The infirmary doors swung open.
"Make way!"
Four students carried Keith inside while Maki followed closely behind, her face still stained with tears. The academy healer immediately rushed toward them.
"Put him on the bed!"
The students carefully lowered Keith onto one of the infirmary beds, Maki immediately stepped forward.
The healer held up a hand.
"Please, Lady Maki. Give me some space."
Maki reluctantly stepped back, the healer placed two fingers against Keith's wrist before channeling healing magic through his body. Her expression gradually became more serious.
"...His mana reserves are almost completely depleted."
Maki's eyes widened.
"Is he going to be okay?"
"His physical injuries aren't as severe as they appear."
The healer paused.
"But whatever he did near the end of that battle..."
She frowned.
"...That put an enormous strain on his body."
Maki lowered her gaze.
"It was after he couldn't fight anymore."
Her hands clenched.
"And then he did that."
The healer looked at her.
"Whatever it was, I recommend that he doesn't attempt anything remotely similar for quite some time."
Maki nodded immediately.
"He won't."
She glanced toward Keith.
"I'll make sure of it."
One of the commoner students who had helped carry Keith scratched his head.
"Uh... Lady Maki?"
She looked at him.
"What?"
"You know you're probably not going to be able to stop him, right?"
Maki stared at him.
"..."
"..."
"...I'll figure something out."
The student smiled awkwardly.
"Right."
The healer continued treating Keith.
A few minutes passed. Slowly, Keith's breathing became steadier, the tension in Maki's shoulders finally began to ease, she quietly pulled a chair beside the bed and sat down. The other students eventually left, leaving only Maki and the healer in the room.
Maki stared at Keith.
His face looked peaceful now, nothing like the determined expression he'd worn during the battle.
She quietly reached out and grabbed the edge of his blanket.
"...Idiot."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"You scared me."
She remembered the moment he'd been blasted across the arena.
The explosion.
The blood.
The crater.
And then...
The way he'd stood back up, Maki's eyes softened.
"...You know? That was seriously a reckless move."
She lowered her head.
"You could've gotten seriously hurt or worse."
The healer glanced toward her but said nothing, Maki continued staring at Keith.
"You know..."
She smiled faintly.
"You don't have to prove anything to me."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Or to anyone else."
She looked down at her hands.
"...You already belong here."
Keith remained unconscious.
Two days passed.
The academy infirmary was unusually quiet that afternoon. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting warm patterns across the room.
Keith remained completely still beneath the blankets.
His body had recovered considerably from the battle, but the backlash from his spirit art had left him exhausted. Even with healing magic, his muscles still felt as though they had been drained of every ounce of strength. Beside his bed, someone sat quietly.
Maki.
She had been visiting constantly since he was brought here. At first, she'd tried to convince herself she was only checking on her roommate, then she'd told herself she was checking on her friend. But after two days, even she couldn't keep pretending that was the only reason, she rested her cheek against her hand, staring at Keith.
"...You idiot."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"You really scared me."
She looked down at her hands.
"When you collapsed..."
Her fingers tightened around each other.
"I thought..."
She stopped.
She didn't want to finish that sentence. Instead, she looked back at him.
"You better wake up soon."
A pause.
"...You still owe me breakfast."
Nothing.
Maki sighed.
"And lunch."
Still nothing.
"And dessert."
She frowned.
"...Actually, you owe me a lot."
A tiny smile appeared on her face.
"So you'd better wake up."
The door opened quietly.
Selena stepped inside carrying a small stack of documents, she glanced at Maki.
"Still here?"
Maki nodded.
"Yep."
"You've been here almost every time I've checked."
"Someone has to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
Selena raised an eyebrow.
"He's unconscious."
"Exactly. That's when he's most dangerous."
Selena couldn't help chuckling.
"You really are something, Lady Maki."
Maki smiled faintly.
Then her expression softened as she looked back at Keith.
"...He'll wake up, right?"
Selena's smile faded slightly.
"His condition is stable."
"That's not what I asked."
Selena was quiet for a moment, then she nodded.
"He'll wake up."
Maki released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"Good."
She leaned back in the chair.
