A Brief Respite

Kael stepped into the academy hospital.

His eyes scanned the rows of occupied beds until they landed on two familiar figures—Shirone and Stellan, lying side by side, their faces still pale from exhaustion.

Both of them were awake, though their bodies were heavily bandaged.

Shirone had a faint scowl, while Stellan looked slightly amused despite the pain.

Kael pulled up a chair beside them.

"So, you two really look like you had fun," he said dryly.

Stellan chuckled weakly. "Oh yeah, best experience of my life. Getting tossed around like a rag doll, Truly humbling."

Shirone sighed. "We were completely outclassed. If that guy hadn't shown up… we'd be dead."

Kael leaned back, his arms crossed. "Guy?. what's really happened."

The two recounted the entire event—the mind control, the battle, the woman turning into a demon, and how effortlessly the black-haired man had disposed of her.