After an intense training session, Naseria lay on the ground, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath. Her muscles ached from the exertion, her body protesting the strain after so many years of inactivity.
"Are you okay?" Ourania asked, walking over to her. "Should I have been a little softer on you?"
Naseria managed a nod, still too winded to speak. She was tough, but the intensity of the session had caught her off guard.
"Sorry about that," Ourania apologized. "Do you want to do this again tomorrow?"
Another nod from Naseria, her breathing still heavy. She wasn’t one to back down from a challenge, and the training, though tough, was necessary.
"Alright, take a rest for a bit, and then we’ll end this session." Ourania gave her space, observing how quickly Naseria was recovering.
Naseria lay there, still trying to steady her breath, feeling every muscle in her body protest.
"Your mana is still strong; you still have a great command of it. How have you managed to use your mana for so long?" Ourania asked.
"You have a great speed, and strength" Ourania continued. "As if you haven’t been out of training for so long. Your stamina is still good."
Naseria let out a small, sarcastic chuckle. "I’ve been in the forest long enough. That forest might have helped strengthen my physical abilities," she said, her voice dripping with irony.
"It must have," Ourania responded sincerely, making Naseria blink in mild surprise at her straightforwardness.
"Yeah..." Naseria muttered, unsure how to respond to the instructor’s unshaken belief.
They returned to their rooms after the long day. Naseria immediately went straight for a warm bath, her sore muscles aching from the intense training. Afterward, she sat down to eat quietly and then laid down on the bed, trying to rest her tired body.
Odessa, sensing her discomfort, began massaging Naseria’s shoulders. Just as Naseria began to relax, a knock came at the door. Odessa stood up and opened it. "Your Grace, what are you doing here so late?" she asked.
"Is Naseria there?" a familiar male voice asked.
"No," Naseria called out from the bed, her tone sharp and frustrated. "And get out."
"I'm sorry, miss," the man said, ignoring her request and pushing his way into the room. Naseria sighed heavily, irritation clear on her face.
"Miss?" Odessa looked to her with concern.
"It's okay, Essa," Naseria said, waving her off. "We’ve got no choice; they barge in regardless." She shifted slightly in bed but didn’t bother sitting up, her annoyance clear.
"What do you want now, Emeris?" Naseria asked, still lying down, her voice laced with exasperation. "Barging into my room so late at night..."
"Do you remember Kaizo?" Emeris said, his tone more serious now.
"Who doesn’t?" Naseria scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "The pathetic traitor of Elaris."
Her gaze turned to Kaizo Ael Ambrios, who stood beside Emeris with his head down. Kaizo had been a lower year cadet in the Elaris faction during the civil war, fighting with them until he betrayed the group. Naseria’s disgust was clear as she stared at him.
"Why is that man here?" Naseria asked coldly, her eyes not leaving Kaizo.
Emeris hesitated, then spoke. "We wanted to give you this," he said, holding out a small vial. "It’s a medicine that could help ease your pain."
