The library was silent, and the only sound was the shuffling of papers and the faint glow of magical candles. Vali, Jay, Rudra, and Aria scanned the room, their eyes narrowing as they noticed Keshav sitting alone at a table.
Vali approached Keshav with a stern expression, "Where's Zara? What are you up to?"
Keshav, maintaining his charming facade, looked up with feigned innocence. "Oh, she left a while ago. We were just discussing magical theories, you know, bonding over our shared interests."
Vali's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Left? Without informing any of us? Where did she go?"
Keshav shrugged, his smile never faltering. "She didn't say. Probably needed some alone time. You know how intense studying magic can be."
Vali couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Ignoring Keshav's explanation, he decided to follow the direction Keshav had indicated. As he made his way through the corridors of the academy, Vali's mind raced with concerns about Zara's well-being.
Upon reaching Zara's room, Vali hesitated for a moment before knocking softly. The door creaked open, revealing Zara lying on her bed, seemingly unwell. She looked up, her eyes glazed with a mix of confusion and discomfort.
Vali's expression softened as he stepped inside. "Zara, are you okay? Keshav mentioned you weren't feeling well."
Zara tried to muster a weak smile. "I don't know... I just suddenly felt so dizzy and feverish. It's like my mind is in a fog."
Vali, concerned, approached her bedside. "Let me take a look. Maybe I can help."
He gently placed his hand on Zara's forehead, checking her temperature. Zara's skin felt warm to the touch, confirming the presence of a fever.
Vali sighed, "You have a fever. Let me get you some medicine and water. You should rest."
As Vali fetched the necessary supplies, he couldn't help but wonder if Keshav had something to do with Zara's sudden illness. The pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place, and a sense of urgency gripped him.
Returning to Zara's side, Vali handed her the medicine and a glass of water. "Take these, and try to get some rest. I'll stay here with you until you feel better."
Zara, grateful for Vali's care, managed a small nod. "Thank you, Vali. I don't know what came over me. It's like my mind was clouded."
Vali, with a reassuring smile, replied, "Don't worry about it. Just focus on getting better. We'll figure everything out later."
As Zara drifted into a restless sleep, Vali remained vigilant. He couldn't shake off the suspicion that Keshav's involvement went beyond mere coincidence. Determined to uncover the truth by himself.
Vali entered Zara's room the next day, concern etched across his face. Zara lay in bed, visibly weakened by her fever. Vali couldn't ignore her pain, and he felt a surge of determination to help her.
"Zara, how are you feeling today?" Vali asked, his eyes filled with genuine concern.
Zara managed a weak smile, "Not great. The fever seems to have gotten worse."
Vali nodded, his mind racing about how to ease Zara's suffering. "I have a healing ability granted by my blood mark. It might help alleviate your symptoms. Are you okay with that?"
Zara, grateful for Vali's offer, nodded weakly. "Yes, please. Anything to make this fog in my mind go away."
Vali gently touched his blood mark, a unique symbol on his forehead, and a soft glow enveloped his fingertips. He carefully placed his hand on Zara's forehead, channeling the healing energy into her body.
As the magical energy flowed through her, Zara felt a soothing warmth spreading within. The fever began to subside, and the fog in her mind gradually lifted. Vali continued the healing process, his focused expression reflecting his determination to help his friend.
After a few moments, Vali withdrew his hand. "How do you feel now?"
Zara's eyes brightened, the color returning to her cheeks. "Better, much better. Thank you, Vali. I don't know what I would've done without you."
Vali smiled, relieved to see Zara recovering. "Don't mention it. We're a team, and we look out for each other"
In the dimly lit room, Zara squinted, her gaze fixed on the symbol on Vali's forehead. "What was that symbol on your forehead? It's like a third eye of Lord Shiva."
Vali, sitting by her bedside, sighed before responding, "It's not an eye. It's more like a blood drop mark. It's a manifestation of my bloodline, a gift from my ancestors. It grants me certain abilities, like the healing power I used on you."
Zara's eyes widened with curiosity, "So, it's a magical bloodline? That's fascinating. I never knew such things existed."
Vali nodded a thoughtful expression on his face, "Yes, there are many secrets in the world of magic. Some bloodlines carry ancient powers and unique abilities. It's a part of who I am."
Zara, her eyes widening with curiosity, asked, "Vali, how did you know healing techniques? You don't have healing magic."
