--- An hour later ---
The corridor outside the arena smelled like lemon cleaner. The door shut behind Raizen and the crowd noise shrank to a murmur through stone. He kept walking, mind elsewhere. His hands felt numb, and his throat felt dry.
Kori stopped right in front of Raizen.
The seven other Royal Scholars almost walked into her back. Keahi was still holding her abdomen, even after ten whole minutes of Osamu healing her with Eon. Ichiro looking at the floor, Hikari still unstable on her feet.
Suddenly, Kori turned and slapped Raizen.
Hard. Open palm.
The sound cracked off the walls and the echo came back twice.
"What were you thinking!?" Kori shouted, and the word thinking made her voice crack. "Why would you go all in with a body that still doesn't know when to stop!? Do you know what happens if you miss that brake by an inch!? Do you know what your spine does if the angle is wrong by a breath!? Answer me, Raizen!!"
