I still couldn't pull myself together.
My thoughts drifted somewhere far beyond Blocking's room, slipping out of reach again and again. I barely reacted when one of his students walked in with an armful of bandages and started wrapping my arms, torso, and face.
"Why all this?" I asked, staring at my reflection.
Only my eyes and mouth were left uncovered.
Even my legs were wrapped up to the knees.
I looked like something that belonged in a coffin.
"Did you forget you were walking through a burning building?" Kogon said lazily. "Or have you already decided to stop hiding what you are?"
"This is stupid," I muttered. "There's nothing under these bandages. Who is this supposed to fool?"
"Does Silius usually strip you down and inspect every inch of your body?" Blocking chuckled.
I frowned.
"I don't like where you're going with that. And I wasn't talking about Clyde. He'll call Samantha—and she'll notice something's off."
"Interesting," Kogon said, clearly amused. "I didn't imply anything inappropriate. You did. That kind of reaction makes me wonder just how 'professional' your relationship really is."
"Clyde pisses me off," I snapped. "But I'm his bodyguard candidate. That's it. Nothing else."
"And he knows that?" Blocking asked lightly.
"Why do you even care?" I shot back, trying to shut the conversation down.
"I don't," he said. "Not about young Silius. The one I care about is standing right in front of me."
His gaze moved over me.
Slow.
Deliberate.
"I just don't want that boy getting in the way because of… misplaced interest."
"If you think Clyde's interested in me like that—you're wrong," I said sharply. "He has a fiancée. And everyone knows he sleeps around. I'm the last person he'd look at that way. Like I said—this is beneficial for both of us. That's all."
"Alright, alright," Kogon laughed. "No need to bite."
His smile sharpened.
"But if things were really that simple… he wouldn't lose his temper every time someone looks at you."
"He gets angry because it interferes with his plans," I said. "I'm useful to him. That's it. Just like he's useful to me."
"And what grand plans are those?" Blocking asked, watching me closely.
"That's none of your concern."
I crossed my arms.
"I'm here for the same reason I stayed with Silius. It benefits me. I still don't see what you get out of this—especially if I walk away later."
"So serious," Kogon sighed, leaning back. "And here I thought we might actually have some fun over the next six months."
"I didn't agree to this for fun. I—"
A sharp knock cut me off.
Then another.
Harder.
Someone was pounding on the door.
Kogon set his glass aside and stood.
"You'd better stay out of sight," he said, glancing at me.
I slipped into the adjoining space, leaving the door slightly open.
"Who the hell gave the head of another academy the right to take my bodyguard?" a familiar voice snapped—tight, cold, barely holding back.
Clyde.
"Lord Silius," Kogon replied smoothly. "What a pleasant surprise."
"Drop the act, Blocking. Where is Alan?"
"Interesting," Kogon said lightly. "An aristocrat chasing after a missing pet."
"Don't call him that," Clyde's voice dropped—sharp, dangerous. "I asked you a question. Where is Alan? What do you want from him? This is your last warning—stay away from Holivan."
"Or what?" Blocking's tone shifted just enough to make my grip tighten on the door.
"Or I destroy you," Clyde said flatly. "I don't care what you are."
A pause.
Then—
a quiet chuckle.
"Oh?" Blocking said. "He matters that much to you? That doesn't sound like a simple contract."
"That's none of your concern," Clyde snapped. "Where is he?"
"He's being examined by doctors," Blocking said lazily. "He'll come to you himself—if he wants to. Now, unless you have anything else… I'd like to finish my drink in peace."
"You—"
The door slammed shut.
Hard.
Silence.
Then—
a heavy удар against the door.
Another.
And another.
Clyde.
Letting it out.
Taking it out on wood instead of flesh.
I stood there—
frozen—
listening.
Eventually—
it stopped.
Footsteps.
Fading.
Gone.
Kogon returned to his seat and picked up his glass like nothing had happened.
"Come out, little Al," he said. "I think you might actually be entertaining. And useful. There's an old problem I'd like to deal with."
He took a slow sip.
"Say your goodbyes today. We leave at midnight. Be at the main entrance."
I didn't answer.
I stepped out.
Looked at myself in the mirror again.
Bandages.
A stranger staring back.
I adjusted them—tightened the wraps—
then turned away.
First—
Andrew.
Robert.
I needed to see them.
Explaining anything to Silius…
That would be worse.
He'd never let me go.
Not into a demon's hands.
So I wouldn't tell him.
Wouldn't tell any of them.
Not about leaving.
Not about the six months.
Better this way.
If they found out—
it would be after I was already gone.
My chest tightened.
I stopped mid-step, pressing a hand against it.
It would be worse if they learned the truth.
When I come back—
I'll explain.
I'll think of something.
Something believable.
"…What the hell are you wearing?" Robert stared at me the moment I stepped into one of the temporary medical buildings.
"I got caught in the fire too," I said. "My clothes didn't survive. Director Blocking gave me something to wear. I just haven't changed yet."
"You look like something ready for burial," he said, frowning. "But you seem… too fine."
"Blocking has good doctors," I said. "No idea what they gave me, but I feel great."
The lie tasted wrong.
Too clean.
Too easy.
I cut the conversation short, saying I needed to get back to the arena.
There was still time—
but I couldn't stay.
Not under that look.
Not with Andrew lying there—
wrapped in real bandages—
still unconscious.
"Holivan!"
That voice—
cold, sharp—
hit like a slap.
I flinched.
Before turning, I forced myself to breathe.
Slow.
Steady.
By the time I faced them—
Clyde and Kristina were already right in front of me.
"What the hell are you wearing?" Clyde snapped, grabbing my shoulder and turning me toward him.
I winced.
He let go immediately.
Good.
Let him think it hurt.
Let him believe there's something under the bandages.
"Clyde…" Kristina said quietly. "Don't. He's been through enough."
She looked at me.
Her eyes were red.
Swollen.
She'd been crying.
"Thank you, Alan," she said softly. "For saving him. That idiot… doesn't know when to stop."