It was a relief when the pressure came off and he didn't need to force his concentration back against the battering of Hotaru's magic. The Tidebreaker was exhausted but remained tense within his much smaller column of ocean as he waited for the next assault. He could still see the human through the blurry wall of water, however, and caught her motion of finality.
It was with a relief that he would not show on his face that he sank back into the sea along with his magic, releasing it gently and taking a moment to simply float and regather some of his energy before he swam slowly back towards the island's shore.
Her praise was kindly meant and he inclined his head in weary acceptance of her words. "A good test," he murmured, appreciating her gesture and its symbolism as well as the simple fact that he didn't have to beach himself in his worn down state. He reached up to take her hand, firmly and gently, and accepted her offer with quiet dignity. He was proud, but not too proud to accept help when it was offered and it was a long swim back to the City.
It was past time that he made a visit to Halo for other reasons, but the Academy was a convenient excuse and he gave his word to meet Hotaru there when the day came for more structured training.
~Fin~
It was with a relief that he would not show on his face that he sank back into the sea along with his magic, releasing it gently and taking a moment to simply float and regather some of his energy before he swam slowly back towards the island's shore.
Her praise was kindly meant and he inclined his head in weary acceptance of her words. "A good test," he murmured, appreciating her gesture and its symbolism as well as the simple fact that he didn't have to beach himself in his worn down state. He reached up to take her hand, firmly and gently, and accepted her offer with quiet dignity. He was proud, but not too proud to accept help when it was offered and it was a long swim back to the City.
It was past time that he made a visit to Halo for other reasons, but the Academy was a convenient excuse and he gave his word to meet Hotaru there when the day came for more structured training.
~Fin~