"...Because I still have things to say to him."
Selena smiled.
"I'm sure you do."
She turned toward the door.
"I'll leave you two alone for a while."
Maki blinked.
"...Wait."
Selena paused.
"Yeah?"
Maki looked away.
"...Thanks."
Selena smiled.
"Don't mention it."
The door closed.
Silence returned.
Maki looked toward Keith again.
"...You heard that, right?"
No response.
"You're supposed to say something."
Nothing.
Maki sighed.
"...Fine."
She rested her head against the edge of the bed.
"I'll wait."
Several hours later.
The sun had begun to set, golden light filled the infirmary. Maki had fallen asleep beside the bed, her arms were folded on the mattress, her head resting on them. Keith's fingers twitched, a faint breath escaped him.
"...Mmm."
His eyes slowly opened. At first, everything was blurry.
A white ceiling.
Soft sunlight.
The faint scent of medicinal herbs.
Keith blinked.
"...Where..."
His throat felt incredibly dry, he tried to move.
Pain immediately ran through his body.
"Ugh..."
Maki stirred.
"...Hm?"
Keith turned his head slightly.
"...Maki?"
Her eyes opened.
For a second, she simply stared at him, her brain seemed to struggle to process what she was seeing.
Then—
"KEITH?!"
She shot upright.
Keith flinched.
"Ow..."
"Sorry!"
Maki immediately lowered her voice, then she leaned closer.
"You're awake."
Keith blinked.
"...Yeah."
Maki stared at him, her eyes slowly began to water.
Keith noticed.
"...Are you crying?"
"No."
"You are."
"I'm not."
A tear rolled down her cheek, Keith stared.
"...You're definitely crying."
Maki quickly wiped it away.
"It's your fault."
"My fault?"
"You scared me!"
Her voice cracked slightly, Keith looked away awkwardly.
"...Sorry."
Maki immediately frowned.
"No."
Keith looked back.
"What?"
"Don't apologize."
She wiped her eyes again.
"Just don't do that again."
Keith gave her a weak smile.
"I'll try."
"Don't try."
She pointed at him.
"Promise."
Keith stared at her for a moment, then nodded.
"...Promise."
Maki relaxed.
"...Good."
Keith slowly looked around.
"How long was I out?"
"Two days."
His eyes widened slightly.
"Two days?"
"Yep."
Keith sighed.
"...Wow."
He tried to sit up, Maki immediately pushed him back down.
"No."
"I'm fine."
"You just woke up after being unconscious for two days."
"I can sit up."
"No."
"Maki—"
"No."
Keith stared at her, she stared back.
"...You're really stubborn."
"And you're really stupid."
"Fair."
Maki crossed her arms.
"Your body isn't ready yet."
Keith sighed.
"...Okay."
A brief silence followed, then Keith remembered something.
"The battle."
Maki's expression softened.
"You won."
Keith blinked.
"...I did?"
"Yeah."
A proud smile appeared on her face.
"Headmaster Gathar officially declared you the winner."
Keith stared at the ceiling.
"...So I'm not expelled."
"Nope."
He released a long breath.
"Thank the gods."
Maki smiled.
"You know..."
"Hm?"
"You really scared everyone."
Keith looked at her.
"Everyone?"
"Pretty much."
She paused.
"But..."
Her smile became softer.
"...I think I was the most scared."
Keith's expression changed. He remembered her shouting his name, the tears in her eyes, the desperation in her voice.
"...I'm sorry."
Maki shook her head.
"You promised."
Keith nodded.
"Right."
"No more apologizing."
"Okay."
Maki smiled.
"Good."
Keith closed his eyes for a moment. He was exhausted but strangely, he felt peaceful. He had kept his promise, proven himself and most importantly, he hadn't been expelled. A small smile formed on his face.
"...My parents are going to be proud."
Maki smiled.
"Yeah."
She gently rested her hand on the edge of the mattress.
"They should be."
Keith looked toward her.
"...Thanks for staying."
Maki blinked, then smiled.
"Of course."
She tilted her head.
"You're my friend, remember?"
Keith smiled.
"...Yeah."
