Lea decided not to tell her parents the fact that she had awakened just yet. She also refrained from trying out her skills until the day she would be discharged from the hospital, or at least until Alan was back from his mission.
And so, for the past couple of weeks, her daily routine has been a repetition of waking up and doing simple stretches then reading the stack of manga left by her dad until lunch.
Her time in the afternoon was reserved for her physical therapy session. Depending on her condition that day, the session could go for as long as three or four hours. Ever since Lea managed to walk across the room without taking a break in between, the next goal set by the enthusiastic physical therapist was for Lea to walk two laps around the room without needing support. The progress was very slow, she stumbled countless times but hadn't fallen on her face to the floor, yet.
"Keep at it, Lea. You're almost halfway through."
Lea was panting heavily when the physical therapist reported her progress.
Out of her peripheral view, her dad was recording today's physical therapy session too. Knowing that her mom and brother will be seeing the video later, Lea became more determined to reach the end of the goal during this session.
"You have about seventeen more steps," the physical therapist estimated from beside her. "Don't rush it and remember to breathe."
To Lea's ears, the physical therapist sounded more and more like a fitness trainer, or maybe that was just her imagination.
She took a deep breath and focused her eyes straight ahead.
One step forward and another step.
Slowly and eventually, she reached the end goal.
"Good job!"
The physical therapist sounded obviously pleased with Lea's accomplishment.
Her legs trembled before she flopped down on the floor, drained of strength.
Only after she saw her dad clapping with a proud smile did it really sink in that she walked two laps on her own.
'Finally…did it…'
Her face didn't show as she was catching her breath but she too was proud of herself.
After a thirty-minute break was announced, her dad helped her up to give her a big hug.
"You were really great, Lea!"
Lea was too tired to tell her dad to get away from her sweaty body before flopping back down again on the floor.
As she was catching her breath and resting, her dad suddenly pointed his front camera phone at her sweaty face for an interview.
"How do you feel right now?"
Lea drank from the opened bottle of cold sports drink first before giving a response, "Like I climbed a mountain."
Her dad chuckled at her choice of comparisons.
"How about you let Mom take you to an actual mountain and experience what real climbing is like?"
"No."
The instant rejection from Lea was unsurprising.
"Instead, you should go with Mom to the mountain, Dad. Alone beneath the starry sky, that sounds romantic. A perfect way to celebrate your wedding anniversary," Lea counter-attacked at her dad's weak spot with an innocent smile.
"Aha…ha… I don't think your mom would like that."
From behind the camera, her dad made a gesture for her to shush.
Lea played innocent by shrugging her shoulders.
.
.
.
The next day, Doctor Timur came to see Lea to consult about something.
"Sorry for coming this early but I wanted to let you know that there is an update regarding your final check-up."
Doctor Timur went right to the topic.
"Since our hospital unfortunately does not have the equipment to scan mana particles in-depth, we contacted the Awakeners Association and explained to them about your circumstances. Last night, we finally received a reply and they agreed with the arrangements."
"What sort of arrangements?" Lea curiously asked.
"The association agreed to have you examined by a non-awakened employee after office hours. On that day, you will have to be sedated before leaving the hospital. I'd like to reduce any possible risk. Is that alright with you, Miss Carter?"
Doctor Timur observed Lea's reaction. When he mentioned that she would be put under sedation, there was no change in her expression.
"Okay."
The doctor was a bit taken aback when Lea agreed to it without hesitation.
'The sooner it's done, the quicker I can get discharged from the hospital and go home.'
That was Lea's honest thoughts.
"It will only be me and Dan accompanying you to the association."
Lea was relieved to hear that.
Dan's first impression of a buff grizzly bear quickly changed to a big, warm bear in less than a day when they first met. So, Lea would feel more reassured to have him take care of her when they go to the Awakeners Association even though she'll be unconscious the entire time.
"The examination is scheduled at the end of the month," Doctor Timur informed. "Until then, I want you to focus on your physical therapy."
"Yes, doctor!" Lea responded with a bit more zeal.
.
.
.
Not long after Doctor Timur left, her dad came and she told him about the examination at the Awakeners Association.
"Dad, please keep this a secret from Al. I don't want him to worry him."
Her brother was unreachable right now, as he usually is when he's out on a mission, but her parents still sent him an update about Lea daily.
"It'll be a big deal if he's distracted right now," Lea added with pleading eyes.
"Okay, we won't tell him."
Thankfully, her dad relented, cough, agreed with her good intention.