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From the moment Leona woke up this morning, he knew today was not going to be a good day. His head pounded with a dull, relentless throb, each beat like a hammer striking his skull. The sunlight filtering through the curtains felt like knives stabbing into his eyes, and even the faintest breeze from the open window seemed to scrape against his skin like sandpaper.
Things only got worse when Ruggie came in to wake him up like he did every morning. His chipper voice hit Leona like a spell gone wrong, grating and far too loud for his pounding head.
"Leona! Practice starts in thirty minutes!" Ruggie’s tone was as bright as ever, but to Leona, it sounded like a chorus of bells ringing directly in his ears.
Leona groaned and turned over, pulling the covers tighter around himself. Just a headache. I've handled worse, he thought. He paid Ruggie no mind and closed his eyes for a few more minutes of shuteye.
However, this proved to be a mistake when five minutes turned into half an hour.
“Leona!” Ruggie tore the covers off of him this time (a semi-normal occurrence). The sudden rush of cold air only made Leona’s aching body tense further. “Practice started twenty minutes ago!” Fuck. “Jack and Epel are leading the stretches but they don’t know the practice-”
“I’m coming,” he cut Ruggie off, his voice hoarse and scratchy. Even to his own ears, it didn’t sound right.
Leona groggily sat up, his movements slower than usual, the world spinning as he forced himself upright. Ruggie, standing nearby, didn’t bother to hide the worried expression on his face as his sharp eyes darted to the faint sheen of sweat on Leona’s forehead and the way his shoulders sagged.
“You’re sick, aren’t you?” he asked bluntly, crossing his arms.
“I’m fine.” Leona got up and ignored how the world was spinning. “Let’s go.”
“Any sign of Ruggie-senpai and Leona-senpai?” Epel asked as the team wrapped up their stretches. The faint thud of running feet echoed across the field as the rest of the spelldrive team jogged their laps. A few newer players passed by, their chatter a mix of nervous excitement and complaints about the morning chill.
“Nothing yet,” Jack answered, his tail flicking with impatience. “I know Leona likes to sleep in, but this is too much, even for him.”
“How long has it been?”
“About half an hour.”
“Think he canceled practice?”
“The hell I did,” came Leona’s gravelly voice as he and Ruggie approached.
Epel and Jack turned to see their captain striding toward them, though something about him seemed off. Leona’s usual confident gait was slower, his shoulders slightly hunched, and his tail dragged lazily behind him, a stark contrast to its usual swishing intensity.
“Grab your brooms,” Leona ordered. His voice was rougher than usual, scratchy and strained. “Once they’ve finished their lap, we’re gonna run drills.”
Epel hesitated, his brows furrowed. “Are ya doin’ okay, Leona-senpai? Yer voice sounds kinda scratchy.”
“I’m fine,” Leona answered dismissively, his tone sharper than intended. “Now scram.”
Epel glanced at Jack, his wide eyes silently asking, What’s going on?
Jack shook his head subtly but said nothing, his sharp gaze fixed on Leona.
Ruggie, standing slightly behind Leona, threw the two of them a sheepish grin. “Don’t mind him, he’s just cranky. Let’s get moving, huh?” he said, his usual playfulness faltering for just a moment.
Epel and Jack exchanged glances again before deciding not to press further—for now. They turned to grab their brooms, leaving Ruggie to follow after Leona, whose steps seemed heavier than usual.
Ruggie’s eyes lingered on his captain’s unsteady frame. I’ll give him until lunch, he thought to himself. If its not me then the freshmen will get him.
The bell rang overhead, signaling the end of second period as students spilled into the hallways. The courtyard buzzed with chatter—complaints about pop quizzes, upcoming exams, and the cafeteria running out of melonpan again.
Ace was mid-rant about Professor Trein’s homework when Epel grabbed his sleeve and pointed.
“Hey… isn’t that Leona-senpai?”
