The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy

Chapter 588: Arcadia, The First Planet In All Creation (LXV)

Taking the chance to rest for a little, Aestrea sat down on a nearby rock, his back straight despite the pain radiating from the deep gash across his stomach.

The wound was ugly, a long, zig-zagged cut from the guardian’s greatsword that had torn through muscle and skin.

Blood continued to seep out steadily, soaking the front of his clothes. He knew it wouldn’t heal on its own, so he had to take care of it the old-fashioned way.

Yennefer and Elleonora immediately moved closer, their faces filled with worry.

Yennefer’s crimson eyes were wide with concern, while Elleonora’s light blue eyes showed clear anxiety.

"Let us help you," Yennefer said quickly, her voice trembling slightly.

"You shouldn’t have to do this yourself."

Aestrea shook his head.

"I’ll handle it, don’t worry about it..."

He started by tearing a long strip from the bottom of his outer cloak.

The fabric was sturdy but soft enough to use as a bandage. He gripped the edge with both hands and pulled hard, the sound of ripping cloth filling the air.

The strip came free, about as wide as his palm and long enough to wrap around his waist several times.

He folded the strip neatly, creating a thick pad for the wound itself. He pressed the pad firmly against the gash, wincing as fresh pain shot through his body.

"Tsk..."

Blood immediately soaked into the fabric, turning it dark red. He held it in place with one hand while he tore another, longer strip from the same cloak for the main bandage.

This second strip was wider and longer. He wrapped it around his waist, starting from the front and pulling it tight over the pad.

The pressure made the wound throb even more, but he kept his jaw clenched and continued. He wrapped it around his body twice, making sure the pad stayed firmly in place.

Each loop pulled the fabric tighter, compressing the injury to slow the bleeding.

Yennefer watched with worried eyes, her hands twitching as if she wanted to help but respected his wish to do it himself.

"You’re bleeding too much..." she whispered.

"Please let us use magic on it."

Aestrea shook his head again.

"Didn’t try to use it? It didn’t work... I need to do it this way."

He tore one more strip from what remained of his cloak, using it to tie off the main bandage.

He knotted it securely on the side of his waist, making sure it wouldn’t come loose during movement.

The bandage was crude but effective.

He tested the bandage by pressing on it lightly.

A sharp pain shot through him, but the bleeding had slowed significantly. He stood up slowly, adjusting his remaining clothes to cover the bandage as best he could.

Elleonora stepped closer, her hand hovering near his side without touching.

"Are you sure you can move like this?" she asked, her voice full of worry. "That wound looks terrible. You should rest at least a little."

Aestrea gave her a faint smile, though it was strained from the pain.

"We don’t have time to rest. The final tower is waiting."

He looked at both women, his expression determined.

"Help me fly there. I can handle the rest once we arrive."

Yennefer and Elleonora exchanged a worried glance but nodded.

Yennefer moved to his left side, carefully supporting his arm without pressing on the wound. Elleonora took his right side gently, making sure not to hurt him the slighest.

Together, they lifted him into the air, their wings spreading as they carried him toward the giant fused tower in the distance.

The flight was slow and careful. Aestrea gritted his teeth against the pain every time they hit a small bump in the air.

Blood continued to seep through the bandage, but the pressure held it back enough for him to endure.

Yennefer and Elleonora flew on either side of him, their faces full of concern as they supported his weight.

The giant tower grew larger as they approached. Its surface was covered in shifting runes, and its peak disappeared into the clouds.

The air around it felt heavy with power, making the flight more difficult the closer they got.

When they finally landed at the base of the tower, Aestrea’s legs were steady despite the pain. He adjusted the bandage one last time, pressing it firmly against the wound.

"I’ll be fine," he said, looking at both women.

"This is the last challenge... I only need to finish this..."

Of course... Aestrea was lying through his teeth, but he didn’t want to worry them.

After all... this isn’t the last challenge, as he would still need to challenge the creator of everything right after this tower.

Slowly, he started walking toward the giant fused tower.

The deep wound on his stomach throbbed under the makeshift bandage, blood slowly seeping through the fabric.

His legs felt heavy, and his vision blurred for a moment, but he kept moving forward, his face calm and determined.

But then, Yennefer and Elleonora suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking his path. Their expressions were filled with worry and determination.

"Wait," Yennefer stopped him, her eyes locking onto him firmly.

"You’re hurt. Badly. Let us handle this challenge. We’ve gotten the power of the Trumpets from you too. We have enough strength to fight for you this time."

Elleonora nodded, her light blue eyes filled with determination.

"She’s right. You’ve done enough. We can take this one. You need to rest and heal."

Aestrea stopped, his expression darkened instantly. Anger flashed in his eyes as he looked at both of them.

"No!" You’re not going in there. I almost died in the last one. This challenge is even more dangerous. I won’t let you risk your lives."

Yennefer stepped closer, her wings twitching with frustration.

"But we’re strong enough now! We can help you! You don’t have to do everything alone!"

Elleonora crossed her arms, her face showing the same stubborn worry.

"We’re your lovers. We want to protect you too. Let us do this."

Aestrea’s jaw tightened.

The pain from his wound mixed with the anger rising in his chest. He had almost died fighting the guardian.

The thought of either of them facing something like that, or worse, made his blood boil. He wouldn’t lose them... not after everything.

Without another word, he raised his hand.

Swooorp!

A barrier of black and white chaotic energy erupted around both women, sealing them in place.

The barrier was strong, shimmering with power that prevented them from moving forward or breaking free easily.

Yennefer’s eyes widened in shock.

"Aestrea! What are you doing?!"

Elleonora pressed her hands against the barrier, her voice filled with worry and anger.

"Stop this! You’re hurt! Let us help you!"

Aestrea didn’t answer them.

He turned away from them, spouting a whole mouthful of blood as the strain of creating the barrier hit his already injured body.

The blood splattered on the ground, dark and thick. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his breathing ragged, but he kept walking toward the tower.

The two women shouted after him, banging on the barrier, but he didn’t look back.

"Ahhgh... You can do it, Aestrea..."

Aestrea pushed forward despite the pain.

The deep wound on his stomach burned like fire, blood continuing to seep through the makeshift bandage.

His vision blurred slightly from the blood loss, but he forced himself to stay focused.

The giant tower loomed ahead; its surface was covered in moving runes that pulsed with a huge amount of power.

The air around it felt heavy, pressing down on his body like an invisible weight.

He reached the entrance, which was a massive arched doorway that opened on its own as he approached.

The inside was vast and dimly lit, with walls that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. The floor was made of smooth, dark stone that glowed faintly with golden lines.

In the center of the huge chamber stood a giant platform.

A large, intricate lotus flower design floated slightly above it, its petals glowing softly. It was clearly an elevator, waiting to take him higher into the tower.

Aestrea stepped onto the platform without hesitation. The lotus design brightened as he stood on it, and the platform began to rise smoothly.

The walls of the tower blurred past as he ascended, the golden lines on the stone flowing like rivers of light.

The ride was long and silent.

Aestrea leaned against the invisible barrier of the platform, one hand still pressed against his wound.

Drip...

Blood dripped slowly onto the floor, but he ignored it. His mind was focused on what waited at the top.

The platform continued upward for what felt like hours, though time in the tower seemed distorted.

The air grew heavier, the power in the tower more intense. Finally, the platform slowed and came to a stop at the very top.

"This... this..."

Aestrea was speechless for a second.