The night passed slowly for Akeh as he lay in the infirmary, the soft patter of rain against the window matching the quiet atmosphere of the room.
Ifeoluwa, the nurse, diligently treated his wounds, applying fresh bandages and checking for any signs of worsening injuries. Despite the pain, Akeh found solace in their light conversation, his mind distracted from the physical ache.
The hours melted away, and soon enough, the dark clouds that lingered over Makoko gave way to a pale morning, the air still heavy with moisture from the night's rain.
Outside, in the courtyard, the students assembled for their daily meditation, the early morning stillness broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the murmur of voices.
Altine stood before the group, her sharp eyes surveying the gathering as she prepared to address them.
"Good morning, everyone," she began, her voice steady.
"Your training routine remains the same. Remember to keep your mind clear and your breathing steady."
As she spoke, Segun and the rest of the first-rate students approached her, the usual tension on Segun's face more pronounced than ever.
"Purist Altine," Segun began, his tone stiff.
"Since Trinity's out on a mission with Juwon, shouldn't we be training too? We can't just sit around."
Altine nodded thoughtfully, noticing the strain in his voice.
"I agree. You need guidance, especially in Trinity's absence. I'll take over your training sessions for the time being."
Segun shifted uncomfortably.
"And another thing," he added, his voice lower now.
"Why Juwon? Why take him on a mission? It doesn't sit right with me."
Altine sighed, understanding his frustration.
"Juwon has his own potential, Segun. It's not about favoritism. He just needs to learn."
Segun's jaw tightened, but he said nothing more, stepping back into the group.
Altine's gaze swept over the students, and her brows furrowed when she didn't see Akeh among them.
"Have any of you seen Akeh?"
She asked, looking toward the first-rate souls and the soul experts.
The students exchanged confused glances before replying,
"No, we haven't."
Altine's expression turned thoughtful, and without another word, she began walking toward Akeh's dormitory. She knocked on the door, expecting him to still be asleep.
When no response came, she tried the handle, only to find it locked. A flash of concern crossed her face.
Closing her eyes, Altine reached out with her spirit energy, a gentle pulse rippling through the air like a wave. Each person in Makoko emitted their own unique spirit wave, and within seconds, she located Akeh's...coming from the direction of the infirmary.
Her eyes snapped open, and she hurried back through the courtyard, brushing past the soul experts and first-rate students.
As she passed, Taiwo and Lekan exchanged sly glances, a small smile tugging at the corners of their mouths. Adunni, noticing their expressions, raised an eyebrow and asked,
"What are you guys smiling about?"
Lekan shrugged. "Nothing."
Altine arrived at the infirmary, her heart heavy with guilt. Why would Akeh be here? she wondered. Did he fall sick from the training in the dump yard? Her mind raced with thoughts of how it could be her fault, the training too harsh for him to handle. Maybe this technique wasn't the right choice after all, She scolded herself.
Following the pull of Akeh's spirit energy, Altine opened the door to his room. Her heart sank at the sight before her: Akeh, covered in bandages, smiling and chatting with Ifeoluwa, the nurse. They seemed to be enjoying their conversation, unaware of the gravity of the situation.
"Akeh," she said softly, stepping into the room, her voice tinged with worry.
Both Akeh and Ifeoluwa turned to face her, the conversation halting instantly. Ifeoluwa greeted Altine warmly,
"Oh, Altine, good morning."
Altine hesitated, feeling a mix of worry and something else she couldn't quite place.
"There's no need to be formal with me,"
She said awkwardly, trying to keep her composure.
"You're much older than me."
Ifeoluwa smiled, her eyes sparkling with humor.
"You're such a kind girl, Altine."
She then leaned closer and whispered.
"By the way, Akeh here is quite the charmer, isn't he? Strong, well-built...definitely my type."
Altine's face flushed red, her usual calm demeanor shattered by the unexpected comment. In a flustered rush, she gently pushed Ifeoluwa out of the room, much to the nurse's amusement.
"What did I say wrong?"
Ifeoluwa teased, smiling knowingly as she was ushered out. Altine sighed deeply, her cheeks still burning. She's always been like this since we were young, she thought, shaking her head. Always lusting after men.
After regaining her composure, Altine turned back to Akeh, who was watching her with a curious expression.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice softer now.
Akeh grinned, though it was a little forced.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a few bruises. Honestly, I don't even know how I got them."
Altine's eyes narrowed as she glanced over his body. Being a soul master, she could faintly detect traces of spirit energy lingering on Akeh's wounds. It was clear...someone had beaten him while he was meditating.
But the energy was weak, not distinct enough to identify who it belonged to. Altine chose not to mention it, for now.
"Well," she said, trying to remain upbeat.
"since you were so immersed in meditation, you must have connected with your soul, right?"
Akeh frowned. "Really? I don't feel any different."
In her mind, Altine marveled. It took me a full week to even begin sensing my soul with this training. If Akeh's already reached that point, he might be a soul genius. Out loud, she simply said,
"You'll feel it soon."
She then smiled warmly, trying to ease the tension.
"I can make you some fisherman soup to help you heal faster, if you'd like."
Akeh's face lit up, always quick to seize an opportunity.
"Of course, Who would say no to that?"
Altine chuckled, helping him out of the bed. Together, they made their way out of the infirmary, her heart lighter despite the concerns still lingering in her mind about who Akeh's attackers might be.
To be continued...