The group turned just in time to see the Savanaclaw housewarden trudging across the walkway near the alchemy hall. At first glance, he looked normal—grumpy, maybe a little disheveled, but that wasn’t exactly new.
Then they got a better look.
His steps were slow, almost dragging, like each one took more effort than it should’ve. His posture was all wrong too—slouched and sagging, like the weight of the sun itself had settled on his shoulders. His eyes were half-lidded and unfocused, and he didn’t even flinch when a couple of rowdy juniors bumped into him in passing.
“…Senpai?” Deuce called out cautiously.
Leona didn’t turn.
“Leona-senpai!” Yuu tried again, raising a hand.
Nothing. He passed by them like they weren’t even there.
“Did he just ignore us?” Grim blinked. “Or is this one of those days where he pretends he doesn’t know anybody?”
“No,” Jack said quietly, frowning. “That wasn’t ignoring. He didn’t even hear us.” The warning bell rang overhead before they could figure out a plan.
“We’ll talk during lunch,” Yuu decided. “Because that was far from normal.”
“So are we gonna talk now?” Ace asked. The freshmen were all pooled together at their respective spot in the cafeteria, watching as Leona sluggishly walked past them without even noticing them for the second time today. Epel nodded in agreement.
“He showed up really late for spelldrive practice,” He raised his lunch tray just as Grim made a dive for his apple. “Back off you bottomless pit!”
“Ruggie senpai looked worried too when they finally did show up,” Jack added. Taking pity on the direbeast, he tossed Grim his apple instead.
“So is he sick or something?” Deuce questioned.
“I would guess so,” Ortho answered quietly, his visor scanning. “He didn’t even register our presence, his body temperature is high, heart rate erratic, and blot levels—”
“Wait, he’s got blot?!” Epel exclaimed.
“He’s overheating.” Ortho nodded. “And from the readings… he might be on the verge of collapsing.”
“If he is, he should be resting!” Sebek spoke up, “Not going about his day. He’ll spread germs like that!”
“Good luck getting him to listen,” the freshmen turned to see Ruggie walking towards them. He had two trays of food balanced precariously in one hand. “You know he isn’t going to take anyone telling him what to do.”
“We could just knock him unconscious,” Ace suggested. Yuu gently smacked him upside the head.
“We’re not doing that,” the prefect stated.
“We could dogpile him!” Epel suggested. Sebek looked haunted at the idea of another dogpile.
“I would rather we didn't.”
“Plus he’d sand us if we tried,” Grim added.
“He wouldn’t sand you,” Ruggie stated, “but whatever it is you guys do, make sure he doesn't use magic, especially his signature spell. It's a bit more finicky when you're sick.”
“Wait what?” Yuu tilted their head in confusion.
“Since your signature spell is part of you, it has its own reaction when you get sick,” Jack explained. “It also causes you to collect blot quicker.”
“Wait, you were using your signature spell when you were sick a few weeks ago!” Yuu leveled a glare at Deuce, who shrunk back in fear.
“Nice going Juice,” Ace elbowed him.
“Guys focus for a sec!” Epel chided. “What are we gonna do about Leona senpai?”
“Well whatever it is you lot decided to do, make sure I’m not caught in the crossfire. But when he’s coherent enough, let me know so I can chew him out for being stupid,” Ruggie stated before grabbing the two trays and sauntering off.
“Okay so we can't knock him out or dogpile him,” Ace mused, “Maybe Jack could turn into a wolf and then cuddle with him?” Jack went beet red in embarrassment.
“I dunno if their pride can take it,” Epel teased. “But either way Leona ain’t gonna listen to anything we’re gonna say.”
“Well,” Yuu smirked, “if he isn’t going to listen to us, I know someone who can make him rest.”
“So Kingscholar has fallen ill and refuses to take care of himself?” Malleus questioned. The prince had been wandering around the main campus, enjoying the gargoyles when Lilia informed him that the freshmen had all arrived to see him in diasomnia. Now the eight of them were situated in the common room with some snacks (courtesy of not Lilia) and drinks.
