Kogane's training finally kicked in after a few bewildered seconds, and he checked for a heartbeat. "Thank the gods," He breathed. "You're still alive."

He began to scoop the stranger up in his arms, carrying him very, very carefully in bridal style, since he wasn't conscious and this was the easiest way to make sure Kogane could support his head, which looked like it had taken a lot of damage.

"You'll be alright, sir," Kogane promised, muttering more for his own benefit than for the injured boy. "I'll take you back to the Temple and they will help you."

Glancing behind him briefly, he was sure he had nothing important behind before starting to make his way towards the village. His steady walk at first quickly turned into a stable and fast sprint, as he pelted seamlessly through the fields he had grown up in. The heaviness of his sword and shield didn't bother him, and he had easily carried people heavier than this wizard.

"Hey, Kogane!" The knight on the wall, Kamasaki, called out as Kogane dashed towards them. "That doesn't look like your rubble bag!"

Kogane stopped running. "Open the gates!"

"Woah, dude, is everything alright?"

Kogane showed him what he had in his arms and he saw Kamasaki's eyes widen, despite the distance between them. "His head's bleeding and he could have more injuries! I don't know who he is, though! I think he's a wizard!"

"What school? Conjurer or...?"

"He's wearing an eagle-beak necklace!"

"Opening the gates now!" Kamasaki shouted, before turning over his shoulder and yelling instructions. "Knight Koganegawa Kanji has returned with an emergency! Open the gates!"

The portcullis rolled up and then the large, iron gates began to swing open. Other knights were beginning to run to him, a few with their weapons drawn. A sleep-deprived, exhausted Futakuchi shoved past them all before questions could be asked.

"Kogane!" He yelled out. "What's going on?"

Kogane showed him the handsome stranger. "I found him in the woods! He's got a head injury and no identification I can find."

Futakuchi looked down at him discerningly, analysing as much as he could. "I'd say he's around your age. We haven't employed any wizards that young. Does he have a spellbook on him?"

"Uh," Kogane blinked. "I didn't check."

Futakuchi groaned in annoyance and then began to reach for the hem of the strangers' shirt. Impulsively, Kogane jumped back. "Woah, hey, what are you doing?"

The other knight stared at him and, so it seemed, still managed to make a sarcastic smirk despite his exhaustion. "Aw, don't get all defensive about it, Kogane. I'm just looking to see if there are any injuries near his heart, that's all."

Kogane went bright red and many other knights laughed at his embarrassment. "Sorry. J-Just look." He held his arms out and Futakuchi lifted up the stranger's shirt.

Out of nowhere, a spellbook fell out and landed on the floor. An enchanter stooped down to pick it up, flicking through it briefly. She paled. "He's... a student. A first-year. How did a first-year end up here?"

"What?" Futakuchi frowned. "Someone send for a medic. We need to take this boy to the Temple to heal him. Kogane, come."

Kogane jumped to attention and followed Futakuchi obediently, regularly stealing glances at the handsome wizard in his arms. He wondered if he'd be okay.

The Order of The Iron Wall's temple was one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It wasn't as grand or extreme as Shiratorizawa's Academy but it was a thousand times more enchanting. The walls were shiny and gleaming, reflecting the vivid light of the sun with ease. Its' roofs were domed and it was completely breathtaking. The stairs to it's front door were purest white, shimmering slightly with enchantments and Kogane could feel the iron on his body strengthen him and empower his mind – one of the benefits of blessings. He could see many other knights relax, too, and walk a little bit straighter.

The grand, iron doors swung open upon their approach and Kogane had to, reluctantly, part with the beautiful stranger. Lord Knight Moniwa smiled at him as he followed the healers. "You'll be informed when he wakes up," He promised. Futakuchi smirked and winked at his ex-squire, before trailing after his boss. Kogane went red but couldn't help the beating of his heart.

He really wanted to see the pretty stranger again...

.:*:.

