He was discharged without ceremony.A healer removed the splint, checked his arm with a floating crystal, and mumbled something about "fast regeneration."She asked if he felt any tingling. Vex shook his head.She warned that if he pushed too hard, he'd break it again.He nodded.
He didn't say much when leaving.The hallways looked different after everything that had happened—emptier. Longer.
When he got to his room, the door was ajar.Inside, Kaen was lying on his bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling.— Morning —he said without looking up.Vex leaned against the doorway.— Did you steal my room?— Technically, you never locked it —Kaen replied in his usual deadpan tone.Vex smirked and stepped in.
Kaen sat up and looked at him for a moment.— I'm glad you're better.Not gonna lie… I thought you'd wake up different. With horns. Or glowing. Or something weird.— I feel the same. Just… more tired.— That means you're still human.
Vex sat on the edge of his bed.— How about you?— I'm fine. Training.Next round's coming. I don't want my face smashed in front of the upper classes.— You'd break their faces and their pride.Kaen shrugged.— Only if they don't break my mood first.
He stood and walked to the door.Right before leaving, he looked back with an expression Vex had never quite seen before—something warm.
— It's good to have you back, Vex.Vex met his eyes.And for a moment, there were no words. Just comfortable silence. Almost brotherly.— Me too.Kaen nodded and walked out.
The room felt calm.Vex walked over to his desk.Pulled out two sheets.Took a pen.And began to write.
"Mom…"He thought through every word like it was being spoken aloud.
"Now I can say it without doubt.I'm becoming a swordsman.Not a perfect one… but one who's learning.I'm surrounded by strange, intense people, but they help me improve.Kaen. Elois. Some teachers.I don't know what I'm becoming, but I feel like I'm not alone.I'm still scared. But I also want this.Thank you for giving me life, even when the world didn't seem to want it.I love you. More than I know how to say."
He signed it without signing it.Folded the sheet. Set it aside.Took the next one.
"Dear Jeremy, you farm bastard…"A smile slipped out on its own.
"I'm at the craziest academy in the world and no, I haven't died yet.Though I came close. Let's say someone tried to kill me and I ended up with a broken arm. You know, the usual.I met a serious swordsman, a quiet guy whose eyes judge you down to your socks, and another who could out-sarcasm you even with a fever. You'd like him.Or not. You don't like anyone.If you ever awaken a rune and end up here, I'll be the one to punch your face in.With love,Vex."
He set it on top of the first.Got up. Left the room.And took the hall toward the medical wing.
When he opened Elois's room, he found him sitting by the window.He didn't turn right away.— If you came to read me poetry, make it rhyme —he said in his usual voice, though lower.Vex didn't answer.He just walked to him——and hugged him from behind.
Elois froze at first. Then lowered his head.His eyes watered.He didn't cry.But almost.
They didn't speak.When Vex stepped back, Elois finally looked at him.— You look less dead. That's progress.— You look… well, the same as always.— An insult disguised as a compliment. Acceptable.
Vex sat beside him. They stared out the window.— How are you? —Vex asked.Elois sighed.— Alive. Sore. Bored.And they swapped my food for mystical mush that tastes like punishment.Other than that… I guess I'm fine.
Vex studied him.Something was off.A shadow behind his eyes. A missing glimmer.
— What's wrong?Elois didn't answer right away.His hands tensed over his legs.When he spoke, there was no humor.No theatrics.No sarcasm.
— I can't activate my rune properly anymore.Vex froze.— What?— Two of Karg's strikes hit critical rune points.One near the chest's center, the other on my forearm.Both go through flow lines… where runes form when activated.— And that means…?— Runes aren't just tattoos. They're living channels. Resonance that travels through your body and manifests when there's connection.But if those channels are broken… it's like damaging a violin string.
Elois touched his arm, where his rune used to glow.— I can feel it. But it's weak. Like a voice behind a wall.It won't answer.
Vex couldn't speak.His throat burned.His chest hurt more than in any fight.He bowed his head.
— Does Kaen know?— Yeah.But he didn't tell you… because I wanted to say it myself.
Silence thickened the air.Vex clenched his fists.— So… what will you do now?Elois smiled. But it was a sad smile. A cracked mask.
— I don't know.Maybe… learn to sing.Or take up comedy.
Vex wanted to say something. Something useful.Something that could help.But no words came.
There was nothing to say.Nothing to do.He just looked at him.And the pain of being powerless…hurt worse than any wound.