The healing spells were unable to salvage her waning life force, to the extent that she was now struggling to even breathe.
Hewinia hobbled over to Arianna and looked down at the once professor.
Arianna's disfigured body was still adorned with a golden score and notes that shone as brilliantly as ever, untouched by any filth.
She stared blankly above, her eyes devoid of any focus – it was uncertain whether she was looking at the ceiling or at Hewinia.
After what seemed like an eternity, she finally spoke, her voice resembling a broken accordion.
"I always thought... I would be the next headmaster..."
"I also considered that I might fail... that I might die at the hands of the nobles in the last moment, perish at the hands of the Taichu Two Families... but I never imagined..."
She slowly closed her eyes.
"That I would die by your hand."
In Arianna's exceedingly fragile voice, her unwillingness was unmistakably evident.
