Chapter 47 - The Shadow's Embrace

Kieran sat alone in the muted light of his room, the gentle hum of distant activity from the Academy barely reaching him. The past weeks had been a blur of enforced solitude and careful healing. Since being discharged from the infirmary, he had spent his time in quiet isolation, allowed only the barest physical movement as his magical core slowly knitted itself back together. Now, six weeks later, Madam Reeves had finally declared him fit to resume normal activities—with a warning etched into her every glance.