The healers arrived in a rush—the same trio from earlier.
The brown-haired woman, a Wind Healer, led the way, followed by the Water specialist and the Earth specialist.
"Did we make it in time?" the Wind Healer asked, a little breathless.
The pierced lady went straight to me, her hands glowing faintly as she scanned my arms, my neck, even my hair for injuries.
"Astraga, sweetheart, are you alright? You poor thing—such a brave young man!" she said.
I shook my head. "I'm not brave, ma'am. I just… watched while they protected me."
Father knelt beside me and took my hands gently.
"Ehh, don't say that," he murmured, smiling. "At your age, you're supposed to be protected. It's not your burden yet. You are literally four."
He said it like a reminder—to me, to them, to himself.
The pierced lady nodded immediately.
"He's right. Sometimes watching is the smartest and safest thing you can do. Staying out of the fight was the best choice."
Maybe… but she didn't know.
