Chapter 13: Sierra makes a friend.

Sierra was probably the first student in academy history to end up in the infirmary with an injury on her very first day.
The bleeding from her head had been heavy, but a hemostasis spell had already stopped it.

“The bleeding has settled for now, but you need to rest for a while, okay?”

“Yeah, got it.”

Sierra nodded at the school doctor’s words.
The wound was fairly deep, yet her expression remained calm.
She was more than used to pain.

“I’m going to make a report. Wait here, all right?”

“Understood.”

It was Arna who answered; the one who had brought Sierra here.
Once the doctor left, Arna sat beside her, worry plain on her face.

“Does it still hurt?”

“I’m fine. I’m used to it.”

“That’s not the issue… But at least it’s not life-threatening.”

That makes sense, Sierra thought with a mental nod.
She’d suffered far worse injuries countless times.
Raised by Ainz, the man reputed as the strongest mercenary alive, Sierra herself possessed strength to rival him.
Yet she was still human.
She felt pain; a sword through the vitals would kill her just the same.
The only reason she had survived everything was because she was, plain and simple, strong.

“But I can’t forgive Instructor Magnis.”

“…? Why?”

“Why!? It’s obvious he tampered with it! An iron training sword isn’t supposed to snap that easily!”

Arna wasn’t wrong.
Sierra had felt something off the moment she took it.
That was exactly why she harbored no anger toward House.
If anything, she was grateful.

“I think… House-sensei was teaching me how to fight with a broken weapon. How to judge that kind of situation—”

“That’s ridiculous! Are you an idiot!?”

The sharp retort silenced Sierra.
She looked away slightly and muttered,

“…I’m not an idiot.”

Arna either didn’t hear the tiny protest or pretended not to; she just let out a small sigh.

“I’m not blaming you at all. But what Magnis-sensei did was absolutely intentional. You mustn’t let him get away with it.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. I already reported it to the doctor, so it should be handled… Maybe he’s just bitter about losing to you?”

“Bitter…?”

“Exactly. That has to be it.”

So he was lashing out because he was humiliated by his loss.
Sierra understood that feeling; she’d felt the same whenever she lost to Ainz.
But she also understood Arna’s point.
If it was deliberate, then it was an act that hurt someone else.

(Maybe it’s the same as the “thugs” Dad talked about.)

In that case, next time she might be allowed to punch him across the room.

“I just hope it doesn’t leave a scar…”

“Arna… you’re worried about me?”

“Of course I am. It’s only natural to worry when someone’s hurt.”

“I see.”

“So… does that mean you’ve never lived in an environment where people worried about you like this?”

Sierra vaguely understood what “that kind of environment” meant.

“Dad worried about me sometimes when I got hurt.”

“And friends?”

“Never had any.”

“! …I see…”

For some reason, Arna’s face clouded with distress at those words.
Did I say something wrong? Sierra wondered, but then saw her chance.

“…Arna, will you be my friend?”

“Eh— friends? Me and you?”

“Yeah.”

“…I have to warn you, being friends with me isn’t exactly… recommended.”

“Is it not allowed?”

“Ugh…”

When Sierra leaned in expectantly, Arna’s face turned troubled.
Finally, as if giving up, she let out a big sigh.

“No… Actually, I wanted to be friends with you too. And it seems there’s a lot I need to teach you.”

“! So you’ll be my friend?”

“…Well, I suppose that’s what it means.”

“Yay! Nice to meet you!”

Sierra broke into a genuine, beaming smile; one that came naturally from pure, unfiltered joy.