23. Resolve
Several days had passed since Sophia was attacked. While watching over her recovery, Emma had strengthened her resolve.
If the topic of humans came up again, she would speak openly about it. That was Emma's decision.
One day during lunch break, as Emma, Sophia, and Finn were talking in the Luminous College garden, familiar words from a nearby table caught her ear.
"Did you hear the rumor that a human has sneaked into Arcana lately?"
"Yeah, I heard. Why would someone like that be here? It's a school for mages."
Emma held her breath. Finn looked at her anxiously, and Sophia squeezed Emma's hand tightly.
"...They're talking about me," Emma began, turning to the next table. "I am that human."
At the sudden confession, the students sitting at the next table stared with wide eyes.
"Huh...? Is that true?"
"Why were you hiding something like that?"
"It's not that I was hiding it. I was scared... scared I might not be accepted. But I don't want to lie anymore."
Faced with Emma's earnest expression, the students, though bewildered, showed no hostility. Instead, they simply got up and left without a word.
From that day on, the rumor that 'there's a human in Luminous College' gradually spread. The way students within the college looked at her began to change gradually, and gazes of curiosity and suspicion were directed towards her.
A few days later, in the Luminous College dining hall, a classmate approached Emma.
"Emma, is it true you're human?"
"...Yes, it is. I'm human. But I came here because I want to learn magic."
Emma's confession once again drew the attention of the surrounding students. Among them, some cheered her on in amazement, saying, "That's amazing!", while others kept their distance.
