Somewhere along the journey back to the encampment, Yakeru had passed out. The st thing he remembered was capital guards bursting into the ruined ballroom and field medics springing into action, taking him and the unconscious Kane away.

  He then woke up in an infirmary tent, his senses still organizing the visual and audio information around him. Muddled voices merged with cttering utensils to form an incomprehensible mess of noise. Light from the sunrise funneled through the slit in the tarp, dividing the tent's interior with a wall of soft orange. Traces of the pleasant aroma of seasoned meat wafted through the muggy air.

  "You're awake. Thank goodness." His hearing began to clear as he recognized a familiar voice sounding from his left. Turning his head wasn't as difficult as it was before as most of the soreness had already subsided.

  "Hey, Aoi." He looked around but only saw medics and Fiends, stealing gnces at him while murmuring to one another.

  "Are you feeling any better?"

  "Yeah," he replied curtly as he lifted his body to test the state of his body, startling the healer.

  "What are you doing? Stop!" She gently pushed down on his chest to keep him from sitting up. "Please, you have to rest. You're in no condition to get up and you drained much of your reserves during the battle."

  He winced halfway before ying back down. Looking back at her, he asked, "Where's everyone? Are they okay?"

  "They're quite alright. They went out to eat for the intermission."

  "I see. And what about you? I hope your diversion wasn't too strenuous."

  Aoi stared at him a moment before a soft ugh slipped from her lips, a soothing sound to his ears.

  "What's so funny?" He raised a confused eyebrow.

  "My apologies. It's just that, even in your condition, you're still concerned about everyone else. Kateshi shouldered most of the burden but otherwise, we managed." She decided to omit some information as to not cause him worry. "As for you, although your fight was quite the spectacle, your body..."

  Her eyes traced up his body, the bandages hugging his toned form, until she reached her hands...which lingered on his chest for far longer than she'd intended. Her cheeks fred as she snatched her hands away, whipping her head around to hide her embarrassment.

  "Uh! I, uhm. I mean, the human body isn't designed to handle the immense stress that comes with self-infusion. That was very irresponsible of you."

  "Maybe," Yakeru responded simply, ignoring her strange behavior as he looked down at his own hands.

  The bandages around the hand Kane had stabbed were dyed red while the other was horrifically scarred from forming a radiant gauntlet. Although his bottom half had grown more resilient to self-infusion, the scarring on his hand hinted at what his bandaged top half might've looked like.

  Aoi was right. It was irresponsible of him to resort to self-destructive measures. However, his scars didn't deter him from using self-infusion to such a degree, but rather they'd serve as a reminder to further acclimate his body to better handle the backsh. Once mastered, if the need arises, he'd already have this technique in his back pocket.

  "Oh Yakeru~." His sister's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

  Turning his head, his face dropped. Standing in the entryway, her silhouette exuded a frigid presence that chilled the air. The innocent smile pstered on her face struggled to conceal the hostile aura spilling from her.

  "What did I say about ending up in the infirmary?" Her slow gait practically left a trail of frost that made the patients and medics shiver.

  "Akari, wait," he raised pcating hands. "I can-"

  "Expin? As if I didn't already see the whole thing?"

  Aoi fidgeted awkwardly as Akari unched a verbal assault at her brother. She grew increasingly uncomfortable as the scene drew the gazes of patients and medics alike. After several minutes of berating him, Akari had finally vented most of her frustration.

  By then, Kenji, Fuyumi, Kazeki, and Itsuki came by to check on Yakeru. Kateshi was still banned from entering. Kenji and Kazeki hurried to Yakeru's bedside upon realizing his eyes were open, the two worried and giddied from seeing his astonishing dispy.

  "Are you okay?" Kenji asked, looking over his friend's bandaged body.

  "I'm fine." Yakeru dismissed.

  "That was insane." Kazeki quickly remarked. "The way you moved. And that strength."

  "How did you st that long in that state?" Kenji asked, the two of them leaning over Yakeru in anticipation.

