Inside the teachers' meeting room, the six instructors and the director sat around a huge round table.
—The time has come to choose the upcoming matches for the fourth round —repeated Director Lion. A seventy-one-year-old man.
—There are some very interesting students in this generation —said Professor Selene Arveth. A twenty-nine-year-old woman. An instructor and also the President of Security for the UN. She held a calm gaze and a serene smile.
—You're right. Everyone who remains is truly impressive. They have surprised us in every single one of their matches —added Professor Renzo. A thirty-year-old man. His little five-year-old daughter, Yuna, sat comfortably on his lap.
—Especially that boy named Terrmomix, don't you think? —asked Professor Gideon. A forty-five-year-old man. From his gaze and tone of voice, it was clear he had consumed alcohol a few hours earlier.
—Yes. He's not like Kael. Not cold or distant, but rather… empty —replied Professor Masanori Kurogane. A thirty-nine-year-old man. His katana was fastened at his waist.
—The others have also proven they deserve to compete for first place. It's thanks to their effort that they've made it this far —said twenty-eight-year-old Professor Mari. Her fingers were interlaced in her lap; she looked a little nervous.
—Yes, everyone is at a completely different level than we imagined. But let's not get off track. The upcoming matches —commented thirty-year-old Professor Elion.
Director Lion let out a soft, slow chuckle.
—Exactly, Professor Elion. That is why we are primarily here. The sooner we begin, the sooner everyone can get some sleep.
Professor Selene stretched her arms across the table and rested her chin on them, letting out a soft, contented hum.
—I'm actually getting sleepy myself, I'm so excited to see who will be paired up.
Professor Renzo gently took his daughter's little hands and lifted them into the air.
—Then let's not wait any longer. Let the draw begin.
Professor Elion stood up and walked over to retrieve a lottery drum from the cabinet in the room.
He brought it back to the table.
—All the students' names are inside —he set the drum down.
The teachers looked at the object with quiet excitement.
—Let's see who will face each other in this fourth round —Elion spun the drum, then stopped it to reach inside and pull out a small ball.
He split the ball open and read the name written on the paper inside. He showed it to the others as well.
Their expressions showed interest in that first name. Elion passed the drum to Professor Renzo; he stood his little daughter on his knees, and she reached in to pull out the second ball.
The little girl showed the name to her father, then to everyone else.
The teachers' eyes went wide, showing astonishment at the very first match.
—Wow… —Professor Selene breathed.
An hour later, every ball had been opened, and with that, all the matches were set.
The teachers looked at the screen before them, displaying the five upcoming matchups.
Director Lion stroked his beard.
—Just look at these… truly thrilling matches we have in store for this fourth round.
—Yes… —Selene stood up from her chair and walked toward the door—. Well, off to bed then. I'm exhausted.
Several hours passed in the quiet of the night. The moon began to fade, and the soft rays of dawn slowly illuminated the academy grounds and rooms.
Naeris began to wake to the sound of birds chirping. She let out a massive yawn and sat up in bed, eyes heavy and half-closed with sleepiness.
Her hair was completely tousled, and that one tuft that always stood up was now lying flat. She glanced at the wall clock: 10:00 a.m.
—So early… —she mumbled groggily—. But breakfast awaits… —she flopped back down, defeated.
Most students were already awake. Arien and Naeris, however, slept in until 11:30 a.m.
In room 3-A of the infirmary, Zeik—who had been asleep since his match ended—slowly opened his eyes.
—Good morning, sleepyhead —said Liang, lying on the bed to Zeik's left.
Zeik rolled his eyes toward him.
—Liang… —he didn't have the strength to sit up—. You woke up before me.
Liang beamed with pride.
—Yep, and I was in way worse shape than you.
—Glad to see you awake, Zeik.
Zeik shifted his gaze to his other side, toward the voice.
—Matteo… I didn't see you there.
Matteo sat cross-legged on his bed.
—Rude. Someone had to keep watch while you two recovered, you know. And honestly? You were both absolutely wrecked.
—It wouldn't have mattered if we didn't give it everything we had. Right, Zeik?
—I suppose so…
Suddenly, the door swung open and Kael walked in.
—You're finally awake —he held up a fruit basket in his right hand.
Liang looked pleasantly surprised.
—Kael! You came to visit us.
—The doctor told me to bring these —he showed them the basket brimming with fruit.
Matteo smiled playfully.
—I think he just missed us.
