Chapter 8: You didn't tell me the password
The newcomer was Lisa. Gerald felt his face grow hot and quickly averted his gaze, only to meet his deskmate's eyes. His expression turned as sour as if he had swallowed a fly.
"Gerald, you look awful. Feeling sick?" his deskmate teased lightly, then patted his shoulder in mock consolation. "After all, Deluk did save Lisa's life. She's probably just here to thank him. Don't overthink it."
Gerald snorted and turned away. "Like I need you to tell me that."
He scoffed, "Just watch. With Deluk's shabby appearance, he's bound to embarrass himself!"
Gerald crossed his arms and leaned back, fixating his gaze on Deluk, who was sitting near the window. He hoped to see signs of nervousness, inferiority, or silly grinning on Deluk's face, only to find that Deluk hadn't even lifted his head.
"Darn, what's he playing at? Lisa's calling you! Lift your head, respond!"
Gerald silently raged.
Suddenly, Lisa, standing at the door, moved. With a light, confident stride, she walked in, her smile gentle yet self-assured. She didn't exhibit any of the shyness typical for her age.
She captivated everyone in Class 2, which was no surprise. Wherever she went, she naturally became the center of attention.
Under the watchful eyes of all, Lisa approached Deluk, who was still looking down. She tapped the desk lightly with her slender fingers.
"Deluk, what's this? Ignoring me?"
Deluk was not one to feign indifference or play it cool. He looked up, meeting Lisa's gaze with a calm expression.
"No, I was just deep in thought and didn't notice you."
He spoke honestly.
Deluk had been using a technique to internally examine his body. His consciousness, delving inward, had automatically shut out the noisy outside world, including Lisa's call.
He had been analyzing the reward bestowed by the system: [Immortal and Indestructible]
As the name implied, from then on, Deluk would be the only eternal being in the world. Age and physical form would no longer be his constraints. He was truly 'immortal'
Even if one day Deluk was reduced to ashes by an atomic bomb, his soul would continue to exist, and his body would slowly regenerate.
After nine lifetimes of struggle, Deluk has earned a reward beyond imagination.
What generosity, indeed.
Immortality, a dream pursued relentlessly by countless cultivators in the world of immortality, their ultimate goal after centuries of painstaking cultivation. And Deluk? He was born standing at the finish line, looking down upon the world.
Some are born to toil, while others stand atop Rome from birth.
"What's wrong? Is there something on your mind?" Deluk asked.
Lisa tilted her head, not speaking, but stepping forward.
She saw Deluk's hand, wrapped in bandages under the desk. Her eyes flickered, her voice softening. "Does it still hurt?"
Deluk shook his head. "No"
In truth, his palm could have healed instantly after being pierced, but he let it heal naturally to avoid seeming monstrous. As for pain, he had long learned to ignore it, having endured far worse heartaches numerous times. Why would he fret over such a trivial wound?
But Lisa didn't think so. She frowned, assuming Deluk was just being tough.
They say each finger is connected to the heart. A broken nail can be excruciating, let alone a horrific injury like this.
She wanted to hold his hand, to examine the wound closely. Even though the doctor at the hospital had mentioned Deluk's extraordinary constitution and remarkable healing, she couldn't help but worry.
That's why she came first thing in the morning.
But her intentions remained unfulfilled.
Her hand was gently pushed away mid-air.
She looked up to meet Deluk's puzzled gaze.
"What are you doing?"
Lisa pursed her lips, realizing she might have been too forward.
Where's the propriety in reaching for a man's hand in public?
In her concern, she became flustered, finding an excuse. Pouting, she mumbled, "I just wanted to check your wound... why are you overreacting?"
Her words carried a slight tinge of hurt.
This demeanor, so unlike the confident and dazzling Lisa, the belle of the school, made everyone watching gasp in surprise.
In the corner of the classroom, Gerald's eyes widened in disbelief.
'Is this the same Lisa, the celebrated belle of the school, whom I know? She wasn't like this when she coldly rejected me yesterday!'
The icy aura she exuded then is worlds apart from Lisa today. Gerald Mored banged his head against the desk, mumbling in disbelief, "This can't be, it's unscientific, impossible..."
His deskmate sighed, patting his shoulder, opening his mouth to offer some comfort but finding no words, he simply closed it again and continued to surreptitiously watch.
Deluk spoke calmly, "The wound is minor, it'll heal in a couple of days. If that's what you're worried about, you can go back now."
His tone was natural, devoid of any emotional inflection, as if he was merely stating a fact.
Despite knowing that Deluk was just addressing the matter at hand, Lisa couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed.
It's as if she was begging to come see him! Lisa's ahoge twitched as she pulled out a black bank card from her pocket, slapped it on Deluk's desk, huffed, and turned to leave.
Deluk glanced at the bank card, then at the girl's retreating figure, a realization dawning on him.
Lisa was efficient. Just yesterday, he had mentioned needing some money, and here she was, delivering it first thing in the morning.
He thought for a moment, then called out.
"Lisa."
She stopped and turned around, her brows arching, her expression much brighter.
"What?"
The entire class, the proverbial popcorn-eaters, perked up, their attention refocused, bodies leaning unconsciously towards the pair, eager to catch the next development.
Was he finally going to make a bold move? Or... was there some other astonishing secret?
Under the expectant, curious gazes, Deluk pointed to the bank card on the desk, "Um, you didn't tell me the password for this card."
Thud!*
Sounds of people falling over echoed around the classroom.