I kinda hoped we could avoid any more trouble for the remainder of the day.
Which is why I was fine with heading back, together with Elin, and only sitting around in a quiet corner.

This worked until trouble found us in the form of Relia.

 

"Ah, you two. It was quite a hassle to find you. This was one of the last places I was expecting to find at least Yomi in." (R)

"Ah, ahem, commander. Fancy meeting you here. Is there anything we can do for you? I was under the impression we were done for today." (E)

"Yes, you can. How about you explain yourself as to why I got a complaint about an act of assault on another soldier? Not by the one I expected to mess up, mind you." (R)

 

Oh no, we're going to get punished!
I knew it!

 

"They were slandering our little undead menace here. I was merely de-escalating things." (E)

"De-escalating by throwing punches?" (R)

"Of course! Better than what she could throw, right?" (E)

"Hah, you got a spine, girly. I need to give you that. Tell me, how did you do it? To my knowledge, this girl was a lot taller than you and far older." (R)

"Well, I jumped. And struck. Not exactly advanced magic theory." (E)

"Oh, but it is. At least, I reckon so. Hah, seems like the training is paying off! Good work!" (R)

 

At the last part, she pats her heartily on the shoulder.
That... resolves more amicably than I expected it to.

 

"So, ehm, does that mean I'm getting off?" (E)

"Who said that? As you apparently have too much restless energy, we'll have now an extra hard session together to work that out of your system. Just know that I very much appreciate your enthusiasm." (R)

 

While saying so, I notice how the hand she put on her shoulder clamps down, as she starts to pull her.
Fighting back becomes impossible for Elin, as she's mercilessly dragged along.

 

"Help." (E)

 

Uhh...

 

"I-Is that really necessary?" (Y)

"It certainly is. But you better worry about yourself. As apparently, you are both in this." (R)

 

I kinda feel that I just made a mistake.

.

.

.

What follows can only be described as a public thrashing.

Seriously, the fact that Elin is almost three years younger than me comes back to mind, as I see this grown woman, who seems to consist solely of steel-like muscles and disdain, pummel her into the ground, healing her back up, only to repeat the act.
I wish I could help, but I don't really have an angle to do so, and was forced to do magic training while they were at it.
Which wasn't all that easy to focus on, while Elin got pounded into the ground, which led to a lot of mishaps.
But honestly, with what I saw there, being distracted by that beating was the very least.
Even with healing potions, as they do have limits to what they do and don't work instantly in the first place, the result isn't all that sightly.

 

"Uuuuuuhhhhnnnnnghh! Everything hurts." (E)

"Don't overreact. I didn't even break your bones. Only cracked them a little. You'll thank me if they withstand the next impact better." (R)

 

Is that an actual training goal?
Is that even allowed?!

 

"Hah, sure. Because bones are bloody steel slats you should temper with a hammer." (E)

"If you already get witty again, it can't be all that bad. Now get yourself a snack and rest for the day." (R)

"Groan!" (E)

 

Elin is truly not in the best of states, given the way she's limping.

 

"Uh, are you alright?" (Y)

 

Stupid question, I know.
But what else are you supposed to say?
Still, the look I receive in return from her is justified.

 

"Promise me, if I die now, please don't resurrect my body." (E)

"Ehm, okay?" (Y)

"Great." (E)

 

"Plomp"

 

"Elin!?" (Y)

 

Did she just die!?!
No, no, she seems still alive.

 

"Urgh, can't move any longer. Could you carry me?" (E)

 

Carry her?
She truly knows no fear.
Also, she clearly can't claim anymore that she'd be able to jump away in that state.

 

"Are you sure?" (Y)

"It's either that, or I keep lying around here until tomorrow. And I'm not sure if this lunatic would actually go easy on me for just my sorry state." (E)

 

Guess there's no choice then.
I pick her body up and try not to falter under the weight.
Given that she's not that big, it's endurable.
And even though I'm stiff, I can lift her.
Thus, I carry her back.

 

"Ehm, where is your place?" (Y)

"I'll direct you. But let's make a detour for that snack she mentioned." (E)

 

I roll my eyes and get going.
After a short visit back to the food hall, we go to Elin's quarters.
As we're almost there, I begin to realize something.
We are in the same wing where my own room is located. Just one hallway away.

 

"Urgh, thanks. Get me in." (E)

"Are you still so hurt?" (Y)

 

Shouldn't the healing potions kick in by now?

 

"I already told you, healing does little to nothing to ease the strain. Every part of me aches as they knit together, and I'm getting sore all over." (E)

 

That sounds bad. I guess my body does better in that regard.
I simply grow back together, without actual pain.

Since she doesn't seem ready to sit down, I drop her in the bed.

 

"Ngh. Thanks. I owe you one." (E)

 

Didn't she get into this state solely because she, quite irrationally, jumped to my aid?

 

"It's fine. Get better quickly. You were probably right that Relia wouldn't care about your general state." (Y)

 

It would surprise me if she would.
Well, she probably wouldn't go as far as killing her once she's at her end...
Probably.

 

I turn around and am about to leave when I hear one more thing.

 

"Bye. See you tomorrow." (E)

"Yes, sure. See you tomorrow." (Y)

 

It's only polite to respond.

As I'm quite exhausted myself, maybe not as physically as Elin, but still, I head as well to my room, which is apparently close enough.

There, I simply sit down and let my thoughts wander around today.
It's unfortunate that Ethan wasn't able to contact my parents.
Also, Silvia.
The thought that I'm basically dead to her hurts quite a bit.
Dead, ha, ha...

Marcus seemed at least neutral, and I don't know about Revan yet.
However, I shouldn't let this get so hard on me.
Elin was right in this regard.
If someone doesn't want to like me, it's not on me to convince them.
I should focus on those who are with me.
Yes, Verad is still on my side.
Also, I did get along quite well with Lauro.

And then there's Elin.
She might be a manipulative little freak, but she went with that so far that she got every single bone in her body cracked.
And this only to support me.

See you tomorrow, huh?