Nova was in the guild infirmary, his eyes stinging from the light on the ceiling. The pain wasn't really sharp, just constant. Yesterday's chaos had left him drained and puzzled, and Draco's "gift," the core, still felt like it was in his veins, just ready to be unleashed. It was power, sure, but power that came with a price.
Nova sat on the edge of the bed, his fingertips pressing into his forehead, trying to steady his breathing. At his feet, the kittens purred, their tiny bodies grounding him more than any potion could. Elesch stood close by, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder, eyes sharp and steady.
"You still look like you wrestled a bear and lost," Zane said from across the room, towel around his neck. He'd just finished warming up, his movements still "delayed." He absorbed a yellow mana crystal.
Michael laughed quietly beside him, frost gathering on his fingertips. "He's not wrong."
