“It’s Not What It Looks Like… I Think”

Noah's POV

The world felt… quieter than I remembered.

A soft hum echoed faintly in my ears, like the remnants of a dream I couldn't quite recall. My limbs were heavy, sinking into the infirmary bed beneath layers of stiff bandages and bone-deep exhaustion. Every breath felt like dragging air into lungs that had nearly drowned.

Slowly, I opened my eyes.

The ceiling was unfamiliar—warm ivory walls, clean linens, and a faint scent of herbs and salves drifting through the air. A gentle breeze stirred the curtains by the window, casting dancing shadows across the room.

I was back.

Alive.

Yet the silence screamed louder than any battlefield.

I shifted, wincing as pain lanced through my body. My muscles ached, my mana felt hollowed out, and my mind... carried weight. Not just the weight of battle—but something heavier.

There was a chair nearby, now empty. I could feel someone had been there. Charlotte, maybe. Her warmth still lingered faintly in the air like a ghost.

But she wasn't what consumed my thoughts.

Arthur.

He was gone.

Executed while I slept.

I never got to see him again. Never got answers. Never got closure.

Only the news.

Scarlett had whispered it when she visited earlier, thinking I was still asleep. I wasn't. I just didn't want to face the truth yet.

Arthur had smiled, they said. No last words. No remorse. Just silence. As if the chaos he'd caused meant nothing.

I didn't know what to believe anymore.

A friend? A traitor? A victim of something darker?

Maybe... all of them.

I clenched the sheets in my fist—not from rage, but helplessness. I had fought with everything I had, nearly lost my life—and still, I'd woken up too late. Too late to stop him. Too late to question him. Too late to say anything.

Even now, I wasn't sure what I would have said.

What can you say to someone who chose to walk into damnation with open arms?

The academy had survived—barely. But victory tasted like ash in my mouth.

Arthur was dead.

And he had taken something with him.

Something none of us could ever get back.

And I didn't know if I could ever forgive him for that.

A few days ago, I would've drowned in guilt over the classmates and friends I couldn't save.

But…

The message from the real Noah—the one whose body I now inhabit—had given me hope. He'd sacrificed himself to keep me alive, even though he could've taken his body back.

I couldn't let that sacrifice go in vain. Not while drowning in guilt.

Too much had happened in just three days. Only now had I learned that the academy wasn't the only target. Villages and nearby cities had also been attacked.

The Shadow Prince had unleashed his elites when he arrived.

Because of that, all the heroes had been scattered. Even the Headmaster took time to return. I couldn't blame him—when you're a hero, you can't just ignore someone dying in front of you.

And the Shadow Prince...

I had seen just how powerless I still was. Even after using everything, all I managed were a few scratches. Without my system, without my abilities—I would've been dead.

Let alone saving Olivia.

I placed my hand on my chest, where the soul imprint lay dormant.

"Noah," I whispered, "don't look down on yourself. You were never weak. If you were, I wouldn't be alive."

"…Thank you."

The symbol on my chest pulsed faintly, glowing in acknowledgment.

I smiled.

The academy was closed for now. The world had lost faith in heroes. Even noble families criticized the system after losing their heirs.

My parents had insisted I recover at the mansion. And I agreed. I planned to train—at least for a year. I couldn't afford to be that helpless again. I wouldn't rely on luck. I'd almost died… twice.

That might have been fine in my past life, but now… now I had people I cared about. People I wanted to protect.

Click.

The door opened.

Two beautiful girls walked in—one with fiery red hair, the other with long black locks.

Scarlett and Lyra.

They'd grown close—true friends.

"Noah, you're awake? Great! That makes it easier," Scarlett said with a mischievous grin. "It's time for your sponge bath."

"W-What?! Why would you do that? The nurse should—" I stammered, trying not to blush.

"Why? Do you hate the idea of me touching your body?" she asked, smile fading. "Or do you prefer the nurse over me?"

"No! It's the opposite! I just… I might not be able to control myself," I said quickly, trying to ease the mood.

"Is that so?" she asked, cheeks flushing.

"Fine. Then Lyra will cover your eyes while I do it. No excuses." She shot me a blushing glare.

Lyra, who'd been quietly watching, blushed as well. "I don't know why I'm doing this…"

So here I was—sitting on a bed, eyes covered by Lyra's cool, small hands, getting a sponge bath from Scarlett.

"Aren't I the luckiest guy?"

"Is the water too hot?" Scarlett asked softly.

"It's fine," I replied.

"Noah… a-am I hurting your eyes?" Lyra asked hesitantly.

"No. Your hands are soft and cool. It feels comforting," I told her.

That made Lyra smile—though she didn't know why. Whenever she was with him, her cold exterior melted. Maybe it was because he was injured. Maybe it was more.

Scarlett, overhearing the compliment, quietly placed her hands on mine.

"Scarlett… your hands are warm. Or maybe... addictive."

"Don't get greedy, or I'll stop." Her tone was teasing, but I knew she was happy.

"Yes, my lady."

She chuckled softly.

"Scarlett, I'm heading home soon," I said.

"So?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"So… I was wondering if you wanted to come with me. My mother also has a shadow element. You'd fit right in."

"I can… but Lyra would be alone. She has no one but me. And we both don't have a place to go back to. The orphanage doesn't accept anyone over sixteen," she explained.

"You don't need to worry about me," Lyra said. "I can join an adventurer's guild."

But before Scarlett could respond, I took Lyra's hand from over my eyes.

"Lyra, my mother has an ice element. She could teach you too. And the adventurer's guild? How about we get stronger first—then we form a party and take on quests together."

"You don't have to, Noah…"

"You're my friend, Lyra. That's reason enough."

"Yeah! Lyra, I don't want us to be apart now that we're finally close," Scarlett added.

"…Alright. I'll come."

Scarlett jumped in joy and hugged her.

"You'll thank me later," I grinned.

Click.

The door swung open again.

Layla, Olivia… and my parents.

Their expressions were priceless.

Layla frowned—clearly jealous of Scarlett.

Olivia's face was flushed.

Father looked proud—as if silently saying, "Atta boy."

And Mother? Her eyes asking, "why is my son becoming a playboy?"

Why all the reactions?

Simple.

Lyra was behind me, holding my hands.

Scarlett was hugging both of us.

And me?

I was sandwiched between them—face buried in Scarlett's not-too-small chest, while she continued hugging Lyra, oblivious.

Now you understand, right?

Tsk. So much to explain...

"It's Not What It Looks Like..I think "

" I swear "

To be continued…