Chapter 39: All Magic Has a Cost

I pushed aside the sliver of the double-meat, double-cheese burger with extra pickles and mustard. While Reed stole a handful of my fries. But I did feel better having eaten.

"Food definitely helped. Thanks."

Reed nodded, drowning my fries in a glob of ketchup. "Honestly, we were surprised you were even up and about today."

"Fast recovery, I guess." I cleared my throat.

"What I want to know," Kento leaned forward, his thigh brushing mine under the table, "Is why an unknown professor tested you so harshly."

"How do you know that he did?" I took a sip of my canned energy drink.

Reed chuckled. "Really? You've got leaves and twigs in your hair and singe marks on your uniform."

My eyes widened as I glanced down at myself. The white Oxford shirt was smeared with dirt and burn marks. My skirt was ripped up one thigh. And my cute stockings were shredded.

"Damn it, I loved these." I tugged on the material.