“Yes my lord,” Sebek answered, “We did attempt to get him to rest but he did not heed our advice.”
Epel huffed. “It’s like talking to a brick wall. When Sebek slipped on the ice and hurt himself he lectured him for an hour. But then he don’t bother to take care of himself!” Malleus gave his retainer a look.
“I hope this was not during the winter storm we said not to venture out in?” Sebek suddenly took a keen interest in the floor below him. “We will be talking about this later.”
“Yes, m’lord.”
Ace nodded, snatching another cookie from the platter. “Anyways, Ruggie-senpai didn’t seem any happier about it either. Said something about making sure he doesn’t use his magic while sick.”
Malleus frowned, a flicker of concern crossing his features. “I see. A reckless disregard for his own limits could be dangerous.” He paused, glancing over the group of determined but clearly out-of-ideas freshmen. “And you believe I can persuade him to rest?”
Yuu smirked. “If anyone can out-stubborn Leona-senpai, it’s you. Besides, we figured you might have a way to... outmaneuver him.”
“Outmaneuver, you say?” A faint, mischievous smile tugged at Malleus’s lips. “Very well. I will handle this matter. You have my word.”
The freshmen exchanged relieved glances, Sebek looking particularly pleased as he stood to salute. “You are most gracious, my lord!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ace muttered under his breath. “Let’s hope this actually works.”
Leona stared up at the sunlight peeking through the leaves. Normally, the warmth would lull him into a light doze, but right now, it pressed against his skin like a weight, making his headache pound even harder. His body ached, his limbs sluggish and heavy, as if someone had wrapped him in chains. Even breathing felt like a chore—every inhale scraped against his throat like sandpaper.
He barely managed to stomach lunch earlier, and now the lingering scent of it twisted his stomach again. He swallowed back the nausea, hoping it would pass. It didn’t.
“Kingscholar?”
Once upon a time, hearing Malleus’ voice would have made his blood boil. But right now, he was too exhausted to summon anything more than mild annoyance.
“I figured I would find you here,” Malleus continued.
Leona didn’t bother to open his eyes. “I don’t go anywhere else, y’know.” His voice came out rough, his throat raw, like he had swallowed a handful of his own signature spell.
“You don’t sound alright.” Malleus’ shadow loomed over him, cool against the unbearable heat pressing against Leona’s skin.
“I’m fine,” Leona muttered, turning his head away. The movement sent a fresh wave of dizziness crashing over him, but he forced his expression to stay neutral. “I take it the herbivores sent you?”
“They were quite concerned for your well-being.”
“Well, you can tell them I’m just peachy—”
The words barely left his mouth before a violent cough tore through his chest. He curled forward, pressing a hand against the ground to steady himself, but the fit wouldn’t stop. His lungs burned, his breath stuttering between sharp, wheezing gasps. Dark spots danced at the edges of his vision. His free hand instinctively covered his mouth, and when he pulled it away, something thick and black clung to his fingers.
Blot.
A sickening crack echoed through the clearing. Beneath his trembling hand, the bark of the tree splintered, deep fissures spreading outward like a spiderweb. Sand pooled beneath his fingertips, spilling between his fingers as the tree’s very foundation crumbled away.
“Oh my…”
Malleus’ voice was quieter now, laced with something Leona didn’t have the energy to decipher. His vision blurred, yellows and golds smearing together as magic, his own or Malleus’, he couldn't tell, swirled thick in the air around him. The tree shuddered, its weakened roots groaning under the strain of his unraveling spell.
Somewhere through the haze, he could hear someone calling his name. The sound felt distant, like it was coming from underwater. When he blinked, Malleus was kneeling in front of him, the sharp lines of his normally unreadable expression softened by something dangerously close to concern.
Leona hated that look. He hated the way his body betrayed him even more.
