CHPT 126: We have no Choice.

Ursula had been knee deep in a dream of eating all she wanted and working out until her muscles felt like they'd burst from her skin when she slowly started to awaken and become more aware of her surroundings.

The first thing that came with her coming back to her senses was pain. Nothing close to what she felt after being gut punched by Jack, but still painful enough to take note of.

It started with a dull throb in the front of her skull that pounded in sync with her heartbeat. Next were her shoulders and upper arms that didn't exactly hurt— but she still vividly remembered the cuts painfully running red down her arms for most of the fight.

That was the odd thing about having wounds dealt with by a Healer. Even if all your injuries are healed, it's almost like your body still forces you to endure some pain.

The pains ended in a discomforting soreness around her stomach and ribs that was already fading.

"Did I even win?" She thought as she tried to remember the last portion of the game of Mob.

Before she could think anymore of it, she became more aware of what she was hearing. It sounded like people quietly talked all around her while others moved in and out of the room she was in. Even closer, she could hear Warren talking to Isaac which made her open her eyes.

She was in the Infirmary to no ones surprise. The room was dimly lit by lanterns and the eerie light of the waning moon that leaked into the room through the wall of windows she lay next to. Warren and Isaac stood on her right side— near the windows, too absorbed in their conversation to notice her watching them.

They no longer had on their armor and wore casual shirts and pants in the Universities colors. Behind them, Claude sat in a chair with his back to the window. His head was turned and he seemed to be looking up at the night sky deep in thought.

"Woah! Look who's awake!" Warren said loudly in the relatively quiet room.

"Dude shush!" Isaac whispered.

"Oh shi— sorry." Warren replied before turning back to Ursula, "So, how are you feeling?"

"I should be asking you that." Ursula said as she sat up and stretched.

Warren thought about what she said as he remembered being sent out of the ring in the beginning of the match.

"I'll live. But I no longer like Knights." He said with a pained face as he rubbed his chest.

"Yea I wouldn't either if I got hit like that." Isaac added jokingly, getting a laugh out of Ursula.

"Is Maris ok?" She asked after she was done laughing.

Before anyone could answer her, a female in a long white coat and black pants approached her. Ursula couldn't help but notice how familiar the woman looked.

"Long time no see, Claude." The Doctor said shakily.

"Dr. Jean." Claude replied with a quick respectful nod.

Ursula took a second look at the Doctor, studying her angular features and long brown hair until she realized where she remembered her from. "Oh! She was one of the Doctors that watched over Claude after the Deviant."

After remembering who she was, Ursula and Dr. Jean engaged in light chit chat as she checked her temperature and had her explain how she felt since the cool down periods after Berserkers used their Skill, (Berserker's Rage) was different for everyone.

As her talk with the Doctor came to an end, she couldn't help but notice her flinch whenever Claude shifted in his chair as if she felt like he was going to burst from his seat and rip her in half any second.

"A-Alright. That's all for tonight. Your free to sleep here if walking makes you dizzy but make sure you drink a lot of water. Goodnight." Dr. Jean said quickly before practically running out of the room.

"Weird." She thought as she watched the Doctor leave.

After Dr. Jean left, they all talked about the fight and filled her in on its brutal ending. Warren retold the events animatedly while using Isaac to reenact the scenes she didn't remember in an almost comedic fashion, causing her and Claude to laugh throughout the whole story.

They chatted for another hour before Claude, Isaac and Warren decided to head to their rooms and get to sleep.

Claude was the last to leave, seeming to want to stare at the moon for a while longer. Once he had enough moon gazing, she watched him fluidly raise from his seat and stop mid stride.

In the dark room it was difficult to tell, but she could've sworn he started to quietly sniff the air before saying, "is something still bothering you? I thought you'd be happier to win against four people in Mob?"

For the first time, Ursula felt like she was being seen straight through. Of course she was happy about being able to win against such odds in Mob— although she would've preferred being able to do it without losing her mind.

But, she could have won against 8, 10, or even 15 students, it wouldn't get rid of the fear and anxiety that loomed over her.

"You aren't scared?"

Claude didn't need her to specify about the Demon that may be outside the Universities walls stalking them to know what she meant.

"Of course I am. Especially since no one will believe us until they see it." Claude replied truthfully.

"..."

"But that means we have no choice but to get stronger. We have no choice but to be ready when it shows it's face." He said with conviction.

Ursula nodded, finding her anxiety being slightly relieved and replaced by a feeling of a angsty determination. "It's better to try and do something instead of sitting and waiting for something to happen to you." She thought.

"Anyway, you should rest up. We've got a Tangent to complete on Friday." Claude said before silently heading out of the Infirmary.

"Right."