Serene’s POV

"Is there anything you are not telling me?" My lips quivered as I asked Lavaria Sensei.

Mariela Sensei came out of the Infirmary and faced me, she had a grim expression on her face. as she asked: "Serene what did you hit him with? Tell me in detail?"

I narrated everything to her and didn’t hold back.

"Hmm, seems like you have unlocked a new power, no one knows much about it. Serene, I don’t like beating around the bush so I will be direct. I have healed all the physical damage I found but I think his brain got affected as well. I have no means of healing that, so we don’t know when and if he will regain consciousness." I gasped at her words my hands flew to my mouth as I stifled a scream. My legs gave way but Zeph caught me before I could hit the ground.

"I am sure he will wake up soon, Serene. Have faith." Lavaria Sensei patted my head.

"Serene, family interactions can help in such situations. I have seen a few cases where family members were able to help patients regain consciousness. Does he have a family?" Mariela Sensei’s words hammered in my ear.

"He is an orphan." I was barely able to whisper and everyone became quiet at my words. I remembered he said his father was alive but he didn’t know where he was.

"Can I see him?" I pleaded to Mariela Sensei.

"Yes, Someone needs to be there with him and you are the closest to being his family. Lavaria stay closer to Serene. We don’t know anything about this new power. She could lose control again. I will go update Artins." She instructed us before leaving.

I rushed inside, he was laying on a bed and seemed to be fast asleep. He appeared so peaceful so calm. I made my way to his side and took his hand in mine. Tears wouldn’t stop flowing as guilt hit me again and again.

Lavaria Sensei placed a chair behind me and made me sit and stood behind me. "Serene, it wasn’t your fault. There is always a risk when novices are being trained, and we as Senseis know about those risks. Any kind of new power can be unleashed. So risks come with the job and he knew what he was getting himself into. Be brave, he will pull through." Lavaria Sensei’s soft words were supposed to make me feel better but they didn’t. I simply nodded.

I squeezed his hand lightly and just wished he would wake up. After a few moments, Artins Sensei walked in. He said something in the ear of Lavaria Sensei, who simply nodded and got up to give his seat to Artins Sensei.

"Serene, look at me." He instructed, I slowly raised my tear-stricken face to look at Artins Sensei, who was holding a solemn expression, his golden eyes dull.

"Are your tears going to help him in any way?" I shook my head in disappointment. "Then let’s stop crying and think of a solution that can help him. What do you say?"

"Yes, Sensei," I murmured.

"So, considering your powers I am sure you can help him. Have you ever tried to conjure a healing arrow?" He inquired and a flicker of hope was awakened in my heart.

"I have not, but it can be a possibility." The heaviness in my heart, lessened.

"Then let’s go test it, and heal him as soon as possible. Because most of our witches can heal physically visible wounds. Brain damage is different and we don’t have many healers who can heal it. Come now." He got up and asked me to follow him. I shot one final look at Kilamin and half-heartedly let go of his hand, before following Artins Sensei.

Zeph was still waiting for me outside and began to walk with me. I asked him to fetch me my bow from the Training ground and he immediately left. Artins Sensei and I made our way to Enchantment Hall, and entering it we found Mariela Sensei to be already there.

"Is it ready?" Artins Sensei inquired and she pointed to a five feet long creature behind her, it was lying on a table with its eyes closed, and its long pointed face rested on the table. It seemed to be unconscious.

Artins Sensei turned to me and said: "This is a creature whose half-brain has been damaged. Let’s try your power on it and see if it works." Artins Sensei instructed me and ushered me forward.

"I am waiting for Zeph to bring my bow," I told him while stepping closer to the blue-coloured creature. It was completely covered in navy blue fur and resembled a werewolf. Its jaw was long and pointed than a regular werewolf’s. There were specks of gold on the tips of its fur and long bushy tail. It was a magnificent creature and I had hardly ever seen something so elegant before.

"What’s it called?" I asked Mariela Sensei.

"It’s a Sumire, an ancient creature and a very rare one. They are inhabitants of the Haxum Realm but only a handful are left in our world. Dark Realm used to be their abode so when it was cordoned off very few were left on this side and occasionally they try to cross over to Dark Realm, which results in them either dying or becoming brain-dead. One of the Slayers found him on his patrol near Dark Realm and brought him here a few days ago, in the hope that I may be able to revive him, but I have been unsuccessful so far."

Mariela Sensei explained and I stepped ahead and stroked the soft fur of the creatures. I noticed its legs were tied down with chains. I was in awe of its magnificence.

"Serene, here." Zeph had brought my silver bow, it was the strongest bow I possessed. And the quality of my arrows depended to some extent on the kind of bow I used. I took my bow from him with thanks. He stepped back giving me space.

"Remember, to think about the brain healing part when you conjure your arrow." Artins Sensei instructed me as I positioned my bow and pointed toward the creature. I nodded and focused all my energy.

"Arrow of Healing," I whispered. An Emerald arrow formed in my bow which I hurled toward the creature, it hit it directly in the brain.