[Content Warning: Self-harm / Graphic Violence]
Aurelia continued,
"Now that you understand, we will begin with healing magic."
"Healing magic is a race against time.
If you are late by even a single second,
that could mean the loss of a life."
"That is why composure and concentration are crucial."
"The key is to visualize the power flowing within your body,
and then transfer that power to the wound.
Do you understand?"
Ryn nodded slightly and tried to follow her words.
He closed his eyes and focused inward.
This time, he did not think of fire, water, or anything external.
Instead, he imagined the power flowing inside his body—
like blood running through his veins.
He repeated the image again and again,
gradually understanding its rhythm,
until he began to grasp how that power should move…
Aurelia allowed him a moment to concentrate,
then called out,
"Sela."
The wooden door opened quietly.
Sela Arcanis stepped into the room
and stopped in front of them both,
her expression calm—
as if she already knew what was about to happen.
Aurelia turned to Ryn.
"You're ready, yes?"
Ryn nodded,
though his heart began to race without him realizing it.
Aurelia then turned to Sela.
Sela gave a small nod,
reached beneath her skirt,
and pulled out a small silver object.
It flashed briefly in the light.
Then she slashed her own left arm.
Bright red blood flowed freely.
Ryn flinched and stepped back half a pace.
His mind went blank.
Not because he was afraid of blood—
but because he hadn't expected the training
to begin like this.
His hands clenched without him noticing.
His breathing faltered…
And in that very instant,
Aurelia's hand pressed firmly over Sela's wound.
A faint blue light glowed.
The bleeding stopped.
The gash closed as if it had never existed,
leaving only a faint red mark on her skin.
Aurelia slowly turned to Ryn.
"Shocked?"
Her voice was calm—
but sharp as a blade.
"On the battlefield,
this kind of thing happens all the time.
To anyone."
"Maintaining composure and being prepared
is more important than any magic," Aurelia said coldly.
"Do not waver."
"No matter what happens next,
or to whom it happens."
Her icy gaze locked onto Ryn.
"Do not waste time in shock.
Heal them as fast as you can.
Every delayed breath
is a lost chance at survival."
Ryn swallowed hard.
A chill ran down his spine.
"Are you ready?"
Before he could answer, Aurelia gave the order.
"Focus."
This time, Ryn did not hesitate.
Not out of fear—
but because he knew that even a single moment of delay
could cost the life in front of him.
He closed his eyes,
let all wandering thoughts fade,
and gathered his mind around
the flow of power within his body.
Aurelia turned to Sela and gave a small nod.
Sela obeyed immediately.
She raised the knife…
And slashed her own throat.
Slash!
Bright red blood burst forth in violent pulses,
splattering across Ryn's face.
The warm, metallic stench filled the air,
thick and nauseating.
Ryn froze.
He hadn't expected the wound to be in a different place.
Sela's breathing turned into a wet, choking rasp
as blood flooded her airway.
This was no ordinary injury.
This was—
death.
Death was only seconds away.
Ryn's focus wavered for a brief moment—
but he clenched his teeth and forced his mind to steady.
Without hesitation, he thrust his hand forward
and pressed it firmly against Sela's wound.
This was the first time he had ever used healing magic in a real situation.
Power surged out of his body.
The bleeding slowly stopped.
The torn flesh began to knit itself together—
not perfectly, not completely,
but enough to hold Sela's life in place.
When he was certain the danger had passed,
Ryn pulled his hand away and collapsed to the floor.
He gasped for breath, his body trembling—
from shock,
and from pushing his power beyond its limits.
Aurelia raised her hand.
Light flowed silently from her palm
and sank into the wound on Sela's neck.
In an instant, the injury vanished,
as if it had never existed at all.
Sela stood up, bowed respectfully to both of them,
and left the room without a word.
Aurelia turned to Ryn, her expression as unreadable as ever.
"Well done. For your first time,"
she said flatly.
"That will be all for today. Go rest."
With that, she left the room,
leaving Ryn alone on the floor, still catching his breath.
After some time, when his breathing finally steadied,
Ryn slowly pushed himself up.
His body was weak,
but he forced himself to walk out of the ritual chamber.
As he descended the stairs,
he saw Sela emerging from the kitchen,
apparently having just finished preparing Aurelia's meal.
Gathering what little strength he had left,
Ryn walked toward her, intending to apologize
for putting her through such a dangerous ordeal.
But Sela only smiled gently.
"It's alright," she said softly.
"I did it willingly."
She bowed slightly to him,
then turned and disappeared into Aurelia's study.
Ryn watched her until she was gone.
Then he turned away
and left the mansion,
heading back to his small wooden hut.