The warmth of Oblea's embrace lingered with Eska for days, a quiet source of strength amid the uncertainty.
Life in the infirmary settled into a predictable cycle of healing, short exercises and long stretches of rest.
Slowly but surely, Eska's wounds closed, her strength returning to the point where she could finally step outside for fresh air.
As usual, Ciel arrived in the morning, knocking gently on the door.
"Come in," Eska called, sliding her slippers on with slow movements.
Ciel entered with her usual bright demeanor.
"Good morning, Eska!" she said cheerfully, shutting the door behind her.
Her gaze quickly shifted to Eska's feet, her expression turning disapproving. "Oh no, you are not. It's cold out today!"
Eska rolled her eyes. "Oh please! This is nothing compared to hunting in the middle of winter."
Ciel narrowed her eyes, catching the trace of pride in Eska's voice. "Of course," she replied dryly. "And I suppose you also go hunting a few days after nearly dying, right?"
"I—" Eska stammers, trailing off as she struggles to find a retort. Finally, she sighs and admits, "I just need some air…"
Ciel softens, sensing the weight behind Eska's words. She knows how much Eska must miss her freedom, having spent the last two weeks confined to the infirmary. The constant stares and whispers, filled with judgment and fear, only made it worse.
"Maybe a few minutes wouldn't hurt," Ciel says after a moment of thought.
Eska's face lights up. "Really?" she asks, her voice filled with excitement.
"But!" Ciel interjects, raising a warning finger. "Only a few minutes. You still need to rest for those wounds to heal properly."
With as much enthusiasm as her healing body can manage, Eska grabs her jacket, sliding it on carefully to avoid straining herself.
Ciel hands her a pair of crutches and they head toward the door together. Ciel opens the door, allowing Eska to step into the hallway where people bustle about, tending to patients.
Eska's gaze falls on a familiar figure sitting near the far wall. She waves cautiously, approaching with a nervous smile. "Hi, Lenna. Want to join us? I'm heading outside for some fresh air."
Lenna looks up, her expression flat. "You know I have to follow you," she replies curtly, her displeasure evident.
Eska's smile falters, growing more nervous, while Ciel frowns slightly.
The trio steps into the courtyard, greeted by a crisp breeze and a clear blue sky dotted with clouds. Despite the chill, it isn't unbearable and Eska takes in the fresh air with a deep breath.
Lenna finds a bench and sits down with a huff. With a short chant, she conjures a small flame, warming the seat for herself and Ciel. Arms crossed and eyes closed, she makes no effort to hide her reluctance to be there.
Ciel glances at Lenna, her expression uneasy. Sitting beside her, she sets her staff down. "You know," Ciel begins gently, "you could try being a little more… accepting? Nicer maybe?"
"I don't need to accept a heretic, Ciel, let alone be 'nice'" Lenna replies, her eyes still shut. Ciel sighs, her shoulders sagging in defeat. Suddenly, the sound of metal clattering to the ground shatters the quiet.
Lenna's eyes snap open and in an instant, she's on her feet, hand on the hilt of her blade, scanning the courtyard for danger. Her stance is rigid, her gaze sharp.
Ciel jumps in surprise as well, though her reaction is far less aggressive. She clutches her staff tightly, her worried eyes darting to the source of the noise.
Eska stands motionless in the middle of the courtyard, her arms extended, her eyes closed as she breathes deeply, savoring the cold air filling her lungs before releasing it slowly.
Lenna watches her with a sharp glare, tension evident in her posture, while Ciel sits nearby on the bench, visibly relieved. "She isn't a threat, you know that," Ciel says gently, casting a calming glance at Lenna.
"I don't believe that," Lenna retorts with a firm tone. "We don't know what she's capable of. She could be hiding abilities we can't even fathom and yet we're letting her roam freely." With a huff, she sheathes her sword and sits back down, her unease evident.
While the two women exchange words, Eska remains rooted in place, her mind elsewhere.
"It's similar to what you told me before, Eska," Marina's voice echoes in her thoughts.
Eska responds silently, "I just remembered one of your books and tried hardening the blood."
"Yes, and you nearly succeeded," Marina patiently explains. "You remember the glow, don't you? The one you saw when you almost got it right?"
