Chapter 29

The warmth of Oblea's embrace lingers with Eska for days, a quiet source of strength amid the uncertainty.

Life in the infirmary settles into a predictable cycle of healing, short exercises and long stretches of rest.

Slowly but surely, Eska's wounds close, her strength returning to the point where she can finally step outside for fresh air.

As usual, Ciel arrives in the morning, knocking gently on the door.

"Come in," Eska calls, her voice slightly distracted as she slides her slippers on with slow, deliberate movements. Her tongue sticks out just a little in concentration, her brows furrowed in playful effort.

Despite the simple task, she moves sluggishly.

"Good morning, Eska!" Ciel enters cheerfully, shutting the door behind her.

Her gaze shifts to Eska's feet, her expression turning disapproving. "Oh no, you are not. It's cold out today!"

Eska rolled her eyes. "Oh please! This is nothing compared to hunting in the middle of winter."

Ciel narrows her eyes, probably catching the trace of pride in Eska's voice. "Of course," she replies dryly. "And I suppose you also go hunting a few days after nearly dying, right?"

"I—" Eska stammers, trailing off as she struggles to find a retort. Finally, she sighs and admits, "I just need some air…"

Ciel softens, as if sensing the weight behind Eska's words. She must know how much Eska must miss her freedom, having spent the last two weeks confined to the infirmary. The constant stares and whispers, filled with judgment and fear, have only made it worse.

"Maybe a few minutes wouldn't hurt," Ciel says after a moment of thought.

Eska's face lights up. "Really?" she asks, her voice filled with excitement.

"But!" Ciel interjects, raising a warning finger. "Only a few minutes. You still need to rest for those wounds to heal properly."

With as much enthusiasm as her healing body can manage, Eska grabs her jacket, sliding it on carefully to avoid straining herself.

Ciel hands her a pair of crutches, and they head toward the door together. Ciel opens the door, allowing Eska to step into the hallway where people bustle about, tending to patients.

Eska's gaze falls on a familiar figure sitting near the far wall. She waves cautiously, approaching with a nervous smile. "Hi, Lenna. Want to join us? I'm heading outside for some fresh air."

Lenna looks up, her expression flat. "You know I have to follow you," she replies curtly, her displeasure evident.

Eska's smile falters, growing more nervous, while Ciel frowns.

The trio steps into the courtyard, greeted by a crisp breeze and a clear blue sky dotted with clouds. Despite the chill, it isn't unbearable, and Eska takes in the fresh air with a deep breath.

Lenna finds a bench and sits down with a huff.

With a short chant, she conjures a small flame, warming the seat for herself and Ciel. Arms crossed and eyes closed, she makes no effort to hide her reluctance to be there.

Eska just rolls her eyes.

After making her way into the middle of the courtyard, Eska stands motionless, her arms extended and her eyes closed as she breathes deeply, savoring the cold air filling her lungs before releasing it slowly.

Lenna's cross murmurs carry on the wind, and Eska tries to block out her bitter voice, but smiles softly when she hears Ciel defending her.

"She isn't a threat, you know that," she hears Ciel saying gently.

"Da—" Lenna pauses, as if catching herself. "Athos doesn't believe that. We don't know what she's capable of. She could be hiding abilities we can't even fathom, and yet we're letting her roam freely."

Eska recognizes the tone she uses.

The way someone repeats words they've been told to say, shaping them into their own even if they don't fully believe them. She's done it herself—repeating Marina's lessons to her mom, speaking them before she truly understood them.

While the two women exchange words, Eska remains rooted in place, forcing her mind elsewhere.

"You are not listening." Marina's voice tells her

Eska's attention snaps back, her body stiffening.

"No, sorry."

Marina lets out a sigh. "Reinforcement magic, girl. It's similar to what you did at the Wendigo den. Density manipulation."

Eska repolies in her head, "I just remembered one of your books and tried hardening the blood."

"Yes and you nearly succeeded," Marina patiently explains. "You remember the glow, don't you? The one you saw when you almost got it right?"

