Supreme Magus novel Chapter 132

After Professor Marth finished healing Lith’s arm, the bandages were removed, revealing that it was back to normal, except for one small detail. Unlike the rest of his body, that still retained his normal colour, it was pale like it had never seen the light.

Marth didn’t miss the silent question in his eyes.

"Sorry, I don’t know how Manohar manages to do that. In theory it’s impossible for new skin to retain any kind of tan, but that doesn’t stop him from doing it anyway."

Then, whispered in Lith’s ear:

"It’s better if you go to Manohar later, if the skin problem bothers you. I don’t feel like bringing him back here would be a good idea."

Lith nodded, both the Headmaster and his father probably wouldn’t be able to take in another one of his pep talks.

"Professor, you have yet to tell me what happened after I lost consciousness." - Thanks to Solus, Lith already knew the answer , but he needed to pretend to be curious about it.

"Yes, indeed. But it’s better if you hear it from the ones that actually saved your life. It took quite some effort to force your friends to leave your bedside and get some rest."

His parents were moved, hearing their son had such dedicated friends, Lith not so much, since it made crumble another chunk of his personal beliefs. It also raised a creepy question.

- "Solus, since now I’m wearing an hospital nightgown, please, tell me Manohar didn’t strip me in front of the others."

"No, he didn’t." She giggled. "But there would be nothing wrong with it, you are all doctors after all."

"True, but if the situation was reversed, do you think any girl would like being seen naked by three of her male friends?"

"It depends on the friends, I guess." There was a hint of malice in her words.

"Okay, that’s it." Lith decided to solve the matter once and for all.

"Solus, what’s happening to you? Ever since we came to the academy, from time to time you try to fix me a girl or another, say something inappropriate, like right now. People aren’t just slabs of meat, they have feelings too."

"That’s rich, coming from you!" For the first time since they had met, Lith could sense her anger. He didn’t reply, waiting for Solus to vent out.

"Since when do you care for feelings? All you do is lying to manipulate everyone, fight like a madman, amass power, rinse and repeat. Have you ever thought about my feelings? About how scared I am every time you do something stupid, putting your life at risk like it’s nothing?

Or how envious I am of all of you, free to talk, laugh, walk in the sun, while I’m trapped all the day inside a ring of stone, living my life through you? And to be honest, is not much of a life.

You have so many people that love you, so many chances to get close to others and become real friends, instead of just pretending. Yet you always reject them like trash, and that makes me furious.

You know, maybe the Scorpicore was right. Maybe I really am a cursed object, because this life sometimes really feels like a curse." –

Despite she had no tears to shed, to Lith it was like she was bawling her eyes out.

It made him feel terribly guilty and helpless. Too often he had closed himself to her, either to study or practice, speaking only to ask her help. They had been together for so long, yet he still sometimes treated Solus like some kind of home appliance.

Lith couldn’t deny anything she had said. To him people were just tools, while feelings were a useless burden.

- "I’m sorry, Solus. I don’t know what to say. All this time I never stopped considering how you felt, always taking your happiness for granted."