Silence reigned in the room as Emily watched Non, after several minutes of internal struggle, finally rex thanks to a sleeping potioia had given him.

  His breathing, which had beeid shallow at first, began to steady little by little.

  A soft sigh escaped his lips as his body sank deeper into the bed’s mattress.

  ‘He’s finally asleep...’ Emily thought with relief.

  Hestia, who had been closely every small ge in Non’s breathing and posture, also noticed the shift.

  With careful movements, she approached the bedside and leaned over him. Emily watched as the healer extended a hand aly pced it on Non’s forehead, almost as if soothing a sleeping child.

  However, Emily soon realized it was something more.

  Hestia closed her eyes and began to cast a spell. A faint golden light started to emanate from her palm, bathing the room in a warm glow.

  Emily felt a knot form iomach as she watched.

  Her eyes darted between Non’s fad Hestia’s hand.

  The soft flicker of light seemed to calm Non, but as the seds passed, instead of his breathing being more stable, it began to increase.

  At first, it was a slight rise. Then, his chest started to rise and fall irregurly, and soon, Non’s agitation became obvious. He stirred weakly, as if his body were trapped in a nightmare from which he couldn’t wake.

  Emily ched her fists as she saw her friend begin tle against some invisible pain.

  Hestia g the other healer and gave a subtle nod.

  The other healer, who had been waiting patiently nearby, stepped forward decisively, bringing with her some wide, sturdy bandages.

  “What are you doing?” Emily asked quietly, uo tain her fusion as she watched the two women quickly and firmly tie Non’s wrists to the sides of the bed.

  “It’s for his safety,” Hestia murmured without taking her eyes off Non, focused on maintaining the spell. “He’s entering a critical stage. We don’t want him to hurt himself.”

  The words did nothing to calm Emily. Her eyes widened in shock when, after seg his wrists, the healer moved on to tie down Non’s ankles as well.

  Non began to move more forcefully, and soon, his quiet groans of pain turned into loud, pained sounds.

  “But… it looks like he’s in a lot of pain!” Emily excimed, her voice shaky.

  Hestia gritted her teeth, not lifting her hand from Non’s head.

  “I know... But it’s necessary.” Sweat began to form on her forehead as the pressure of her magitensified. “We have to push him to the limit.”

  Non’s body twisted violently, pulling against the restraints as he let out choked grunts.

  Hestia never wavered, keeping her glowing palm pressed to his forehead, even as Non’s body arched dangerously. The veins in his ensed as his breathing grew faster and faster.

  Suddenly, there was a faint *crack*, followed by an internal burst.

  A small explosion echoed within Non’s body, and he abruptly rexed, as if all the tension had va onbsp;

  Emily froze, watg as the light iia’s hands slowly faded, and the healer staggered backward, gasping for breath.

  Her face was drenched i, and her hands visibly trembled.

  “Is... is he alright?” Emily asked in a trembling voibsp;

  The other healer quickly rushed to Hestia’s side, holding her by the shoulders and her a gss of water.

  “Drink a little,” she said softly.

  Hestia nodded weakly and took a sip before catg her breath.

  “Everything... everythi well,” she murmured, still breathless. Her eyes turo Emily with a faint smile, trying to vey calm. “The core shattered as we expected.”

  Emily g Non, who now y motionless, his breathing heavy and bored.

  The ge alpable. Despite his rexed face, he seemed deeply exhausted.

  “Well...” Hestia finally said, rising with effort. “I o discuss something with my colleague. We won’t be long.”

  Emily nodded slowly, watg as both healers left the room and closed the door behind them.

  Silence filled the air once more, leaving her aloh Non.

  Emily leaned slightly toward him.

  ‘If someoried to attack him now...’ she thought with a chill.

  Non was pletely defenseless, and she had no way of proteg him.

  She felt powerless, her stomach turning as she realized how weak she was pared to everything happening around her.

  “I o improve...” she muttered to herself, grittieeth.

  ‘I o bee stronger with my magic. If he take such risks, I ’t afford to stay behind.’

  Before she could sink further into her thoughts, the healers returned.

  Hestia approached her with a kind smile, while the other healer began to untie Non.

  “We’ll take him to a special room to rest,” Hestia expined in a professional tone. “He likely won’t regain sciousness until tonight.”

  “He’ll sleep... all day?” Emily asked, surprised.

  She hadn’t expected the process to be so exhausting.

  Hestia nodded gently.

  “Yes. His body ime to recover.” Then, looking at her with a thoughtful expression, she added, “You’re wele to stay here, in the church, if you’d like. We have some temporary rooms, although... you’d have to help out a bit with the tasks.”

  Emily nodded quickly, determination gleaming in her eyes.

  “Of course, I’d be happy to help!”

  Hestia smiled, relieved by the young woman’s willingness.

  “Perfect. We’ll teach you how to prepare some herbs and assist with medical records.” Then, leadio a small adjat room, she tinued, “You stay here. It’s small but fortable. The bed is soft, and the window looks out over the back garden.”

  Emily gnced around.

  The room was simple, with stone walls decorated with a few flowers and a narrow bed covered with an embroidered bhere was a small wooden desk and a vase of fresh lilies in the er.

  It wasn’t luxurious, but it radiated a sense of peabsp;

  “Thank you,” Emily whispered, feeling a bit more at ease.

  Hestia nodded before turning to the other healer, who was now carefully holding Non.

  “We’ll take care of him. Take your time to rest.”

  And with that, Emily was left alone in her new room, more determihao bee stronger.