By the time I left the arena, night had fallen. Lanterns lined the paths across campus, their light reflected in the white stone. The air smelled faintly of rain, though the clouds were far below, drifting under the floating island.
I headed toward the dorms, muscles tight from the duel—and the spar that followed.
"Wait!"
I turned.
Mira stood a few steps behind, pink hair tumbling over her shoulders, a small satchel slung at her side. She hesitated when our eyes met, then hurried closer.
"You shouldn't push yourself right after channeling." She opened her satchel, pulling out a crystal vial that glowed with soft green light. "Here. It's a focus tonic. Helps steady the flow."
I blinked. "Why are you—"
"You looked… strained," she said quickly, cheeks coloring. "When you blocked Lyra's strike. You forced the mana too sharply. I could feel it."
That startled me. Most people just saw the silver glow and whispered. She'd felt the instability.
I took the vial but didn't drink it. "Thanks."
She shifted on her feet, then smiled faintly. "You're different. Not just your magic. The way you hold yourself. Like you're… carrying something heavy."
The words cut deeper than they should have. I kept my expression calm. "You shouldn't assume things about people you barely know."
Her smile dimmed a little, but she didn't retreat. "Maybe. But I know what it looks like when someone's hurting. Healing isn't just for wounds you can see."
For a long moment, I didn't answer. Then I tucked the vial into my pocket. "…You notice too much."
Mira's smile returned, softer this time. "That's what I do."
She turned to leave, pausing once at the edge of the lantern light. "Oh—and don't worry about Lyra. If she challenged you, it means she respects you. That's… just her way."
Then she was gone, her steps light against the stone.
I stood there with the tonic in my hand, the glow faintly warming my palm.
Half angel. Half demon. A contradiction.Dangerous. Unstable.
And yet… someone had called it worth healing.