What's going on?
The thought wasn't calm—it was jagged, sharp, cutting into her mind with each frantic heartbeat.
Where am I?
Where is this?
Is this real?
Her breath hitched, and before she could process more—
Cough…! Cough…!
The sound dragged her attention back to him.
"S–Senior Riley!" she cried, her voice cracking.
She scrambled to her knees beside him, the meadow's soft grass bending under her weight as she pressed her hands desperately to the gaping wound in his chest and arm.
Warm, wet life spilled between her fingers.
He chuckled—a low, rasping sound that hurt to hear. "Haha… Senior, huh… it's been a long time since the last time I've heard you call me that."
"Quiet down for now," she snapped, voice trembling. "This will hurt for a bit."
Her mana flared before she even thought to stop it.
Flames burst from her palms, casting a flickering orange glow over his bloodied skin.
