As instructed by Akshay, the Disciplinary Knights escorted Shaun and his friends to the academy's infirmary, where Teacher Sakura was already tending to other recovering disciples.
The faint scent of herbs filled the air, and soft blue light from healing crystals pulsed across the room. Shaun lay on a bed, his body wrapped in clean bandages.
His breathing was steady now, though his mind still felt heavy from everything that had happened.
After some time, his eyelids fluttered open. Blinking against the soft light, the first thing he saw was Natasha, seated right beside him, her hands holding tightly his hand. Her worried eyes met his, and relief immediately washed over her face.
"You're awake," she breathed, a small, trembling smile forming.
With her gentle support, Shaun managed to sit up, wincing slightly. Across the room, Shaumin and Sabastian, who had been dozing off in their chairs, instantly straightened when they noticed him awake.
Sakura approached the bedside, her voice calm but firm.
"Your wounds aren't severe, but they're still concerning. Make sure you get plenty of rest if you want them to heal properly."
She turned toward Akshay, who sat nearby on a chair, his usual composed demeanour unshaken.
"It's a good thing you brought him here in time," she said, gathering her medical notes. "I have a lecture next, so I'll leave him in your care."
Akshay gave a polite nod. "Don't worry, Teacher Sakura. We'll finish our procedure quickly and make sure he rests."
Satisfied with his assurance, Sakura offered a faint smile.
"Very well. Don't let him overexert himself," she said before leaving the infirmary, her footsteps fading down the corridor.
The room quieted once more, leaving only the soft hum of healing mana in the air.
**********
Shaun blinked as his gaze drifted toward the corner of the room—Akshay Himaira sat calmly on a chair, that composed smile never leaving his face.
Beside him stood his trusted allies: Kevin Fairywind, and the twin sisters, Kurumi and Kiara Elliebrock.
As soon as Akshay noticed Shaun awake, he rose from his seat and approached, Kevin following right behind.
When the two stopped beside his bed, Shaun and his friends instinctively straightened. Akshay's gentle, steady voice broke the quiet first.
"How are you feeling now, boy?"
Shaun smiled faintly, despite the dull ache in his body.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank God no one was seriously hurt. Thank you so much for saving us, Senior Akshay. Who knows what would've happened if you hadn't arrived in time."
Akshay's smile deepened, his tone light but sincere.
"Hey, I was only doing my duty. It's the Knights' job to protect new disciples and keep the academy in order. You don't have to thank me for that."
Before Shaun could reply, Kevin stepped forward and gave him a friendly pat on the back.
"Man, you really went through hell with Vince. I can't believe you were still standing after all those blows! Good thing this girl came running to us in time—otherwise, that arrogant brat would've made things a lot worse."
At his words, the brown-haired girl who had spoken to them in the courtyard earlier stepped out from behind the group, her face modest yet composed.
"It was nothing," she said softly. "I just did what anyone else would have done. I couldn't stand there and watch."
Kevin grinned.
"Don't be so humble! If you hadn't found us, we wouldn't have reached in time. You practically saved their lives."
The girl's cheeks flushed pink at his praise. Akshay noticed and chuckled quietly but said nothing.
Shaun turned toward Akshay again.
"By the way… we saw you during the welcome speech. It was really impressive. You must be someone special to have the honour of addressing the entire academy."
Before Akshay could respond, Kevin puffed up his chest and cut in proudly, "Oh, he's special all right! Not just him—every member of the Disciplinary Knights is. But none of us can hold a candle to our President here, the great Akshay Himaira. There's no one cooler than him!"
Shaumin tilted his head. "Disciplinary Knights? What's that?"
Kevin immediately took the cue, his grin widening.
"We're the academy's peacekeepers! Our job is to enforce the rules, settle disputes, and make sure no one gets away with bullying or chaos. Basically—we're the heroes who keep this place running."
"Wow," Shaun said, eyes widening. "That's amazing! You must be the most respected people in the academy."
Kevin chuckled. "Respected? Maybe. But right now, you're the one everyone's talking about. Not every rookie picks a fight with nobles and a royal prince and lives to tell the tale. Am I right, Shaun Thunderhawk?"
Shaun blinked in surprise. "Wait, how do you know my name?"
Kevin winked. "We're the Disciplinary Knights, remember? Our eyes and ears are everywhere."
Akshay folded his arms with a faint smirk. "Enough teasing, Kevin. You're all new here, aren't you? Apprentice Class disciples?"
Shaun nodded. "Yes. I'm Shaun Thunderhawk from Apprentice Batch 2—and these are my friends: Natasha Ikazuchi, Shaumin Skyline, and Sabastian Seaborne."