Goshiki woke up with a loud gasp, eyes flashing open. He was not in his dormitory. Quickly, he began to thrash around, kicking out his legs and sitting up in the bed he was laid in. He stood up on the mattress and then fell out quite quickly, landing on the floor. With the initial panic over, but his heart beat still not slowing down, he looked around the foreign room with wide eyes. It looked somewhat like a patient's clinic. There was a window, a tidy, plain bed and little other furnishings.

"My book," Was all Goshiki could manage to whisper, scrambling to is feet. He looked around, checking through drawers and under the covers. "Where's my book?"

The door opened and Goshiki jumped back in panic from a tall, white-haired man in sturdy, iron armour. They both stared at each other.

"Where's my spellbook?" Goshiki blurted. "Where am I?"

The tall man in armour gently placed down a beaker of water he had on a side table. "You're safe," he said quietly. "You are in the Temple of The Iron Wall."

Goshiki felt very, very cold and his throat constricted. "Wh-What? No, that's not possible. Stop this illusion and give me my spellbook!"

This man had to be lying. If he was really in the Iron Temple, that would've meant he'd be thousands of miles from home. He just wanted to be home.

"Please, wizard, you need to rest," The man insisted, continuing to speak in a soft voice. "We don't know what has happened to you but we've sent scouts over to the Shiratorizawa Academy to see what damage has occurred."

Goshiki still backed up fearfully. "Just send me home," He commanded shakily. "I need to- to study." It hit him at that moment how few personal reasons he really had to be home. Not that it mattered. He just had to be home. Taichi could be worried sick. "I've got... exams..."

The man looked confused but tried to hide it with a sympathetic look. "Please, wizard, you must sit down. I need to treat your wounds, you're still injured."

"How injured?" Goshiki queried cautiously, starting to follow the man's commands.

"You suffered a head injury, have several claw-marks an inch deep, at least, on your forearms and biceps, and heavy bruising against your chest. When you were brought in, your ankle was broken and you had a sprained wrist."

Goshiki swallowed and sat on the bed, watching the man come into the room. Goshiki wasn't too sure why he didn't let himself in, anyway, while Goshiki was panicking. It wasn't like it would've been a dangerous or even difficult task. A wizard without a spellbook was effectively useless.

"What's your name?" Goshiki asked as the man began to set up bandages and creams in little wooden bowls on his dressing table.

The armour-clad stranger glanced at him. "I am Knight Aone Takanobu. What's your name?"

Goshiki swallowed, clearing his throat. "Goshiki Tsutomu, first-year. I am studying offensive magic and am one of the most likely candidates for this years' Peak Selection." He added the last comment rather vainly, although it made his heart twinge. After his performance in the school grounds, he doubted he'd ever be put in the Peak Selection.

Aone looked up at him, eyes widening a little. "Really? You must be very skilled."

"Mhm," Goshiki hummed awkwardly. "I need to get back to the Academy."

"How did you even end up here?" Aone asked curiously, as he rolled up Goshiki's sleeve, revealing horrific scratches that ran deep, looking red and gruesome. It made the wizard wince and look away.

"There was... a God fight. I didn't reach the Academy in time."

He didn't have to explain everything to this Knight - why he was outside was not a reason anyone needed to know.

Aone hummed apologetically, beginning to rub the cream into the cuts. The stinging was so vicious whisked his arm away, yelping in pain.

"Sorry," Aone said. "It needs to be done."

Goshiki hesitated. So far, this knight had treated him with nothing but respect. He had no reason to be jumpy or scared. However... "I just want my book back," Goshiki whispered softly, not knowing what else to say. He'd feel safer with his book.

Aone blinked and then nodded. "We'll bring your spellbook to you. Please, while I am gone, rub this cream into the cuts on your arms."

Goshiki nodded back and watched Aone leave. Once the door shut, he sighed and laid back on the bed.

"How the fuck did I get here?" He whispered to himself.