“She is an Apprentice, and converting her Ether to your Ether is a costly process,” Theodor explained. “Apprentices have weak bodies and Souls. When you run out of Ether, the Ether in your body keeps you going, but you feel exhausted and tired.”
“When someone with a weaker body runs out of Ether, it can make them go unconscious. You are strong enough to resist it. Most Sorcerers aren’t.”
Kyle became panicked and jumped down from the bed.
The nice girl was unconscious!
’First aid course! Remember the first aid course!’ Kyle thought.
’First, check for a heart rate!’
Kyle touched the girl’s wrist.
’I don’t know how to feel someone’s pulse!’ he thought.
Then, he put his finger on her neck.
’I don’t know where the artery is. I don’t feel anything!’ he thought in panic.
Finally, he looked at her chest.
’I mean, they said the best way to feel someone’s heartbeat is to put your ear to their chest.’
Kyle took a deep breath.
’This concerns her life! Don’t let your embarrassment stop you from saving a life!’
Kyle bent down and put his ear to her chest.
“What are you doing?”
Kyle froze as someone spoke from the doorway.
A soldier had entered, and he was looking at Kyle with suspicion.
Kyle realized his position.
The girl was lying on the ground, and Kyle looked like he was resting his head on her tits.
“Listening to- Ah!”
Kyle was interrupted as the body below him suddenly jerked away.
The girl looked at Kyle in horror before looking at the guard at the entryway.
A pit formed in Kyle’s stomach.
’Oh no!’ he thought.
“Oh, I did it again!” she shouted in realization.
Then, she looked at the guard with an apologetic expression. “Sorry, I used too much Ether and lost consciousness. Sorry to worry you.”
The guard looked at her for a bit.
Then, he looked at Kyle with a suspicious expression.
“H-heartbeat,” Kyle stuttered.
The guard narrowed his eyes even more in suspicion.
“You do know that running out of Ether is not dangerous, right?” the guard asked. “There is no way her heart would stop just like that.”
Kyle became red in the face.
He truly didn’t know that.
The guard looked with disgust at Kyle, taking his embarrassed expression as an admission of malicious and dirty intentions.
“If you need anything, Marcy, just shout. I will be right outside,” the guard said, looking at the Apprentice.
“Of course, thank you!” she said.
Kyle quickly stood up and offered his hand to Marcy, the Apprentice, to help her up.
“Thank you,” Marcy said, holding Kyle’s hand.
“I’m watching you,” the guard spoke in a dark tone as he closed the door.
Kyle’s body shook, and he froze.
Marcy looked at Kyle in confusion.
His hand hadn’t pulled her up yet, and she wasn’t sure why he stopped.
“What’s wrong? Hit me, please,” she said.
Kyle and the guard both almost stumbled when they heard that.
Kyle realized what was going on.
’Oh fuck, when I said that hit me means continue, I didn’t mean it like that!’
“This is a bit awkward,” Marcy said, frozen in a half-lifted position. “Can you just hit me?”
Kyle quickly pulled Marcy up.
The guard became red in the face and slammed the door shut, giving the two of them some privacy.
Kyle just looked into empty space in horror.
“You were checking my heart rate, right?” Marcy asked.
Kyle’s body shook again.
“Yes! I thought your heart had stopped!” he shouted in urgency.
“I believe you,” Marcy said with a smile. “In school, we learned how to do that, and your position was identical to how we had been taught. Thank you.”
Kyle sighed in relief.
Luckily, there was no misunderstanding.
This could have ended really badly.
“Thank you,” Kyle answered.
Marcy just nodded.
Silence.
The silence felt quite awkward.
“Anyway, I think I should go,” Kyle said.
“Yes, take care,” Marcy said. “If you ever need any medical help, you can come to this room.”
“Thanks,” Kyle said as he stepped out.
After leaving the room, he looked at the guard from earlier, who was standing close to the door.
The guard was eying Kyle with an evaluating expression.
Kyle just smiled awkwardly.
Then, he remembered something and approached the door again.
“You had your free treatment,” the guard said, pulling Kyle’s hand away from the door.
“I forgot to tell her something,” Kyle said, remembering the awkward way Marcy had used the phrase hit me.
“Visitors are not allowed to enter without permission,” the guard said. “If it’s so important, tell me, and I will tell her.”
Kyle took a deep breath.
“Listen, earlier…”
Kyle explained the misunderstanding with the phrase.
When the guard understood what was going on, he looked exasperated and relieved at the same time.
“So, that’s what was going on,” the guard said.
Kyle just laughed awkwardly.
“I will tell her after her shift is over,” the guard answered.
“Thanks,” Kyle said.
A moment later, another guard walked down the corridor and looked at the other guard.
“Captain Roland called for an assembly. You have to participate,” the guard spoke.
“Yes, sir!” the first guard answered with a salute.
Then, the other guard looked at Kyle. “You’re not part of the guard,” he commented.
“No, I’m not,” Kyle answered.
“Get out! Only authorized personnel are allowed here,” the guard shouted.
Kyle just nodded. “Sure!”
Then, he rapidly walked towards the exit.
Kyle left the guard’s headquarters and made his way to Samson’s Hunter Hall.
On his way to the Hunter Hall, over 50 guards ran past him.
They seemed to be in quite a hurry.
The two guards from earlier were part of this group.
“The first step has been taken,” Theodor said. “They will put on a show of force in front of Northbound.”
Kyle gulped nervously.
’I hope Theodor is wrong.’
Then, Kyle remembered Marcy.
’And I really hope that guard won’t forget to forward my message.’