The voice is unfamiliar, completely foreign. When I turn my head to see its owner, what meets me is a rather short man with greasy hair, dressed in a suit and tie. He hastily stands up from his chair, discarding the documents spread across his desk which I imagine he must have been studying. As I sit up, I notice his awkward smile, and the large droplets of sweat that droop from his forehead. For some reason, he seems nervous, very nervous.

‘Not [enlightened] huh..’

That fact allows me to relax, if only a little. My head is throbbing, and I am still disoriented, but everything is slowly coming back to me. The battle, Sirius, Selena, Soulweaver… and Adam. I press my lips together as the memory resurfaces, and slowly, I begin to feel a sharp, stinging pain throughout my entire upper body. I can still move, but not without gritting my teeth. I look down at my arms.

‘Wow…they were completely broken…’

Whoever fixed me up has done amazing work. No scars, nor any evidence or treatment. The only reminder that I was in a terrible state is this incessant, debilitating pain streaking through my body. Pushing through it, I massage my chest, and then draw circles with my arms. While I calmly stretch, I finally speak to the short man who had remained silent until now.

“So, where am I? Who are you?”

He straightens when he hears me address him, and it’s as if an invisible seal on his mouth is lifted. “Yes! My name is Reginald, Lord Alden! I will be your personal attendant for the duration of your stay at the FullCastle estate, our current location, my Lord! It is an honor to serve you!”

‘FullCastle estate…and… my Lord?’

I can ask for further explanation later, there are more pressing matters for now. I lift the cover off my legs, and I stand, slowly marching toward Reginald. As I approach, he staggers, taking a step back, and he looks up at me with faint fear in his eyes. “H-have I done something to anger you, Lord Alden?”

The closer I get, the tenser he becomes. Still, perhaps because of the duty he’s been assigned, he holds his ground. He’s trembling, sweat soaking his collar, but he does not attempt to escape or defend himself. “I-I apologize if I’ve angered you…!!” He’s babbling. I’m unsure what face I’m making, and I do not care.

I stare into his eyes, seeing my reflection in them. “What happened…to my friends.”

With a gulp, he tightens his tie. “A-ah, yes! I’ve done adequate research on the ones who fought alongside you before the Matriarch intervened. I've even identified their whereabouts and conditions!” He awkwardly points to the bed. “If I may… perhaps you would like to sit before I begin…”

“Speak.”

'I don't feel like he'd have a reason to lie to me... and I can always double check myself.'

He flinches. “Y-yes! As you command! I’ll go through your friends one by one if that’s okay.”

When I do not answer, he clears his throat. “Ahem. First, Lady Sylvia FullCastle has received the best care the nation can offer, fully provided by the FullCastle family. Her condition is stable, and she is resting.”

‘Good.’

“Then, Lord Alexander Frost is currently in the process of recovery. He suffered from flow exhaustion and a few internal injuries, but nothing life-threatening.” He glances at me before continuing.

“Lady Camille Starforge has also been returned to her family where she is receiving care. Her condition is unclear for now, as the Starforge keep a very tight noose around the information leaving their estate…” His gaze flickers nervously up to mine once again, then he fumbles forward.

“A-as for Lord Ugo Brightscar, he is recuperating at DaiKar academy. He suffered severe cranial trauma, but woke up just yesterday, and has started his recovery. He’s expected to have no lasting effects.” He retreats to his desk, where several documents are piled on top of each other. He searches through the stack for a moment, only to pull out a few sheets of paper.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“R-right…” He clears his throat. “Lord Feyrin Windshadow, and Lady Ivana Rodwell are also all in similar conditions. They’re currently being taken care of by DaiKar’s medical staff. They suffered grave injuries, but they’re all expected to make a full recovery.” He flips the page to another document. “I…really suggest you sit down for this.”

“I alre-” A sharp pain tears through my head, forcing me to stumble, my hand reaching for the wall for support. I bring my other hand to my face, my vision blurring. This headache is not getting any better.

Reginald drops his pile of documents, and attempts to support me, wrapping my arm around his shoulder. “L-Lord Alden! You need rest! This conversation can wait until later!”

I groan, the pain refusing to subside, and Reginald guides me to the bed, where he sits me down. Then, in a hurry, he leaves the room.

“Wait…” He’s already gone by the time I can get the entire out.

He comes back quickly though, with a glass of cold water, which he promptly places in my hand. I accept it, and drink a few sips. The coolness somewhat eases the pain, allowing me to think more clearly.

“Finish what you were saying.” I tell Reginald.

“B-ut, my Lord! You’re unwell!” He stammers.

My gaze hardens. “Reginald… I appreciate the concern but…” My grip tightens and the glass he handed me cracks, water leaking through. “I’m really not in the mood to argue...”

