Chapter 48 — Morning Commotions
I stood up and stretched my body.
Raising my arms above my head, I cracked my knuckles—a pleasant tension spread throughout my entire body. For the first time in days, I felt light. The pain in my chest had faded to a dull, almost imperceptible ache.
"Ohhh... what a relief!"
Opening my mouth wide, I let out a deep yawn. Tears welled up in my eyes, my jaw tightening—it was that sweet exhaustion after a long sleep.
I looked out the window. The sun had already climbed high, beating down directly onto the ground. The shadows had shortened, and the room was bright and warm. A light sheen of sweat formed on my forehead—the weather was heating up.
"Yeah... what happened last night?"
I had fallen asleep without even realizing it. Sometime in the evening—around ten at night, I guessed—my eyes had closed on their own. Now the sun was directly overhead. So it must be around noon or one in the afternoon.
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Six in the Morning
"Kael! Hey, are you okay?"
I woke with a start, jolted awake. My heart pounded violently—it felt like someone had shaken me hard. When I opened my eyes, Dzao's face was right in front of me, looking at me with concern.
"Huh? What happened?"
"You were coughing heavily. Your blood pressure seemed to spike."
I hurriedly sat up. The sudden movement made my head spin, and I had to lean against the wall.
"Cough... cough..."
"Hey, hey, calm down. Breathe."
I held my chest and tried to steady my breathing. The pain had returned slightly, but not as severe as before.
"Cough... yes, I'm fine."
Dzao looked at me for a few seconds, then patted my shoulder gently.
"I didn't think you'd be scared of something like that."
"It's not fear, it's coughing."
"Alright, fine," he said with a faint smile.
He slowly placed his hand on the table—and a small vial appeared there. Clear glass, filled with a thick, dark liquid—a decoction. The mouth of the vial was sealed with a cork, with tiny droplets of condensation around it.
"Here, the medicine."
He placed the vial on the table carefully, as if it might break.
"After you drink it, you must rest for a full week without doing anything. Even a slight use of mana—even just to enhance your senses—is forbidden. If you overdo it, not only will your core shatter, you could even die. Be careful."
I took the vial. Through the glass walls, I could see the thickness of the liquid. I opened it and took a whiff—bitter, sharp, like burning herbs. But I trusted it.
"Yes, sir. But school..."
"Yes, you'll stay here. As for Kriss Griffith—I'll tell them that I've taken him as my personal disciple and that I'm personally training him."
"Yes, that makes sense."
Dzao nodded, then his eyes turned more serious.
"By the way, Sabrine told me something happened last night. What was it?"
I paused for a moment, thinking. The air in the room seemed to grow a little heavier.
"Well... almost nothing. But I think it would be best if you don't let anyone in to see me until I'm fully recovered. It's strange to ask, but..."
"No, not necessary."
"Why?"
Dzao looked toward the window. His gaze went distant—toward the trees outside.
"You already have one. Every time I come to see you, I sense a strange gaze. From far away, but someone is watching."
I looked at him in surprise. "Who?"
"I don't know. But they're very good at hiding. I don't think they're an enemy. They've been there since the beginning. I've actually been curious about that—I hope to meet them someday."
"You mean... always?"
"Yes, that's it."
I fell silent. My hands trembled slightly on the blanket.
"After Izabella's attack... they might be even more vigilant."
"Yes, maybe."
"Is this exactly the Sebastian you mentioned?"
"Well, I don't know. Why would they watch me? But strange things have happened. True, we can't completely rule out that possibility."
Dzao looked back at the table.
"Finding the medicine was quite difficult."
"But I found it."
"Yes... thank you."
"Thank you is not enough. Remember our agreement—you must win that tournament."
"So I'll fight against other students?"
"No."
"Of course. Each school's strongest."
"Alright, fine. Since we've agreed, I'm leaving."
With that, he left the room. The door closed softly, and his footsteps faded down the corridor.
I took the vial, opened the cork, and drank a gulp. The liquid hit my mouth bitter and burning, but after a few seconds, a pleasant warmth spread through my body. The pain vanished as if by magic.
I lay back down and closed my eyes. Sleep took me again.
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And Now — Morning, Sun High Overhead
"Ahhhh..."
I let out another deep yawn. Opening my mouth wide, I stretched my arms. My whole body felt light and full of energy.
