When Emilio slowly came to, he was surrounded by comfort and warmth. He felt as if he was buried in the softness of clouds. He blinked his eyes open once and then groaned as the sudden light hit. Groaning softly, he turned his head and burrowed his face into the pillow.

Just a few more minutes.

It was a thought he hadn't had in years now. But right now, he felt too exhausted and too relaxed at the same time to even think of getting up.

A soft chuckle rang in his ear. "You must be truly exhausted."

A familiar voice.

He frowned and opened his eyes, blinking a few times to adjust to the light. He turned to see the Archmaster sitting leisurely on the bed beside him. He frowned for a moment, trying to remember what had happened before he fell asleep. He looked around and found himself in a clean room with four beds lined up against the wall, himself and the Archmaster occupying two of them. A familiar scent permeated the air. Herbs and medicines.

He sat up. His hand felt heavy. He looked down to see an endocoprus fluid box pressed onto and bound around his wrist. That must be the medicine being injected into his body. It took another moment for his memories to come back to him.

He had not fallen asleep. He had passed out. After a spar. Which he was now sure was orchestrated by the Archmaster. His head snapped towards the man, fury lighting his eyes.

“Was it you?” He asked, ignoring the dizziness he felt. “Were you the one who planned for this spar to happen?”

“Well … not quite. I just … made a small request to Theodore to pair up certain persons.”

He clenched his fists, barely holding back his anger. The man had promised him a safe place to learn.

“I could have DIED!”

“No, you could not,” the Archmaster said. “I never intended for it to be more than a non-magical spar anyway. I wished to see how you would cope in real combat. Would taunts about your status as a Laik get to you? Would you give in to your anger and lose to Evan? Would Evan be able to reconcile the image he has of Laiks in order to see the potential that one can have? I wished to know the answers to those things. And both of you needed to know them. Evan fell short. You … you exceeded expectations,”

Emilio stared at the man for a long moment before he scoffed. “Are you telling me that you never anticipated Evan using magic against me? That you never anticipated that I would win or be on the verge of winning and Evan’s pride would make him use magic?”

“No, I did anticipate it. That’s why I put the shield on you as soon as the spar started,’ Archmaster Loren explained. “That is also the kind of situation you will face once you go out there in the world. I needed to see how you would handle it. As I said, you exceeded expectations.”

Exceeded expectations?

“I was running for my life,” he said through gritted teeth.

He had felt utter terror at the moment. The bone shaking fear of dying in one of the most horrible, painful ways. Of never seeing his family again. Of the suffering that was surely to come before death would embrace him. And the man acted as if none of it mattered..

“And that helped you find a new power,” the man said.

“Is that all that matters to you?” Emilio growled out. “Power? Abilities? To see what kind of show I would put on next? Is that why you brought me here? To entertain yourself and all the damn students in the Academy. Oh, let’s go watch the fucking Laik run for his useless life!”

The Archmaster was quiet for a long moment before he leaned forward. “I like beautiful things, Emilio. I like seeing them bloom. But they must weather storms and heavy winds before they can truly bloom. The world out there is harsher than you think. A sudden blow can destroy everything. Better they do it here, where I can protect them and ensure they bloom enough to face the world.”

Emilio scoffed again. “I am supposed to believe you did it all for me?”

“No,” the man chuckled. “Who said I did it for you? I did it for myself. Did you not hear? I like seeing beautiful things. Especially if those things are unique, nowhere else to be found. Your powers, your abilities … they are beautiful beyond measure. I wish to see all of it unfolding right before my eyes.”

Emilio closed his eyes and took a deep breath, having a hard time reining his anger. “Archmaster, please leave.”

“What?” The Archmaster sounded more curious than surprised.

Emilio opened his eyes but did not look at the man. “You are an Archmaster, a person worthy of reverence and respect. I find it hard to muster either for you at the moment. Please leave before I end up saying or doing something I will regret later.”

He heard a resigned sigh. “Very well. I know you are angry at the moment. Your anger is not unwarranted. But you needed this. Evan needed this. And one day, you will see that.”

Emilio felt a hand gently pet his head. “Get well soon.”

He did not respond, keeping silent as the man walked out of the room.

He laid back down and buried himself into the blankets, feeling strangely empty now that his anger had boiled down. His eyelid felt heavy. It did not take him long to fall back to sleep.

When he came to again, his hand felt lighter and he felt a bit more energized. His limbs did not feel as heavy as before. He slowly sat up and heard some rustling beside him. He turned around to see a familiar figure. His eyes widened in surprise.

“Sebastian?”

The boy looked up from where he had been arranging a bunch of flowers into a vase on his bedside table, pink eyes glistening in the candlelight.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Oh, you’re awake!” The boy exclaimed, a soft smile curling his lips. “That’s good.”

“What … what are you doing here?” Emilio could not help but as.

The boy immediately pulled a hurt expression. “I thought we were friends. Can I not come to see you?”

Emilio panicked almost immediately. “No, that … that’s not what I meant …”

The boy then burst out laughing and then shook his head. “I was joking! I came here with Professor Clarent.”

“Auntie?” He asked, looking around to see if she was there.

“She sat for a while, but left since you were asleep,” Sebastian said. “I said I’d stay here until you woke up and relay her message to you.”

“Her message?”

“Yes,” the boy said as he nodded. “She is very worried about you. Has been since she heard what happened. She had to go back since she has a lot of work that she needs to do but she will come visit again. She also brought these flowers for you. They’re supposed to be good for your health and recovery.”

