A sudden sound drew Zephyrion's gaze back. There, Lumi pulled herself up with visible effort and collapsed onto the ground.
She remained there for a few seconds, breathing raggedly, before her eyes lit up the moment she saw Zephyrion.
Pushing through the strain, she forced herself to her feet and approached him with a small smile.
'She's…'
Her breaths were uneven, and despite the biting cold, her body was drenched in sweat. His gaze lowered and…
Zephyrion's brows drew together.
"Your hand…"
"…?"
Lumi lifted her hands and stared at her bloodied palms. She frowned briefly, then gave a casual wave, brushing it off as if it didn't matter, her attention already back on him with that same bright smile.
'Because of me.'
His pace had been too fast, far beyond what the other trainees could manage. While he could endure the strain, Lumi couldn't. Yet instead of climbing at her own pace, she had chosen to match his.
Zephyrion's fingers slowly curled into fists.
"…you're crazy."
