Elric stumbled into the corridor, half-carrying Kael in her arms. His legs dragged uselessly beneath him, his body limp and unnaturally cold. Two servants rushed forward to help, their hands trembling as they took the unconscious young man from her grasp. Elric's breath was unsteady, her eyes darting to the room at the end of the hall. The door was open.
Reinhardt was already there, seated by Kael's bed. The moment he caught sight of them, he shot up from his chair.
"Kael!" Reinhardt's voice cracked—sharp with panic as he darted forward. His hands hovered, then settled on Kael's face. "What happened to him?!" he demanded, glancing furiously between Elric and the limp body in their arms.
"The trace of mana… we found it," Elric said, her voice low. "But something—black smoke—attacked him again. We didn't see it at first. Only he reacted."
Reinhardt's jaw clenched. "You said the trace couldn't be found!"
"I know!" Elric winced under his tone. "I don't understand it either—until Kael touched the area, there was nothing."
Reinhardt didn't respond immediately. Together, they eased Kael down onto the bed. Reinhardt's fingers brushed his forehead. It was burning.
"Call Robert," he snapped. Elric hesitated, uncertain if she should leave. "Now, Elric!"
With a silent nod, she turned and sprinted down the hall, leaving them alone.
"Damn it… your body's burning up," Reinhardt muttered, brushing damp white bangs from Kael's pale face. His gaze dropped to Kael's wrist. The bracelet still shimmered faintly with his mana, a sure sign the barrier had activated.
"Then why is your body reacting like this…" he whispered.
His worry deepened. He quickly unbuttoned Kael's top to check for injury. His heart froze. Blackened veins were spreading around the old scars on Kael's chest—faint, but undeniable. Just like five years ago, the day Kael had collapsed after the final battle. But… this was different. His mana was intact. He wasn't leaking it. What was this reaction?
The door slammed open again. Robert and Elric rushed in, servants carrying basins of warm water and towels followed closely. Reinhardt stood aside.
"Check him. Now," Reinhardt ordered. Robert didn't question it. His hands trembled slightly as he approached the bed, but he kept his face steady.
When Robert opened Kael's shirt completely, the black veins had already begun to fade.
Reinhardt narrowed his eyes. That fast?
Robert whispered a chant and pressed his glowing palm against Kael's chest. Golden light surged faintly from his hand, spreading across Kael's body—but the spell was weak. Too weak.
Kael stirred.
His eyelashes fluttered open, red eyes hazy and unfocused. Reinhardt leaned in as Kael's lips parted, barely moving.
"The… lake—"
And then he passed out again.
Reinhardt caught his shoulders before he could slump. He stared at Kael's face, heart thundering in his chest.
"He said something about the lake," Elric said, voice low. "Do you think there's something still there?"
"Yes," Reinhardt muttered. "Drain it if you have to. Burn the soil. I don't care—just find it. If that smoke reacted to him, then something's still there. Something only he can sense."
He gritted his teeth. "Why didn't we see it earlier? Damn it!"
Elric flinched at his tone.
"I'll mobilize the mage team again, your Majesty," she said quickly.
Reinhardt turned sharply toward her. "Not again, Elric. I don't want maybes or assumptions. I want results before I return to the Imperial Palace."
"Yes, your Majesty." She bowed, her voice tight. Her eyes lingered on Kael's unconscious figure as she left. I should be here, she thought bitterly. But I can't argue with him now.
The room fell quiet again.
Robert worked methodically, wiping sweat from Kael's forehead and changing his clothes with help from the servants. Reinhardt watched, unmoving, his arms crossed, lost in thought.
It's not just a fever, Reinhardt thought. His body's reacting to that mana. It's not coincidence. They didn't come to kill him... they wanted something from him.
His eyes flicked to Kael's still face, searching for answers in silence.
Then he spoke: "Robert."
Robert glanced up. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Prepare Kael's belongings. You're taking him back to Delcra."
Robert froze. The cloth slipped from his hand.
"His sword is still there. It might help stabilize his body." Reinhardt's voice was calmer now—but with that sharp edge that always meant a decision had been made.
"But Your Majesty, the journey… he's not well enough to travel. The weather between north and west is too cold for him," Robert protested gently, eyes filled with concern.
"That's why you'll go with him. And Elric, too. You'll protect him."
Reinhardt stepped toward the bed, kneeling beside Kael. He reached for Kael's limp hand and held it firmly.
"It's time to go home, Kael."