22. Precious Friends
After the banquet ended, Emma was about to head back to Luminous College with Sophia and Finn. However, she suddenly realized Sophia was nowhere to be seen.
"Finn, do you know where Sophia went?" Emma asked, slightly worried.
"She was with us just a moment ago... She mentioned wanting to see more of Regalia College, so maybe someone's showing her around," Finn replied in a carefree tone.
"But I don't think she's the type to just wander off on her own..."
Anxiety spread through Emma's chest. Still, they couldn't stay any longer, so she and Finn decided to head back to Luminous College first.
On their way back, as the two walked along the cobblestone path, they saw something lying in the shadows.
"...Is someone there?" Finn said, his voice laced with caution.
As Emma approached, she realized the figure was Sophia and turned pale.
"Sophia!? What happened!?"
Her cheek felt cold to the touch, and she was unconscious. Emma shook Sophia's shoulder with trembling hands, but there was no response.
"Let's hurry her to the infirmary!"
Urged by Finn's strong voice, the two carefully carried Sophia and rushed to the school's infirmary.
In the infirmary, Sophia lay on a bed in a room softly lit by warm light. After a while, her eyelids slowly fluttered open.
"Sophia!" Emma instinctively grasped her hand.
"Emma, Finn... Thank you. I... What happened...?" Sophia had a bewildered expression.
"Do you remember anything?" Finn asked gently.
Sophia closed her eyes for a moment, as if searching her memory. Then she murmured faintly,
"Someone... asked me, 'Are you the human?' Then, I think I was attacked..."
The moment Emma heard those words, she felt her heart clench painfully.
"Sophia, I'm sorry!" Emma suddenly cried out, tears streaming down her face.
"Huh? Emma, what are you talking about?" Sophia stared at her, surprised.
"It's my fault Sophia was attacked... It's me. I'm the human at Arcana Academy of Magic..."
At those words, the room fell silent for a moment. Finn, too, was speechless, staring at Emma. Sophia's eyes widened in surprise, but her expression quickly softened into a gentle one.
"Emma... It's not your fault." Sophia gently reached out and squeezed Emma's hand back.
"But, because I'm here...!" Emma looked down, tears still falling.
"No. Emma, listen. I can't forgive the culprit, but it's not your responsibility. Besides, I know how wonderful it is that you're here, Emma. So, stop blaming yourself."
Sophia's voice was strong, filled with kindness.
Hearing her words, Emma felt her heart gradually easing. She looked up, her face still tear-streaked, to see Sophia's smile.
"Thank you, Sophia..."
"Besides, no matter what happens, I'm on your side, Emma. Finn is too, right?"
"Of course!" Finn replied with a smile.
In that moment, Emma strongly felt the profound importance of her irreplaceable friends.