"The purple glow? But… the book said it should be blue," Eska recalls, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Well, yes," Marina with a slight chuckle. "But your blood is red. Surely you've learned how colors mix by now."
"Oh!" Eska's eyes widen as realization dawns. She mentally retraces the lesson. "The blue glow comes from mana's shift in color as it stabilizes the compression."
"You are such a bookworm, Eska," Marina replies with a touch of pride.
"This principle doesn't just apply to your bloodcraft. It's the essence of one of the most basic spells—Reinforcement. Even after you cast every spell you know, you are still human. It's why your arm got burned. You can't punch through steel and expect nothing to happen to your fist."
"So, I need to learn Reinforcement first?" Eska asks, her curiosity evident.
"Yes," Marina replies. "Mastering Reinforcement will let you cast far more powerful spells with less recoil. You've grasped the basics—now, it's just about practice."
Eska lowers her arms, letting the cool air brush against her burned skin. She runs her fingers over the stitches on her cheek before lifting her gaze to the sky, taking in another deep breath.
A big grin spreads across her face. "Two years," she murmurs to herself, eager to learn more of it.
Ciel approaches, concern flickering across her face. "Is everything all right, Eska?"
"As good as it'll get," Eska replies without hesitation, her grin widening.
Ciel studies her briefly before her expression softens into a warm smile. "I'm glad. But we should head back inside soon—you still need your rest."
Eska nods, falling into step beside Ciel as they make their way back to the building.
Another two weeks pass by, the days becoming more bearable as they pass. Eska's strength returns, her once-debilitating injuries now a dull ache that lingers only as a reminder of her ordeal.
The cold air outside grows crispier, signaling the slow shift of the season, while within the infirmary, life continues at its measured pace. Eska spends her time jogging longer distances with more ease, exchanging brief conversations with Ciel and enduring Lenna's wary glances.
With each passing day, the countdown to her inevitable future feels both distant and all too near.
Ciel and Eska sit at the table, eating breakfast together. Eska has a book open in front of her, one of the many Ciel has brought to fill the counter nearby. She finishes the last page, closes the book with a soft thud and places it on the table.
After taking the final bite of her meal, Eska looks up, determination in her eyes. "When can I start?" she asks confidently.
Ciel nearly chokes on her food, coughing before managing to compose herself. "Eska, the Speaker gave you a month. You should take the whole time to recover," she says with concern.
Eska stands, stretching her arms and legs in an attempt to show her readiness. "I think I'm ready."
Ciel narrows her eyes. "I've never seen someone heal so fast, even with spells. But that doesn't mean you're ready for combat yet, Eska."
Eska frowns and turns away, her disappointment clear as she takes her plate and cup to the sink. She starts washing them when a knock at the door catches both of their attention. Ciel rises to answer it while Eska continues at the sink.
"Oh, Valen! What brings you here?" Ciel greets with a warm smile as she opens the door.
Valen nods in response, a faint smile on his face. "May I come in?" he asks politely.
"Of course," Ciel says, stepping aside to let him in. She closes the door as he enters.
Valen gets straight to the point. "I've been reviewing your report on her recovery. I want to take her out to the city, introduce her to a few places she'll need to visit while working for me."
Ciel hesitates, caught off guard. "Oh," she replies, unsure of what to say.
Before she can think further, Eska spins around, her face lighting up with excitement. "Well, let's go then!" she says eagerly, already brimming with energy.
Ciel raises her hands, motioning for Eska to slow down. "Wait, hold on. Valen, are you sure? She's still recovering and walking around the city might be too much."
Valen glances at Eska, his sharp red eyes studying her. "From what you've written, she's ahead of schedule. Besides, this isn't about physical exertion—it's an introduction. Walking around and familiarizing herself won't push her limits."
ska dries her hands and crosses her arms, grinning. "See? Even Valen thinks I can handle it. I'll be fine, Ciel."
Ciel sighs, a mix of concern and resignation in her expression. "Fine, but only if you promise to take it easy. And I'll come along to make sure you don't push yourself too hard."
Valen nods in agreement. "That's acceptable. We'll start slow and keep this brief." He turns to Eska with a faint smirk.
"Get ready, then. The city is waiting."