A reignited resolve

Nurse Suzy had just finished her morning shift at the hospital.

Despite her being one of the youngest nurses and having a lesser workload, she could not afford to slack off.

Through her family's connections, she had managed to secure a spot in one of the World's most prestigious Hospitals.

With a medical team consisting of the world's most renowned experts and equipment capable of performing surgeries with pinpoint accuracy, Saint Bernard's Hospital was among the few that could catch the eyes of the rich.

After all, it was located in the center of the Golden City, a place where only the wealthiest and most influential people lived.

With 50-meter tall adamantium walls separating itself from the surrounding 12 Districts, a dome capable of controlling the atmospheric conditions inside it and a diverse variety of tropical plants in every corner, Golden City truly deserved the title of a real-life utopia.

Home to the elites of the elites, its residents consisted of only the most successful businessmen, a select few Royalties, and lastly, the people who held the greatest amounts of power over the global affairs, the leaders of the World Council.

"Phew, today was the same as ever", Nurse Suzy exhaled a deep breath.

Despite their extremely high wages, all normal civilians working inside the Golden City were constantly under immense stress.

Surrounded by so many powerful people, one could only hope not to accidentally offend any of them, for the consequences of such an action were unspoken even amongst the staff members.

Ignoring such thoughts, she resumed her walk through the large building, until she arrived at the entrance to the rehabilitation center of the hospital.

"Strange, that person isn't here today"

For the past four days, a man with black hair had managed to draw the attention of every patient and personnel of the center.

Engaged in an endless cycle of failure, he would constantly challenge himself by trying to take one more step, before yet again falling to the soft mattress.

Ever since he started, a frequent thumping sound of an object colliding with the floor could be heard inside the thick walls of the rehabilitation center.

Despite all the safety measures to prevent fall injuries, bruises would be visible all over the man's body, which would be soaked in sweat after long hours of walking.

In the beginning, people thought that he was delusional, unable to accept his new state, and needlessly pushing himself to the limits, damaging both his body and his social standing in the process.

Some would show hints of amusement, others would silently judge him, while the rest would dismiss his effort as a sign of foolishness.

As days passed however, the time intervals between the sounds of the man's body hitting the ground started to gradually increase.

Until an hour had passed, and no thumping sound had been heard inside the rehabilitation center.

Only the silent and steady breathing of the man, slowly running in circles around the small track course.

"Hm, it seems that at least the other patients are more motivated now"

-I wonder if I will ever see him again, he did seem a lot more approachable than most of the VIP patients

"Hey Suzy", a woman's voice interrupted the young nurse's thoughts.

"Paula, darling how can you be so pretty today! I really like your new style", upon meeting her colleague, the two engaged in a friendly conversation.

"Oh that's nothing dear, hey wanna grab something to eat from the nearby cafe? I know the owner and he will definitely give us a hefty discount"

"Sure Girl, let's go"

Exiting through the hospital's entrance, they arrived at the main road where nurse Suzy suddenly noticed the black-haired man who had taken her interest, about to enter a black luxurious limousine.

"Oh hold up a bit Paula"

"Hey Mister!", she shouted at him from afar, in an effort to get his attention before he took off.

Despite the sizeable distance between them and the noise from all the cars, the man heard the woman's calls and slowly turned his head in her direction.

Seeing that, the young woman considered it a proper follow-up to ask his name.

"Mister, what's your nam-"

However, she stopped mid-sentence.

Drops of sweat started to form on her forehead, and no words were to be able to come out from her mouth.

"Suzy? Suzy what's wrong?", Paula, realizing something was off, grabbed Suzy by the shoulder.

The body of the young nurse was trembling and her eyes were deeply fixated on something in the distance.

At the other end of the woman's eyes, lied the cold and bizarre eyes of the man she was so intent on seeing for the last few days.

His face was emotionless and his posture indifferent, but the mere act of locking eyes with him made Suzy enter a state of panic.

-N-no this can't be...how could he be the same person as before!?

Shocked and in deep fear, Suzy could not resist the mental strain from the man's aura and succumbed to the pressure.

"SUZY!?? WHAT'S HAPPENING?", in the arms of the bewildered and worried Paula, now lied the unconscious body of the young nurse.

A commotion was created and people started to gather, but the man standing outside of the car did not move a muscle.

"Hey Jay, are you coming or what?", a heavy and deep voice came from the backseats of the car.

"Yes, it is a pleasure to see you again Julius"

....