Crimson Rebirth ( GL)

After hours of sparring and training under Elira's relentless eye, my body ached in ways I didn't think possible. Every muscle protested, a dull soreness settling in as I made my way back to my room.

I could already feel the familiar sweat clinging to my skin, and the only thing I wanted now was a cold shower.

I stepped into the bathroom and turned the faucet, letting the icy water stream down before stepping in. The cold hit me like a shock, but after the heat and exertion of the morning, it was exactly what I needed.

My body shivered at first, but I welcomed the sensation, closing my eyes and letting the water cascade over me. The tension in my muscles began to ease, my heartbeat slowing as I stood there, just enjoying the quiet for a moment.

Once I felt refreshed, I turned off the water and reached for the towel. Drying myself off, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror, and for a second, I paused.

It was still strange to see how much my body had changed. I was thinner now, noticeably so. My face had lost its roundness, and my body was more toned, with subtle muscle definition.

But there were still marks that told the story of how quickly the weight had come off. My skin, though tighter, still bore faint lines and stretches signs of the sudden shift in my appearance. It wasn't a perfect transformation, but it was mine, and I felt proud of the hard work I had put in.

I ran a hand over my stomach, noticing how different it felt under my fingers. Stronger. Firmer. But still me, with all the flaws and imperfections that came with it.

Sighing, I turned away from the mirror and walked over to my wardrobe. As soon as I opened it, I frowned. All my clothes simple shirts, pants, and a few jackets were now oversized.

I held up one of my favorite shirts, its fabric sagging in my hands. It used to fit snugly, but now it looked like I was swimming in it. I chuckled under my breath. 

"Well, I guess I'll need to go shopping soon," I muttered to myself. 

I grabbed the least baggy shirt I could find, a black one with long sleeves, and a pair of pants that, though loose, wouldn't completely fall off. After a bit of adjusting and tightening my belt, I was as ready as I was going to get. 

It was lunchtime, and my stomach grumbled in protest as I made my way to the dining room. My parents were already seated when I walked in, their voices low as they chatted about something. As soon as they saw me, though, they both stopped talking and stared.

"Ren, darling!" my mother exclaimed, her eyes widening as she took in my appearance. "You're so thin! Too thin!"

My father, who had been quietly sipping his tea, nodded in agreement. "She's right. You look like you're wasting away."

I sighed, already knowing where this conversation was heading. "I'm not wasting away," I said, plopping down into my chair. "It's the training with Elira. She's been working me hard."

"Well, she must be working you to the bone!" my mother said, eyeing me with concern. "Are you eating enough? Maybe you should eat more today."

I gave her a pointed look. "You always say I should eat more."

"That was before," she replied, waving her hand as if to dismiss the past. "Now, you need to eat more to keep your strength up. You can't go to that fancy school looking like a stick, Ren."

I snorted, shaking my head. "I'm not a stick. I'm stronger than ever, actually." I flexed my arm a little, showing off the modest muscle I'd developed. "Elira's training isn't just about losing weight. She's making sure I'm strong enough to keep up with everything."

"Yes, but still," my father chimed in, "you shouldn't overdo it. Balance is important. A warrior is only as strong as their health allows them to be."

"I know, I know," I said, waving them off. "I'm fine, I promise."

As the conversation shifted back to the food in front of us, I picked at my plate, trying not to dwell on my parents' concerns.

They had been so focused on me losing weight before, and now that I had, it felt like they were just as worried in the opposite direction. I couldn't win, it seemed.

But there was something else on my mind, something that I had to mention.

"Oh, by the way," I said, taking a bite of my food and chewing slowly. "Elira told me earlier that we're going on an expedition."

My mother's fork paused halfway to her mouth, her eyes narrowing slightly. "An expedition? What kind of expedition?"

I shrugged. "She didn't say much, just that it's happening soon. It'll just be the two of us."

My father's brows furrowed. "Just the two of you? What for?"

"I'm not sure," I admitted, pushing my food around on my plate. "But she seemed pretty serious about it."

"Serious, huh?" My father leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "Well, Elira's always had a sense of mystery about her. But still, I hope she's not pushing you too hard."

"It'll be fine," I reassured him. "She knows what she's doing, and I trust her. Besides, it might be a good chance to learn something new."

My mother still looked uneasy but didn't press the issue further. Instead, she gave me a small, worried smile. "Just promise me you'll be careful, okay? I don't want you coming back looking even more exhausted than you do now."

I smiled back, feeling a bit guilty for worrying them. "I will, I promise."

The conversation moved on to lighter topics after that, and I tried to enjoy the rest of lunch without thinking too much about the upcoming expedition.

I was curious, of course, but also a little anxious. Elira hadn't been very forthcoming with details, and I couldn't help but wonder what she had planned. 

But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside. I had other things to focus on, like the reading lessons that were coming up after lunch. 

With my stomach full and my parents still discussing whatever it was they were excited about, I excused myself from the table and headed to the study, my mind still buzzing with questions. 

Two more months until I would head to the Royal Magic Academy. Two more months to prepare for whatever challenges lay ahead. 

But first, I had an expedition to survive. 

And knowing Elira, it wasn't going to be easy.