A free night

Max was able to see all of Mark's match. He won in the end and even though he fainted, the win was still his.

'Just what happened?' Max wondered, he was anxious when looking at the fainted Mark. He knew that he wasn't hit by any of her attacks and from the looks of it she didn't use any ability but he still fainted. He looked at Mark that was being carried by two individuals that wore black clothes, examining his body while it was still carried away toward the dorms.

Drops of blood gathered at the tips of his fingers before falling on the ground and Max was able to see this detail. He made his way toward the dorms as well, he was going to check it out. The curiosity got the better of him.

He looked at the covered individuals in front of him as they made their way towards Mark's room, opening it and then placing him on the bed. Looking back and trying to leave, the two individuals were able to spot Max but it didn't seem like they tried to stop him from getting closer. They nodded and then left the room leaving just Max and the unconscious Mark.

Max grabbed Mark's hand and then turned it, examining the interior of his palm. Shredded skin made way for the blood to flow out. It wasn't anything dangerous, stuff like this would happen occasionally during sparring or training, but only when you did it excessively.

Max thought for a second, thinking back on what happened during the fight and that is when the reason hit him. 'Well you worked hard, you should get a small reward at least' Max, going towards his room thought. He got a small and sealed cup before coming back to Mark.

He opened the small cup and began using the medicine inside it, helping Mark's wounds to heal and close faster.

'This should do' Max thought while sealing the cup back up. 'Now let's just wait for him to wake up' Max decided, going back to his room, using the time to meditate.

***

Mark opened his eyes slowly, feeling his head hurt and his palms burning. He remembered what happened and that he fainted after being announced as the winner. He got up from the bed, carefully placing his hands around. Looking out of the window Mark was able to see that the sun was already set, darkness slowly enveloping the world.

'I've been asleep for some time then,' Mark thought before looking at his hands, he was still able to feel the pain coming from them but it wasn't as bad as before. He noticed a white paste on his hands, exactly where the burning sensation came from as well.

'Tch' He grunted after trying to close his hand into a fist. "Hopefully it gets better by tomorrow" He hoped, speaking his thoughts out loud.

"They should be mostly healed by then" With a creak of the bathroom door Max entered Mark's room.

"Thanks for this white stuff, should be low tier medicine right?" Mark asked, he wouldn't normally use something with efficiency so low.

"Yes, I don't really have anything better but I thought it could help a bit" Max shrugged while closing the door to the room and then getting closer to Mark.

Max got closer and was now almost face to face with Mark. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Mark felt too awkward and asked.

"What is it? I know you want to ask me something..." He told Max while backing a bit up.

"How strong was her, to be able to cause injuries just because you hit her weapon?" Max said bluntly, he didn't know if he should ask or not but because he was urged to he did.

"It felt like you would be striking a mountain of steel with all your force. My legs were feeling like jello the second time my weapon intercepted hers." Mark admitted, he felt a bit ashamed but didn't think too much about it. After all, this situation was abnormal.

"I had it easier than you then? Lucky me." Max laughed, Mark and him had been training together for a while, he knew that Mark wasn't by any means weak. He was in fact quite strong than the average, his physique was good while his comprehension and affinity towards his element were excellent. They would fight each other to their heart's content and normally there wouldn't be any winners between Mark and Max. They were at about the same power level.

"Let's go outside, for now. I don't want to stay in my room all day," Mark told Max while walking towards the door. He didn't bring his scimitar with him as it was quite useless as he couldn't wield it properly.

"Alright then, after you," Max said while following him.

They left the dorm building and where right now looking at the bunch of people gathered outside. Students of all years and even teachers were present outside of the building while chatting idly.

"Hey Max, you also waiting for the fireworks?" A familiar voice entered Max's ears. Max turned around the see a tall and muscly individual which Max knew too well.

"What do you mean Dylan? I have no idea of what is happening" Max admitted, he has been inside his room trying a new concept out.

"Oh so you don't know, did you left early after you finished your round? I assume you did." Dylan asked Max while figuring out why he wasn't aware of what was happening.

"Yea, Mark fainted so I left to watch him..." Max said a bit awkwardly. It might sound weird but he was just looking out for him, mostly to calm his own nerves.

"Hahaha! Alright then, let me explain." Dylan laughed a bit about it before getting straight to the point.

"On the day the new students finish their first battles, fireworks are launched into the sky. This has quite a few meanings. They relax the students, encourage them, and some other things." Dylan explained to Max.

"To be real, this is something of a tradition for welcoming the first-years in the first place. It wasn't necessarily to be put right before the first fights but the principal thought it was a good idea." Dylan shrugged while he continued.

"But anyway, you guys mind if I join you? Only two people seem kinda lonely" Dylan laughed while looking at Max and Mark.

"If you want, then of-" Mark tried to get a word in but was interrupted by a strange and loud sound. A blinking light began ascending the sky and a booming sound filled the ears of everyone while the light increased in size, breaking apart and disappearing.

Many more lights did the same shortly after, the sky was filled with light and colors while everyone admired them, cheering and chatting without worrying.