strong as Ark. Do you understand?”
Yuma fell silent.
That way of speaking sounds like he’s explaining something to a little child.
The funny thing is, the person speaking actually looks like a little child.
The corner of Yuma’s lips lifted slightly.
“Hm.”
“Good boy.”
Chaiden patted Yuma’s head with satisfaction.
“All right, I have to get to work—”
Chaiden stopped and turned around.
“Why are you getting up?”
Yuma adjusted his blanket with a small smile.
“I’m going to leave. There are some documents I need to prepare and organize first. I can’t just leave the palace matters unattended.”
Chaiden sighed.
“Huft… Fine. But come straight to my lab if you feel unwell.”
“Yes, Professor.”
Chaiden nodded, then turned toward the door.
“Please excuse me, Your Highness.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Professor.”
Chaiden chuckled softly. His footsteps sounded light as he left the room.
The door closed gently.
Yuma looked toward the window.
I have to see Uncle first.