Chapter 65

313.1.12.

The next day Peter was discharged from the infirmary. He was still in a lot of pain but he could at least move around without fainting. 

Both him and the doctor agreed that it would be better if he recovered naturally. The only form of treatment he received was a thin cast on his chest to stop the still healing ribs from moving too much and he was sent on his way.

He shuffled back to his room with Manda and Drake's help. Sarah wanted to help as well but she still had trouble controlling her withering aura so it would have been quite painful for the injured boy.

After arriving, Peter just fell on his bed to rest. He got an exemption from all physical activities alongside a few others so for the next two weeks he had nothing but free time. Unfortunately most of his free time programs required him to move in one way or another so he would probably just be stuck in his room.

While thinking about how to combat his inevitable boredom, Nyx's familiar fluffy form appeared next to him.

{It's nice to see you didn't lose your spirit. Sorry I didn't help out back there but doing so would have caused even more problems.}

"Don't worry, I'm sure you had a reason. But it's good that you're here now because I wanted to ask you about something."

{Well, the least I could do is answer so go ahead. I'll tell you about anything you want.}

"Back then when I was fighting the guy with a wind ability, I started seeing magic circles like the ones the magician girl in the library made. Why were those there?"

The goddess started smiling after hearing the question, or as close as a rabbit could get to smiling, and answered in a much cheerier tone compared to her previous melancholic one.

{Oh that's easy! They were always there, you just couldn't see them before. The only difference is that now you have a magic sense. }

"I see. But the interface specified that they are glyphs. Are there other kinds of magic?"

{Not really. The difference is how you use them, or in your case, see them.

While not the most efficient, glyphs are the easiest way to understand magic. This especially applies to mortals so it's no surprise that you discovered it first.}

"Does that mean my abilities have glyphs too?"

{Yes but they are a bit harder to see.}

Peter immediately got up, he was a bit slow but immediate nonetheless, and activated the shadow body only to see nothing at all. Knowing what his own weakness was, he then proceeded to gather every single source of light he could find including the Asteri and aluminescent bracelet he found in a drawer.

With all of them combined the faint dark circle could indeed be seen on the floor beneath him. It was somewhat more detailed than the others he had seen in addition to having a detached symbol in the middle of it which he couldn't quite make out but seemed vaguely familiar..

"What's with that blur in the middle? Nothing else had anything similar."

{That's copy protection. You didn't think I'd let any novice magician use my powers, right? Most of the other champions should have something similar.}

Peter listened to every word of the goddess as an actual worshiper would. He was both fascinated to learn about magic and was also just happy to be together with the dark bunny. 

Their conversation went on for a while in a similar fashion until Nyx's mood started to audibly worsen. She remained silent for a bit before addressing the problem.

{Actually, there's something else I have to tell you. We won't be here for much longer.}

"But why? You said you could be here all you want"

{That is true and it is still the case, but all of us have responsibilities. Responsibilities which we have been ignoring for some time now. I'll try to visit as often as possible, but don't expect too much.}

At first Peter was very much upset about the news, to the point of almost crying over it, but he quickly calmed down after thinking about and understanding the situation.

As much as he wanted his guardian angel to stay, Peter understood why she couldn't. He himself didn't have too many responsibilities but the few he did have were important enough to sacrifice a few pleasant talks over.

He was still sad but he controlled his emotions as much as possible, trying to not make the parting any harder than it already was for both of them.

"Then I'll see you soon, I guess.."

{I'm sure you will. Farewell, my child.}

With that, the black hare faded from existence as if it never existed in the first place. Peter then walked over to his bed and fell over.

"I should get myself together."

He whispered to himself before falling asleep, for the first time in a long while.

313.1.13.

The children of the "Norden Training Camp For Special Talents" woke up like usual, though a lot of them were feeling under the weather. 

Peter's nighttime conversation was repeated many times over at the camp with varying results. While most of them were simply moping due to having to say goodbye, some of them gained a new resolve to improve themselves.

Meanwhile Leon was reading his daily report with more than the usual amount of annoyance. Nothing particularly bad happened but he was nevertheless displeased.

"I knew I should have named the damn thing myself."