Paling, he hastily retrieves the documents he had dropped. “O-Of course! Forgive me!” He buries his nose into the sheets of paper, hiding his face from mine, likely hiding from my stare.

“Where was I… Ah yes! Lady Sophia Thunderblade is no longer in a life or death situation. She suffered severe injuries and very nearly passed away, despite the care of the best [enlightened] healers of DaiKar. Fortunately, she pulled through, her condition has stabilized, and medical staff at DaiKar are confident she will wake up soon.” He wipes the sweat off his forehead.

Internally, I sigh with relief. Remembering what happened, Sophia was among the ones I was most worried about.

“The next three, however…: His voice falters “were not so fortunate.”

My chest tightens, but simply my gaze is enough to instruct him to go on.

“Lady Zora Pike pushed her body far beyond its limit. It’s suspected she kept on fighting even after completely exhausting her flow reserve, instead burning her through her life itself. Currently…she is in a coma, and medical staff are unsure as to when, or if she will wake up.”

‘Zora…at least she’s alive…’

“...Lady Talyndra Silverside lost her right leg, but sustained no other major injury. Her family has covered the cost of the most advanced prosthetic implant available in the nation. The surgery went well… and her recovery is progressing smoothly. However…it seems the event made a lasting impact on her psyche. She has refused to speak ever since that day, and she only eats if she is fed.”

A pause hangs in the air, and I feel the weight of everything pressing down on me. There is someone missing, however. When Reginald does not continue, I ask the question myself. “What about Ray?” I ask.

He fidgets, and moves his hands down, revealing his face. He’s avoiding my gaze, his entire body trembling. He appears to be unwilling to share this last piece of information.

I let out a sigh. “Just tell me, I won’t hurt you…” I reassure him.

Reluctantly, he complies, not fully believing my words. “O-of course...Unfortunately, Lord Ray Burst has… disappeared. He, alongside twelve other trainees, including Lord Adam Lockwood whom I believe you knew, are nowhere to be found...” He says with a quiet voice.

The room falls silent, and I cover my face with a hand, forcing out a small, hollow laugh. “Haha… so he’s gone huh…”

The news about Adam doesn’t surprise me. I already suspected that he must have escaped when I could no longer sense his presence on the battlefield. Perhaps he sensed that Selena would best Soulweaver, or it might be that Soulweaver himself sent him away…not that it matters.

What stings the most is hearing about Ray.

‘Damn it…’

With my finger, I scoop a tear from under my eyes. Reginald might have said that he disappeared… but it happened only an arm’s length from me. Ray is dead, I saw him take his last breath. Even if he miraculously survived, I’m certain Soulweaver took his body… so there’s little to no hope he’s still alive.

‘Why am I so useless…’

I hadn’t even known him for that long, two months at best. Still, he died saving me. It’s my fault he’s gone. If I had been stronger, he’d be alive, Zora would be awake, Talyndra would still have her leg, and everyone else would be safe.

Tears trickling down my cheeks, I bite into my lip and clench my fists with such force that I draw blood from my palm. Silently, I sob, in this empty room, in front of this man I do not know. It takes a moment for the tears to dry up, and Reginald, who had been standing in the corner, is now next to me, a hand on my back.

Eventually, I wipe the last remaining droplets, and head toward the door. “I need to go.”

“L-lord Alden! You must rest!” Reginald protests.

I ignore him, making my way to the exit regardless. My steps are awkward, the pain still makes me grimace, and I can’t put much strength into my movements. Every motion I make is torment, and just bridging the distance to the door is a challenge. When I reach it, I grit my teeth and open with one swift motion. I hear Reginald protesting behind me, but at this point I don’t even bother to make out what he’s saying.

The moment I step forward, however, I bump into something rigid on the way out. Something that shouldn’t be in the middle of a doorway. “And where would you be going exactly?” A deep voice asks, laced with amusement.

When I look up, meeting the voice's owner, what I see is an older man with a strange mustache, rounded glasses and black hair. He flicks my forehead, sending me to the ground. “You’re barely even in a state to walk.” He says, adjusting his glasses.

I groan and immediately glare at him. “....And who are you?”

He folds his arms behind his back. “You may call me Tobias.”

‘An [enlightened], and a strong one at that… on Maestro Lauren’s level, maybe even stronger…’

I frown. “Are you not going to let me leave, Tobias?”

“That will depend on you.”

I raise an eyebrow, confused.

Reginald offers me his shoulder, helping me stand up, which I accept. “What is that supposed to mean?” I ask, staring at Tobias.

Tobias turns around, and steps outside of the room, before turning to me again, and bowing his head lightly. “Lord Alden Thorne, the Grand Patriarch of the FullCastle family, Sirius Do FullCastle, has requested your presence. Please, follow me.” He raises his head, the light reflecting off his glasses. “Whether you can leave or not… will depend on the outcome of that meeting.”