Chapter 219: Chapter 219 – Fully Recovered!!

The infirmary was hushed, filled with the faint scent of medicinal herbs and the faint rustle of robes from passing healers. Lisa stood stiffly in front of the glowing crystal, her head bowed, hands nervously twisting at the hem of her dress. The shimmering figures of Darian and Selene came into view, their faces tight with worry and unmistakable relief at finding her—but tempered by the weight of parental authority.

“Lisa.” Darian’s voice cut through the quiet, stern and commanding. His eyes, sharp as a blade, locked onto her trembling form. “What were you thinking? Leaving the house without a word? Running away and trying to sneak into the academy? Do you have any idea how reckless that was?”

Lisa flinched, her lips parting in a small gasp. She gripped her dress tighter, her small shoulders curling inward. “I… I just wanted to see Brother,” she whispered, her voice breaking halfway.

Selene stepped forward in the projection, her tone gentler but no less firm. “Lisa, do you understand how dangerous this could have been? You’re too young to travel alone. What if something had happened to you? What if you had been lost, or attacked on the road? Do you think we wouldn’t have gone mad searching for you?”

Lisa’s eyes filled with tears, guilt pooling in them as she looked up at her mother’s face. “But… but Brother is hurt,” she said in a trembling rush. “I couldn’t just sit at home and wait… I had to come, I had to see him. What if he—” She bit her lip hard, the words choking in her throat.

Darian’s brows furrowed even deeper. His tone was heavy, but his eyes betrayed the fear hidden beneath. “You are our daughter. Do you know how your mother has been since you disappeared? Do you know how my heart nearly stopped when the knights said you were gone?”

Lisa’s tears spilled over. She scrubbed them away with her sleeve, shaking her head. “I didn’t mean to make you worry… I just… I thought… if I could see him, if I could be by his side, then maybe he’d get better faster.” Her voice broke like a child grasping for excuses, but the desperation in it was genuine.

Selene’s expression softened, her hand lifting instinctively as though she could brush her daughter’s cheek through the crystal. “Oh, Lisa…” she whispered, her sternness warring with maternal love. “Your heart is kind, but you must also think of yourself. What would your brother say if he knew you put yourself in danger just for him?”

Lisa sniffled, looking down, unable to answer.

For a moment the silence stretched—until Selene asked gently, “And Luca? How is he?”

Lisa hesitated, then swallowed hard. “He’s unconscious… but the healer said he’s fine now. He’ll recover.”

Relief washed visibly over both Darian and Selene, the tension in their shoulders loosening at once. Darian’s voice dropped lower, but remained firm as he asked, “And whose communication crystal is this, Lisa? Where are you right now?”

Lisa opened her mouth, fumbling for an answer, but before she could speak, a steady voice carried from her side. Aurelia stepped into view, her presence calm yet commanding.

“Uncle. Aunt.” She bowed her head slightly, the wildness of her hair and the exhaustion on her face softened by composure.

Both Darian and Selene stiffened in the projection, their postures adjusting immediately with respect. “Miss Aurelia,” they greeted in unison.

Lisa clung to Aurelia’s sleeve as if for safety, her voice small but filled with urgency as she blurted, “It was Sister Aurelia who helped me get inside! Otherwise they wouldn’t let me see Brother…”

Darian’s stern eyes shifted, softening as warmth overtook his features. “Then we owe you our gratitude, Miss Aurelia.”

Selene inclined her head as well, her gaze warm. “Thank you for looking after her. Forgive her recklessness.”

Aurelia’s lips curved faintly, her voice steady as she said, “Don’t worry. Lisa will stay with me while she’s here in the academy. I’ll take responsibility for her.”

Lisa blinked up at Aurelia, her small hand tightening around the Aurelia’s fingers, her tears finally slowing as though the weight had been lifted from her.

Darian and Selene exchanged a glance, the unspoken relief between them softening their sternness. Selene gave a small nod. “Then we entrust her to you.”

The crystal dimmed, the projection fading until only the quiet hum of the infirmary remained. Lisa stayed close to Aurelia’s side, her cheeks still flushed from tears, but her eyes steadier now, like a child who had found a safe place to stand.

