The hallway outside the infirmary ward was eerily quiet, except for the faint sound of the fluorescent lights overhead. I sat cross-legged on a stiff steel bench, a chewing gum lazily rolling in my mouth. I chew it slowly enough to pass the time. Beside me, Seraphine walked back and forth, her heels clicking against the cold, tiled floor. Her worry was written all over her face, her lips pressed into a thin line, and her brows knitted together as if that alone will bring good news out of the doctors.

    "You''re too calm," she said, finally stopping in front of me, her voice sharp and tinged with frustration. "How can you just sit there like that? You saw how badly Alex was hurt. He''s—"

    I tilted my head slightly, my gaze meeting hers. "He''ll be fine."

    "Fine?!" she snapped. "He was nearly dead out there! You saw him! You—"

    "I also saw you nearly dead once," I interrupted, my tone even, unbothered. "And look how that turned out."

    Seraphine''s eyes softened, but only for a moment before they hardened again with determination. "Then do it," she said. "Heal him. The way you healed me."

    I leaned back against the bench, exhaling slowly through my nose. "Seraphine..."@@@@

    "No, don''t Seraphine me!" she cut in, crossing her arms. "You have the power. You can save him. So why are you sitting here chewing gum like none of this matters?"

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    "I don''t interfere with everyone''s matters just like that. And your case was different for me.." I replied, my tone still calm.

    "It is like that!" she shot back, her voice rising. "If you can do it, then do it. Don''t just sit here and—"

    I raised a hand, signaling her to stop. "Alright. Fine. If it''ll get you to stop pestering me..." I stood up, brushing off my coat. "Let''s go."

    Seraphine blinked, momentarily stunned that I had agreed so easily. She quickly regained her composure, nodding as she followed me into the infirmary.

    Inside, the sterile scent of antiseptics filled the air. Monitors beeped softly, their screens displaying Alex''s vitals—barely a blip on the line. His body lay still on the bed, pale and lifeless, like a ghost of the warrior who had stood so boldly in the arena.

    "Everyone out," I said to the doctors without looking at them.

    One of them hesitated, glancing at Seraphine as if seeking confirmation. She nodded, her expression firm, and they got out reluctantly, leaving the three of us alone.

    I approached the bed, standing over Alex''s broken body. His chest barely rose and fell, each shallow breath a struggle.

    "Please..Cutiepie..." Seraphine whispered, her voice filled with anxiety.

    I placed my hand on Alex''s chest. My fingers tingled as I channeled my energy into him, a warm, golden light emanating from my palm. It spread across his body, seeping into his wounds and knitting his torn flesh back together. The room was bathed in the soft glow, the faint hum of power filling the air.

    Seraphine watched with wide eyes, her hands clasped tightly together as if in prayer. The light slowly dimmed, and Alex''s chest rose more steadily now, his breaths deep and even.

    "He''s stable," I said, stepping back.

    His smirk deepened. "Afraid?" He let out a low chuckle, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "That night... it was you, wasn''t it?" His voice lowered, his eyes narrowing as he recalled the memory. "You and that shadow mystic girl. The ambush. That was your handiwork."

    I didn''t respond immediately, letting the silence stretch between us. The only sound was the faint pop of my gum as I chewed, my gaze fixed on him, cold and unflinching.

    Meanwhile, back in the infirmary, Seraphine was taking care of Alex, her hands adjusting the blanket on him as if it would somehow ease his guilt-ridden heart. She looked up suddenly, glancing around the room.

    One of the doctors approached her with a polite smile. "Miss, I think it''s best if you step outside now. Alex needs rest."

    Seraphine hesitated, glancing back at Alex, who gave her a small, tired nod. "It''s fine," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

    She sighed and offered him a reassuring smile. "Alright. But don''t worry too much, okay? You''ll get stronger with time."

    With that, she turned and walked out of the infirmary, her eyes scanning the hallway looking for me. Her brows close together in concern as she muttered, "Where did she go?"

    As she moved further down the corridor, a voice stopped her in her tracks.

    "What did you get by using drugs on the contestant that would''ve killed Seraphine mercilessly?"

    The words were sharp, cold, and unmistakably mine. Seraphine froze, her heart skipping a beat as she recognized my voice coming from just around the corner.

    "Cutiepie?" she whispered to herself, her voice filled with confusion and worry.

    She moved closer, pressing her back against the wall, careful not to make a sound. Peeking around the corner, she spotted me standing tall and unflinching, facing Darius, who remained seated on the bench. His mocking smirk had vanished, replaced with something far more guarded, his expression a mask of calm that didn''t quite reach his eyes.

    What is Darius....." Seraphine thought as her breath hitched as she started to get hint of what was happening. She stayed hidden, her fingers shaking as she listened closely, her mind racing.

    I stepped closer to Darius, the click of my boots echoing in the underground corridor. My voice was steady, cold, and precise. "And now you''ve even endangered Alex''s life."

    Darius''s eyes flickered, but he maintained his composure. Leaning back on the bench, he let out a low chuckle, the sound reverberating in the empty hallway.

    "Saved him, did you?" he said, his voice laced with mockery. "A miracle, I''d say. But that only proves something important."

    He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees, and his piercing gaze locked onto mine. "It proves the potency of the drugs. They can bring down anyone....even Queen and even you..Cutiepie." He smirked, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.

    I arched a brow, amused. "Oh?" I said, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. "Is that so?"

    The tension between us was getting heavier, the air thick with unspoken threats. Darius tilted his head, his sharp eyes studying me with curiosity.

    "Tell me," he began, his tone shifting to something quieter, more probing, "do you work with the Shadow Mystics... or is it something else?"

    His words lingered, baiting me for a reaction. I stood still, unbothered, and popped my gum. My expression remained unreadable, a blank mask that revealed nothing of the thoughts swirling in my mind and how I should use this situation to turn it into my favor...

    —knowing Seraphine is listening to it all from behind the corners of the wall.