Morning came fast. The infirmary filled with noise as more patients woke. Some celebrated. Some cried. Some got carried away by their group members after being discharged.
Ezra sat up slowly as a nurse checked his arm and pulse. His muscles ached, but he didn't groan; he only narrowed his eyes a little.
"So… am I fit to leave today?" he asked, trying a harmless puppy-dog look.
"You are okay," she said sternly. "But not today. Tomorrow, and do not push your left arm too much till you fully recover."
She walked away to check on others.
A shadow slipped beside him. Gena crouched low with a breathing mask and a cap pulled down.
"What are you doing?" Ezra stared at her dryly.
"Heh… well…" She tugged her mask lower, embarrassed. "I can't let people see me with you." She leaned closer, whispering, "Some members from my group are here and there was talks about a special boy who was visited by both Lady Vera and Sir Veda. Also, it's best people don't see me with you alone."
"But Vera already knows about us." Ezra raised a brow.
"That was because I panicked! I was too worried when they brought you in!" Gena hugged her knees. "She saw me with Veda's group… then she figured everything out."
"I'm not blaming you." Ezra sighed and rubbed his face. "I just didn't expect her to be beside me when I woke up."
"She's actually nice," Gena said proudly.
"Uh-huh. Sure." His voice was dry enough to crack.
Gena peeked at the nurse. "When can you leave?"
"Tomorrow," he answered, shoulders dropping.
"That's bad! You need time to study Cognis before the trial!" Panic rose in her voice.
"I'll just read all night." He waved it off. "What I really want to know is how many leaders were formed during the second trial."
He grinned. "That's why you are here — my personal info dealer."
"I know, I know…" Gena glanced left and right, then dragged her chair close, feet tapping with nervous energy.
"So, we have six major groups now. Others were destroyed or absorbed. There was even a leader killed by another."
"Felix, did it?"
"No… Lady Priscilla." Gena lowered her voice. "She's an Elder's granddaughter. It was a big deal. Sir Bale almost made an alliance with the leader she killed. It caused a huge fight, the guards got involved."
"Expected," Ezra muttered.
She counted on her fingers. "There's Lady Priscilla, Sir Bale… you know Sir Veda, Sir Henry, Sir Felix, and Lady Vera."
Ezra blinked. "That's six. Who's Bale?"
"Sir Bale is Veda and Vera's younger brother."
Ezra paused — brain rebooting.
So that crazy girl has another brother too…
"With our numbers, I thought we'd have more leaders." Ezra rubbed his chin. "Most mainline kids must have joined sides already."
"Exactly." Gena nodded fast.
"So… who has the strongest group?"
"Sir Veda has the most people. But Felix… They say his group is the strongest."
Ezra pictured Felix's savage grin. "Yeah… I believe that."
"He has Sir Gareth — the strongest fighter and second in hand-to-hand combat. Page and Lyra — brutal girls. And many capable ones. Mostly mainline children."
Ezra's expression sharpened. "Gareth's second at hand-to-hand combat?"
"Yes… first place is Sir Veda."
Ezra snorted. Maybe I should've noticed sooner.
"Rank them in your own opinion," he asked.
"Okay!" Gena straightened, proud of her knowledge.
6th — Sir Bale (weak numbers)
5th — Sir Henry
4th — Lady Priscilla
3rd — Lady Vera
2nd — Sir Veda
1st — Sir Felix
Ezra pressed two fingers to his forehead. "This is worse than I thought…"
"And there are neutrals like you," Gena added quietly.
Ezra let his head drop onto the pillow. "I'm already a target for two mainlines. Might as well get protection from another."
"You said you wanted to avoid the mainlines!" Gena leaned in, anxious.
"Too late for that…" he blinked, feeling tired.
"I think you should rest," Gena said, standing up. "I'll visit again. Maybe with Vera~"
"Please don't." Ezra rolled to face the wall.
Gena giggled and left.
Before Ezra noticed her departure his eyes closed.
***
Ezra blinked awake the next morning. First peaceful sleep since he entered this nightmare.
He looked round; the infirmary was almost empty. He changed into his uniform and walked for a final checkup.
"What happens to the people still unconscious when the trial starts?" he asked the nurse quietly.
"They will be killed," she answered without emotion.
Ezra said nothing — just lowered his eyes.
"You are free to go."
He stood, bowed once. "…Thank you."
Her eyes widened slightly, shocked by his politeness. It was the first time she had ever been thanked since she started nursing the injured during this Trial of steel. Seeing this she softened as she watched him leave, then a surge of energy consumed her as she faced the rest of the patients yet to recover. This time she was going to do her best to help some escape death.
***
Ezra returned to his room, grabbed his bag and headed to the library. The place felt huge and quiet today, sunlight dim through tall windows, dust floating in the beams.
He collected three books on Cognis and sat in his usual corner — hidden enough that most wouldn't notice him.
"One day left…" he murmured.
He opened the first book.
Time passed. Pages turned.
He rubbed his eyes sometimes.
Other times he'd close them, breathing slow to meditate on what he read.
He didn't notice when someone sat across from him.
He only noticed when he closed the first book and stretched his fingers.
"Finally done with that one."
Vera's face filled his vision. She stared like she was reading a book.
Ezra jerked slightly. "How long were you sitting there?"
"Five hours," she answered, eyes never leaving him.
"You sat here silently for five hours?" He sounded more scared than surprised.
"You know, I came back yesterday before closing hours to see you, but you were busy sleeping like a piece of wood, then this morning I searched everywhere for you after the nurse told us you were discharged," she said in one breath.
"I saw you here reading… and I didn't want to disturb you."
She puffed her cheeks, annoyed.
"You don't understand a maiden's heart."
Ezra stared. "Right."
"So? What do you want?"
"You should become my fiancé." she said. Calm. Sure. Like saying "pass the salt."
Ezra froze. "Huh?"
She leaned forward. Her eyes locked onto his like claws.
Her smile grew — slow and dangerous.
"Yes."
"Be mine."