Neither of them noticed how naturally the word had become part of their lives.
Friend.
Not noble.
Not commoner.
Not reincarnated souls carrying secrets neither knew the other possessed.
Just two friends.
For now.
After Keith completed his final checkup, the healer carefully examined his mana pathways one last time before finally stepping back.
"All right. Your mana is finally stabilizing."
Maki's face immediately brightened.
"That's great!"
Keith smiled in relief.
"Thanks."
The healer nodded, though her expression remained serious.
"Yes. However, your body is still considerably weaker than it should be. You're going to need plenty of rest for the remaining three days."
She shifted her gaze toward Maki.
"And I'll trust you to make sure he gets it."
Maki immediately raised her hand in a firm salute.
"You can count on me!"
Keith stared at her.
"...Why do I feel like I've just been assigned a babysitter?"
"Because you have."
"Maki."
She grinned.
The healer couldn't help smiling before her expression became serious again.
"Mr. Nova."
Keith straightened slightly.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"I have no idea what technique you used during that battle, but..."
She bowed deeply.
"Please. Never use it again."
Keith immediately panicked.
"Please, ma'am, you don't have to bow!"
He hurriedly tried to gesture for her to stand. Maki, however, remained silent, her smile disappeared.
That technique...
A memory resurfaced.
Flashback
Keith had collapsed after the battle. At first, everyone had assumed he'd simply lost consciousness from exhaustion. But as the minutes passed, the healers realized something was terribly wrong, his condition wasn't stable, it was deteriorating. His mana pathways had been severely disturbed, his muscles had suffered extensive damage, his entire body was struggling to function but somehow...
His heart was still beating.
Maki stood nearby, trembling.
"Please..."
Her hands were clenched tightly against her chest.
"Please live."
She could barely breathe.
If anything happens to him...
Her thoughts spiraled.
It's going to be my fault.
I was the one who pushed him.
What if he doesn't wake up?
What if he—
"Lady Maki!"
Ivys grabbed her shoulders.
"Please calm down! They're doing everything they can!"
Maki's eyes remained fixed on Keith.
"What if the worst happens?"
Her voice trembled.
"What would I tell his parents?"
Linna stood beside her, equally frightened despite trying to remain composed.
"He'll be fine."
She looked toward the healers.
"He has to be."
The other students stood nearby in tense silence, even the ones who had doubted Keith were watching anxiously, the healers worked desperately.
One after another, increasingly powerful healing spells were cast.
Light filled the room.
Keith's body barely responded, minutes turned into hours.
Then, finally—
His condition began to stabilize.
Barely.
The healers had managed to restore his damaged body enough to keep him alive but the conclusion was terrifying. He hadn't simply fainted, his body had been shutting down.
One mistake.
One additional strain.
One more moment using that technique incorrectly and Keith Nova might not have survived.
Present
The memory faded.
Maki looked at Keith.
For the first time, he noticed something he'd completely missed. She wasn't merely concerned, she was genuinely afraid. The cheerful expression she had worn when he'd first awakened had hidden just how terrified she'd been. She'd made jokes, she'd teased him, she'd acted as though his collapse had been nothing more than an especially dramatic nap.
But the truth was...
She had been terrified of losing him and she didn't even understand why, Keith's expression softened.
"I'm sorry I worried you, Maki."
Maki looked at him.
For several seconds, she didn't say anything. Then she quietly answered,
"Just..."
Her fingers curled slightly.
"Don't ever scare me like that again."
Keith nodded.
"I won't."
The healer cleared her throat gently, bringing their attention back to her.
"Good. Because I'm serious, Mr. Nova."
She pointed toward him.
"Do not train."
Keith opened his mouth, the healer raised a finger.
"Don't."
Keith immediately closed his mouth, Maki giggled.
"I told you."
The healer continued.
"Your body may feel considerably better now, but you're still weak. Your mana pathways need time to recover, and your muscles need proper rest."
She glanced toward Maki.
"Normally, I'd keep you here for the entire remaining three days."
Keith nodded.
"Understood."
"But..."
She smiled faintly.
"I'm confident you'll be in capable hands."
Maki immediately raised her hand again.
