A fury sparked within me. Questions ran through my mind.

  Why was I summoned?

  What does he want from me?

  What is the purpose of this school?

  My thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of the fight taking place in the hall.

  The water assailant, having a flicker of that same fury, was clutching his hand tightly, wrapped in water like a glove.

  He shouted something before running.

  Where the fuck are you going?

  I moved to run after him, but I was stopped. A hand belonging to the person fighting the coward was placed on my chest, as if telling me to stop.

  My head jerked toward him. I saw him flinch from my movement.

  He spoke some syllables I couldn’t understand before turning toward my summoner, who was leaning against the wall.

  Even though I couldn’t comprehend a word he said, I had a feeling this person was telling me that pursuing that bully wasn’t the priority here.

  I need to take him to the nurse’s room.

  I walked to my summoner and tapped him on the shoulder, hoping to convey that he needs to get up.

  He got it, but his face told me he still seemed out of it.

  I looked to the newcomer out of concern before pulling out the miniature map.

  The hospital room where I was treated felt pretty out of the way compared to the rest of the classrooms I’d eventually need to attend. I mentally retraced my steps a few times before confidently marking it on the map. Now, I just need to figure out how to get there from my current location.

  I heard some panicked syllables from the unknown newcomer before seeing him run off in a direction. He stopped a few steps before turning to look back at us, shouting muffled syllables in the distance. It seemed he wanted us to follow him.

  I waved my hand a few times in front of my summoner’s face, hoping to see a response. Eye movement, limb movement, something. He seemed unresponsive, so I slowly placed my right hand on his right shoulder and cradled him close to me, before walking him toward the nurse’s room.

  …

  Fireboy- that’s what I’m calling him now- assisted me in bringing my summoner to the school’s hospital, nurse’s office, whatever it’s called. I needed her help, needed her to treat him, heal him.

  Oddly, Fireboy is sticking around. I’m pretty sure classes are starting around this time, but I never had a good internal clock, so who’s to say?

  She seemed to understand what was going on and started administering treatment, thanks to Fireboy’s syllables. I wasn’t sure how I’d explain what happened to my summoner without needing to visualize and print it on paper. It gets the idea across, but words are faster than and more concise than a good comic or artwork.

  The nurse spoke some syllables to us, and Fireboy tapped my shoulder and pointed to the door. I took that as my cue to leave, chalking it up to the nurse needing privacy to perform her treatment effectively.

  …

  Fireboy and I waited outside the office. It felt… insincere to leave behind the person I’m effectively forced to be the roommate of, but leaving the school to figure out my new life and ambitions wasn’t an option right now.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Still, I’m puzzled as to why Fireboy was waiting alongside me. He spoke syllables, trying to make casual conversation, before becoming quiet when he realized I wasn’t going to talk to him.

  Honestly, that is probably the first time I’d actually welcome the idea of wanting to talk to someone, if not for this language barrier. I might be misreading his tone, but I’m 93% sure this guy’s trying to comfort me. The remaining 7%... I’m not sure.

  The door opened, revealing the nurse, who spoke some syllables to us. Fireboy said something and walked in, and I followed after. He noticed and didn’t try to stop me. So I guess that meant he wasn’t looking for a private conversation, at least at the moment.

  We walked inside, and I saw my summoner sitting up on the same bed I was in just over a day ago. Well, at least that’s another thing I have in common with my summoner, past sharing a room and getting abused by the same bully.

  My summoner looked toward his guests and did a small wave before smiling weakly. His eyes didn’t have that distant look in them, and his face looked as if he was on the verge of crying.

  He looked toward the end of the bed, his hair covering the side of his face.

  Fireboy spouted a bunch of syllables at my summoner, though he didn’t seem to acknowledge Fireboy’s words.

  Sniff.

  Oh?

  I may have heard wrong, but he turned his head ever so slightly. Fireboy spoke some syllables of concern before leaning it, but my summoner simply turned his head further away.

  I see.

  He doesn’t want us to see him cry. I could understand that. I’m not in a position to console him either, with my language barrier.

  I turned around and moved to the door.

  We should give him time.

  A few steps forward, and I heard Fireboy shout. I didn’t understand his syllables, but I knew he sounded angry.

  Why was he yelling at my summoner?

  A flash of fury overcame me as I turned, ready to use a visualization on him. Except, he wasn’t facing my summoner, but me.

  My summoner seemed to plead something to Fireboy, grabbing his wrist. He looked at the bedridden boy before looking at me.

  What does he want from me?

  I came here to check if my summoner is alright, physically at least. From what I experienced with that healing magic, its effectiveness is no joke, and the nurse seemed to know what she was doing, so I had my faith in both her healing magic and first-aid care. I’ve confirmed my summoner’s well-being, and it seemed he wanted time to himself.

  The reason he’s here is because of whatever those bullies did to him. I’m not sure what he’s thinking about, but it seems he wants time to himself.

  So why is Fireboy angry at me?

  I looked between Fireboy and my summoner, trying to figure out what I’m missing.

  Suddenly, Fireboy stormed up to me.

  Whatever he would’ve done was stopped by the nurse intervening, putting a hand on his shoulder. She spoke some words, gesturing toward the door. Fireboy made syllables of protest, but she insisted.

  Makes sense. Disturbing the peace in a hospital room can impede a patient’s ability to recover.

  She guided him to the door, walking alongside him, before stepping through the doorframe and closing the door behind her.

  Huh?

  I’m not sure what she’s thinking, but it seems she believes my summoner and I need a moment alone.

  I’d feel more touched if it weren’t for this language barrier.

  Going along with her preconceived notion, I stood beside my summoner’s bed. I could see their face. They looked more defeated than ready to cry.

  My first thought was giving the “it’ll be alright” shoulder rub, but that’s false assurance from someone who barely knows their situation.

  I’m not sure what meaningful gesture I should convey, but I shouldn’t waste this opportunity to convey something.

  Think, what can I do in my position?

  I heard my summoner speak the syllables referring to me, before speaking more syllables I couldn’t decipher.

  He saw my ability to create in his room. Perhaps I can use that to convey my thoughts.

  I pondered what thoughts or ideas I could convey easily with my power. Eventually, my mind settled on the bullies.

  Specifically, the water assailant, the one who nearly drowned me.

  He needs to be dealt with if that’s how far he’ll go to hurt you.

  I only memorized his face, as he seemed to be the one instigating my summoner’s torment. The other 2 didn’t leave a meaningful impression on me to remember their faces, but I’ll have to remember them eventually so I can report this matter to Mr. Blonde.

  My summoner spoke syllables to me, asking a question.

  Unsure of how to respond, I conjured a paper-cutout of the water assailant’s face, showing it to my summoner.

  Terror flickered on his face.

  I quickly spat on it, before crumpling the cutout and tossing it at my feet.

  He looked appalled.

  Was that the wrong thing to do? Did I accidentally disrespect some weird, beat people beneath you culture I’m unaware of?

  My momentary worry washed away when his shock morphed into a chuckle, then giggling, before erupting into full-blown laughter. He remembered my obvious disrespect toward the robed old man.

  Good, a little laughter is what you need right now.