The pain was gone. I think the medicine was starting to work.
"Good, now let's eat something."
I took the basket Sabrine had brought yesterday. Inside were red apples, a few sweets, and small cookies. I picked up an apple—smooth, shiny, and fragrant. I bit into it.
"Crunch... crunch... nom... nom..."
The apple melted in my mouth with a sweet and tart taste. I took a few more bites, then grabbed one of the sweets. It was soft and delicious.
The room was quiet and peaceful. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting golden patterns on the floor. The pleasant scent of apples and sweets filled the air.
I sat back down on my bed—leaning against the pillow, pulling my knees to my chest, and placing the basket in front of me.
Just then, the door slowly opened.
With flowers in her hands, red-rimmed eyes, dressed in pure white—Lilith stepped inside. Her white dress seemed to glow in the room, but her face bore traces of grief and exhaustion. The flowers in her hands—white roses—were still wet with morning dew.
"Hello, Kael."
"Hello, Lilith. I'm sorry about your sister."
She walked slowly toward me—her steps light but hesitant. She sat down beside me. Her hands rested on her knees, her fingers unconsciously stroking the petals of the flowers.
"Yes, thank you... It's okay."
"Yes, but..."
She cut me off. "She wasn't even my real sister, but... but..."
Her eyes filled with tears. One drop, then another—rolling down her cheeks and dripping onto her white dress.
"It's okay, go ahead and cry. After all, she was close to you."
"I'm also to blame for her death," I said, forcing the words out.
"If... if I hadn't been there, maybe she would still be alive," I said a little louder.
Lilith burst into tears. Her shoulders shook, and she covered her face with her hands. Her sobs echoed in the room.
I gently held her head and rested it on my shoulder. Her hair was soft and warm. She cried for a few moments like that, and I stayed still, giving her time.
"Everything will be fine. You look exhausted. You should get some sleep."
"No, thank you." She suddenly stopped crying. She began wiping her face and nose.
"I'm sorry for this..."
"It's okay."
She sat in silence for a few seconds, then looked at me.
"You... why are you pretending to be Kriss Griffith?" she said, standing up and walking slowly toward the flowerpot in the corner.
I froze for a moment. The question was unexpected.
"Well... there are reasons for that. And I'd like it to stay a secret between us."
"Aha, I see."
She lifted the pot—made of white ceramic, decorated with tiny floral patterns. She removed the wilted flowers inside, approached the window, raised her hand, and with magic, crumbled them into tiny particles, scattering them into the air. The dry petals swirled in the breeze and flew out the window.
Then she placed the fresh white roses she had brought inside.
"Well, actually I came to see if you're okay or not." She walked slowly, placed the pot back in its spot, and turned to me. "I heard you were badly injured. And that the director himself gave you medicine from his personal reserve."
I was drinking tea. Upon hearing that, I spat it out.
"Cough... cough... what?!"
"Yes, are you alright, Kael?" She rushed over to me, concerned.
"Yes, I'm fine, I'm fine... he gave it from his personal reserve?"
"Yes, that's what I heard."
Anger boiled inside me. That old bastard! Using such lies to boost his reputation?
But I tried to look as calm as possible on the outside. I wiped my face and gave a small smile.
"Yes, good. That's how it is. He gave me the medicine. If he hadn't, I probably wouldn't be able to use magic at all anymore. Thank him."
"Yes, I'm glad to hear that," Lilith said, sitting back down beside me. A hint of relief now showed on her face.
She leaned in closer—almost close enough that our knees touched.
"Hey, back off!" I said and leaned back.
What's wrong with the kids here? I feel like a pedophile.
She moved closer again, a playful smile on her lips.
"Fine, suit yourself," I said in an annoyed tone.
"Fine, fine," she said and smirked.
"I think you're tired. Go get some rest."
"Yes, thanks for the advice." She stood up. "I'll go rest. When are you coming back to school?"
"Probably in a week."
"Alright, I'll wait, Kael."
She ran toward the door—her white dress fluttering in the air.
"Bye!" she said and closed the door hard behind her. The door banged, making the wall vibrate slightly.
"Tsk... what a disgrace..."
I shook my head and picked up another apple.
The room fell back into silence.
Only the sunlight streaming through the window and the red of the apples in the basket brought life to the room.
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