Are they serious?!

One month later.

It was hard to believe I had survived this long. Well, "survive" might be too generous a word. Let's just say I had endured thanks to Carlos and his ridiculous and unexpectedly convenient healing magic.

Carlos, the epitome of laziness and sarcasm, possessing healing magic? Honestly, it made no sense. Every time he waved his hand over my broken ribs, twisted ankle, or blackened bruises, I couldn't help but stare at him like he was some cosmic joke.

I mean, this was the same guy who avoided doing anything remotely productive unless Valeria forced him.

Healing magic seemed wildly out of character for someone who once yelled, "I'm too emotionally fragile to deal with this!" when asked to fetch a bucket of water.

At least it kept me alive. Barely.

The month had been hell. The day Valeria decided to start using her magic in fights had been the day I questioned whether I had actually died all over again. Her blows became more devastating, her magic relentless.

And somehow, despite all that, I had improved. My control over the red flames was now sharp, deliberate. The wild, chaotic energy that once overwhelmed me now bent to my will.

But tonight wasn't about training. Tonight, I sat in my room, staring at my reflection. My hair had grown longer over the weeks, falling messily past my shoulders, but that wasn't what had caught my attention.

My body looked... different. I was thinner, leaner, with faint muscle definition carving its way into my arms and legs. For the first time in years okay, lifetimes I looked strong.

I flexed experimentally, feeling a strange sense of pride, before the door swung open without warning.

"Are you admiring yourself?" Valeria's voice dripped with amusement as she leaned against the doorframe, her violet eyes gleaming with mischief. "What a little narcissist you've become."

I turned sharply, the heat rushing to my face. "What?! I wasn't—No! You just barged in!"

"Uh-huh," she drawled, stepping into the room with a smug grin. "Caught red-handed, Ren. It's fine. I mean, if I'd gone from weakling to... well, slightly less weakling, I'd stare at myself too."

"Slightly less weakling?" I shot back, crossing my arms. "I've survived your training. That's gotta count for more than 'slightly less weakling.'"

Valeria chuckled, ruffling my hair like I was some sort of pet. "Sure, kid. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

I swatted her hand away, scowling, but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped me.

"Come on, narcissist," she said, gesturing toward the hallway. "Dinner's ready."

The smell of roasted meat and herbs filled the cozy dining room. Valeria, Carlos, and I sat around the wooden table, plates piled high with food. For once, the atmosphere wasn't tense or chaotic. It was almost... nice.

"So," I began, pointing my fork at Carlos, "are you ever going to explain how you, of all people, have healing magic? It doesn't fit your whole 'let me die in peace' vibe."

Carlos glared at me over his glass of wine. "First of all, it's called being multifaceted. Second, you're welcome for not letting you actually die."

Valeria snorted, nearly choking on her drink. "Multifaceted? That's a new one."

I smirked, leaning back in my chair. "Thank you for healing me, oh mighty, multifaceted Carlos."

Before Carlos could retort, the front door creaked open.

"Elira," Valeria said, a warm smile spreading across her face as the elegant figure stepped into the room.

Elira was just as stunning as I remembered, with her red short hair and her sharp golden eyes scanning the room. She moved with an air of effortless grace, like she owned every space she entered.

"Evening," Elira said casually, walking straight over to Valeria. Without hesitation, she cupped Valeria's face and kissed her deeply.

I dropped my fork, my jaw hanging open. "Oh, gross!" I exclaimed, clutching my stomach and pretending to gag. "Do you have to do that in front of me? I just ate!"

Valeria broke the kiss to glare at me. "You're lucky I don't throw you through a wall."

"You're lucky I didn't throw up!" I shot back, pushing my plate away for dramatic effect.

Elira laughed softly, patting Valeria's arm. "She's a charming one," she said dryly. "Well, it's late, and we'll leave in the morning. Your parents are missing you, Ren."

I stiffened at the mention of my parents. It had been so long since I'd thought about them. The idea of returning home felt strange, almost foreign after everything I'd been through.

Elira's gaze lingered on Valeria, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. Whatever unspoken thing passed between them made Carlos groan audibly.

"Spare me," he muttered, pushing his chair back to stand.

Valeria fixed him with a sharp glare, and he promptly bolted for the hallway. "I wasn't going to say anything!" he shouted over his shoulder as he disappeared.

"Smart," Valeria muttered, shaking her head.

I, not wanting to stick around for whatever weird tension was building, quickly excused myself. "Uh, I'm gonna... get ready for bed," I said, inching toward the stairs.

"Good idea," Valeria said, her tone laced with amusement.

Back in my room, I let out a heavy sigh. The day had been overwhelming, but the idea of leaving tomorrow felt even more daunting.

I stepped into the small adjoining bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the hot water wash away the grime and soreness from training.

As I dried off and changed into my sleep clothes, my mind drifted to everything that had happened. From dying to being reincarnated, to meeting Valeria and Elira, and enduring the hellish training that somehow made me stronger it was all so surreal.

I climbed into bed, pulling the blanket up to my chin as I stared at the ceiling. Was I really ready to leave this place? The thought of returning to my old life felt... strange. Had I changed too much?

My thoughts were interrupted by a muffled noise. At first, I ignored it, figuring it was just Carlos grumbling about something. But then the sound came again this time louder.

It was moaning.

I froze, my face heating up as realization dawned.

"Are they serious?!" I hissed, burying my face in the pillow to block out the sound.

Somehow, I knew it was going to be a long night.