William awoke to the familiar, sterile scent of the infirmary, his body aching, his head throbbing with a dull, persistent ache. A faint blue tinge coloured his skin, the tell-tale sign of mana backlash, a visual reminder of his reckless gamble. EMMA, inactive but still accessible, confirmed the diagnosis: Minor Mana Backlash. Recovery time: approximately 12 hours. He was lucky. It could have been much worse.

  Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the small, spartan room. And there, seated in a chair beside his bed, was Julia. Her head rested on her folded arms, her body slumped in an uncomfortable-looking posture, her dark hair cascading over the crisp white sheets. She was asleep, her breathing slow and even, her face pale and drawn. Her eyes were slightly red and swollen, evidence of a long, sleepless night spent watching over him.

  This is becoming a habit, William thought, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Not that I'm counting, but this is the third time she's been here, vigilantly watching over my recovery. A wave of warmth washed over him, a mixture of gratitude, affection, and a touch of self-deprecating amusement. He couldn't let this become a pattern, couldn't keep relying on her, couldn't keep putting himself in situations where he needed her to rescue him. He needed to become stronger, more self-reliant, less of a burden. But still, it's... nice, he admitted to himself, the warmth in his chest spreading, a comforting counterpoint to the throbbing in his head. To have someone who cares that much.

  A soft chuckle escaped his lips, a quiet sound, barely audible, but enough to stir Julia from her slumber. She blinked, her eyes unfocusing for a moment, then widening in recognition as she saw him awake. She straightened up, pushing herself away from the bed, a mixture of relief and annoyance flashing across her face.

  "You're awake," she said, her voice husky with sleep. Then, her tone sharpening, "And laughing? This really isn't a laughing matter, William. Do you know how dangerous that was? It was just a trial, with blunt weapons. Was there really a need to put your life on the line like that? We've talked about this, repeatedly. Do you have any idea what could have happened? Mana backlash isn't something to be trifled with!"

  Her words were harsh, but her eyes betrayed her concern, the genuine fear that had kept her awake all night, watching over him, worrying about his condition. He saw the redness in her eyes, the slight tremor in her hands, the exhaustion etched on her face, and he felt a pang of guilt, a sharp reminder of the consequences of his actions, of the burden he'd placed on her.

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  "I know," he said, his voice contrite, his gaze dropping to the rumpled sheets. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. But... I had to try. I had to prove myself. I wanted to be useful, to contribute, to help with the expedition. I know I'm not as strong as you, or Sir Roland, or Jett. I know I'm not a skilled fighter, or a powerful mage. But I believe I have something unique to offer, something that could make a difference."

  He hesitated, reluctant to reveal the full extent of his abilities, to expose the secret of EMMA. He trusted Julia, implicitly, but he still wasn't ready to share this part of himself, this strange, inexplicable power that set him apart. He didn't fully understand it himself, let alone how to explain it to others." I just... I see things differently," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I analyse, I calculate, I find patterns that others might miss. I thought... I hoped... that those skills could be useful, even in a situation like this." Julia frowned slightly. She'd seen hints of that 'something unique' during the trial, but she still couldn't quite grasp what it was. She trusted William implicitly, something she couldn’t quite explain herself, perhaps it was his eagerness to learn and to help, perhaps it was the way he quietly listened to her family story not with judgement but unspoken support, but she believed in him.

  He paused, taking a deep breath, steeling himself for the inevitable question. "So... did I pass? Did Borin approve my request? Am I joining the expedition?"

  Julia stared at him, her expression unreadable, her eyes searching his face, trying to understand the motivations behind his reckless actions, the reasons for his unwavering determination. She saw the sincerity in his eyes, the genuine desire to help, the underlying vulnerability that he tried so hard to conceal. But she also saw the stubbornness, the recklessness, the willingness to risk everything for a cause he believed in.

  The silence stretched, thick with unspoken emotions, with unanswered questions. Finally, she spoke, her voice quiet, almost a whisper. "The vote was three to two," she said. "You've been granted permission to join the expedition team."

  Relief washed over William, a wave of exhilaration that momentarily eclipsed the throbbing in his head, the lingering effects of the mana backlash. He'd done it. He'd passed the test, against all odds. He'd proven himself, not as a warrior, not as a mage, but as something... else. Something unique.

  "But," Julia continued, her voice hardening slightly, her gaze unwavering, "it wasn't unanimous. Sir Roland and I voted against it. Sir Roland is concerned that you'll be a liability, that you won't be able to keep up, that you'll slow down the party, endanger the mission. And I... I still think it's too dangerous for you, William. This isn't a game. This is a real threat, a real war, with real consequences."

  William nodded, understanding her concerns, respecting her reservations. He knew he was a risk, a weak link in a chain that needed to be strong. But he was also determined to prove them wrong, to show them that he could contribute, that he could be an asset, not a burden.

  "Who voted yes?" he asked, curious about the unexpected support.