Chapter 39

The academy's hospital was a masterpiece of serene beauty, designed not only to ease the minds of its patients but also to reflect the institution's ethos of perfection and care. Its calming ambiance symbolized the academy's commitment to blending advanced medical techniques with an environment that nurtured emotional well-being. The walls were painted a soft, calming blue, while the air was thick with the scent of rose flowers, which were arranged in pots and vases all around the hospital. The roses weren't just for show; they exuded a subtle fragrance that seemed to create a sense of peace, calming even the most anxious hearts.

Kaden entered the hospital and made his way to the reception desk, where a nurse sat typing away on a sleek tablet. Her uniform was crisp and spotless, and her demeanor professional. He cleared his throat, and she looked up, giving him a polite smile.

"How can I help you?" she asked.

"I'm here to see Jace," Kaden replied.

The nurse's expression grew inquisitive. "Who are you to him?"

"I'm his roommate," Kaden answered without hesitation.

The nurse nodded and checked her records. "He's in Room 304. Go straight down the hall, then take the elevator to the third floor."

"Thank you," Kaden said, already heading in the direction she indicated.

When he reached Room 304, he pushed the door open gently and stepped inside. The room was small but comfortable, with a single bed, a chair, and a small table. Jace was lying on the bed, dressed in the hospital's standard patient clothes. His face lit up when he saw Kaden.

"Hey," Jace greeted, his voice weak but cheerful.

"Hey," Kaden replied, pulling the chair closer to the bed and sitting down.

He glanced at Jace's legs and noticed one was heavily bandaged. "What happened?" he asked, his tone laced with concern.

Jace sighed, his expression darkening as he recalled the event. "I was attacked by a beast while I was recovering my energy on my way to the shelter. It came out of nowhere, faster than I could react. The damn thing took my leg before I even had a chance to fight back."

Kaden's eyes widened, and he instinctively looked at the bandaged stump. Before he could respond, Jace continued, "Don't worry. The nurses here are top-notch. They've already attached another leg for me. In less than two days, it'll be good as new."

Kaden raised an eyebrow, and Jace added, "With the use of abilities in medical treatments, hardly any injury is untreatable these days."

Jace's face darkened slightly as he went on, "But I almost lost my life. If I hadn't run into the Rose Prince Charming, I'd be dead."

Kaden frowned in confusion. "Who?"

"Billy Rose," Jace said with a small smile. "He's the son of the Rose Faction leader. He's the one who saved me."

"Oh," Kaden said, nodding. "He has my thanks."

The two of them chatted for a while longer before Kaden stood up. "I'll let you rest now," he said.

"Thanks for stopping by," Jace replied with a weak smile.

Kaden left the room and wandered the academy grounds. He felt restless, with nothing to occupy his time. As he walked aimlessly, he spotted someone up ahead and decided to approach.

"Thank you," Kaden said, stopping the boy in his tracks.

Billy turned to him, his brow furrowed. "For what?"

"I heard you saved my teammate yesterday," Kaden explained.

Billy's expression softened, and he shrugged. "Oh, I was just at the right place at the right time."

Kaden nodded. "Still, thank you," he said before walking away. As he left, a thought nagged at him. "Billy seems kinda familiar... though I can't place where."

Unbeknownst to him, Billy turned to watch him go, his eyes narrowing. "What do you see in this boy, Father?"

________________________________________________________________________

Later that night, Kaden stood leaning against the wall of an alleyway within the academy. The alley was distant from the usual hustle and bustle, its secluded position making it a prime spot for bullying—until Kaden had "peacefully" sent those who used it away. Today, he had a use for the alleyway. He glanced at his watch and muttered, "She's running late," his foot tapping impatiently against the ground.

The silence of the alleyway was broken by playful giggles. A girl, a student dressed in seductive clothes, appeared, dragging along someone behind her. It was Mr. Duke. She approached Kaden with a smirk. "I'm here."

Kaden reached into his pocket and pulled out a beast crystal, handing it to her. Her eyes sparkled as she took it, clutching it like a precious gem. Without another word, she walked away, disappearing down the other end of the alley. Mr. Duke remained, his gaze shifting from the retreating girl to Kaden, who still leaned casually against the wall.

"What's the meaning of this, Kaden?" Mr. Duke asked, his voice sharp.

Kaden straightened, a cold smile playing on his lips. "The meaning of this is that you're going down."

Mr. Duke laughed, a mocking sound that echoed in the alley. "You should've laid low if you wanted to survive. But now you've come to seek your death."

Kaden's eyes narrowed. "We'll see who's seeking death."

Without warning, he launched a punch, his fist moving faster than Mr. Duke could react, fueled by a mix of anger and desperation. The weight of Kaden's struggles and the need to protect himself surged through him, adding a raw intensity to the attack. Black veins pulsed along Kaden's hand as the punch connected with Mr. Duke's face, sending him staggering.

Kaden followed up with another punch, but before it could land, a sharp pain exploded in his gut. His mouth opened in a silent gasp as his stomach twisted. "So this is the strength of a Tier Two," he thought bitterly.

The punch sent him skidding backward, coughing violently. Mr. Duke grinned widely. "It's over. My hands have touched you, and now you're poisoned with paralysis."

He began walking toward Kaden, who stood still. "All that's left is to finish you off," Mr. Duke said smugly.

Kaden's system chimed in his mind.

[Poison Paralysis detected. Should it be blocked? Yes/No]