Ancient Pasts - Tbate

A Mild Injury

Professor Glory Pov

I'm too late! Damn it! What happened to her? Why did she suddenly collapse? Is something wrong with her mana core? Why now?

I could only watch in horror as Clive's arrows made their way towards Claire. With absolutely no defenses around her, would she live? If so, would she even be able to continue being a mage? Forget mage—she might have to live crippled for the rest of her life!

I could feel tears well up in my eyes as I desperately made my way towards them, but I knew I wasn't going to make it. What would the consequences be? I would be happy if it just ended with me getting fired.

As the arrows reached Claire, I screamed in dread. A look of shock crossed Clive's face as he realized that Claire was already unconscious. There was no way, though. There was no way to stop the arrows.

After what seemed like hours, the dust slowly dissipated, and what I saw shocked me even more than the worst possible scenario I imagined.

In utter disbelief, I just stammered. "C-C-Cathan Leywin?"

How the hell did he get there? Just moments ago, he was busy fighting princess Tessia. Instant teleportation? Was that even possible?

No. no-no-no. That wasn't possible. Was the Cathan we saw an illusion all along? No, that couldn't be right. The gear recorded him getting hit by Lucas' fire and princess Tessia's vines.

I jumped off of Torch as soon as I got close enough and rushed towards Cathan and Claire. Cathan was in bad shape. Most of his body had arrows, with only patches of his clothes intact and a strange black bandage around his left arm.

He was bloody all over, and I could see deep gashes near his sides where a rib bone was visible. His body protected Claire, and from what I could tell: he'd used most of his mana to protect her. Thanks to that, she was almost unscathed.

The rest of the students all rushed out of the viewing platform and made their way here. Fortunately, the princess was okay, but Cathan needed immediate attention. But as soon as I got close enough to try and help them, Cathan's bond stopped me in my tracks.

"Grrr..." Usually, I'd find the black raven that rode on top of Cathan's shoulder intimidating at most, but now, the killing intent it was giving off was anything but beyond terrifying. The amount of pure menace radiating from it was no joke. It seemed to be protecting its master and Claire.

"It's okay little buddy. I'm only trying to help. " I tried to make my way closer, but its growl only got louder. Torch held me back with her beak clutching the back of my shirt.

"P-Professor, I-I didn't mean. I mean, I didn't think Claire would suddenly faint." Clive ran to me, his face pale in fright.

"It's alright, I know. I don't know how, but Cathan managed to protect Claire. His bond won't let me get close to them, though." I clenched my fists in frustration. Cathan needed immediate attention. Why was his bond risking his master's life by doing this? What was it trying to protect?

Clive tried to get to Cathan and Claire but failed as well, so we all just stood around the two of them. Every attempt at getting even a step closer to Cathan and Claire resulted in the bond lashing out at us. "Someone get Director Goodsky!" I barked out.

From above, a green owl soared down and landed in front of Cathan's bond.

"Kraa!"

"Hoo~"

"Caw Caw."

"Hoot!"

"A-Are they communicating?" Prince Glayder couldn't help but stammer out in confusion. "I-I think so?" I scratched my head at this. Could mana beasts of different species communicate with each other?