  "Knock it off and give him some space," Itsuki pulled them back by their colrs. "But I have to admit, I'm impressed by your resilience, Yakeru." Itsuki's praise only served to direct Akari's icy gre in his direction, her murderous intent intensifying, making him gulp. "...but that was very reckless. Don't you remember what I said about infusing your entire body?" He amended to avoid her wrath.

  Fuyumi cut through them and ominously stood over Yakeru. He raised a nervous eyebrow. "What?"

  Loading her middle finger, she unleashed it into his forehead with a sharp snap.

  "Ouch! What is it with you guys and flicking me?"

  "What is it with you consistently coming up with horrible ideas?" She countered, earning an eager nod of agreeance from Akari who was standing cross-armed beside her. "Why would you think it'd ever be a good idea to infuse your own body? We have conduits for a reason." Fuyumi scolded.

  Yakeru figured she hadn't been there to see him use Blitz Step if she was this heated. Rubbing the numbed welt on his head, he responded, "I lost my sword so my options were limited. Even after, he still resorted to calling for backup. If you weren't there, it would've turned out very differently. So thank you." His gaze swept across everyone who aided him in his time of need. "All of you."

  Their expressions softened, Fuyumi crossing her arms and looking away. "Whatever."

  After some time, the tarp opened again, pulled apart by two capital guards in bck and blue uniforms lined with gold. Two more guards marched inside then spun to face each other, both snapping at attention.

  Finally, a fifth figure came into view, the atmosphere changing once again as he walked through the tarp. Every eye turned and everyone found themselves straightening subconsciously.

  Councilman Rei Yamato, father of Kane Yamato, walked inside, his stride graceful and refined while his gaudy robes flowed behind him. His authoritative air left the Fiends stiff and the medics bowing respectfully as he casually walked past them, his eyes on the boy before him.

  He didn't so much as lift a finger, letting his presence part the rangers crowding Yakeru's bed. Not bothering to acknowledge those around him, he kept his apathetic gaze on Yakeru. A palpable tension grew as he looked the boy up and down before he finally opened his mouth.

  "It would seem I've underestimated you," the councilman spoke, the silence amplifying his aging voice. "As promised, your ban will be lifted and the Fiends will hand over any outpost of your choosing."

  The Fiends in the tent clenched their bedsheets and grit their teeth upon hearing this but didn't dare argue with the councilman.

  "I didn't expect someone of your...status could pose much of a challenge. So know this," he leaned in slightly so Yakeru could hear him clearly. "If you are to ever step out of your ne again, we won't grant you such leniency again."

  Yakeru's unwavering gaze met his, unbothered by his words. "No? Good to know that even royals are wary of me."

  Rei returned his impudent response with a hardened look of his own, a snarl seeping through his gritted teeth.

  "Councilman," A voice spoke from the entrance.

  Everyone, aside from Rei who was still gring at Yakeru, turned their heads. The guards stamped their spears and saluted as the Sentinel stationed at the encampment walked inside, his presence diffusing most of the tension.

  The Fiends shot up in the beds and gave hurried salutes, some closer than others as they were still recovering from their injuries. Even Yakeru's sister, mentor, and friends found themselves straightening.

  Yakeru couldn't help but recognize this Sentinel, the same one who'd restrained him after his scuffle at the guild.

  "I've just received word that Sentinel Kiyoshi and Sentinel Haruka have just returned from River Town. They're requesting an urgent council meeting to report their findings."

  Rei didn't respond right away as he eyed the boy before stepping back. "Prepare for my departure," Rei ordered, his eyes still on Yakeru a moment before peeling them away.

  The councilman retreated through the tarp along with his Sentinel and guards, the air returning to normal.

  After Yakeru had recovered, the time had come to announce the winners of the Cn Skirmish. The morning sun bnketed the encampment in warm orange.

