Lys kept his arm tight around Sara's waist as the group passed through the village gates. The heavy wooden doors thudded shut behind them, cutting off the open road and the mess they had left behind.
Inside, the immediate rush of relief mixed with the busy sounds of people trying to get organized. Wounded evacuees sat on crates or blankets spread out near the gate, while a few villagers and adventurers brought water and clean clothes for them to use. Hunters from the Fiora tribe helped carry the worst cases toward the small infirmary building that was built a little deep in the village.
All in this chaos, Bertha pushed through the small crowd, her face tight with worry. She reached Sara and slipped an arm under her other side without a word. "I've got her, Master Lys," she said, voice steady even though her hands shook a little. "You can let go for a second."
Sara leaned more of her weight onto Bertha, breathing out slowly. "Thanks," she muttered. Her legs still felt like wet noodles, but at least the ground wasn't spinning as badly now.
The practical noise of the emergency settled in around them. People called out names, and redirected families to the temporary shelter. Lys still didn't know what arrangement for that had been made. He just saw people being guided toward the small church building they have in the center of the village.
Even after fighting that big battle, a couple of the Fiora hunters still stood guard near the gate, spears planted, scanning the walls like they expected more trouble any minute.
Rhuvia appeared from the direction of the guild building, walking with that long, confident stride. She had already heard the reports, Lys could tell by the way her sharp eyes locked onto Sara right away. She didn't rush or raise her voice. She just cut through the crowd until she stood a few inches away from Sara, awkwardly close, and arms crossed loosely over her small chest.
Sara straightened up as much as she could, still supported by Bertha. And then their eyes met.
Rhuvia spoke first, with a calm and direct voice, but still with caution so that others wouldn't hear her except Sara. "I heard from the adventurers who made it back earlier. Something about an asteroid spell dropping on the road. Not many casters can pull that off, Sara."
Sara didn't flinch. She kept her face even, though Lys noticed the way her fingers tightened on Bertha's arm. "It got the job done, didn't it! That's what matters right now."
Rhuvia nodded once, slowly. She glanced at the blood that still streaked on Sara's clothes, then back up. "I won't ask you to explain yourself to me. Not now. But I'd ask that you don't put yourself in a position again where the village finds out the hard way, ten meters from collapse, that we had someone holding back that kind of power during a crisis."
Her tone stayed even, professional, but there was clearly a lot of weight behind it. "We're all on the same side here, Sara. So, hiding strength is one thing. But letting it nearly cost lives is another."
Sara held her gaze for a long moment. Then she looked down and said, "Understood."
Rhuvia gave a small, satisfied nod. Then she turned and started giving orders to a nearby guild staff member about setting up more triage points, like the conversation had never happened. But Lys caught the way Rhuvia's eyes lingered a second longer on Sara before she walked off. It suggested to him that there was more to the guild master than she let on.
Bertha helped Sara shuffle toward her house, Lys staying close on the other side. The crowd parted for them, whispers following in their wake. Sara kept her head up, but her jaw stayed tight. She knew the questions were already starting. And they likely won't stop from now on.
***
After about an hour later, Lys stepped out of Sara's house, closing the door quietly behind him. Selene followed a moment after, wiping her hands on a small towel. The afternoon light had shifted, casting longer shadows across the street.
Inside, Sara was finally resting on her bed after more cleaning and a proper meal. And Bertha had stayed with her, fussing over blankets and water.
Lys and Selene walked side by side for a bit without saying anything. The village felt quieter now, as the immediate panic settled into careful routines. People moved between houses, carrying supplies, checking on neighbors, or just gossiping about the crazy day they all had.
Selene spoke first, her voice low. "Sara is strong, right?"
Lys nodded, hands in his pockets while walking. "Yeah. Seems so."
Selene kept her eyes on the road ahead. "Yet for some reason, she's trying so hard to hide it from everyone."
Lys let out a small breath. "Yeah, she is. And we gotta respect that, Selene, whatever her reasons are."
Selene glanced over at him. "But I don't think she can hide it any longer."
Lys looked at her, confusion clear on his face. "What do you mean?"
Selene slowed her steps a little. "That asteroid magic Sara used… it can only be cast by tier 4 mages or higher. So, even if she wants to stay unnoticed, I fear that's not just possible anymore. Too many people saw it. And too many will talk."
Lys processed that, his brows pulling together. "Oh. I see."
But then he suddenly paused and asked, "But what is a tier 4 mage exactly?"
Selene stopped walking for a second and stared at him, dumbfounded. "Really? You don't know?"
Lys just shrugged his shoulders, a small grin tugging at his mouth despite everything. "Uhhh, you know…."
Selene shook her head, half-amused, half-exasperated, and started walking again. "Alright, fine. But, I'll only tell you one time, okay?"
Lys listened closely as they headed toward the guild building. Selene kept explaining, breaking down the ranks, how different types of magic worked, and why someone like Sara would want to keep that kind of strength quiet. Her voice stayed patient, filling in the gaps he had missed in this world's common knowledge.
The guild came into view ahead, its new sign still bright.
The conversation faded as they reached the doors, the details of tiers and magic blurring into the background noise of the busy guild hall.