"I'll nurse him back to health, ma'am!"
The healer chuckled.
"Please do."
She turned back to Keith.
"I'll arrange your discharge. Just remember to take your medicine after every meal."
Keith nodded obediently.
"Yes, ma'am."
"And plenty of rest."
"Yes, ma'am."
"No training."
Keith hesitated.
"...Yes, ma'am."
Maki narrowed her eyes.
"That hesitation sounded suspicious."
Keith sighed.
"I said yes."
The healer smiled.
"Good."
She began gathering her medical supplies.
"Then you're officially discharged."
Keith released a relieved breath.
"Finally."
Maki smiled.
"Come on."
She moved beside him.
"I've got you."
Keith glanced at her.
"...You really are taking this seriously, aren't you?"
Maki looked at him with a gentle smile.
"Of course."
She paused.
"...You're my friend."
Keith smiled.
"Yeah."
He slowly stood.
His legs felt weak, but they held. Maki immediately reached out and steadied him.
"Easy."
"I'm fine."
"You're allowed to admit when you're not."
Keith chuckled.
"Apparently."
Together, they slowly made their way toward the infirmary exit. Behind them, the healer watched with a knowing smile.
"Those two..."
She shook her head.
"That boy is going to have a very difficult time disobeying his healer."
A pause.
"...Especially with her watching him."
After Keith and Maki had made it to the dorm, Keith lay down on his bed, the cool sheets a relief against his aching muscles. Maki helped him, carefully adjusting the pillow beneath his head, her touch lingering a second longer than necessary.
"Thanks a lot, Maki. Sorry for burdening you."
Maki stood silent, her silhouette framed by the dim light filtering through the curtains. Then her knees finally gave out. She collapsed onto the floor beside his bed, her composure crumbling like dry clay.
"Maki?" Keith pushed himself up slightly, concern etching his features.
She grabbed his sleeve, her fingers trembling as they twisted into the fabric.
"I'm glad... I'm so glad you survived."
When she said that, her voice cracked, and whatever remaining worries she had left shattered completely. Tears she'd been holding back spilled over, tracing silver paths down her cheeks.
Keith's chest tightened. He'd never seen Maki like this—so raw, so unguarded. She was always the composed one, the pillar everyone leaned on. Seeing her break down because of him stirred something deep and unfamiliar in his gut.
"Don't worry, Maki. I promise not to worry you like that ever again."
Then she definitely looked at him—really looked. Her tear-streaked eyes locked onto his with an intensity that made his breath catch.
"I'll get back at you for this someday."
"Please don't. I beg you, I wouldn't want to lose you."
Maki froze. Something about what he just said made her freeze in place, her fingers still clutching his sleeve like a lifeline.
"Really? What do you mean by that?"
Keith only just realized how he sounded and immediately turned red, the heat creeping up his neck like wildfire.
"I mean it's not like, I just meant, uh... don't ever get hurt, that's it."
Then he thought to himself
What the heck, man? You just sounded like you confessed. It's not like I see Maki in that way, right?
Then he glanced at her.
She looked vulnerable. Her expression was slightly confused, like a curious little kitten trying to understand something beyond its comprehension. Her silver hair had come loose from its usual neat arrangement, strands framing her face in disarray. Her cheeks were flushed from crying, and her lips—slightly parted, glistening—made his heart stutter.
And then the memory hit him like a freight train.
The bunk fall a weeks ago.
When she'd tumbled from the top bunk directly onto him, when she'd landed straddling him, her pajamas in complete disarray. The thin strap of her tank top had slipped off one shoulder, exposing the delicate curve of her collarbone and the soft swell of her chest. Her silver hair cascaded around them like a curtain, creating a private world where only they existed. He remembered the warmth of her body pressed against his, the way her breath had hitched as she realized their position, and the faint scent of jasmine and soap that clung to her skin.
His face turned beet red, the heat spreading down his neck and pooling in his chest.
"Keith? Are you okay?"
Maki leaned closer, concern knitting her brow. She placed her forehead against his, her cool skin a startling contrast to his burning face.
"You don't have a fever, do you?"
