For the rest of the week, Klien remained at the Infirmary with me and no one visited. In the remaining four days, the castle was attacked twice but it was not as intense as the one we had witnessed.
During the four days I had gotten used to Klien's presence and I also managed to knock out a few extra pieces of information on how my severed limbs were recovered and reattached. It was stunning to find out an earth realm healer was in this place.
Many may not know it but just as mages are rare amongst humans, healers are rare amongst mages. Only a handful of people walk the path of a healer.
But then it made sense a powerful healer was stationed here. With the kind of monsters out here only a powerful healer can hold down a fort.
In the blink of an eye, eight days had passed by since we arrived at Castle Black and someone else other than Klien, visited me. She was one of the figures seated on the table when we first arrived. The lady had chestnut hair with a petite build endowed with robust assets. Her robes were a mixture of white and golden and I frowned upon noticing the chaplet tied to har wrist—it bore the carvings of the sword, shield, spear and bow at each edge of the cross.
She walked up to my bed and took my arm without saying a word. I watched her dismantle the limb support before undoing the bandages.
"Your friend found your arm and leg but not in perfect condition. Because of that, your right limbs are an inch shorter than the left." She finally spoke up but her words made me glance at Klein who looked away.
The lady didn't even stop to assess my reaction. She moved to my leg and began dismantling the limb support while I was left wondering if my ears were playing tricks on me.
My chest went cold and my eyes narrowed. There was a visible scar around my elbow which was the point of reattachment. A scar that would never leave my body
"Wh-what d–oes it mea—n?" I stuttered and she froze.
The lady gazed into my eyes with an indifference built over years of delivering this kind of news to hundreds of even thousands of people.
"It means you will limp slightly. Over time, this will cause strain on your hips, knees, and spine—leading to pain and reduced mobility as you grow older. With an arm that is shorter, even slightly, it could throw off your fighting stance, reach, or weapon handling. In summary, if you ever entertained the dream of becoming a magic knight. Abandon it."
She was cold and ruthless, even when delivering a soul crushing news to a child. However, her eyes dilated slightly as she realized my surprise didn't go beyond what I had already shown. In fact, it dwindled.
I calmly nodded and leaned back on the hospital bed with a dull face. There was no sadness or anger, just indifference. The healer didn't pry and just undid my bandages and left.
Once again, the room was quiet with Klien and I staring at each other. There was no pity in his eyes and strangely it made me feel better. If he apologized I would have been more irritated than I already am.
"Your zephyr rings can substitute for your legs on the battlefield." Klien broke the silence first. "By the way, nice spell."
Pushing my hair back, I nodded with a small smile.
"True… but I'll have to use a cane when walking, to reduce the strain on my spine." I chuckled lightly and a thought crossed my mind.
How would Lord William react when he gets the news?
"True." Klien nodded slightly and the awkward silence returned.
But it only lasted for a few seconds before Klien's let his intrusive thoughts win.
"Learning you have to walk with a cane after walking normally all your life must be depressing."
I wasn't sure if this was a question or just his thoughts. Thankfully, before I could ask the door creaked open and two figures walked in. It was Lord Hugo and the Colonel who never takes off his armor. However, there was something different about their gaze—it carried a ting of respect.
Why is everyone coming to see me now?
Klien stood up and gave a small bow. I tried to move but the Colonel swiftly stopped me.
"That is not necessary." He said in a low voice.
"In fact, we and every occupant of this tower owes you two thanks for your…." Hugo's voice trailed off as it glanced at the scars on my arm and leg. "Bravery and sacrifice."
Hugo gestured for Klien to sit down before he continued.
"I'm sure you have been informed of the actions of your colleges and the punishment that will follow?" Hugo asked and I nodded.
"Do we get a reward?" I asked while showing off my scars. "For all the trouble?"
Hugo nodded with a stiff face before responding.
"For you, yes." Hugo said before turning his gaze to Klien. "But I can't say the same for your friend. We are still torn on whether to punish him by the martial law or let the empire handle the case."
Thud!
The door suddenly yanked open as a few black guards marched in with their shields and halberds pointed at Klein, leaving everyone stunned.
I wasn't sure what was more surprising, the armed soldiers president's apprehension of a student or the fact that Klien remained calm in this situation. His self-control was greater than mine and he didn't have the help of the death magic to numb his emotions.
The kid was just fearless.
"What is this?" I asked with a frown.
I wasn't sure why I spoke up for Klien but I felt it was insulting for someone who risked his life on the battlefield to be treated in this manner. Especially one that fought by my side.
"Forgive me for not coming to see you earlier, Young master Blackwood but we were stuck between defending the castle while investigating the death of all fifty black guards under Lt. Thomas's command and you will be stunned to realize they all died of blood loss."
Buzz!
My eyes dilated with shock as a memory flashed before my eyes—Lt. Thomas gasped for air while blood flowed out of all the gaps in his armor. It wasn't just him, Klien had drained everyone there of their blood.
"You were aware?" Hugo raised an eyebrow upon noticing my reaction and I nodded, not afraid to hide it.
"The black devil had just broken into the barrier and our combined spells failed to protect us and the black guard. They were all in critical condition. It was them or Klien, he made a choice which resulted in our victory against the beast." I argued.
Strangely, Hugo didn't rebuke me. Instead he wore a look of realization and nodded silently. This time, it was the armored Colonel that approached and passed parchment to me before speaking.
"That would have been understandable if that were the case. But the autopsy provided to us shows that up to fifteen of black guards were lightly injured and another five were deeply injured but they were not fatal." The Colonel said. "If your friend did not make that decision, at least twenty Black Guards would have survived the tragedy of a week ago, including Lt. Thomas!"
Buzz!
My expression darkened as I realized the implications of the Colonel's words. Klien will be charged for the murder of 30 Black Guards while Leo and Lucy will be labeled deserters.
All in the space of a week?
It's one thing to humiliate the prince but going after three out of four anomalies within the Loth Kingdom, after nearly crippling the fourth won't sit well with the kingdom nobles.
This is not just about royalty, it had to do with the kingdom's brightest minds being snuffed out by one military officer!