The silence stretched for a moment after Aldros' words.
Noel sat there, breathing slower, lighter now that he knew no one had died.
Aldros adjusted his gloves absently, then continued, his voice as steady as ever.
"There's one more thing," he said. "The academy will be closing."
Noel raised an eyebrow.
"For good?" he asked, half-joking, half-hopeful.
Aldros allowed the barest twitch of a smile.
"No. Temporarily for one month."
Noel leaned back against the pillow, letting the information sink in.
"A vacation, huh?" he muttered.
"Think of it as a necessary recovery period," Aldros said. "Repairs, reorganization, psychological support. Two days from now, the gates will close."
Noel huffed a tired laugh.
"I'm guessing my dear family's already been told?"
Aldros nodded.
"We've sent word to your father, Lord Albrecht Thorne. He expects your return within the next few days."
Noel's expression didn't change outwardly, but a tight knot twisted in his stomach.
'Oh, perfect. Daddy dearest knows I'm alive.'
'How could I forget the people who tried to have me conveniently removed?, Well It wasn't my father but my favorite mothers of all the world.'
Bitterness flickered briefly across his face, but he masked it well.
Aldros watched him, but didn't comment.
"Your transport will be arranged," Aldros continued. "You'll be leaving alongside other students returning to their homes."
Noel nodded slowly.
Aldros shifted slightly, his cloak whispering against the infirmary floor.
"There was also a ceremony held two days ago," he said.
Noel tilted his head, raising an eyebrow.
"Let me guess," he drawled. "Participation trophies for everyone?"
Aldros's mouth twitched slightly, almost a smile.
"Not quite. Only those who stood against the terrorists directly were recognized."
He paused, then added:
"A formal medal was awarded to each of them. Personally delivered by Imperial Princess Seraphina of Valor."
Noel blinked once.
Slowly.
Then snorted under his breath.
'Of course.'
'A fucking princess. Because why not pile on the fantasy clichés while we're at it?'
'Let me guess: beautiful, powerful, totally out of my league, and destined to be important.'
"Must've been quite the party," he muttered out loud.
"You missed it," Aldros said simply. "But considering your condition at the time, no one expected your presence."
Noel grunted softly, shifting against the pillow.
"Yeah, well. Not really a 'shake hands and bow to royalty' kinda guy anyway."
The Director gave a small nod, neither approving nor disapproving.
"The recognition was deserved," Aldros said. "The academy survived because of those who stood firm."
Noel didn't argue.
Because he knew it was true.
Even if he wasn't there to see it.
Aldros stood from his chair, the leather creaking softly under the motion.
He adjusted his cloak with a sharp tug and straightened his shoulders, the tiredness around his eyes buried under layers of authority once again.
Noel watched him silently.
He didn't say anything smart this time.
Didn't crack a joke.
Something about the weight in the room told him it wasn't the moment.
The Director paused at the edge of the bed, his silver gaze sharp as ever.
"You've done more than was ever asked of you, Thorne," Aldros said, voice low but firm.
"Get some rest and heal. Use this break wisely."
There was a finality in the way he said it — not just advice.
Noel gave a lazy, two-fingered salute.
"I'll try not to start another war in the next thirty days," he said dryly.
Aldros's lips twitched almost imperceptibly — then he turned and left, his boots clicking against the stone floor, the door swinging shut behind him with a soft thud.
Leaving Noel alone once again in the too-quiet infirmary.
The shadows of everything that had happened pressed against the sterile walls.
But at least, for now—
He had a little breathing room.
Noel laid back in bed, staring at the ceiling, when the nurse returned with a clipboard in hand and a face like she was preparing to fight a hydra.
She set the clipboard down on the side table with a loud clack.
"Alright, hero," she said dryly, "let's see if you can walk without face-planting."
Noel grunted and swung his legs over the side of the bed, his muscles protesting every inch of movement.
"You really know how to inspire confidence," he muttered.
"Shut up and stretch," the nurse snapped, but there was no real heat behind it.
He stood slowly, wobbling a bit, and started with basic arm rotations.
Each joint ached, but he moved through the motions.
Neck rolls.
Back stretches.
Knee bends.
The nurse circled him like a hawk, eyeing every twitch, every stagger.
"Touch your toes," she ordered.
Noel bent forward stiffly, gritting his teeth.
"Technically touching," he said through clenched teeth.
"Technically pathetic," she muttered, scribbling on her clipboard.
After stretching, she handed him a small piece of mana-charged paper.
"Magic test. Basic spells only. Let's see if you didn't fry your core like an idiot."
Noel cracked his knuckles.
He focused.
First, he summoned a tiny flame onto his fingertip.
The flame danced weakly, flickering but steady.
"Good," the nurse said, still jotting notes.
"Now wind."
Noel focused again, gathering mana at his palm and pushing outward.
A soft breeze stirred the loose papers on the bedside table, making them flutter.
The nurse gave a grunt of approval.
"You're cleared," she said, slapping the clipboard onto the bed. "But if you land back here next week, I'm charging you rent."
"Deal," Noel said, smirking as he pulled on his academy-issued jacket.
Dragging his battered body through the now mostly-empty halls, he made his way back to the Class A dormitory building.
The hallways were too quiet.
Most students had already left or were preparing to.
When he reached his room, he let out a long breath and pushed the door open.
Same old plain stone walls.
Same bed.
Same wardrobe.
He tossed his jacket onto the bed and set to work.
Packing was easy.
He didn't own much yet:
Some casual clothes.
A few academy manuals.
Revenant Fang, carefully wrapped in cloth.
Veilweaver's Charm hidden in the inner pocket of his bag.
Once done, he let the suitcase fall by the door with a heavy thump.
'One thing left.'
Noel made his way to the small private bath attached to his room.
The academy had spared no expense for Class A dorms.
He filled the wide stone tub with steaming hot water, strips of mana-crystal embedded around the base to keep it warm.
Sinking into the water, Noel let out a long groan as the heat seeped into his bruises.
For once, he didn't think about tomorrow.
Or plans.
Or danger.
He just floated there, letting his mind go blank.
Twenty minutes later, freshly scrubbed and exhausted all over again, he stumbled back into his room wearing loose, comfortable clothes.
He barely had time to throw himself onto the bed before—
Knock. Knock.
He frowned.
Sat up.
Dragged himself to the door.
When he opened it—
Elyra stood there.
She was wrapped in a simple white bathrobe, her long dark hair still damp, strands sticking to her neck and shoulders.
Her skin glowed faintly under the hallway lights, freshly scrubbed, her usual polished appearance softened by the casual look.
She raised an eyebrow at him, completely unfazed.
"...Hey," she said simply.
Noel blinked.
His brain, fried from battle, hospital stays, and hot baths, blanked entirely for a second.
'The hell is happening now?'