Keith nearly exploded. Her proximity was overwhelming—he could smell her shampoo, could see every fleck of gold in her blue eyes, could feel her breath ghosting across his lips.
"I'm fine, thanks." His voice came out strangled.
"But your face is red."
"Probably just the heat."
"If you say so."
She pulled back, and he immediately missed her warmth. Then her mood shifted instantly, professionalism snapping back into place like a mask.
"Alright, let me have the food I bought ready, wait right here, let me change real quick."
She walked to the bathroom, her footsteps deliberate and steady. When she closed the door, she placed her hands on her chest, feeling her heart threaten to burst through her ribs.
"I'm so relieved I could die," she whispered to her reflection. Then she straightened, squaring her shoulders. "Alright, Akira. Today, you'll just feed him what you got. Tomorrow you'll be the chef, you had lots of practice, so you'll have to shine."
She changed quickly, swapping her wrinkled shirt for a loose apron she kept in her bag. As she tied the strings behind her back, she caught her reflection again and paused. Her cheeks were still flushed, and there was a glimmer in her eyes she couldn't quite suppress.
Meanwhile, Keith was spiraling in his mind.
Why only now am I noticing these things?
He groaned, pressing his palms against his eyes.
The image of her on top of him, her hair spilling around them like liquid moonlight, her soft skin burning against his—it was seared into his memory.
And now, watching her walk away earlier, he'd noticed the gentle sway of her hips, the way her shirt had clung to the curve of her waist. He'd never paid attention to those details before. Now he couldn't stop.
"Get it together," he muttered to himself.
"She's just Maki. Your friend. Your partner."
But even as he said it, he knew he was lying.
Because the way she'd looked at him just now, tears in her eyes and her heart on her sleeve, had changed everything and he had no idea what to do about it.
The first day of recovery began with one simple rule, Keith was not allowed to do anything. Unfortunately, Keith had a problem with following simple rules.
Day One
Maki placed a steaming bowl of soup in front of him.
"Eat."
Keith looked at the bowl, then at Maki, then back at the bowl.
"...What is it?"
"Soup."
"I can see that."
"Then why did you ask?"
"...Fair."
He picked up the spoon, Maki watched him carefully. Keith took one bite.
"...This is actually really good."
Maki smiled proudly.
"Of course it is."
"You made it?"
"Yep."
Keith stared at her.
"...You can cook?"
"Excuse me?"
"I just didn't know."
Maki placed her hands on her hips.
"I can cook!"
"I've just never seen you cook."
"Because you always do it."
Keith paused.
"...Oh."
Maki smiled.
"Exactly."
She sat across from him, Keith looked at her closely and remembered last night.
Okay. Okay. It's fine. That was a one-time brain malfunction. People say weird things when they're tired and beat up. That's all that was.
"And don't even think about getting out of bed."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
"I wasn't."
"You looked at the door."
Keith slowly looked toward the door.
"...Coincidence."
Maki narrowed her eyes.
"Keith."
"...Yes?"
"Stay."
He sighed.
"Yes, Mama."
Maki froze.
"...What did you just call me?"
Keith immediately realized his mistake.
"...Nothing."
She stared at him, then slowly smiled.
"Interesting."
"Forget I said it."
"I'll remember it forever."
"Please don't."
Later that afternoon, Keith tried to stand. His legs immediately trembled, Maki caught him before he could fall.
"Whoa!"
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not!"
She carefully helped him back onto the bed.
"You nearly fell."
"I just need to get my strength back."
"You'll get it back by resting."
"I hate resting."
"I know."
She placed a cup of water beside him.
"That's why I'm here."
Keith looked at her.
"...You really don't have to stay beside me all day."
"I know."
"Then why are you?"
Maki smiled.
"Because I want to."
Keith went quiet.
"...Thanks."
That evening, Maki checked his temperature.
Then his mana.
Then his pulse.
Then his temperature again.
Keith stared at her.
"...You already checked that."
"I know."
"Then why are you checking again?"
"Because I'm worried."
"You don't have to worry that much."
Maki's smile disappeared.
"Yes, I do."
Keith fell silent.
She gently adjusted his blanket.
