When I step into Lumi's room, the air is still cool—a small relief. It means I'm not too late.
But the moment I push the door open, my heart sinks.
Sophia is sitting beside Lumi, clutching her hand tightly. The ring that was supposed to hold off Lumi's condition lies shattered in pieces on the floor.
"SOPHIA!" I shout, rushing to her side.
As soon as I touch her, I feel the intense heat radiating from her skin. She's burning up.
"Jack… you're… back…" Sophia murmurs, her voice faint and fragile.
"What happened!? Why are you doing this? Why are you suffering from mana overload too?" I demand.
"I can't let… Lumi… die…" she whispers, her words breaking my heart.
Damn it.
The ring couldn't withstand the strain after all. It must have broken, and Sophia… Sophia had stepped in to suppress Lumi's condition herself.