Ruach's POV
I woke up staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. My whole body ached, and even sitting up felt like a struggle. After forcing myself upright, I noticed a boy sitting beside my bed, fast asleep.
Before I could say anything—
The curtain behind him suddenly burst open.
"Oh, you're awake!"
A girl rushed in and smacked the back of his head hard enough to jolt him forward, nearly knocking him off his chair.
"Are you awake now, stupid?" she asked with a sharp smile.
"Yes—yes, I'm awake," the boy said quickly, rubbing his head.
"Good morning. You're in the clinic. You've been unconscious for three days."
"…Three days?" My voice came out weaker than I expected. "Um… who are you?"
"Oh—right. I'm Elyra Myrathis, and this is my brother, Elys Myrathis. We were assigned by your godmother—the Grandmaster of Velthera Academy—"
Elys immediately stood up and covered her mouth.
"Are you stupid? She's not supposed to know that the Grandmaster sent us!"
"Oh… right. I forgot."
He sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "How are you more reliable than me in everything except keeping secrets?"
"Hey, it's not my fault! It doesn't even make sense that she wouldn't know her own godmother is helping her."
"…Um, sorry to interrupt," I said slowly, trying to process everything. "Did I hear that correctly? You're the Myrathis twins? Why would scions of one of the great magical families follow the orders of my—" I paused. "—the Grandmaster to protect a Ruach?"
"Well, the Grandmaster is our teacher of—"
"Can you stop revealing literal national-level secrets?" Elys snapped.
Smack.
"How dare you put your dirty hand over your older sister's mouth!"
"We're twins! How are you the older one? If anything, I came out first!"
"Want to test that again? I'll beat you harder than last time."
"…."
"…Anyway," Elyra continued, as if nothing happened. "Liora, you understand what I said earlier, right? So can you keep it a secret? It would cause quite a stir if people found out that the Grandmaster of neutral Velthera Academy has disciples from one of the great magical families of Velarith…"
"…Actually," I said carefully, "I didn't really understand that part. I just thought you were her students since she still teaches classes."
"…Huh."
"…Right. Anyway," I added quickly, "what happened while I was unconscious?"
Elyra went completely still, staring blankly, as if realizing just how much she had already revealed.
Elys cleared his throat. "Since my sister is… occupied, I'll explain."
He told me that I had lost the fight—but not without consequences. All four of my opponents had suffered injuries just as severe, if not worse. None of us were permanently harmed, but we had all been completely drained. The last of them had only woken up the day before.
Because of that, my reputation had shifted.
Some now respected me. Others feared me.
But at the same time, many criticized me for being "barbaric"—a mage who resorted to physical combat like a weapon master.
"Either way," Elys finished, "people will think twice before messing with you again."
After that, I was confined to the clinic for four more days to recover. Completely exhausting my mana had put immense strain on my body. For at least a month, I wouldn't be able to use magic.
At least… there were no permanent effects.
four days later, I was finally discharged.
I was scheduled to meet the Grandmaster, then return to classes.
"…Of course it had to be a Monday," I muttered under my breath.
During my stay, the twins visited every day. Somewhere along the way, talking to them became… easy.
It felt like I had finally made friends.
…but even then, a quiet worry lingered at the back of my mind.
END OF CHAPTER