  Yakeru, along with his teammates, was escorted out into the middle of the encampment, the roaring cheers of the crowd growing louder. Aside from Fuyumi whose cool expression never faltered, they wore a blend of emotions on their faces: excitement, nerves, and pride.

  The crowd exploded into thunderous appuse as they strode down the parted sea of people with a line of guards standing at attention on either side. Knowing full well it'd be impossible, Yakeru couldn't help but scan the hundreds of faces in hopes of spotting his sister but to no avail. Fiends were mixed into the crowd, most of them scowling and eyeing them bitterly.

  Yakeru and Fuyumi ignored their gres as they proceeded casually while Kateshi, Itsuki, and Kazeki stood tall and exuded confidence born from their hard-earned victory. The conjurers were more susceptible to the weight of the attention, causing Kenji to force an awkward smile while beside him, Aoi fidgeted nervously, her hands csped tightly together.

  Moving into a clearing, a grand stage adorned with extravagant decorations came into view. Walking up the stage and standing shoulder to shoulder, Yakeru found a scowling Kane towards the front of the crowd along with his two lieutenants. All eyes turned toward the presenter as he stepped forward, hanging gleaming medals around their necks one by one.

  Kenji and Aoi stifled their ughter as they watched the presenter struggle to reach Kateshi's neck, curing their nervousness. It was only when the giant left him a hand and bent down that the embarrassed presenter was finally able to give him his medal and hurriedly move on.

  Although Itsuki was proud to receive a medal for this monumental achievement, he was especially prideful when Yakeru received his, the moment highlighting his pupil's hard work and effort he put into his training under Itsuki's tutege.

  The medal itself didn't give Yakeru any kind of gratification, however. Seeing Kane, the arrogant, overconfident rich kid now looking up to the commoner seething with outrage was more satisfying than any medal.

  'The irony,' he thought, suppressing a content smirk so he wouldn't come off as smug in front of hundreds.

  Fuyumi kept her cool front while a sense of achievement leaked from Kazeki, Kenji, and Aoi's expressions. After rewarding the team, the presenter stood to the side and pulled out a small cube-shaped artifact from his pocket, allowing it to levitate to his mouth.

  ["Ladies and gentlemen, let's give the winners of the Cn Skirmish another round of appuse!"]

  The encampment burst with cheers and appuse as the rangers stood proudly atop the stage.

  The morning continued with many people showering them with both praise and questions. Yakeru grew increasingly annoyed when asked the same thing again and again.

  "How'd you infuse your body like that?"

  "Didn't it hurt?"

  "What rank are you?"

  "Are you in a cn?"

  He couldn't possibly see Fuyumi putting up with this kind of attention on any kind of regur basis. He thought he'd rely on Kateshi's loud personality to divert some of the attention to him but it barely made a difference. Guards had to intervene pulling and pushing away the crowd that had formed around them.

  Through the crowd, Fuyumi caught glimpses of a familiar face. When the guards weren't paying attention, they made their casual approach.

  Maya stepped through the crowd, a foreboding air trailing behind her. Her predatory scarlet eyes emanated a pressure Fuyumi hadn't felt the first time they'd met, seizing her by the throat.

  Maya stopped in front of her. "I believe you have something of mine."

  Fuyumi hesitated, the psychological torment still fresh in her mind. She reached into her pocket and tentatively handed her the ring she took.

  Maya inspected the ring, a bitter smile forming on her face. "I failed you."

  Fuyumi raised a brow in confusion but before she could get the words out for a response, Maya expined. "I should've been more wary. I should've known that a patient drowning in anguish would resort to such...drastic measures."

  She slipped the ring back on her finger. "As for what I said during your therapy session, don't take my words lightly. If you leave things the way they are, you will come to regret it."

  She turned to leave but not without giving Fuyumi one st gnce over her shoulder, her carnivorous gaze cshing with her gentle smile. "I do hope our paths cross again before that happens so that I may finish your treatment."

  With that, she disappeared into the crowd, the foreboding pressure releasing Fuyumi from its grasp.