"After what happened..."
Her voice became quieter.
"...I'm not taking any chances."
Keith looked away.
"I'm sorry."
Maki shook her head.
"Don't apologize."
She smiled faintly.
"Just get better."
Day Two
The next morning, Keith woke up to an unfamiliar sound.
Clatter.
Clang.
Crash.
He slowly opened his eyes.
"...Maki?"
Another crash came from the kitchen.
"I'm fine!"
Keith stared at the ceiling.
"...I didn't ask."
"I'm still fine!"
"...That's reassuring."
A few minutes later, Maki emerged carrying a plate.
She looked extremely proud.
"Breakfast!"
Keith looked at it.
"...What is that?"
"Eggs."
"They look..."
He searched for the right word.
"...Creative."
Maki's smile vanished.
"Are you saying they look bad?"
"No."
Keith immediately picked up his fork.
"They look delicious."
Maki smiled again.
"Good."
Keith took a bite.
He paused.
"..."
Maki leaned forward.
"Well?"
"...They're actually good."
Her face lit up.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I knew it!"
She threw both fists into the air.
"Chef Maki!"
Keith chuckled.
"You seem way too proud."
"I just successfully cooked something without burning it."
"...That's worth celebrating."
After breakfast, Maki brought out his medicine, Keith stared at it suspiciously.
"...Do I have to?"
"Yes."
"Can't I skip it?"
"No."
"Just this once?"
"No."
"What if—"
"No."
Keith sighed.
"You've become terrifying."
Maki smiled sweetly.
"Open."
Keith reluctantly took the medicine, she immediately handed him water.
"Good."
Keith stared at her.
"...You're treating me like a child."
"You're behaving like one."
"...Fair."
That afternoon, Keith woke from a nap and found Maki sitting beside his bed reading. For once, she was completely silent, Keith watched her for a few moments.
"You've been here the entire time?"
Maki looked up.
"Hm?"
"You haven't gone anywhere?"
"I went to get lunch."
"...That's it?"
"Pretty much."
Keith frowned.
"You should go outside."
"I'm fine."
"You've been taking care of me for two days."
"And?"
"You need rest too."
Maki smiled.
"I'm resting."
"Reading isn't resting."
"It is for me."
Keith sighed.
"You really are stubborn."
She smiled.
"So are you."
That night, Keith woke up briefly, the room was dark.
Maki was asleep in the chair beside his bed, her head tilted against the backrest. Keith stared at her quietly, she looked exhausted. He carefully reached for the blanket and pulled it over her.
"...You worry too much."
Maki stirred slightly.
"Mmm..."
Keith smiled.
"...Thanks, Maki."
She didn't wake but she smiled faintly in her sleep.
Day Three
By the third morning, Keith could finally stand without his legs shaking. He took a few careful steps, Maki watched from across the room.
"See?"
She smiled.
"You're getting better."
Keith nodded.
"I told you I'd recover."
"You also told me you were fine when you could barely stand."
"...That's different."
"No, it isn't."
Keith laughed.
Maki walked beside him as he slowly crossed the room.
"Easy."
"I'm walking, not fighting a dragon."
"Considering your track record, I'm not taking chances."
Keith stopped.
"...You know, you've gotten really bossy."
"Good."
"That's not something to be proud of."
"It is when you're involved."
Keith laughed.
Later that day, Maki prepared lunch. This time, Keith helped by sitting at the table and doing absolutely nothing.
"Can I at least help?"
"No."
"Cut some vegetables?"
"No."
"Stir something?"
"No."
"Carry a plate?"
"No."
"...Breathe?"
Maki paused.
"...Fine."
Keith smiled.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
That afternoon, they sat beside the window, Keith looked outside.
"The academy starts again soon."
Maki nodded.
"Yep."
"I'm actually looking forward to it."
She looked at him suspiciously.
"You're not planning on training the moment we get there, are you?"
"..."
"Keith."
"I was thinking about it."
"No."
"Just a little."
"No."
"Maybe some light—"
"Absolutely not."
Keith sighed.
"You've become my personal prison guard."
Maki smiled.
"Someone has to keep you alive."
