The academy medical wing was quieter than usual in the early morning.
Soft white lighting filled the hallway, reflecting off clean metallic floors and glass-paneled recovery rooms. The faint hum of medical scanners and distant footsteps created a calm atmosphere that felt far removed from the intensity of the training grounds outside.
Castiel Nightvale stood near the rehabilitation platform, slowly rotating his shoulders.
The movement was controlled.
Careful.
Pain followed every motion, but it was manageable now — dull instead of sharp. The braces that had supported his shoulders for the past week rested on a nearby bench. He had removed them only minutes ago.
Across the room, a medical officer monitored his vitals.
"Slow," she reminded.
"I am," Castiel replied calmly.
He lifted his right arm slightly higher.
The muscles tightened.
A faint line of discomfort crossed his expression.
He lowered it again.
"Mobility improving," the medic said, glancing at her display. "Still limited. You're healing faster than expected."
Castiel nodded slightly.
"Good."
"You shouldn't rush it."
"I'm not."
The medic gave him a look that clearly suggested otherwise.
Castiel ignored it.
The doors slid open quietly behind him.
June leaned against the frame first.
"Still alive?"
Castiel didn't turn.
"Barely."
June smirked faintly.
"Yeah, you look terrible."
Lucian stepped in behind him, calm as always.
"You should still be resting."
Castiel lowered his arms and turned toward them.
"I've rested."
June folded his arms.
"For like… three days."
"Six."
June blinked.
"...Still not enough."
Nyra entered next, Mira close behind her.
Nyra studied Castiel carefully.
"You shouldn't be pushing it."
"I'm not pushing," Castiel replied calmly.
June snorted.
"You're literally pushing your shoulders."
Castiel ignored him again.
Lucian stepped closer.
"How bad?"
Castiel rolled his shoulders slightly.
"Restricted. Manageable."
Lucian watched carefully.
"You're not ready for full combat."
"No."
Lucian nodded.
"But observation and light movement?"
"Yes."
June shook his head.
"This is why people think you're insane."
Castiel tilted his head slightly.
"You're still here."
"...Fair."
The room relaxed slightly.
Nyra stepped closer.
"You'll be ready before exams?"
Castiel nodded.
"Yes."
Mira spoke quietly.
"You heal fast."
Castiel gave a faint breath.
"I try not to get hit."
June pointed at him.
"You got stabbed by three tentacles."
Castiel looked at him calmly.
"That was an exception."
June shook his head.
"I swear."
The medic stepped forward.
"He's improving, but no sudden movement. No heavy strain. No combat drills."
June looked at her.
"See? Professional opinion."
Castiel stepped away from the platform.
"I'll follow guidelines."
June raised an eyebrow.
"You? Follow guidelines?"
Castiel walked past him toward the exit.
"I said I'd follow them."
June leaned toward Nyra.
"He's definitely not following them."
Nyra gave a faint smile.
"Probably not."
Outside, the morning air carried the sound of training fields already active.
Cadets moved between sectors, instructors calling out commands as squads ran drills. The academy buzzed with preparation.
Castiel paused near the overlook railing.
The fields stretched below.
Gamma Squad's training sector sat to the right, where David moved through positioning drills with Lucian directing movement.
Nyra leaned beside him.
"You shouldn't be out here long."
"I know."
June stepped forward beside them.
"He's going anyway."
Castiel watched David below.
David moved with calm precision.
Controlled.
Efficient.
Lucian adjusted spacing.
Mira shifted angles.
The formation moved smoothly.
Castiel studied them quietly.
"They're improving."
Lucian's voice came through the comm.
"Reset."
David stepped back.
Nyra looked at Castiel.
"You trust him."
Castiel didn't answer immediately.
"Yes."
June looked at him.
"You really do."
Castiel nodded slightly.
"He kept us alive."
June exhaled quietly.
"Yeah."
Silence settled.
Nyra looked down at the field.
"We're going to need everyone ready."
Castiel nodded.
"I will be."
June folded his arms.
"You better be."
Castiel gave the faintest hint of a smile.
"I intend to be."
Below them, David glanced up briefly.
His gaze met Castiel's.
No words.
Just acknowledgment.
Then David turned back to training.
Castiel exhaled quietly.
The pain in his shoulders remained.
But the stiffness had begun to fade.
He would recover.
He had to.
Because the exams were coming.
And Gamma Squad—
Would face them together.