"You sure you don't want to go to the infirmary?", Seventeen asked as he took off Arthur's shirt and whistled, "Damn. This doesn't look pretty."
They were in an empty classroom in the Academy building and Seventeen examined Arthur's body.
There were numerous small cuts on his body, some were bleeding but they paled in comparison to the two huge gashes on his back and shoulder.
"It's fine sir. I don't want to make anyone worried about me, especially Minerva and Ray. They will kill me if I was seen in this state.", Arthur assured him with a weak smile which turned into a grimace as Seventeen examined the wounds.
He took out the medical supplies given by Jade Aria and started working on them. "This will hurt a bit.", he said to which Arthur nodded.
As he worked, Seventeen nodded several scars all over Arthur's body, almost all of them are faint except for a big burn scar that marred the skin on his back. Seventeen couldn't take his eyes off the terrible scar and figured the wound had happened a long time ago.
(This kid went through a lot.)
'Yeah.', Seventeen thought as he finished applying the healing paste and wrapped the wounds with bandages. "You have a good physique and your pain tolerance is impressive.", he remarked.
Arthur smiled, "Well. I have been training since the age of five.", he touched his shoulder and winced, "Ow. I'll be feeling that for some time."
He looked at Seventeen, "What happened to you, sir? You look pretty beat and I can't detect the normal amount of magia inside you."
Seventeen was impressed by the young man's intuition, "And here I thought changing clothes and freshening up a bit would fool you guys into thinking I am fine. You have sharp eyes."
Arthur grinned, "You are not the only one who has to act like you're fine."
He leaned back on one of the desks, "You are not the type to be weakened."
Seventeen chuckled as he relaxed beside Arthur. "I had a pretty epic fight and am still coping with the backlash."
"Was your opponent strong?", Arthur asked.
Seventeen looked at the young man. The same purple eyes as his creator looked back at him. If one were to enter the classroom, they would mistake the two of them for brothers.
"Yeah. He was the strongest I've ever faced.", he replied and thought about how crazy the day was. He fought Vicaris only a few hours ago but it felt like days.
He glanced at the bracelet, the Dragon Knight armor he got, and sighed, "I won't be able to use codes for a week."
"Welcome to my world.", Arthur grinned.
"Oh don't worry. I can still teach combat. Not that you need it.", Seventeen got up and walked to the door.
"Well. There is still room to learn more.", Arthur replied as he followed his instructor. The corridor was empty as they stood side by side. Most of the students have gone to the town after classes to rest or even look at the destroyed dorm of their class.
"I think I should head back to the classroom.", he said as he stretched and winced.
"Yep. And you better stay there. No more sneaking around.", Seventeen warned. The young man smiled, "Don't worry sir. I will. Please take care of yourself and make a full recovery."
Seventeen remembered the words he said back when he faced Ruth for the first time.
"Don't worry. I am the strongest."
He almost laughed at that thought. Oh, how the tables have turned.
'Pathetic.', he thought. He will make sure something like this will never happen again. He looked at Arthur Night, the parallel existence of his creator, and vowed to him and Prime.
"Arthur. This is the last time I will be this weak.", he declared in a calm and confident tone.
Arthur looked at him with a complicated expression, then his face broke into a grin, "It's a deal.", he turned around and went towards the classroom, waving.
Seventeen watched as he turned at a corner and was out of sight, "Let's hope Vesta has caught up with him.", he muttered as he walked in the opposite direction towards the infirmary.
He wanted to see his injured students.
A mix of different emotions swirled inside him as he walked closer to the infirmary. He was frustrated at himself for his helplessness and inability to do anything in the situation, worrying for his students and for the coming future.
And rage. Not only at that bastard Marvin and the misguided students he influenced but also at himself for not being there. He was so deep in thought that he almost knocked into Ruth.
"Oi. Watch your step.", she said with a tone of annoyance. "Sorry. I didn't notice you.", Seventeen rubbed his head sheepishly.
Ruth noticed his expression and crossed her arms, "I know what you are thinking and I have one thing to say. Don't blame yourself."
"How can I not?", Seventeen asked, "Ravis probably counted on the fact that I was away to attack the dorm."
Ruth just shrugged, "Maybe. Maybe not. It's all circumstance, Seventeen. You can't blame yourself for it. Besides, it's in the past now.", she tilted her head and smiled, "Usually. You are the calm one among the two of us so it is weird to see you like this."
Seventeen looked at Ruth and took a deep breath, calming himself. She was right, there is no use in dwelling in the past. He should do what he can at the moment.
Ruth moved aside, "I'll wait here. Headmaster Zephyrus has summoned us to his office. He wants to talk to us."
