Mother's hands flutter over my face, over the places I've been hit.
Her breathing is quick, shaky.
"Oh gods, you're bleeding, you're hurt—" she murmurs brokenly.
"I'm fine," I murmur back, calm.
I can hear the tears behind her voice, but I don't move to comfort her.
The battlefield teaches its own language. And today, I spoke it.
Sir Aethon steps back fully, his sword sliding smoothly into its sheath. His mana calms, cooling around him like mist settling on a river.
I catch the faint curve of his voice as he addresses King Beren:
"She's unlike any trainee I've faced, Your Majesty. To stand against me while blindfolded… She's ready for any test you set her."
King Beren lets out a short, satisfied grunt.
"She's close," he agrees. "But not finished yet."
He pauses, then turns his voice toward my parents, his tone growing heavier with meaning.
"As we agreed… I do expect her to attend the Tri-Continental Academy soon. She needs the kind of challenges only they can offer now."
A beat.
"But for the time being, we'll be returning to the Elven Continent. Myself, Julius, Kate, Dr. Lorre… and Sir Aethon."
The words settle over the courtyard like falling snow.
Parting.
Not forever — but long enough to matter.
Mother's hands still on my arm, tightening slightly.
I feel her heart twisting through the faint mana that clings to her.
Father, steady and solid as ever, draws closer, his quiet strength anchoring her.
Ramon shifts uneasily beside them, guilt and awe twisting his presence into a knot.
He doesn't speak.
"I'll make you proud," I say softly.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Only resolve, sharp as the blade still hanging at my side.
King Beren chuckles lowly.
"I have no doubts about that, little terror."
The courtyard slowly begins to quiet down, the air still charged from the intensity of the fight.
I reach up, fingers brushing against the damp fabric of the blindfold. The cloth feels heavy with sweat and the sting of the cuts, but it's a familiar weight.
I loosen it with careful fingers, pulling it free. I feel the faintest outline of mana in the air, tracing the shapes of those around me, the subtle hum of their presence.
But there is one who stands out above all others.
Julius.
Without thinking, I start forward, my footsteps steady despite the pounding of my heart. My arms stretch instinctively ahead, and I throw myself into the warmth of his mana.
"Julius!" I call out, voice louder than I intended.
His arms catch me effortlessly as I collide with him, his heartbeat steady against my chest.
"You little monster," he laughs, his voice vibrating in his chest. The familiar rhythm of his presence calms the rapid pulse in my own veins.
I pull him closer, squeezing with all the strength I have left. "Please dont stay gone for to long," I say quietly.
"Don't you worry tiny terror, i'd be scared of what you'd do to the world if i didn't listen to you." He says, his tone warm, a little teasing.
I linger for just a moment longer, pressing my face against the soft fabric of his tunic. I take in the familiar scent of him—earth and the sharp edge of fire magic that clings to his skin.
When I pull away, I hear him chuckling under his breath. "You're going to leave me in the dust, Annabel. Don't forget who taught you how to fight."
I laugh "i literally beat you the first time we met dummy."
I give him a crooked smile—though I can't see his reaction, I know the warmth of it reaches him.
Kate's mana signature flares brightly, almost mischievously. "Oi, don't leave me hanging either!"
I turn toward her, and in a moment, her hands are pulling me close, lifting me off my feet as she spins me around.
"You better keep kicking ass out there, Annabel," she says, voice light and teasing, but there's something deeper beneath it—something protective. "But next time? Maybe don't push yourself so much. I like my little sister in one piece."
"I'll do my best," I respond with a half-smile, though I know she can hear the challenge in my voice.
Finally, I step toward Dr. Lorre. I can feel her presence before I reach her, the air around her cool, calculated. She stands back just enough, her mana signature sharp and focused.
I hesitate for just a moment before bowing my head, a gesture of respect.
"Thank you, Dr. Lorre. For everything."