Vali, sitting by her bedside, sighed before responding, "It's not exactly healing magic in the traditional sense. It's a part of my blood magic. My bloodline carries ancient powers, and one of the abilities it grants me is the manipulation of blood flow and blood cells, including the production of white blood cells."
They protect you against illness and disease. Think of white blood cells as your immunity cells. In a sense, they are always at war. They flow through your bloodstream to fight viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders that threaten your health.
Zara, intrigued, propped herself up on her elbows. "Blood magic? That sounds... intense. Can you explain it to me in more detail?"
Vali nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Certainly. You see, the mark on my forehead is a manifestation of my bloodline, a unique symbol that represents the power passed down through generations. By channeling my blood magic through this mark, I can influence various aspects of the circulatory system. In your case, I used it to enhance your blood cells and accelerate the natural healing process."
Zara listened attentively, absorbing the information. "That's incredible, Vali. I had no idea blood magic could be so versatile. Are there other aspects to it?"
Vali nodded again, a hint of pride in his voice. "Yes, blood magic can be harnessed for different purposes. It's not just about healing; it can enhance physical abilities, amplify magical energy, and even establish connections between individuals with the same bloodline. However, mastering it requires a deep understanding of one's own bloodline and rigorous training."
Zara, fascinated by this revelation, couldn't help but marvel at the complexity of the magical world. "So, your bloodline has been passed down through your ancestors, each contributing to the unique abilities you possess."
Vali smiled, appreciating Zara's keen understanding. "Exactly. It's a legacy that connects me to my roots, and I'm still discovering the full extent of its potential. But enough about me. How are you feeling now? Any lingering discomfort?"
Zara, feeling revitalized, shook her head. "No, I feel much better. Your blood magic worked wonders. Thank you for being there for me, Vali."
***
Meanwhile in the Classroom.
The students in Class D-1 exchanged puzzled glances as Surya Sir inquired about the absence of Zara and Vali. Jay, Rudra, and Aria, who were aware of Zara's sudden illness, exchanged subtle signals, unsure of how much information to reveal.
Surya Sir, with a concerned expression, continued, "Does anyone know why Zara and Vali are not present today? It's unlike them to miss classes without prior notice."
Jay hesitated for a moment before responding, "Surya Sir, Zara fell ill yesterday. Vali took her to the infirmary, and they both didn't come to class today."
Surya Sir's eyebrows furrowed with worry. "Illness, you say? I hope it's nothing serious. Make sure to inform me if there are any updates on their condition. Now, let's proceed with today's lesson."
As the class continued, Aria couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to the situation than just a simple illness. She exchanged a concerned glance with Jay and Rudra, silently communicating the need to investigate further.
During a break, Aria approached Jay and Rudra, whispering, "We need to find out if there's a connection between Zara's sudden illness and Keshav's presence. I don't trust him, and Vali seemed suspicious too."
Rudra nodded in agreement, "I've been keeping an eye on Keshav. He's been trying too hard to get close to Zara. Something's not right."
Jay chimed in, "I noticed it too. Let's gather more information discreetly. Vali might have sensed something off, and if Keshav is involved, we need to be cautious."
As Keshav continued to observe the interactions between Vali, Zara, and the rest of the group, a nagging sense of unease crept over him. He couldn't afford to let his true intentions be exposed. Determined to maintain control, he decided to take preemptive action.
Amid the classroom chatter, Keshav discreetly activated his mind control powers, sending subtle tendrils of influence into the minds of his fellow students. One by one, he extended his mental grip, ensuring they remained oblivious to his true nature.
Keshav, wearing a facade of casual interest, approached Jay, Rudra, and Aria during the break. "Hey, guys! What's going on? Why the hushed conversations?"
Aria, maintaining her composure, replied, "Nothing much, just discussing some class notes. By the way, have you seen Vali and Zara? They've been absent since yesterday."
Keshav, feigning concern, responded, "Oh, I heard Zara wasn't feeling well. Vali must be taking care of her. Hope she gets better soon."
Rudra, his skepticism evident, pressed further, "Yeah, it's just strange how everything happened suddenly. Did you notice anything unusual?"
Keshav, masking his discomfort, laughed off the question. "Unusual? Come on, it's a school. People get sick. Nothing more to it."
.
..
...
*To Be Continued*
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Word Count: 1664