Liang propped himself up on one elbow, turned to face Kael better, and laughed.
—I think so too.
Kael walked over to Matteo's bedside, took an apple from the basket, and placed it directly into Matteo's mouth.
—Shut up and eat your fruit.
Matteo blinked, completely caught off guard.
—Thanks, Kael —he mumbled around the apple, then took it properly and took a bite.
—Those bananas are mine! —Liang declared. His supporting elbow wobbled, gave out completely, and he flopped face-down onto his mattress—. Ow…
Kael watched Liang for a moment, then looked back at Zeik.
—Zeik, the fourth round starts tomorrow. You need to be fully recovered by then.
—Already tomorrow?! But I just woke up…
Liang pushed himself back upright.
—Oh no, that's terrible. If only someone could help us…
Suddenly, the door burst open.
—I'm right here for a reason! —a young man of twenty-three strode in, dressed in a doctor's coat.
Liang shrieked, nearly tumbling right out of bed.
The boys all turned to look at the newcomer.
—New character —Matteo noted calmly.
—How's it going, brats? Let me introduce myself. I'm Henry, the best doctor this infirmary has ever seen, and I'm here to patch up the walking corpse.
—Hey! —Liang protested—. Zeik may be at death's door… but he's not walking through it yet! So he's definitely not a walking corpse!
—Don't defend me, Liang.
—Heh… curious ones, aren't you. Alright, hold still while I fix you up, kid —Henry approached Zeik's bedside.
—And how exactly are you going to heal him that fast? —asked Kael.
Henry reached into his pocket and pulled on a pair of disposable gloves.
—With my technique, obviously —he snapped the gloves on.
Matteo raised an eyebrow, confused and intrigued.
—A healing technique?
—I'm offended you didn't know. There aren't just techniques for fighting —he stepped beside the bed and rested both hands on Zeik's stomach—. Relax. You're not the first person I've healed today.
Henry looked upward, drifting into memory.
—You'll feel brand new in no time, kid —Henry said to Kenzo, placing his hands gently on his stomach as well.
—Henry's healing technique is amazing. It made my whole body feel like new in seconds —Rika recalled with a smile.
Kenzo turned toward her.
—If you were already feeling better, Rika… why are you still in the infirmary instead of at the coliseum?
—Ahhh… it's quieter and more comfortable here. Plus they bring the food right to your bed.
Henry rolled his eyes.
Henry shook his head gently, returning to the present.
—Just watch and learn.
He pressed his hands softly against Zeik's stomach.
—Healing Art: Total Restoration —his gloves began glowing with a vibrant green light, and Zeik felt a wave of relief wash over his entire body.
Within moments, Zeik felt completely healed. He could move freely again without pain.
Henry pulled his hands back and took a step away.
—There we go. You're welcome, by the way. This takes a lot out of me, you know.
Zeik stretched his arms and legs, astonished.
—Thank you… That's incredible.
—Wow —Liang breathed, impressed.
—"Wow" is right. Not just anyone can pull this off. Only someone as skilled as yours truly.
—I think you're my new favorite doctor —Matteo said.
Henry stroked his chin thoughtfully.
—I'm glad I've impressed you. But… there's one thing I still don't understand. How come Zeik is in worse shape than Liang? When Zeik clearly took the hardest hits.
—It was his Marks —Kael answered.
Henry looked at him, motioning for him to continue.
—Zeik activated all three of his Marks and pushed them far past their limits. Marked users can activate all their Marks whenever we want, but if we push them too far… the body demands payment later.
—Exactly what happened to him. He'd already pushed his first two to the breaking point, and in that last clash he didn't hold back at all with the third one either. He didn't feel it in the heat of the moment, but his body was tearing itself apart from the inside —added Matteo.
—Yeah. I saw torn tendons and all sorts of internal damage. You Marked folks are truly crazy.
—And that is exactly why we are the strongest! —Liang declared proudly.
—I suppose. Anyway, I'm off —he turned toward the door—. Kael, Zeik… don't go overexerting yourselves. I'd rather not waste my energy patching you up again. But if you do… try not to die —he walked out and closed the door behind him.
Liang stared at the closed door for a moment.
—I like him.
—Now that you're recovered… —Kael looked at Zeik—. We need to train for tomorrow.
—Right! I'm ready, Kael! —Zeik replied.
—Liang and I need to move around too, or we'll get rusty. Right, Liang?
—Absolutely! Let's go train!