Keith looked at her.
"...You really were scared, weren't you?"
Maki's smile faded. For a moment she said nothing, then she nodded.
"Yeah."
She looked down at her hands.
"More than I've ever been."
Keith's expression softened, then she smiled.
"But you're here."
Keith nodded.
"I'm here."
Maki looked at him.
"Good."
She leaned back against the chair.
"That's all I wanted."
That evening, Keith stood on his own for several seconds. Maki watched proudly.
"See? You're practically back to normal."
"Not quite."
"But close."
Keith smiled.
"Thanks to you."
Maki blinked.
"...Me?"
"Yeah."
He smiled sincerely.
"You took care of me for three days."
"You would've done the same for me."
Keith didn't hesitate.
"Of course."
Maki looked away, her cheeks warmed slightly.
"...Idiot."
"What?"
"Nothing."
She stood up.
"Come on. Dinner."
Keith followed her.
"You're still going to make me take my medicine, aren't you?"
"Obviously."
"...I knew it."
Maki laughed.
And for the first time since the battle, the dorm felt completely normal again.
No hospital.
No fear.
No desperate prayers.
Just the two of them.
And somehow, Keith found himself thinking that maybe being cared for wasn't so bad after all.
Especially when it was Maki doing it.
The weekend passed by in a blur of medicine, meals, and Maki's increasingly strict supervision.
Keith spent the next several days recovering in the dorm, barely allowed to leave his bed. Maki made sure he ate properly, took his medicine after every meal, and got enough sleep. She was relentless—a silver-haired drill sergeant disguised as a concerned friend.
Any time Keith even mentioned training, she immediately shut him down with a glare that could freeze molten steel.
"You're not going anywhere until the healers clear you," she'd said, arms crossed, voice leaving no room for argument. By the end of the week, Keith had missed every class, but eventually, after another examination, the healers finally cleared him to return.
The following morning, the familiar doors of Elite Class opened. Keith stepped inside alongside Maki.
For a moment, nobody said anything.
The morning light streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor. Dust motes danced in the golden rays. The chalkboard still had yesterday's lesson scrawled across it in elegant script.
Then—
"Hey..."
Someone slowly turned around.
"It's Nova."
Another student looked up from their desk.
"He's finally back."
The classroom gradually fell silent as everyone stared at him, pencils stopped moving, conversations died mid-sentence. Even the birds outside seemed to pause.
Keith stopped in his tracks.
"...Why is everyone looking at me?"
Maki glanced around, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Because they watched you nearly get yourself killed."
Keith winced.
"...When you put it that way, it sounds worse."
"It was worse."
"Thanks."
Several students immediately abandoned their seats and began approaching him.
"Nova!"
"You actually came back!"
"How are you feeling?"
"Are you really okay?"
"I thought you were going to be stuck in the infirmary for weeks!"
Keith raised both hands defensively, taking a step back.
"Whoa, one at a time!"
A student looked him over carefully, eyes scanning from head to toe.
"You seriously look much better."
"I'm still a little sore," Keith admitted, rolling his shoulder experimentally. It twinged, but nothing like the white-hot agony from before.
"After that?" The student shook his head in disbelief. "I would've been terrified to fight again. You're insane, you know that?"
Keith gave an awkward smile.
"Yeah... I'm not planning on fighting anyone anytime soon."
Another student crossed his arms, leaning against a desk.
"I still can't believe you did that."
Keith blinked.
"Did what?"
"Beat Headmaster Gathar."
The classroom immediately became lively again, voices overlapping in excited chatter.
"You were insane!"
"That final attack!"
"When you activated that technique, I couldn't even see you move!"
"I thought you'd been killed when you landed!"
"That impact nearly destroyed the entire arena!"
Keith scratched the back of his head, feeling heat creep up his neck.
"...I may have gotten a little carried away."
"A little?!"
The entire class practically shouted at once.
Keith flinched.
"Okay! Okay! I get it!"
Maki covered her mouth, shoulders shaking as she tried and failed to hide her laughter. Her sapphire blue mooneyes crinkled at the corners, and for a moment, the ever-present weight on her shoulders seemed to lift.
