บท 17: I was just lucky
Above in the Observation Deck.
"Is he… healing it?" Maria muttered, her blue hair falling into her eyes as she leaned closer to the barrier, her sharp eyes glued to Khalil.
The white-haired elder frowned, his expression unreadable but tinged with awe. "He's not just healing," he said quietly, his tone both impressed and cautious. "He's pushing his powers far beyond what they should be capable of at this time. Extraordinary… and reckless."
Lily stood nearby, her hands clasped tightly together as she observed the unfolding scene below. Her wide eyes reflected a mixture of worry and fascination. She had long heard tales of individuals capable of using their bond's powers right from the start—legends of prodigies deemed monsters for their strength and potential. And yet, seeing one in the flesh made her heart race.
"He's really doing it…" she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
Khalil, meanwhile, trembled under the strain. His teeth clenched, and sweat dotted his brow as he channeled the last vestiges of the strange energy inside him into the shield. It shimmered one final time, the golden light flowing over the serpent in a final, healing wave. The creature hissed softly—a sound of relief—as its injuries vanished completely, leaving behind pristine, unbroken scales.
As the golden glow faded, Khalil staggered, the strain too much for his body to handle. His glowing eyes dimmed, and his knees buckled beneath him.
"Boy!" Maria's voice was sharp, her body tensing as she prepared to move.
But it seems the principal was faster. In a blur, he appeared back in the deck and caught Khalil just as he collapsed, cradling the boy with surprising gentleness.
"He's pushed himself too far," the principal murmured, his expression soft as he studied Khalil's pale face. The faint, rhythmic rise and fall of his chest reassured him that the boy was still breathing, though completely drained.
"It's amazing he held on this long," the white-haired elder muttered, his tone a mix of respect and curiosity. "Defending and healing simultaneously… He's really something."
Maria nodded, her sharp demeanor softened for a moment. "A monster, indeed."
The principal adjusted Khalil carefully in his arms before straightening. "Continue the ceremony," he said firmly, his voice breaking through the awe-stricken silence of the observation deck. "I'll send him somewhere safe to recover and return shortly."
With that, he turned and exited the deck through a hidden passage.
---
Outside the Ceremony Hall
The principal emerged from a concealed portal entrance behind the ceremony hall. His figure was composed as ever, but his eyes held a deeper, contemplative glint as he stepped into the quiet exterior of the academy grounds.
He paused and raised his hand, summoning a bird-type magical beast. A crackle of energy filled the air, and a magnificent creature appeared before him—a massive bird with electric-blue feathers that shimmered with streaks of lightning dancing along its wings. The beast let out a sharp screech, its yellow eyes fixated on him.
The principal placed Khalil gently into the bird's waiting talons, ensuring the boy was secured in its protective grasp. He placed a hand on the bird's beak, his voice low but commanding. "Take him to my villa. Protect him and keep him company till I return."
The bird let out another screech, its wings spreading wide as it lifted Khalil effortlessly. With a powerful leap and a gust of wind that ruffled the principal's robes, it took off into the sky, lightning trailing in its wake.
The principal stood still, his gaze fixed on the receding figure of the boy. His lips pressed into a thin line before he murmured to himself, "Could it be… the end is near?" His tone was grave, as though the weight of some ancient prophecy hung over his thoughts.
---
"..."
"Ka..."
"..l..."
"K..em.."
"!"
Khalil's eyes snapped open abruptly, his chest heaving as he drew in a sharp breath. For a moment, he lay still, blinking at the unfamiliar ceiling above him. Slowly, he sat up, wincing at the dull ache radiating through his body.
Looking around, he realized he was lying in a spacious, luxurious guest room. The walls were lined with soft cream-colored patterns, and the bed he was on was massive, draped in silken sheets that felt cool against his skin. Large windows to his left let in the warm glow of sunlight, casting a serene ambiance.
"So… it wasn't a dream after all," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
He leaned back against the headboard, his mind racing as fragments of memory resurfaced. The game. The revelation of his death and the impossible mission. The sudden surge of power when he'd stepped forward to protect the girl and her bond. The golden shield. The healing. And finally, the crushing exhaustion as he'd fainted after completing his task.
Khalil clenched his fists, his glowing eyes momentarily flickering in his memory. "The Guardian of Light…" he whispered. "Thank you for lending me your power...."
A part of him felt awe at what he'd accomplished, but another part felt dread.
The strain of controlling such power had pushed him to his limits, and he couldn't help but wonder if it had been too much. Yet, despite the pain and exhaustion, a sense of satisfaction lingered. He had protected the serpent bond and its tamer, proving that not all Darkness-element creatures were evil.
He found out what might have been the reason for Sira Nightsong to become a villainess and stopped it.
He proved she wasn't evil... at least for now.
He... saved her.
Khalil glanced toward the window, his gaze distant. He knew this was only the beginning. After all, he wasn't sure if Sira wouldn't change. He neither believed he could solve everything like today.
'I was just lucky.'
Lucky, that the Guardian of Light bonded with him and helped him to achieve his purpose - save the villainess and prove the bond wasn't corrupt.
'But... It is still amazing...'
'Amazing that I can help many others who might have been or will be seen as corrupt tamers...'
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