Chapter 30: The Royal Academy Library
As Noah stepped out of the arena’s archway, the roar of murmuring voices still echoing behind him. Arlo fell into step beside him with his usual grin.
"That was amazing!" Arlo said, practically bouncing as he walked. "You really hammered him. Did you see his face? I mean, obviously you did, you were the one punching it. But still!"
Noah didn’t respond.
Instead, he looked down at his arms, where Ben’s blood claws had torn through his sleeves and into skin.
The wounds throbbed with every heartbeat, blood drying against the cloth. His shoulder burned, and his ribs ached. His fists were sore from punching bone.
"How did you dodge the Blood Armament?" Arlo asked again, eyes hidden behind his blindfold but his voice filled with curiosity. "That skill should’ve turned you into minced meat."
Noah kept walking. His voice came quiet, flat. "Which way’s the infirmary?"
Arlo stopped mid-step. "Wait, what?"
"I forgot." Noah said. "My side hurts."
Arlo raised an eyebrow behind the cloth. Then he sighed and snapped his fingers.
Golden light shimmered in the air around Noah, spiraling in reverse.
Noah’s eyes widened as he felt the pain pull backward. His flesh mended as if the wounds were never there. The torn fabric didn’t fix, but the blood turned back into liquid, flowing back into his veins. Even the soreness in his limbs faded away, like breath melting into the wind.