Date: Early Spring, Three Weeks Since the Festival
Location: Academy Dorms, Training Grounds, Northern Courtyard
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The frost is finally gone.
In its place — misty mornings, muddy boots, and pale sunlight that lingers just a little longer.
The Academy called it "recovery season."
But among our team, it's earned a different name.
> "The Season Without War."
No alarms.
No monsters.
No traitors.
Not yet.
Just us… breathing again.
---
My body still aches.
I can move freely now, though the healers insist on weekly inspections. The mana crystal Yukari left behind sits on my desk — humming quietly. It's become my companion. It siphons excess magic from the air and feeds it into me, little by little.
Some days I can almost feel the rhythm returning to my veins.
Other days, I just watch the others grow.
---
Leander was first to shift.
He jokes less now — but only when he thinks no one's watching. He trains every evening with Gideon, sparring until sweat drips from his hair and his blade blurs in the dusk light.
> "If I want to protect anyone next time, I can't just be the sunshine. I need to be the sword too."
I never said it aloud…
But I'm proud of him.
---
Anna has taken over part of the practice field.
It's a mess of floating illusions, fire orbs, and chalk runes.
She's smiling more — and tripping less.
Once, I saw her creating dual illusions of Alice and Riya bickering.
Then real Alice and Riya walked past.
They paused.
Laughed.
It was the first time I saw Alice laugh.
---
Riya still burns things on accident.
But her elemental tuning is changing — instead of raw fire, I've seen her summon petals of flame, gusts of wind that circle around her like dancers.
She caught me watching once and flushed deep red.
> "Don't write that in your journal!"
I probably will.
---
Gideon... still says little.
But I've seen the difference.
He now channels reinforcement magic through his shield — creating shockwaves as he moves, subtle but deadly.
He doesn't talk much.
But during dinner, he now sits a little closer.
He passed me the stew tonight without a word.
It felt like a handshake.
---
Alice and Mireille have become a storm pair.
They train together now — early mornings, late nights. I once watched Alice parry five strikes in a second, her eyes glowing faintly red.
She's sharper.
Colder.
But when Elric placed a scarf on her shoulders during a snowy night, she whispered a small thank you.
And her fangs didn't show.
---
Elric has taken to healing with humor.
He now layers his restoration spells with warmth — both in magic and presence. He's studying barrier magic now too. Said something about protecting our hearts, not just our wounds.
I believe him.
He leaves tea at my bedside when I fall asleep in the library.
Sometimes with dry humor written on the cup.
> "Potatoes shouldn't overthink."
---
Lily.
She hasn't changed outwardly.
But her spells are sharper now — more refined. She's studying soul-sealing techniques with an intensity that worries me.
Last night, she handed me a small rune-inscribed stone.
> "If a Mirror Holder ever touches your mana again — this will burn them."
I stared at her.
She didn't smile. Just said:
> "Don't make me use it."
---
The Academy may think this is just a lull.
But I know better.
These people — my team — are changing.
Growing.
Not for glory.
Not for praise.
But because of me.
Because I almost didn't come back.
---
There are no battles this week.
No enemies.
Just mud and sun and tired laughter in the dorm halls.
But I know what this really is.
It's the quiet before a new war.
And for the first time, I'm not afraid.
Because they're not just pieces on my board anymore.
They're my equals.
My comrades.
My friends.