He turned to look at the flowers and, indeed, most of them were flowers that had refreshing and energizing qualities.

“She didn’t have to,” he said softly. But he couldn't help the smile that formed on his lips. He looked up at the boy. "Did you wait long?"

Sebastian shook his head. "No, not long at all. The Professor left a few minutes ago and I just put the flowers in a vase."

"I see. Thank you." He looked outside the window and saw that night had already fallen. He turned to Sebastian.

"Have you eaten?"

The boy paused for a moment before shaking his head. "No."

"Then you should go eat something. The dinner bell has probably tolled already."

"It has," the boy admitted. "But it's alright. I'll eat later. The Professor told me to consult with the Healers and make sure that your condition is stable."

Emilio frowned, feeling uncomfortable at burdening someone else. "I am perfectly fine. You don't have to worry. Go eat. You shouldn't…"

He felt a hand on the back of his own and looked down to see the boy's slender fingers resting over his hand. They were a bit cold He ceased speaking immediately and roze before he looked up at the boy.

Sebastian smiled. "It's alright, Emilio. I'm fine being here. I'm happy to see you doing well." He paused. It seemed like he wanted to say something more but then suddenly the door opened.

"Who wants food?!"

It was Balsea. He walked in without waiting for anyone to speak. Behind him, a man that looked to be in his thirties stepped inside. He had long platinum blond hair tied at the base of his neck into a low bun.

“Well, I am sure Mister Florian is hungry,” he said softly as he walked ahead of Balsea and looked at Balsea. His face looked indifferent but there was a trace of warmth in his eyes. “I am Healer Adron, Mister Florian. I hope you will allow me to check your health first.”

“Of course,” he said softly as he sat straight.

The man nodded. “This might tickle a bit.” He said before putting a hand coated with blue energy. He pressed it against his head and Emilio did feel tickles running down from his head down to every limb of his body. He shuddered a bit but froze when the man ordered him not to move.

After a few moments, the man retracted his hand and the feeling ceased. Emilio looked up at him. “Well?”

“You are alright. But you will be a bit weak for a few days. I recommend another full day of rest before going back to classes.”

Emilio frowned. “Can I not go to classes from tomorrow?”

“Usually, I would recommend that. Education is important, after all. But … your recovery rate is lower than the average patient. So, it is better for you to stay.”

Emilio sighed softly. Needless to say, the reason his recovery rate was slower was the lack of mana.

“If I feel better tomorrow, can I attend classes?”

The man looked at him before letting out a soft chuckle. “You are a stubborn one, aren’t you? Alright, I will come to check on you tomorrow morning and if you are feeling better then, you can go to classes!”

“I’ll bring your uniform here just in case!” Balsea declared from where he stood at the foot of the bed.

Emilio chuckled softly and then looked at Healer Adron. “Thank you, sir. For taking care of me.”

He knew from experience that many Healers thought it beneath themselves to treat him. Healer Straut had been a godsend.

The man shook his head. “Healing is the first and foremost duty of any seeking a profession in the Healing Arts. I did my duty.”

Emilio could not help the sad smile that graced his lips. “If only all Healers thought like you.”

The man sighed softly. “Eat. Rest. I will see you tomorrow.” He looked at the two visitors. “I hope the two of you will allow him to rest,” he said sternly before leaving the room without giving either of them the chance to answer.

“Well, let’s eat!” Balsea said excitedly as he dragged another chair to sit on the other side of his bed.

“I should go now,” Sebastian said from beside him and Emilio turned to look at the boy. Before he could say anything though, Balsea spoke up from beside him.

“Oh don’t worry, I knew you were here so I brought enough for three!”

Sebastian tilted his head and narrowed his eyes slightly. “You did?”

Emilio thought it was a strange reaction to being surprised.

Balsea nodded but did not give an explanation. He pulled out the three packets of food and handed one to each of them.

Emilio looked at Sebastian with a smile. “This is great! We can eat together.”

Sebastian looked back at him and then ducked his head a bit. “It is … I rarely get to eat with any friends.”

Emilio did not pry. From the conversation they’d had before, Sebastian did not seem to have a good time in the Academy either.

They ate as they chatted. Emilio asked about the classes, and Balsea told him all the materials that were covered in the foundationals and the specialties they shared. He offered to retrieve the materials of those they did not. Sebastian spoke about the latest development in the Musical Magic classes and told him to visit, because “Professor Clarent would want you to.” But the way he avoided Emilio’s eyes slightly belied said otherwise. Emilio hid a smile and suppressed the feeling of elation at the fact that he was not being a lovestruck fool.

Once they were done, Balsea packed everything up. “I will come tomorrow. Will you be okay … with …”

Emilio smiled at the fae. “I will be fine. It’s nothing I have not dealt with before.”

He did not know which nightmare he would have tonight - something draining the fire out of him or someone he loved draining the life out of him. Whichever it was, he would have to deal with it. He did not want to be a burden on Balsea.

“What?” Sebastian asked.

Emilio paused for a moment before deciding to give the watered down version of things. “I have nightmares sometimes. It’s nothing to worry about.”

Sebastian frowned. “Are you sure you will be alright?”

“Yes! Now go, you guys.”

Both of them left, albeit reluctantly. Emilio lay down, and the lights went off a bit after. The moonlight filtered through the windows and fell on the flowers swaying gently in the breeze. He dozed off watching them, unaware of the eyes on him.