Sage cringed as his sister Esmeralda examined his wound. The back of his head was still matted with half-dried blood, and so was his training jacket and shirt. He could feel the bump on the back of his head, which was about the size of a baby's fist. 694Please respect copyright.PENANAVW9PNRexT5
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"I'm trying to be careful," Esme said gently. She was three years younger than Sage, and at the age of twelve, she was already a very experienced healer. She always joked that it was because she got enough practice on Sage. "Why do you always get into things like this?"694Please respect copyright.PENANAfdOIFmvB6e
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Sage looked at her from the corner of his eye. "You know I didn't start it. He pushed me. And you should be proud of me for not hitting him back."694Please respect copyright.PENANAsWSOTmwWYz
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Esmeralda sighed dramatically, her mouth a thin line. Her body was tense, Sage noticed. She was angry, but she was trying her best to hide it. Sage didn't comment on it, and it turned out he didn't have to. 694Please respect copyright.PENANAIq5GB4QHZq
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"Why do they do this to you?" She burst out, clenching her fists in frustration. "Don't they realize you're not any different than they are?" But I am, Sage thought, but he didn't say anything. She went on. "And those stupid Instructors, didn't they even try to stop him? It's unbelievable. I have a mind to tell Mother to transfer..." 694Please respect copyright.PENANA18inA1LhOV
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"No!" Sage interrupted. "Don't tell Mom, Esme. I'm fine. She doesn't have to know."694Please respect copyright.PENANAnWWdaB2kOy
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Esme didn't say anything, just pulled on her blonde ponytail the way she did when she was annoyed or nervous. Sage saw that her hands were shaking. She touched her fingers lightly to the back of his head, and said, "I can heal this. It's not too bad."694Please respect copyright.PENANAEG4dVAG8u7
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She closed her eyes, concentrating. After a few seconds, Sage felt a slightly unpleasant tingling where her hand touched him. It only lasted a few moments, but the feeling was enough to make him shudder. He hated being healed with magic. He would almost rather have healed on his own.694Please respect copyright.PENANABnsI54NiLM
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"There," Esme said and pulled her hand away. Unconsciously, Sage touched the back of his head, almost like he was making sure it had worked. It always amazed him was his sister could do.694Please respect copyright.PENANAgcVsRqpDIx
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"Thanks," he said and got up from her bed. He had gone straight to her room when he had gotten home, not wanting his mother to see the blood. Esme freaked out, of course, but not as much as his mother would have.694Please respect copyright.PENANA2A3k5hNGjF
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"You should go change," Esme said, dismissing his thanks with a wave of her hand. "It's almost time for supper. And don't forget to wash your hair," she added hastily before he had a chance to slip out the door.694Please respect copyright.PENANAn0ZBODO5py