Chapter 35: Chapter THIRTY FIVE

The second confirmation came on Wednesday morning when Ethan and Mia were having tea with Lily. The fairy only allowed herself a few hours of break per day here and there, imposing a sustained rhythm shared by her colleagues. The days leading up to tournaments were always spent replenishing stocks of potions, herbs, and salves. There was also a slight increase in the number of injuries to be treated due to the fierce training that tournament participants underwent. This one was no exception to the rule. It was even quite the opposite since the tension reigning in the school pushed its inhabitants to show caution and not to skimp on physical and mental preparation.

"We plan to double our stocks compared to the last tournament," explained Lily. "Some fairies even think we should recruit temporary labor for the tournament's day... Everyone knows it's going to get out of hand, I don't understand how they could allow it to happen."

"And you were just explaining to me that peace is very fragile... I feel like it won't last," answered Mia." If the tournament escalates to this point, what's to say they are going to respect the treaty?"

The fairy sighed as she leaned forward in her chair and linked her hands into a clenched fist, elbows on her knees. Her voice lowered a tone, wanting to be more discreet.

"Look, with what you told me about your interview with Professor Vassili, and whether he is trustworthy as Ethan claims..."

Ethan responded with a confident nod.

"And I think so too by the way," she continued, "but I also think that the director is up to something. He must have a reason to push the tournament, and I'm afraid it's not a good reason..."

Ethan had come to the same conclusion during the night. Mia was quick to support her assumptions, although she still harbored her doubts regarding Vassili's role in the story. This conclusion did not please her. As if things weren't complicated enough for the couple, adding a war into the equation complicated things beyond what they could handle.

"Lily!" yelled a voice they quickly recognized as Andrei's.

He had stormed into the infirmary, carrying an unconscious Arry against his chest, looking panicked. The trio got up immediately and came to meet her, while two other fairies were already busy preparing a bed for the magician.

"What happened?" Lily asked immediately, watching her red-haired friend in the young man's arms and leading him to one of the bedrooms.

The composure the fairy showed when even her friends were hurt still impressed Ethan. It wasn't that she didn't care, it was just that she controlled her emotions enough to be efficient and do her job meticulously. It was a character trait that commanded respect.

Andrei put Arry down on the bed and quickly pulled out a chair to sit beside her and hold her hand.

"We were training with some other magicians... I don't know what happened... Suddenly... she just fell unconscious."

Mia also approached her friend to make sure she was still breathing. The blonde's face was frozen with anguish and her hands were shaking slightly. She backed up quickly to make room for the fairy and planted herself against Ethan who was leaning against the wall, in a corner of the room so as not to disturb the healer.

"Where's Oz?" inquired the fairy, surprised that the animal was not around while her mistress was injured.

"I... I had to knock him out," explained Andrei. "He freaked out and jumped on me when I tried to lift her. I didn't have time to think... He must have thought I was going to hurt her... Or maybe he's angry with me for not being able to protect her..."

As if to back up his words, the sound of claws scraping the wooden floor of the infirmary reached their ears. Within seconds, the wolf burst from the hallway and leaped onto the bed, brooding over his mistress with his imposing stature. His menacing growls made Lily take a few steps back, but it was clear that his fangs weren't aimed at the fairy.

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"Oz! Don't make me put you to sleep!" Lily shouted at the wolf who didn't even bother to turn his head.

Before he could attack the wizard, Lily frantically rummaged in the small satchel that always accompanied her to pull out a vial which she uncorked with a thumbs up. After shaking the vial, she threw the fine powder in the direction of the animal's muzzle. His growls slowed to death in his mouth, then his paws gave way under the narcoleptic effect of the potion. Finally, his eyes closed and the wolf fell asleep peacefully, lying on the redhead's legs. A sigh of relief escaped the wizard's lips, immediately imitated by the other occupants of the room.

"What's wrong with him?" Ethan asked, removing the protective arm he'd slipped around Mia's waist in case things got a little too out of hand and the wolf decided to attack everyone.

"He must have panicked," Lily explained, quickly regaining her composure to focus on her patient, "this isn't the first time I've seen a totem animal become aggressive after something happened to their master."

Something Vilas have in common with them, Ethan thought, hoping he wouldn't find himself in the same situation. But a Vila probably would have ended up killing everyone.

Lily rested her palms on the redhead's temples, wrapping her head in a faint green glow as she made a diagnosis. It was a scene that Ethan had seen many times before, but that was not the case for Mia who carefully scrutinized the faerie's slightest gesture. A few minutes later, Lily sat up, biting her lip.

"She's... in a sort of coma. I don't know exactly what caused it. Probably a spell... but I don't recognize it. I can't do anything to wake her up right now."

Her diagnosis was greeted with gloomy faces and anguished looks. Mia took refuge a little more against Ethan's chest, dejected, while Andrei hid his face in his hands to hide his dismay."Is there any chance she'll wake up naturally?" Andrei inquired.

"She's just asleep? Or is she still at risk?" Mia questioned at the same time.

"I don't know. Right now, I don't think she's going to wake up. The spell seems pretty harmless, she shouldn't risk anything I think... anyway, we'll keep an eye on her."

It wasn't that Ethan didn't care about the blonde's friends, but a more pressing question loomed large in his mind. Now that it was established that the redhead didn't risk much except a long sleep, it seemed important to him to ask the wizard.

"Did that look intentional?"

"I... I don't know," Andrei replied, shaking his head. "It's likely... Gloria's gang holds us responsible for her brother's death, they may have sought revenge..."

A werewolf attack was indeed the most plausible explanation. This assumption made him uneasy. First, because he didn't like that Mia was so close to a conflict that didn't involve her directly for once, but above all because something was wrong...

Why put her to sleep harmlessly if they seek revenge?

 

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