Keith looked at her.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little," she admitted, her voice muffled behind her hand.
"You were crying."
His voice softened.
Her smile disappeared. Her hand dropped to her side.
"...Don't remind me."
A brief silence settled between them—heavy with unspoken words, with things they both wanted to say but couldn't. One of the students suddenly spoke up.
"Actually..."
Everyone looked toward him. The student, a wiry boy with glasses, pushed them up his nose.
"I think we should be thanking him."
Keith raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
The student glanced toward the ruined arena outside the classroom windows. Chunks of stone were still scattered across the grounds, and a massive crater marked where Keith's final attack had landed. Workers in hard hats were already beginning repairs, but the evidence of that battle remained stark and undeniable.
"Because you showed us what a real high-level battle looks like," the student said quietly.
Another student nodded, her voice thoughtful.
"We've spent years hearing about powerful mages, but watching Headmaster Gathar fight firsthand..." She shuddered. "That was completely different. The way he moved, the way he commanded the elements—it was like watching a force of nature."
"And then Nova actually stood against him."
"Not just stood against him." Another student corrected, eyes wide with admiration. "He won."
Keith became increasingly uncomfortable with the praise.
"I just did what I had to."
Selena, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange from the front of the classroom, finally spoke.
"And that is precisely why you're here."
Everyone turned toward her. She stood with her arms folded, her posture immaculate, her expression unreadable. The morning light caught her auburn hair, making it gleam like burnished copper.
"Nova."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"You demonstrated extraordinary ability during that duel."
Keith smiled faintly.
"But?"
Selena's expression became serious.
"But you also demonstrated an alarming disregard for your own safety."
Keith's smile disappeared.
"Ah."
Maki immediately nodded.
"Exactly."
Keith glanced at her.
"You're supposed to be on my side."
"I am." She met his gaze evenly. "I'm showing it by agreeing with Selena."
Selena sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Whatever that technique was, do not use it again without understanding the consequences. You nearly destroyed yourself, Nova. If the healers had been even a minute later—"
She didn't finish the sentence.
She didn't need to.
Keith became quiet. He remembered the grey spiritual energy surging through his veins. The overwhelming speed that had made the world blur into streaks of light and shadow. The moment his body had finally given out, every muscle screaming, every nerve on fire.
And Maki's voice, cutting through the darkness.
Don't you dare even think of giving up.
His gaze shifted toward her. She was staring at the floor, her hands clenched at her sides.
"...I understand," he said quietly.
Selena nodded, satisfied. "Good."
She turned toward the rest of the class, her voice sharpening with authority. "Now, enough interrogation. Everyone take your seats."
The students began returning to their desks, the excited chatter fading into murmured whispers.
Keith finally walked toward his usual seat near the window. As he sat down, the familiar worn wood of the desk felt almost comforting.
Maki took the seat beside him.
She quietly leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Welcome back."
Keith glanced at her. Her silver hair fell across her cheek, and her eyes—those silver eyes that had haunted his dreams—were soft.
"...Thanks."
She smiled. It was small, fragile, but real. "It's nice having you here again."
Keith smiled back. "Yeah."
For the first time since the duel, the classroom felt normal again.
Well...
Almost normal.
A student from the back suddenly called out.
"Nova!"
Keith looked over.
"What?"
"He even awarded you 200 gold credits."
The student grinned.
"You're rich now."
Keith blinked.
"Yeah."
Selena sighed loudly.
"...And we're back."
Keith leaned toward Maki, lowering his voice.
"This is going to be hard."
Maki grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Oh most definitely."
Keith groaned.
"Great."
He buried his face in his arms, ignoring the continued whispers and pointed stares. Selena clapped her hands together, the sharp sound cutting through the noise like a blade.
"Alright, brats, can I have your attention."
Everyone froze up.
The classroom went silent. Even the birds outside seemed to hold their breath, Selena smiled a smile that made several students instinctively lean back in their seats.
"You guys need to get ready."
She paused for dramatic effect, letting the anticipation build.
"For the upcoming Interschool Magic Arts and Sword Arts Festival."
A beat of silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!"