It was dark. When Elise opened her eyes, she was lying on a bed inside a dark room. As she regained consciousness, a burning pain spread throughout her body. At first, she couldn't move because of the shock. Almost unintentionally, she tried to draw in Energy to get some strength.
Nothing.
Panic rose within her. It has been months since the last time she couldn't draw in Energy at will. Did she do something that would harm her Energy control without knowing? What would she do if this were the case? She needed to ask the Traveler as soon as possible. Even if it was relatively new to her, it had become a part of her life. What would she do without the Energy?
She tried to get up again to find the Traveler, but she felt a sharp pain inside her chest that almost left her out of breath. She dropped herself back on the bed and lay there in despair until she heard a voice right next to her.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
She turned her head, with a slight pain in her neck, to see the owner of this familiar voice. He was there, sitting in the dark, right next to her bed, reading a book. It was hard to see his face, but she could tell the Traveler was looking at her.
"Don't panic. I blocked the Energy you were trying to use. You are in no shape to control it, and your body can't take any more rogue Energy. Just lie still. You need to rest." He then returned to his book that he was reading in the darkness.
Elise did as he said and lay still. Only then did she realize that most of her body was wrapped in bandages. There was a strong smell of herbs and ointments coming from them. When did she get hurt this much? As she remembered, she only took two blows in the duel. Were Lord Avir Fortis's attacks this strong?
"Where am I?" She asked with a wheezing voice. She needed some water.
"You are in a guest room, dedicated just for your recovery, and it is almost dawn of the following day of the duel."
The following day of the duel. She remembered some parts of her being brought here. She could remember her father's blurry face and worried voice inside a crowd of people next to her bed.
"What happened?" She tried to get some water, but a stinging pain under her arms didn't let her.
The Traveler noticed her struggle to reach the water carafe and poured her a cup of water. He then waited for her to finish drinking before speaking.
"You drew in more Energy you could control. It became rogue inside your body, and your muscles could only resist the strain for a short time. Yes, it also made you stronger for the time being, but remember the things I told you about the Energy. It tends to change based on its surroundings. So, the Energy you couldn't control changed into undesired things. Some went into the flow you created and boosted your body. But most of them turned into light, heat, or other types of energy. Those byproducts hurt you from the inside, then leak out. The glow and the smoke you were emitting were the only ones you could see. There were many other forms.
"Your muscles ripped apart, your bodily fluids boiled, and your cells got corrupted or died. If your body hadn't been hardened by training with Energy, you would have died on the spot."
He paused for a moment, like he was checking if she was understanding the situation she was in. Even though Elise didn't understand most of it, she got that she did something bad.
"So, try not to do it again, unless you are in a life-or-death situation. This is still better than you dying. For me, healing is easier than reviving."
He reached out with his hand and formed a complex ball of Energy inside his palm. Then he gently pressed the ball on her chest and let it dissolve slowly. A sudden refreshing feeling filled her. After all that pain, it was really appealing to her.
"I waited for you to wake up before doing this. Try to feel that Energy. I created it specifically for recovering your body. Track it down and learn its movements. Don't try to replicate it just yet. You need to rest first. Tomorrow will be hard for you."
He put his book inside one of the layers of his clothing and got up from his seat to stretch his body a little. Elise understood that he was about to leave.
"Could you teach me?" She asked.
"Teach you what?"
"I lost because his sword skills were better than mine. Can you make me a better swordswoman?"
He paused for a moment before answering. "It was only one of the reasons. He has more real combat experience than you. His 'blessing', you would say, is really good for combat, and he knows how to utilize it more than you do with the Energy."
"What even is his blessing?"
"As long as ı could see, he has an enhanced nervous system. It is boosting his reaction speeds and the way his body responds to his commands. He really is born for fighting."
Elise looked back on their duel, and the explanation from the Traveler helped her clear out many things she noticed while fighting. Lord Avir Fortis was a tough opponent, as expected from the best warrior of the Kingdom. But...
"You didn't answer my question."
"Do I look like someone who fights with swords?"
"..." As she expected, "I remember you using my sword back in the previous Realm to kill those monsters coming from the river. So, I thought maybe..."
He sighed. "I know how to use one, but I am not an expert on my standards..."
So, she needed to find a new way to follow her passion. Maybe she could request it from Lord Fortis. If she could persuade the Traveler to stay here for a little longer. She could learn from a great swordsman.
"...But, I have a good friend who is an incredible sword master. He also owes me, if I am remembering correctly. We could ask him to teach you if you want."
A master swordsman, even the Traveler acknowledges. That would be a great opportunity for her.
"Where does he live?"
"I believe he settled a while ago with the woman of his life in a peaceful Realm. I should locate him easily from a Gate. That could be our next destination if you want."
"That would be great!" This news drew away all the gloominess from her. She could be a better sword fighter in the hands of a great sword master.
"Now, stop thinking so much and try to rest. And don't forget to study the Energy I gave you."
Elise nodded enthusiastically while watching the Traveler turn around and step into nothingness. He disappeared without a trace, leaving Elise in the dimly lit room, touched by the light of the rising sun.