"Isalda..."
There, in the hospital bed, Isalda lay. Covered in sweat, from head to toe. Sticking from the bandage wrapped around her forehead, the veins pulsated with more intensity, the skin in that area darkening.
"Oscar... you're back."
She spoke slowly and strained, a raspy sound escaping her lips. Her eyes were closed, so she could only rely on the sounds he heard. Her hand wandered aimlessly, landing on Oscar's cheek.
"I'm... back. Yes... I'm back. I'm sorry that I even... left."
Tears flowed.
"Ah... don't start crying on me, kid! D-don't blame yourself. I was the one who... sent you after all."
She coughed, trying to force a smile.
⏤ Isn't this... the first time I've seen this kid cry?
Her fake smile started to slowly turn into a light, real one.
"The inhumanity of war has made you more human. Ironic."
She paused.
"Did you infuse your sword?" she asked, trying to change the mood.
Oscar paused momentarily, trying to figure out what she was talking about. He then looked at his sheath.
"Oh! Yeah..."
He sniffled.
"I did. It came out very good."
"I'm glad."
"What about you, Isalda? How does it feel like?" Oscar's gaze averted to the bandages on her forehead and the skin beneath it.
"How does what feel?"
"The scar on your face. Duh."
"Don't get all snarky with me. No matter how injured I am, I'll still beat your ass."
Oscar smiled.
"It feels weird. Like a stomach ache. That empty feeling in your stomach when you're hungry. But at the same time, it hurts. An aching, pulsating kind of pain. Like my brain is pushing onto my skull."
"Wow. I see. Have you been eating well?"
"Mhm. The nurse has been feeding me well. Besides the aching pain, and my inability to move, I feel pretty good!" she lied.
"I see. It seems I don't have to worry as much as I initially thought."
"Do you know how strong I am, Oscar? I'll be fine."
. . .
. .
.
"She didn't have to... lie to me."
Oscar leaned his head against the window of his carriage. Caelum sat beside him.
"Thank you again, Oscar. You gave me the courage to finally step outside the palace and work harder during this war."
"It's nothing."
He spoke without changing the direction of his eyes, watching as trees passed by.
⏤ By dragon, this would've been faster.
"General Oscar Tolien. The name has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"
"It does. I never thought I would've gotten this far. From a simple orphan to a simple slave, to a simple soldier, to a... general."
"You deserve it though, Oscar. I don't know why, but you see yourself as someone you aren't. You think of yourself as a disposable foot soldier. But with the connections you've made with people... you're more than that."
"... Thank you."
"Don't let a kid like me be the reason you change your outlook on life."
"You're only... a year younger- ah, never mind. Where exactly are we going?"
"We're going to the frontlines. Since you're a general, you'll be in control of your own military unit. You'll have to get accustomed to the other generals, as well."
"Aggh... why am I suddenly getting nervous?"
The carriage came to a stop. A smile came across Oscar's face. He hopped out of the carriage.
He clutched his sheath.
"Scum sardine that I can text my sword on."
He pulled out his longsword. Odachi was the better word. The blade was made out of two different metals, a second metal being used on the lining of the sword. The conduit for the mana stone.
Instead of choosing an ice-attuned mana stone, Oscar instead decided to use a superior mana stone.
The longsword glowed cyan blue.