The world returned to her slowly, light first then sound, then pain.
Milly blinked against the brightness above her. The ceiling was white, unfamiliar. A faint scent of herbs and disinfectant filled her nose. For a moment, she didn't remember what had happened… until her gaze shifted sideways.
"Miss Mila! You're awake!"
The small voice came from beside her. One of her Class F students Tira, was leaning over the bed, eyes wide with relief. Behind her stood the rest of her students, each looking exhausted but visibly happy to see their teacher breathing again.
"Tira…? What-" Milly's voice was hoarse. "What are you all… doing here?"
"We heard about the fight in the forest," another student said softly. "They said you were injured really badly. We wanted to see you, ma'am."
Milly gave a small, tired smile. "You shouldn't worry so much, I'm fine, see-"
She tried to sit up.
And froze.
Her breath hitched as she realized something felt… off.
The weight of her body didn't feel balanced. She glanced down, then her heart skipped.
Her right sleeve hung empty, the blanket where her left leg should've been slightly raised but hollow beneath.
Her fingers trembled. "…Oh."
The room went silent. Her students looked down, guilt and worry flashing across their faces.
Just then, the door opened.
"Ah, good. You're awake."
The Sage entered the room, calm but clearly fatigued, a tray floating beside him through light magic. Upon the tray were Milly's missing arm and leg clean, intact, preserved through careful sealing spells that shimmered faintly in blue light.
He placed the tray down beside her bed, the faint hum of magic filling the room.
"You were incredibly lucky, Miss Mila," he said, voice gentle but firm. "Had we arrived a few minutes later, the corruption from that chimera's attack would have spread. You… burned most of it away yourself, though at a cost."
Milly tried to keep her composure, though her voice came out barely steady. "So that's… what happened…"
The Sage nodded. "Indeed. But you'll be whole again soon. I've already prepared the restoration array."
He raised a hand, and runes began to glow across the floor, intricate symbols weaving around the bed. The air turned warm and heavy, threads of light connecting the detached limbs to Milly's body.
Her students watched in awe, stepping back as the room filled with soft radiance.
"You might feel a tingling sensation," the Sage said. "Try to stay still."
Milly nodded faintly, gritting her teeth as the light reached her. It wasn't pain exactly it was heat, like a pulse deep inside her bones. Her arm and leg began to glow faintly, drawn by invisible energy back toward their rightful place.
The Sage's expression softened. "You pushed yourself beyond reason, Miss Mila. Impressive, but reckless."
"I couldn't just stand there," Milly whispered. "If I didn't… those kids-"
"I know," the Sage interrupted gently. "That's what makes you remarkable."
The light slowly dimmed. The air cooled. And Milly could move her fingers again.
Her hand trembled, flexing weakly. Her leg responded too, slow but real. Relief flooded her chest like a wave.
The Sage smiled faintly. "There. You'll need to rest a few days, but you'll recover. No traces of corruption remain."
Milly leaned back, exhausted but smiling. "Thank you… truly."
Her students cheered softly, crowding closer again.
The Sage stood to leave but paused at the door. "Next time, Miss Mila," he said, looking back over his shoulder, "try not to destroy half a forest, yes?"
Milly chuckled weakly. "No promises."
The students laughed. For a moment, the hospital room was warm with relief.
But behind her faint smile, Milly's thoughts drifted to the blinding fire, to the immense power she unleashed, and to that moment she thought she saw something vast and ancient in the flames.
A dragon's shadow.
She pushed the thought aside. For now, she just wanted to rest.