Chapter 36: Recuperating
Later that evening, as the moon of the kingdom began it’s slow ascent into the dusky sky, casting a silvery glow over the academy, Lucas sat alone on his bed, shirtless, quietly examining the fading bruise on his arm from the earlier duel. The defensive rune on his robe had taken the worst of the strike, but Princess Nyx’s ice spear had still managed to bruise his flesh and jar his bones. He had hidden it well throughout the rest of the day, but the dull ache had lingered.
Lira had applied a cooling salve the moment she noticed the injury. Her hands had been gentle, her eyes full of concern, but Lucas had reassured her with a small smirk and a simple, "I’ve taken worse."
Now that the dormitory was quiet and his roommates were off somewhere—likely still bragging about the earlier duel—Lucas took a deep breath and let the silence surround him. He crossed his legs, let his body relax, and sank into the familiar state of meditation. The pain was still there, but he welcomed it. Pain reminded him that he was alive... and growing.
The clash with Princess Nyx had stirred something inside him—something fierce and hungry. It wasn’t just the excitement of battle. It was the realization that he could stand toe-to-toe with someone in the Expert Rank... while still being an Adept. That duel had pushed his mind, body, and spirit past its limits, and now his meridians hummed with energy that hadn’t yet settled.
He wasn’t going to let it go to waste.
As he steadied his breath, he began to draw in Qi from his surroundings. He could feel it brushing against his skin like a breeze, whispering at his soul, eager to be taken in.
With each slow inhale, streams of Qi entered his body—rivers of vitality coursing through his meridians. He directed it slowly, carefully, letting it flow and spread, reinforcing damaged tissue, strengthening his core. His dual cultivation technique stirred to life within him, quietly circulating Qi with eerie precision. Even though Selene wasn’t near, her Yin energy from the previous night still lingered within him, tucked deep inside like a glowing ember waiting to be reignited.
"I need more of that..." he thought briefly, before pushing the desire aside. Now wasn’t the time.
Beads of sweat formed on his brow as the flow of Qi intensified. His heart beat steady, resonating with each pulsing wave of energy.