Black Iron Magician - Chapter 552 - Sent to the Hospital

――――The 97th day of training.

「H-Hnn….」

I woke up from my sleep. It was like waking up from such a deep sleep, as if I had slept for a long time. When was the last time I slept for a long time? At least, not since Haru arrived. After all, I learned to live a well-regulated life since she arrived. It really feels nostalgic. Well, before my head is fully awake, let’s dive into the dream for a little longer.

「Ugh…!?」

My little wish is shattered by a mysterious pain from all over my body. Thanks to it, my head awoke instantly. Perhaps because I just woke up and it came unexpectedly, it was so painful that I thought I was sleeping on some kind of torture device.

「Ara? Deris, you finally woke up, huh? How are you feeling?」

「N-Nell?」

As I was writhing on the bed because of the sharp pain, I suddenly heard Nell’s voice. When I turn toward the direction of the voice, my eyes met the eyes of my beloved wife who’s looking down at me. At the same time, I checked her mood. Alright, she doesn’t seem in a bad mood.

「Is this a hospital room? Was there a place like this in Judah―― ah, it’s in Alezel’s airship, huh? I can hear the engine’s sound.」

「As expected of Deris, you’re quick to think even though you just woke up. This is the hospital room in the airship. You slept for two whole days since you were brought here.」

「That long, huh…. No wonder I felt like I slept soundly. Thanks to the long sleep and the 『Pleasant Sleep』 skill, my head is refreshed.」

「That’s great. By the way, what about your body?」

「It hurts like hell every time I move.」

Just how much did those girls torment my body? Did they not know that old people should be treated carefully?

「So, how did the match go?」

「Are you curious? Win or lose had nothing to do with the trial, right?」

「No, I mind about it as a master. I remember using a magic item for emergency escape in reverse when Chinatsu stabbed me. But I don’t remember anything after that. If I try to force myself to remember, my body rejects the memory and I feel like throwing up.」

「Well…. I was watching the match from the video projected by Vakala’s magic, but at that time, Deris’s expression so terrible.」

Saying so, Nell made a sympathetic expression. It was reflected in the video, huh? Kuh, it was all because of Chinatsu’s Unique Skill, but I guess I was a little careless.

「P-Please forget about my face…. More importantly, did the 『Pride Thread』 activate properly after I lost consciousness? What happened after that?  Were my hair and waist safe?」

「Don’t barrage me with questions. I’ll tell you everything, so be patient. Well, as for the result――」

――Judging from the result, it seems that the serious match between me and the disciples ended in a draw. It seems that I and Haru exchanged blows with our staves in the end, but the ground around us cracked each time the staves collided with each other, and the battle was so fierce that it partially transformed the land of Judah. After scattering dozens of shock waves like that, Haru and I simultaneously launch our full-power blows, and we both got a clean hit. It seems that both of us were in a near-death situation…. But well, I guess both of us were sturdier than expected, and we managed to remain in this world.

「Still, a draw, huh? Hmm….」

「Are you dissatisfied?」

「Well, I was trying to win after all. The 『Pride Thread』 is auto control, but it was strong enough that it could overwhelm the lower ranks of the Great Eight Demons of the past. As a master, I feel complicated with this result.」

「It just means that the disciple has grown and become stronger. As a master, you should be happy about it. After all, it’s normal for the disciple to surpass the master one day.」

「O-Oh, you sure are saying something good…. If so, then you also will be surpassed one day, you know?」

「Fufu, that won’t happen! Even if the three disciples work together with Lilyvia, they won’t be able to beat me!」

「………」

My dear wife, why don’t you look again at the good lines you just told me?

「Rather than that, I think you should be grateful that the robe has an automatic repair function. Without it, it would be a great disaster where you fainted with your butt exposed, you know?」

「Hm? Was it when Haru was trying to mince my back with her magic? Well, if that were true, the Great Eight Demons would use it to make fun of me forever. I was lucky that I was saved by it.」

「Right? You should be thanking me.」

「Eh, why?」

「Because I was the reason you put that repair function.」

「………」

Well, it’s true that Nell was the cause, but the meaning is a little different. Since a long time ago, a certain someone always burn or blow me up to hide her embarrassment. That’s why I paid a lot of money to add an automatic repair function to this robe so that it would be fine even if blow up. Even if that was how the robe was made, I wonder if it’s okay to give Nell credit for this incident. …… I think it’s better to do so. After all, Nell looks like she wants to be praised.

「There, there, good job, Nell~. Thanks to you, I don’t have to live in shame~. You’re amazing~. I love you more than anything in the world~」

「H-Hey, why are you treating me like a dog!?」

「Hmm? Then, should I stop?」

「…… Don’t.」

I’m rubbing Nell’s cheeks with both hands. The communication is quite risky, with a completely different attitude than usual, but Nell doesn’t seem to hate it. Despite everything, she usually accepts it when it’s just the two of us.

「Come to think of it, are Haru and the others okay? *Rubs*」

「They are fine compared to you. They are awake already. Specially, Haruna had a big appetite since yesterday.」

「Eh, they were awake yesterday? Hmm, must be nice being young. As for me, my waist still hurts…. *Rubs*」

「The match ended in a draw, but I guess Deris took the most total damage. ……Hey, pat my head too.」

「Sure, sure. *Pats*」

Before I knew it, Nell climbed into bed.

~~~~~~~~~

On the other hand, outside the room.

「We felt that Deris-san had woken up and came all the way here, but… what should we do?」

「Nell-san was moving at an explosive speed just now was for this, huh?」

「H-Hey, it’s hard to enter with that mood!」

「What should we do? Should we enter with the preparedness of getting exploded?」

「H-Hmm, we just recovered, so that’s a bit….」

「That’s a suicidal act no matter how you think about it. Haruna, courage and recklessness are two different things, you know?」

「Fueh?」

The three disciples, who had recovered first, were secretly reading the mood.