And all of a sudden…

The infirmary door creaked open, and a boy with dark violet hair stepped out slowly, clad in patient’s clothes. Everyone’s eyes widened in shock as they rushed toward him—but two figures dashed ahead, throwing their arms around him and nearly knocking him backward.

***

[Luca’s POV]

The afternoon sun spilled warmly through the infirmary window, its rays resting across Luca’s face. His dark violet lashes fluttered before he slowly blinked awake. A long, muffled yawn escaped him as he stretched his stiff limbs, joints popping faintly.

“Ahh… it feels good,” he muttered under his breath, rolling his shoulders.

A fog of drowsiness lingered in his mind. Why does it feel like I’ve been asleep for days? His gaze swept the quiet room, then to the chair by his bedside—empty.

“…Hmm? She’s gone?” he whispered, thinking of the violet haired woman who should’ve been here.

Carefully, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, grimacing at the lingering stiffness. But with a bit of effort, he pushed himself up and found his body surprisingly steady. Testing his balance with a few cautious steps, he exhaled. “Not bad. Where’s the healer? Can I be discharged now?”

Moving toward the door, he pressed his palm against it and pulled it open just a crack—only to freeze.

Six pairs of eyes met his instantly. Aurelia. Kyle. Aiden. Selena. Lilliane. And—

“…Lisa?”

Before his mind could catch up, two figures darted forward. Aurelia’s crimson hair and Lisa’s silver locks blurred together as they flung themselves at him, arms wrapping tight around his torso. The sudden weight sent him stumbling back against the doorframe.

“You bastard!” Aurelia’s voice cracked, her eyes wet at the corners.

“You idiot brother!” Lisa sobbed against his chest, her small fists trembling as she clung to his patient’s clothes.

Luca’s heart lurched. He barely managed to steady himself when Kyle stepped in with an exasperated grin, prying the two away before they knocked him flat. “Hey, hey—he just woke up. Give him some space before you suffocate him.”

Both Aurelia and Lisa recoiled slightly, wiping at their eyes though their hands lingered close to him as if reluctant to let go again.

Luca blinked at them, caught between confusion and a warmth that left his chest strangely tight.

Almost at once, the others pressed in.

“How are you feeling now?” Aiden asked first, his voice serious, his arms crossed yet his gaze intent.

Lilliane fumbled slightly, clasping her hands together. “U-Um… I mean, you look… better than I thought…” Her words trailed awkwardly as color crept up her cheeks.

Kyle smirked, giving him a nudge in the shoulder. “What a miracle. I thought we’d be dragging you around in a stretcher for a week.”

Selena’s cold tone cut clean through the noise. “You worried everyone. Don’t do it again.” But even her detached voice carried a faint tremor, as though her sternness was the only thing holding back relief.

Luca opened his mouth, overwhelmed by the barrage of concern, when the infirmary hall door creaked wider.

“Hmm?” The old healer shuffled in, his brows shooting up at the sight of Luca standing tall and alert. “It seems you’ve fully recovered already?” His voice held surprise.

Luca nodded, offering him a tentative smile. “Then… Can I be discharged?”

“Let me check,” the healer said, approaching with practiced movements. He pressed a hand to Luca’s wrist, then his chest, tracing subtle pulses of mana through his body. After a few seconds, his lips twitched into a satisfied curve. “Incredible… yes. You’ve healed completely. No problem.”

“Great.” Relief and a spark of energy lit Luca’s expression as he turned back to his friends. “So… how is everyone else? Did the academy say anything about—”

“Come with us,” Selena interrupted, stepping forward, her frosty tone brooking no argument.

Luca blinked at her, caught off guard. “Huh?”

But she was already striding toward the door. One by one, the others began following her without a word, expressions heavy with something unspoken.

Confused, Luca trailed after them, his bare feet whispering against the cold floor as the group wound their way out of the infirmary.

The midday light blinded him as they stepped outside, leading him through the academy’s pathways until the air grew sharper, wider.

And then—

They emerged onto the training grounds.

Luca’s eyes widened, breath catching in his throat.

W-what… is this?

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