It was dark. When Elise opened her eyes, she was lying on a bed inside a dark room. As she regained consciousness, a burning pain spread throughout her body. At first, she couldn't move due to the shock. Almost instinctively, she tried to draw in Energy to gather her strength.
Nothing.
Panic rose within her. It had been months since she was last unable to draw in Energy at will. Had she unknowingly done something to harm her Energy control? What would she do if that were the case? She needed to ask the Traveler as soon as possible. Even though it was relatively new to her, Energy had become a part of her life. What would she do without it?
She tried to get up to find the Traveler, but a sharp pain in her chest almost stole her breath. She dropped back onto the bed, lying there in despair until she heard a voice right beside her.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Wincing at a slight pain in her neck, she turned her head to see the owner of the familiar voice. He was sitting in the dark right next to her bed, holding a book. Though it was hard to see his face, she could tell the Traveler was watching her.
"Don't panic. I blocked the Energy you were trying to use. You are in no shape to control it, and your body can't take any more rogue Energy. Just lie still. You need to rest." He then returned to his book in the darkness.
Elise did as he said and lay still. Only then did she realize that most of her body was wrapped in bandages, emitting a strong smell of herbs and ointments. When did she get hurt this badly? As she recalled, she had only taken two blows in the duel. Were Lord Avir Fortis's attacks truly this strong?
"Where am I?" she asked with a wheezing voice. She needed water.
"You are in a guest room dedicated solely to your recovery. It is almost dawn of the day after the duel."
The day after the duel. She remembered fragments of being brought here—her father's blurry face and worried voice amidst a crowd surrounding her bed.
"What happened?" She tried to reach for the water carafe, but a stinging pain under her arms stopped her.
Noticing her struggle, the Traveler poured her a cup of water, waiting for her to finish drinking before speaking.
"You drew in more Energy than you could control. It went 'rogue' inside your body, and your muscles could only resist the strain for a short time. Yes, it made you stronger temporarily, but remember what I told you about Energy: it tends to change based on its surroundings. Thus, the Energy you couldn't control changed into undesired forms.
"Some went into the flow you created and boosted your body. But most of it turned into light, heat, or other types of common energy around you. Those byproducts hurt you from the inside, then leaked out. The glow and smoke you emitted were the only ones you could see, but there were many other forms you can't perceive with regular senses.
"Your muscles ripped apart, your bodily fluids boiled, and your cells got corrupted or died. If your body hadn't been hardened by training with Energy, you would have died on the spot."
He paused for a moment, checking if she understood the situation. Even though Elise didn't understand most of it, she knew she had done something bad.
"So, try not to do it again unless you are in a life-or-death situation. This is still better than dying. For me, healing is easier than reviving."
He reached out and formed a complex ball of Energy inside his palm. Then he gently pressed the ball onto her chest, letting it dissolve slowly. A sudden refreshing feeling filled her. After all that pain, it was incredibly appealing.
"I waited for you to wake up before doing this. Try to feel that Energy. I created it specifically to help your body recover. Track it down and learn its movements. Don't try to replicate it just yet. You need to rest first. Tomorrow will be hard for you."
He put his book inside one of the layers of his clothing and got up to stretch a little. Elise understood he was about to leave.
"Could you teach me?" she asked.
"Teach you what?"
"I lost because his sword skills were better than mine. Can you make me a better sword fighter?"
He paused for a moment before answering. "That was only one of the reasons. He has more real combat experience than you. His 'Blessing', as you would say, is really good for combat, and he has more experience utilizing it than you do."
"What even is his Blessing?" she asked.
"As far as I could see, he has an enhanced nervous system. It boosts his reaction speed and the way his body responds to commands. He really is born for fighting."
Elise looked back on their duel, and the Traveler's explanation helped clear up many things she had noticed while fighting. Lord Avir Fortis was a tough opponent, exactly as expected from the best warrior in the Kingdom. But...
"You didn't answer my question."
"Do I look like someone who fights with swords?"
As she expected. "I remember you using my sword in the previous Realm to kill those monsters coming from the river. So, I thought maybe..."
He sighed. "I know how to use one, but I am not an expert by my standards..."
So, she needed to find a new way to follow her passion. Maybe she could request it from Lord Fortis if she could persuade the Traveler to stay here a little longer. She could learn from a great swordsman.
"...But I have a good friend who is an incredible sword master. He also owes me, if I remember correctly. We could ask him to teach you if you want."
A master swordsman that even the Traveler acknowledged. That would be a great opportunity for her.
"Where does he live?"
"I believe he settled a while ago with the woman of his life in a peaceful Realm. I should be able to locate him easily through a Gate. That could be our next destination if you want."
"That would be great!" This news drove away all her gloominess. She could become a better sword fighter under a great sword master.
"Now, stop thinking so much and try to rest. And don't forget to study the Energy I planted inside you."
Elise nodded enthusiastically, watching the Traveler turn around and step into nothingness. He disappeared without a trace, leaving her in the dimly lit room, touched by the light of the rising sun.