Her voice is dry but warm when she speaks. "You're welcome. Just don't forget: wolves rest too. Don't burn yourself out."
I nod, my heart heavy with unspoken words.
As the last of my goodbyes are said, I step back, the lingering hum of mana fading, leaving behind a strange sense of quiet. My heart feels full, though there's an edge to it, a sense of something pulling me forward.
King Beren's voice cuts through the silence, deep and commanding, yet carrying a certain weight of expectation.
"Annabel," he calls out, his tone brokering no argument. "You've proven yourself capable. But your path doesn't end here."
I feel the shift of his presence as he steps closer, his footsteps deliberate, his aura unwavering. His mana presses in like a heavy cloak, but there's no mistaking the seriousness behind his words.
"You will be going to the Tri-Continental Academy," he continues, and my chest tightens at the sound of it. "That much was always part of our agreement. But not right now. I'm giving you time—one to two years at most."
The weight of his words sinks in. One to two years.
A cold shiver runs down my spine, though it's not from fear—more from the knowledge of how little time I have left. The pressure of the world outside is closing in. The world I'm supposed to protect.
"The devils won't keep quiet forever," King Beren adds, his voice hard, his gaze sharp. "The threat grows by the day. You need to be prepared. When you do go, you'll be ready. But in the meantime, your training continues."
My mind races, processing the weight of it all. I have a limited window to prepare, to sharpen myself in every way possible. One to two years.
"And keep your blindfold on," he says, almost as an afterthought, though there's no mistaking the firmness behind it. "Train with it, both blindfolded and without. Push yourself. Test your limits."
I nod, the determination in my chest only growing.
"I'll be ready," I say, the words firm and unshakable. The promise sits between us like a vow.
King Beren seems to sense it, his presence relaxing ever so slightly. "Good. I expect nothing less."
As King Beren begins to turn away, preparing to leave with Julius, Kate, Dr. Lorre, and Sir Aethon, I speak up once more, my voice clear but without hesitation. "Your Majesty, I plan on going to the training grounds with Ramon."
He pauses, eyes flicking to me with a raised brow, his posture sharp. "The training grounds?" His voice is cool but laced with curiosity. "That's a bold choice."
I nod. "I know it's dangerous, but it's not just about testing myself. The mana beasts there… they're unpredictable, but that's exactly why I need it. To sharpen my senses. There are parts of the grounds where the mana flow is thickest, the environment can be harsh, but the potential rewards are worth it." I give a small, determined smile. "And Ramon… he's not weak. He's stronger than you think. We'll be fine."
King Beren doesn't respond immediately, his gaze thoughtful. "I'm not saying it's a bad idea," he finally replies, eyes narrowing slightly. "Just don't let your focus slip. There are levels to the grounds, and while many of the beasts are manageable, there are areas that even seasoned fighters avoid. I trust you'll be careful."
"I will," I promise. "I won't take unnecessary risks."
"You'll need a hunter's permit," he adds, as if the reminder is second nature. "I assume you've already arranged for one?"
I nod again. "I'll take care of it."
"I'll also trust you to know when it's time to leave the deeper parts of the grounds and return. If you plan on going, be prepared to spend more time there than you expect. And bring back something useful," he adds with a raised brow, almost in a teasing tone.
"Of course," I say, the weight of his expectation hanging in the air. I know the King's counting on me to return with something of value. After all, there's always the chance of finding something rare. Something like the metal magic scroll we discovered in that cave.
He nods, signaling the end of the conversation. "You may go then. But remember the urgency I mentioned. It won't wait forever."
I turn my attention to Ramon, who's been listening quietly nearby, his brow furrowed as if processing something. His voice is slightly incredulous when he speaks.
"Wait, we're going to the training grounds?" he asks, clearly surprised. "You're serious about this?"
I can't help but smile at his reaction, the usual uncertainty in his tone now replaced by something resembling excitement. "Of course I am," I reply, my voice steady. "It's a good challenge. And we need it."