Using the healing bullets, Adrian regrew Ariana's arm. The process itself was swift, almost deceptively so, but he knew better than to assume that meant she was fine.
Even with the arm restored, her body had suffered immense strain. The burns had gone deep, not just into flesh but into mana pathways, and it would still take a few days—perhaps more—for her strength to return fully.
Annabelle's condition, comparatively, was much better. There were no missing limbs, no irreversible damage to her body.
But the cost had been paid elsewhere. She had exhausted her mana reserves far beyond what was considered safe, pushing herself until there was nothing left to draw upon.
For someone like her, recovery was only a matter of time, yet that time could not be rushed. For now, rest was the only remedy.
After speaking at length with the head nurse, Adrian felt a little lighter. The knot in his chest loosened, though it did not disappear. Words and reassurances could only do so much.