"The purple glow? But…the book said it should be blue," Eska recalls, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Well, yes," Marina with a slight chuckle. "But your blood is red. Surely, you've learned how colors mix by now."

"Oh!" Eska's eyes widen as realization dawns. She mentally retraces the lesson. "The blue glow comes from mana's shift in color as it stabilizes the compression."

"You are such a bookworm, Eska," Marina replies with a touch of pride.

Marina continues "This principle doesn't just apply to your bloodcraft. It's the essence of one of the most basic spells—Reinforcement. Even after you cast every spell you know, you are still human. It's why your arm got burned. You can't punch through steel and expect nothing to happen to your fist."

"So, I need to learn Reinforcement first?" Eska asks, her curiosity evident.

"Yes," Marina replies. "Mastering Reinforcement will let you cast far more powerful spells with less recoil. You've grasped the basics—now, it's just about practice."

Eska lowers her arms, letting the cool air brush against her burned skin. She runs her fingers over the stitches on her cheek before lifting her gaze to the sky, taking in another deep breath.

A big grin spreads across her face. "Two years," she murmurs to herself, eager to learn more of it.

Ciel approaches, concern flickering across her face. "Is everything all right, Eska?"

"As good as it'll get," Eska replies without hesitation, her grin widening.

Ciel studies her briefly before her expression softens into a warm smile. "I'm glad. But we should head back inside soon—you still need your rest."

Eska nods, falling into step beside Ciel as they make their way back to the building.

Another two weeks pass by, the days becoming more bearable as they pass. Eska's strength returns, her once-debilitating injuries now a dull ache that lingers only as a reminder of her ordeal.

The cold air outside grows crispier, signaling the slow shift of the season, while within the infirmary, life continues at its measured pace. Eska spends her time jogging longer distances with more ease, exchanging brief conversations with Ciel and enduring Lenna's wary glances.

With each passing day, the countdown to her inevitable future feels both distant and all too near.

***

Several weeks later, Ciel and Eska sit at the table, eating breakfast together. Eska's book is open in front of her, one of the many Ciel has brought to fill the counter nearby. She finishes the last page, closes the book with a soft thud and places it on the table.

After taking the final bite of her meal, Eska looks up, determination in her eyes. "When can I start?" she asks confidently.

Ciel nearly chokes on her food, coughing before managing to compose herself. "Eska, the Speaker gave you a month. You should take the whole time to recover," she says with concern.

Eska stands, stretching her arms and legs in an attempt to show her readiness. "I think I'm ready."

Ciel narrows her eyes. "I've never seen someone heal so fast, even with spells. But that doesn't mean you're ready for combat yet, Eska."

Eska frowns and turns away, her disappointment clear as she takes her plate and cup to the sink. She starts washing them when a knock at the door catches both of their attention. Ciel rises to answer it, while Eska continues at the sink.

"Oh, Valen! What brings you here?" Ciel greets him with a warm smile.

Eska freezes, her hands tightening around the cup in the soapy water. Her shoulders shrink inward, instinct pressing her to make herself smaller.

Valen.

His voice carries from the doorway, steady and composed as he always is.

He is always so reserved, his red eyes locked onto her like a predator sizing up its prey. Like he could snap at any moment and take her head off before she even had time to react.

She hears Valen's voice. "May I come in?"

"Of course," Ciel says, stepping aside to let him in.

Valen gets straight to the point. "I've been reviewing your report on her recovery. I want to take her out to the city, introduce her to a few places she'll need to visit while working for me. Also Vanessa will be waiting, I think this is a great time to introduce the both of you."

Eska turns around, drying her hands. Her eyes widened as she hears what he just said.

Ciel hesitates, caught off guard. "Oh," she replies, clearly unsure of what to say.

"That's a bit sudden. But I think she can handle walking." She narrows her eyes watching him carefully before adding, "Just walking, Valen."

Valen blinks in slight surprise but doesn't argue. "That's the plan, Ciel."