Jin Lu blinked a few times, her head pounding. The ceiling above her glowed faintly from the torches reflecting off the canvas outside the medical tent. The only occupant was Liu Jing who sat on the bed next to hers, his eyes focused on her face. Jin Lu paused in confusion, not understanding why Liu Jing was studying her so intently.
Liu Jing blinked, his fingers moving to ask if she was okay. Jin Lu nodded and sat up gingerly, her body sore from laying on the stiff pallet for hours. The dark gray mask over Liu Jing's lower face moved when he let out a long breath, making Jin Lu think he had been anxious.
"I'm sorry, what happened?" Jin Lu asked, watching Liu Jing's eyes grow guarded. An uneasy shiver hit Jin Lu's spine, making her neck twitch. Before Liu Jing could say anything, he looked sharply at the front of the tent. Jin Lu felt a breeze next to her when she followed Liu Jing's gaze. When she looked back, Liu Jing was gone and Pan Huan entered with another woman in a bright green robe.
"Good, you're awake," the woman said, moving next to Jin Lu and grabbing her wrist. Her fingers pressed down over Jin Lu's pulse. A cool but strange feeling swept up Jin Lu's arm like she was being given a shot of saline, yet there was no sign of a syringe. The flow hit her chest, making her squirm uncomfortably. Jin Lu stayed quiet, not wanting to let those around her know that she wasn't familiar with what was going on.
"That was quite a show you put on," Pan Huan said with a smile, sitting where Liu Jing had been before.
"If I hadn't shielded Liu Jing and myself, we would have been blasted," Pan Huan continued, her eyes questioning. Jin Lu frowned, showing her confusion.
"You can leave now. Eat, rest, and get control of your Spirit before you come to the field again."
"Thanks, Ren Hong." Pan Huan nodded to the woman's back. "Let's head to the dining hall. Once you get some food in you, we'll talk." Pan Huan stood, helping Jin Lu to her feet. Jin Lu had expected to feel dizzy, but surprisingly, her body no longer hurt. Even her headache was gone.
Trailing after Pan Huan, Jin Lu felt eyes follow them as they made their way up the stairs, the tightness in her back not leaving until they were out of sight. Jin Lu rolled the tension from her shoulders, throwing sideways glances at Pan Huan. However, true to her word, Pan Huan didn't speak until they both sat at a table with their trays.
"First, I've already spoken to the headmaster. You will be studying one-on-one starting tomorrow. Your control of your Spirit and Martial is shit, so before you can train with others, you need to learn how to master your dual nature," Pan Huan explained between bites. Jin Lu was listening so intently that she didn't pay attention to the bitterness of the food. "They'll meet you at your dorm in the morning, so you should get plenty of rest." Pan Huan took her tray and disappeared before Jin Lu could gather her thoughts to ask any questions. Pan Huan's attitude had been blunt and uncaring, much different from the impression Jin Lu had gotten from her.
Frowning thoughtfully, Jin Lu finished her tea and took care of her tray. Stepping out the door, Jin Lu took three steps before she was yanked roughly by the arm. Jin Lu lost her balance, falling to her knees on the dirt path.
"Come along, fairy, boss wants to meet you," the man who had harassed her on the way to Martial Field jeered.
He dragged her through the dirt, laughing as Jin Lu struggled to get her feet under her.
"Let go of me, you fuckin' prick!" Jin Lu yelled. Using instinct, she gritted her teeth and grabbed the person's wrist, twisting her body and pulling at the same time. Jin Lu was able to jerk the man's arm, slowing his forward momentum. Using that moment of hesitation to get to her feet, Jin Lu kicked as hard as she could between the man's legs. He released Jin Lu's arm, howling in pain and anger. Jin Lu wasted no time turning and running away, her speed making her feel like she was flying.
Halfway to her dorm, Jin Lu stopped to catch her breath. Her eyes darted around, looking deep into the shadows cast by the setting sun. Jin Lu walked quickly the rest of the way to her dorm, watchful for any other attackers. Jin Lu let out a sigh of relief as she stepped off the path, only for it to get stuck in her throat as a hand grabbed the back of her neck.
Jin Lu's eyes bulged at the firm pressure coming from the person's fingertips, her breathing coming in short pants.
"Did you miss me?" whispered against her ear, the tension leaving her making her head dizzy.
"Long Yin," Jin Lu breathed out, her tone a mix of relief and frustration. "What are you doing here? What do you want? And let go already!"
Long Yin chuckled, gently sliding his fingers over Jin Lu's neck. Long Yin loved watching the color rise from Jin Lu's neck, up his face and to the tips of his ears. Wrapping his arm around Jin Lu's waist, Long Yin walked him into the dorm. Long Yin didn't like the haggard look he had seen on Jin Lu's face when he'd arrived to surprise the boy.
Long Yin tugged Jin Lu to one of the cushions on the living room's floor, settling the youth in his lap. Jin Lu's body was stiff, but Long Yin didn't mind, knowing it was only a matter of time before the boy became accustomed to his handling.
"Tell me about your day," Long Yin asked, relaxing into his seat. Jin Lu thought about remaining quiet, but knew that it wouldn't do her any good. She told Long Yin about meeting Fan Genji and Spirit class, and how she was told to report to Martial Field right after. She paused here, unsure what she should say about her Martial training.
"What did you see?" Long Yin asked, seeming to know what it was, she was having a hard time explaining. Jin Lu relaxed as she described her mindscape and what she saw there.
"It was strange, but before I could figure out what was going on, I fainted." Jin Lu was a little embarrassed at this, not being used to fainting for no reason. "Pan Huan said I was to start personal training tomorrow though," Jin Lu concluded, hopefully. Jin Lu yawned, finally able to relax after her stressful day. Long Yin swept Jin Lu into his arms as he stood, striding to the bedroom. Jin Lu was too exhausted to fully protest, half-heartedly trying to remove herself from Long Yin.
"Sleep, little one. I promise you'll be safe for the night."
Jin Lu's eyelashes fluttered as she failed to stay awake, the comforting smell of ozone following her into a dreamless sleep.