Seventeen nodded and entered the infirmary. It was almost full of students from the classes involved in the incident. He glanced at the ones from Class E, which had the most injured students.
He saw some from classes B and D. Most of them were asleep or knocked out and the ones who were conscious panicked when they saw him. Seventeen barely glanced and passed them.
The infirmary consists of two rooms and the twins were in the second room. Seventeen entered the room where the beds were hidden by blinds. The walls were white and spotless and the air is rich with magia, a good environment for healing.
There was also the sweet smell of flowers. Seventeen's olfactory sensors captured the wonderful smell and he relaxed.
Robin and Rhea lay side by side on comfortable beds. They were asleep and covered in bandages. Seventeen stood between them, he scanned their vitals and sighed in relief. The twins are fine.
"I am glad to see you here, instructor Seventeen.", Nurse Emily suddenly came behind him. He almost jumped.
"Jeez. Can you please stop doing that?"
She smiled, "It's fun to see your expression every time."
"Not funny.", Seventeen grumbled. He looked back at the twins, "How long do they have to remain here?"
"About two days. They will be healthy as Dirans.", Emily said. Seventeen had never seen a Diran but he has read that it is like a giant bull, the size of a small house, with huge and beautiful horns.
It's said to have a tough hide and is capable of breathing fire. The Diran is said to be the healthiest and fittest magia beast, unaffected by diseases. It is a powerful beast that is hard to tame.
It's said that taming a Moon Falcon is easy compared to taming a Diran.
"I leave them in your care.", Seventeen nodded to Emily who smiled, "Don't worry. They will be in top shape soon enough."
Reassured, he walked out of the infirmary. Ruth was waiting for him and smiled, "Did she say they will be as healthy as Dirans?"
Seventeen nodded, "Yeah. What is up with that?"
"Well. There are rumors that she has tamed one in the woods of Elveria.", Ruth said.
"Well. That explains why she is obsessed with Dirans.", Seventeen started to walk to the Headmaster's office with Ruth following him.
"Let's see what the Headmaster has decided.", he knocked on the door and the familiar 'come in' of Zephyrus came from beyond it.
Seventeen opened the door and was surprised to see Anne Felicity in the office. The instructor of Class D was clearly distressed. Her cat ears were droopy and her tail swished nervously.
She avoided looking at them and was quiet. Zephyrus lounged on his chair and was looking over some papers.
"Did Selene come back?", he asked as he put down the papers. "I believe she will after some time. She does like to explore.", Seventeen said. It was very awkward in the room.
The three of them looked at Anne who flinched under their gazes, "I believe you have something to say to Seventeen and Ruth, Miss Anne?", Zephyrus said calmly.
The instructor gave Zephyrus a nervous look. He gave an encouraging smile, "Don't worry. They are understanding people."
Boldened by his words, she stood up and bowed low in front of a surprised Seventeen and Ruth.
"I am truly sorry for what happened. I failed to stop my students from attacking and will accept full responsibility for their actions.", she pleaded.
Seventeen and Ruth looked at each other and then at Zephyrus who nodded.
"Raise your head, instructor Anne. It is not your fault. You did what you could but it was too late. Nobody is seriously hurt, so don't worry about it.", Seventeen assured her with a smile.
Anne lifted her head and looked at him, surprised by the answer. "You are not angry at me?", she asked worriedly.
Both of them shook their heads, "Never thought it was your fault for a second.". Ruth replied with a smile.
"See? No need to be so nervous about this incident. I told you I will find a solution and it's not your fault.", Zephyrus said.
"Although as Headmaster, I must give you a warning not to let this happen in the future.", he informed her. Anne nodded, "Of course."
She turned to Seventeen and grabbed his hand, "I don't know how to express my apologies. But I will do my best to help you if you guys are facing any problems.", she said with determination.
"You don't have to do that.", Seventeen laughed nervously. He can feel a dangerous glare behind him.
"Miss Anne. We will continue our talk later so can you please step out for a moment? I have something to discuss with instructors Seventeen and Ruth.", Zephyrus piped into the awkward moment.
"Oh. Okay Headmaster.", she bowed to him and with a nod to Seventeen and Ruth, exited the room.
"You are as popular with the ladies as always, Seventeen.", Zephyrus chuckled. "What can I say? It's just the way I am.", Seventeen grinned.
Ruth cleared her throat. "What was the issue you wanted to discuss with us, Headmaster?", she asked in an icy tone.
Zephyrus gulped, "Well. It is regarding the attack on your dorm. Take a seat.", he gestured to the chairs.
"Let's get started."