I moved through the Academy corridors with my hands buried in my pockets, watching students rush past between classes.
More than a week had passed since I'd woken in the infirmary, and the healers had finally cleared me for full activity like classes, training, the whole routine of normal student life.
My ribs were healed. The mana pathways stabilized. Most of the bandages were gone, except for a few strips on my left forearm where the skin was still tender and pink.
Everything felt simultaneously familiar and strange, like I'd been gone for months instead of weeks.
Also, my hair had grown longer during recovery, falling over my eyes in annoying strands that kept obscuring my vision. I pushed them back irritably for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
I really need a haircut.
Eventually, I stopped in front of a heavy oak door and knocked twice.
"Enter," came the gruff voice from inside.
I stepped through.