Akshay gave a small approving nod. "Shaun Thunderhawk, hmm? That's quite a name."
He smiled politely. "I'm Akshay Himaira, President of the Disciplinary Knights. And this," he gestured toward his companion, "is Kevin Fairywind, my Vice-President."
Kevin flashed a grin and gave a casual wave.
"Hey there, rookies. Pleasure to meet you."
Everyone smiled back, though Natasha tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Wait… Fairywind? Are you, by any chance, related to Kaspian Fairywind of the Holy Wings Guild?"
Kevin's grin widened. "That would be my father. He owns and leads the guild."
Her eyes widened—and so did everyone else's.
"Whoa, the Kaspian Fairywind?" Shaumin exclaimed. "His guild's the strongest in the entire Silver Heaven Region! I've always dreamed of joining them someday!"
Kevin laughed, clearly amused by Shaumin's excitement.
"Hah! So you're an admirer of my old man, huh? Guess that makes us family already!"
"Alright, Kevin, that's enough," Akshay interrupted with a chuckle, glancing toward the hourglass. "Lunch break's already over. We should get back—there's still plenty of work to do."
Kevin mock-saluted him. "Aye, aye, Prez."
With that, Akshay, Kevin, and the twin sisters—Kurumi and Kiara—made their way to the door. Before leaving, Akshay glanced back once more, offering Shaun a reassuring smile.
"Rest well, Thunderhawk. You'll need your strength for what's coming."
And with those quiet words, the Knights departed, their footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Shaun and his friends sat in silence for a moment, watching them leave—unaware that the path they had just crossed with the Disciplinary Knights would one day shape the fate of them all.
**********
After the Disciplinary Knights left, the infirmary felt suddenly quieter—just Shaun, his three friends, and the brown-haired girl who had called for help. Shaun turned toward her, grateful.
"We heard you ran to get help. Thank you… miss—?"
"Scarlett Amber," she supplied with a small, polite smile. "I'm in the same batch as you."
Recognition flickered across Shaun's face. He remembered her from the first-day introductions. "Right—Scarlett. Thanks again. You really saved us."
Natasha squeezed Shaun's hand and leaned forward. "Yes—thank you, Scarlett. If you hadn't found someone, who knows what would have happened?" Her voice was warm, though her eyes lingered on Shaun with protectiveness.
Everyone relaxed a little; laughter bubbled up around the room. Yet Shaun's expression stayed distant—thoughtful, taut. Natasha noticed the change.
"Shaun? You look… worried. Are you still thinking about what Aiden said?" she asked softly.
The question escaped Shaun before he could stop it. "No—well, it's not that. I'm just… wondering about Princess Nina. I hope she's okay."
At the name, Natasha's face went rigid. Anger flared in her eyes like a struck match.
"Why do you even care about her? She's the reason you got hurt—her fiancé nearly killed you! If he's so protective, why doesn't he just chain her to himself and be done with it?"
The others went quiet. Shaun's mouth opened; he hadn't meant to upset Natasha. He hurried to explain, hand still threaded in hers.
"Natasha—listen. Nina didn't do this on purpose. It was a misunderstanding—Vince acted like that. She didn't order it. She's innocent."
At Shaun's words, Natasha's temper only flared hotter. "Innocent? You don't know how royals work. They smile to your face and stab you in the back. Stay away from her, Shaun. If that princess—or her fiancé—ever tries to hurt you again, I swear I'll burn them myself."
The fierceness in Natasha's voice left everyone stunned for a heartbeat. Then her tone cracked; she softened and stepped closer, her earlier threat dissolving into something tender.
"Shaun," she whispered, voice raw, "you mean so much to me. Seeing you get hurt—my chest felt like someone tore it out. I can't watch you suffer. I can't lose you."
Shaun felt something warm and aching in his chest. He swallowed hard, blinking back sudden, unexpected tears. He managed a small, embarrassed smile.
"Natasha… I—" He reached for her hand. "I'm not going anywhere."
Natasha's face melted into a relieved grin. Without warning she threw her arms around him in a fierce hug. Shaun went pink, awkward and happy all at once.
The others chuckled; the tension broke into easy laughter as the infirmary brightened again.
Scarlett stood back, smiling politely at the sight. "You lot have a fiery protector," she murmured. "Lucky boy."
Shaumin ruffled Shaun's hair from across the bed, grinning. "Yeah, lucky—and exhausted. Let's get some rest, hero. Big plans take energy."
They laughed, lingering in the warm afterglow of relief and friendship—shields lowered for the moment, but vows quietly made between them all.
**********