It was strange watching someone sleep. It felt intrusive, as if they had been caught in their most defenseless moments. The gentleman couldn't do anything about it, though. He had been tasked with keeping watch on the injured girl's condition. Stuck in a cave with two other sleeping strangers and one restless companion, he had nothing else to do but keep watch.
He hoped the heat from the fire was enough to keep all of them warm. It was known that magic wasn't as welcomed here as in the Old World so mana was released in small ripples to prevent mana reflection, a dangerous blast attack magic that only natural forces could strike.
'What a despicable world.'
He was curious, though. Though the humans hadn't been blessed with the goddess Sanya's glorious light, they had received the gift of greater knowledge and wisdom. It was no easy feat maintaining a world without the convenience of magic. How far had they gone in civilization? He looked down when a small movement on his lap pulled him away from his thoughts.
The sleeping girl's charcoal tresses tumbled about her face. In the pale yellow light of a weak flame, her ink-like hair gave contrast to her face, so dark against her soft fair skin. Her head slightly shifted once in a while trying to find the most comfortable position.
"Is she the Earth candidate?" he asked his companion, who was busy packing things in and out of his bag, unable to sleep and unable to keep still.
His companion paused. "Aella? No. The Earth candidate is the other one."
He looked over to the other girl. It was too dim to see her features clearly, but he could see a clear difference between the two. He could hear the brown-haired girl wrapped in profound sleep, snoring as she breathed. Aella, on the other hand, was as quiet as a mouse. Her chest rose and fell, but the only sound that came from her was the scuffling of her dress as she shifted around. It was like she hadn't been stabbed in the flesh just hours ago.
He was worried she would be in more pain tomorrow, but since they were heading back to the Old World soon, he was sure the magic from there would heal her gradually in a few days' time. The Old World loved all who held magic.