Chapter 16 Injury
Evelyn's POV
"This is Advanced Magical Creature Anatomy, you can take it home and read it." A rare smile appeared on Mia's usually serious face.
"Thank you, Professor Wilson!" I took the book, feeling pretty good.
When I walked out of the classroom, the sunlight was just perfect.
The following period was Basic Potions, held in a subterranean classroom. The atmosphere was poor—chilly, humid, and heavy with the lingering scent of different concoctions.
Today's lecture focused on crafting a mild healing balm, a topical remedy designed for the treatment of small burns and abrasions. But we were all rookies, and trying to control the heat and master the technique, it was easy to mess up and create something useless or even turn it into some kind of poison.
The Basic Potions instructor was a young woman with long red hair, dressed in a striking combination of a leather skirt and a blouse.
"Watch my technique, stir clockwise three times, then counterclockwise once. You must pay attention to the color change - only a light green means it's a perfect product."
Celia Martin demonstrated carefully, explaining everything in detail.
I mimicked her actions with precision, keeping a close eye on the temperature. I was just about to stir in the final powdered component when someone spoke up right next to me.
"Evelyn, if you're still with Kane, you should really learn how to make this salve properly."
I looked up to see Emma, still using that tone like she wanted me to stay away from Kane.
I ignored her and kept focusing on what I was doing.
"Not even talking to me now? Well, I can't help it if my good advice doesn't work." She turned around as if to leave.
I had no desire to get into it with her, and her departure actually spared me the effort. But at that exact moment, Emma’s entire weight came hurtling straight at me.
I couldn't dodge in time, and her arm swept across my potion container on the table, splashing it directly at me.
"Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" Emma cried out loudly and apologized.
My left shoulder and collarbone were instantly soaked with the potion. Agony flared throughout my body, feeling less like a simple injury and more like a caustic poison seeping through my pores to eat away at my very bones.
My left hand went numb and hung limp at my side.
"Evelyn, I lost my balance for a moment. Are you okay?" Emma covered her mouth, putting on a surprised look, but I could see the gleeful satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
I clenched my jaw, pushing past the agony to glare at her with icy eyes. I was truly shocked she would stoop to such a move. "Not on purpose?" I challenged.
Right then, I saw the sharp twist of her wrist; there was no doubt it was a deliberate action.
"Really not on purpose, the floor was just too slippery, so I..." Emma stood there, making excuses.
"Emma, your desk is on the left, but you walked to the right, and then 'accidentally' splashed boiling potion on me? Don't you think that explanation is a bit ridiculous? Or do you think I'm an idiot who can't see through your tricks?" My voice was still shaking, but I didn't want to let her off the hook.
More and more students gathered around, whispering and watching.
Emma’s expression soured, clearly caught off guard by my accusation. She was just opening her mouth to respond when Celia came rushing to my side.
"Move aside! This potion is too hot. I'm taking you to the infirmary right now!" Celia checked my wound.
I asked nervously, "This won't leave a scar, will it?"
"It'll be fine, don't be scared." Celia's voice was gentle and reassuring.
She assisted me as we made our way to the infirmary. Despite her slender frame, Celia possessed surprising strength, bearing nearly my entire weight as we walked.
I hurried into the infirmary, where a tall male doctor stepped forward and took over from Celia. He carried a fresh, clean scent that immediately made me feel more at ease.
"What happened?" the doctor asked while helping me onto a bed, then examining my wound.
Celia looked at me worriedly. "Basic Potions accident. Boiling potion spilled on her."
"I'm Dr. Esko Clark. I'm going to treat your wound now. If anything hurts or feels uncomfortable, tell me right away." His hands moved efficiently, preparing clean gauze, water, and other supplies.
"Evelyn, do you have any close friends? I can notify her to come take care of you. I still need to go back and deal with that roomful of trouble and students." Celia asked me gently.
"Professor, I'll call someone to come take care of me. You can go back first!" I said to her.
"Okay." After Celia spoke, she left the infirmary.
With only the two of us remaining in the room, Esko continued to clean my wound, let out a sigh, and asked, "Who did this to you intentionally?"
"How did you know?" I looked at him in surprise, even forgetting he was treating my wound. The movement pulled at it, and he gently pressed down on my right shoulder.
"Forgot to mention - one of my abilities is sensing emotions. Your anger and hurt don't look like a simple accident." Esko said, switching to a fresh piece of gauze to clean my wound.
"Aren't you going to call someone to pick you up? If it's not convenient, I can pass along a message for you later." Esko continued.
I considered how Kane would likely storm over to settle the score with Emma if he discovered I’d been hurt.
I didn't want Kane to be gossiped about or blamed for things that weren't true because of someone like Emma, so I shook my head.
"Alright, but no wonder people target you. There are quite a few rumors about you and Kane around school."
I watched him with a look of confusion, not entirely sure what he was trying to say.
Esko raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a meaningful smile. "That loner shapeshifter from the Phoenix Clan used to keep to himself, never talking to anyone. Now he's constantly by your side."
I hadn't expected him to say that, and for a moment I didn't know how to respond.
"Evelyn, maybe that's the reason - someone's jealous of you, so they went after you." Esko teased while bandaging me up.
Could that be it? Was Emma’s jealousy fueled by Kane’s feelings for me and how close the two of us had become?
But didn't she hate Kane and tell me not to get too close to him?
"All done. The salve is applied, and the pain will gradually fade." Esko patted my right shoulder reassuringly.
"Dr. Clark, will my wound leave a scar?" I was really concerned about this and asked worriedly.