Another cough wracked his frame, and this time, more blot spilled from his lips. His head swam, the world tilting around him. The air crackled with something ancient and powerful, and he could barely tell if it was his magic slipping out of control, or if Malleus was already reaching for his own.
“Ι’m truly sorry to do this to you, Leona,” Malleus mumbled as he brandished his magic pen. “Fae of Maleficence.”
Leona barely registered the words before an unnatural drowsiness pulled at him, deep and all-encompassing. His body, already too heavy to move, sagged as the last of his strength slipped away.
The last thing he registered was the cold, firm grip that caught him before he could fall forward.
“What happened?”
“What took you guys so long?”
“Wait, is that blot?! Did the two of ya fight or somethin?”
“Quiet human, you’ll wake him up!”
“Uh Sebek, you’re yelling too…”
“My apologies.”
“How badly would he murder me if I snapped a pic of this?”
“Ace, no.”
“He’d maul you.”
“Worth it, in my opinion.” Leona slowly opened his eyes to find himself face to face with the dark ceilings of diasomnia’s common room. However, he only sat up when he felt something shift underneath him and realized he was resting on someone’s lap.
“Glad to see you’re doing well, Leona,” Malleus smiled at him. Leona barely had time to ponder how the hell this happened before some of the herbivores moved towards the pair.
“Senpai, you're awake!” Epel exclaimed.
“Don’t crowd him,” Sebek instructed, “He’s still ill!”
“How are you feeling?” Yuu asked.
“Like I got hit with a tree,” he answered, his voice still scratchy. “And do I get to know what happened?” The freshmen all turned towards Malleus.
“Our treasures approached me because they were worried about you neglecting your health and hoped I could talk you into getting some rest,” the fae prince explained, “I found you at the botanical gardens and there your health declined at a much quicker rate so I used Fae of Maleficence on you, for which I apologize.”
“That’s fine. How long has it been?”
“A few hours. I stopped by the infirmary to ensure there was no more blot in your system before bringing you here.”
“Wait, so you carried Leona senpai all the way through campus?” Ace asked with a knowing smirk. Leona felt the heat rise up in his face and he couldn't tell if it was the remnants of the fever or embarrassment.
“Such kind behavior is truly befitting of my liege,” Sebek praised. “I see no problem with helping out his friend.”
“If you wish, Trappola, I can do the same for you,” Malleus shot back. Epel burst out laughing as Ace stammered out a refusal.
“I hope you get sick next, herbivore,” Leona regained his composure. “Then I can take a picture of Deuce carrying you over his shoulders like the twig you are.”
“Oh my seven, Epel, breathe,” Yuu patted him on the back.
“Okay, we got Lilia senpai out of the kitchen and Ortho is helping Jack with some actual soup now,” Deuce paused as he took in the scene he just walked into. “Senpai, you’re okay!”
“Much appreciated, Spade.”
“Wouldn’t say I’m completely okay,” Leona admitted. “Though I’m surprised at how I’m not getting chewed out for this.”
“Leona, we would never berate you for something out of your control,” Malleus said sternly. “You are not at fault for falling ill.”
“But you are at fault for not taking care of yourself,” Yuu added. “The only reason we haven’t chewed you out is because Ruggie senpai called dibs.” Leona slumped backwards onto the couch.
“Nevermind, that’s worse.”
“So can Lilia senpai not cook?” Epel asked, changing the subject.
“No, no he cannot,” Ace replied with a haunted look. Meanwhile Malleus had the nerve to look amused.
“Lilia senpai’s talents lie outside of the kitchen,” Sebek added.
The conversation slowly dissolved into quieter chatter as the group relaxed. Jack returned with a steaming bowl of soup, which was promptly passed to Leona before Jack moved to take a spot next to Epel. Leona leaned back again with a soft sigh, the worst of the fever behind him and the warmth of the blanket settling into his bones.
“Thanks, lizard,” he muttered, eyes already starting to drift shut again, “and sorry for spooking you.”
“Anytime, Leona,” Malleus said gently, “Now rest up.”