Chapter 24: The Kindness of Light
Kael collapsed on the ground, his limbs heavy and his chest heaving with exhaustion.
The ache of overtraining wrapped around his body like chains.
All around him, the field slowly emptied.
Some students slipped off toward the classrooms for the shade, dragging their tired bodies along the stone paths.
Others made a beeline for the water stations, washing sweat from their faces and gulping down mouthfuls of relief.
Elysia was calmly talking with Edwin and Jin Halden near the edge of the school grounds, just after the laps.
But Kael stayed where he was—flat on his back, unable to move.
Then something changed.
A cool, tingling sensation spread over his skin. A soft light pulsed gently at his chest, like waves brushing against the shore.
The tightness in his muscles loosened.
The sharp throb in his legs vanished.