Chapter 220

As the music ended, the students who had just finished dancing turned and left the stage.

Eren and Gwen followed the crowd, making space for others to take their place.

In most high school dances across the Federation, it's often not the dancing that's interesting—but the spotlight, and the unexpected little episodes that happen during the event.

Just as Eren and Gwen left the dance floor, several boys in suits stepped onto the stage, holding bouquets, to confess their feelings to their beloved girls—or even boys.

Of course, these confessions didn't always go well.

For instance, one handsome guy, arm in arm with a girl and preparing to dance, was confessed to by a tall, muscular guy who looked like a gorilla. His face turned pale with anger.

He didn't even hesitate. Despite the obvious size difference, he threw a punch right on stage. A brawl broke out.

If not for the student council rushing in to break it up, someone might have ended up in the hospital.

Watching the chaos on stage, Eren and Gwen exchanged a look and smiled.

Hand in hand, Gwen led Eren to a secluded corner of the gym.

"Eren."

"Hmm?"

Turning toward her, eyes meeting through intertwined fingers, Eren saw the radiant smile blooming on Gwen's face.

"I had a wonderful time tonight."

"So did I."

Gazing at Gwen's brilliant, summer-flower-like face, a strong impulse surged in Eren's chest. Unable to resist, he lowered his head and moved in to kiss her soft lips.

Seeing him lean in, Gwen didn't dodge—on the contrary, she closed her eyes, anticipation fluttering in her heart.

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Just two meters away—

Illya and her boyfriend Brett were weaving through the crowd, looking around, clearly trying to find Gwen.

"Huh? Where'd they go? I saw them here just a second ago. How did they disappear?"

Even though they were only a few steps away, it was as if Gwen and Eren had been erased from sight. No matter how they looked, they just couldn't find them.

It felt like those few meters had stretched into a thousand miles.

After a bit of fruitless searching, Brett sighed, "Maybe we should stop. I doubt Gwen wants us interrupting her right now."

Illya rolled her eyes.

"What are you thinking? I'm not some light bulb tagging along on purpose. I was looking for Gwen because Buniz from the student council messaged me. He needs help in the infirmary."

"Infirmary?" Brett asked, puzzled. "What happened? Isn't the school nurse on duty? Why would they need Gwen of all people?"

Illya shrugged. "There's only one nurse tonight. According to Buniz, the place is full of students and the nurse is overwhelmed. Gwen has interning experience at Oscorp—remember what the nurse said? That Gwen's medical knowledge is nearly on par with hers. It's no surprise they'd call her in when shorthanded, especially since she's on the student council."

Brett shrugged. "Hearing all that, I'm kinda glad I never joined the council. Too many chores, can't even enjoy the dance."

Illya rolled her eyes again.

With your muscles-for-brains? The council probably wouldn't have picked you even if you'd begged.

Though, for the sake of their relationship, she wisely kept that last thought to herself.

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Back in the corner—

After what felt like a long, breathless century, Gwen, cheeks flushed and breath uneven, finally wriggled free from Eren's arms.

She shot him a mock-angry glare—he'd almost kissed her into unconsciousness.

Glancing to the side, she spotted Illya and Brett.

Even in the haze, she'd caught bits of their voices earlier.

They were standing just two meters away. Yet despite their proximity, their eyes seemed to skip right past Eren and Gwen as if they didn't exist.

Frowning slightly, Gwen turned to Eren in confusion.

"They can't see us?"

Eren, the warmth of the kiss still lingering on his lips, gave her a small, mischievous smile.

"I'm a magician, after all. Knowing a bit of misdirection is only natural."

"When we came into this corner, I laid down a simple little illusion—just in case. I didn't want your dear friend interrupting us again tonight."

Glancing toward the pair in the distance, Eren added with a touch of annoyance, "Didn't expect I'd actually need it."

If not for his foresight, Gwen's bestie would've crashed another special moment.

Gwen, intrigued by Eren's strange abilities, also found herself feeling a bit exasperated with Illya.

That made it twice now.

If not for Eren's illusion spell, they'd have been interrupted both times.

Still, when Gwen remembered the earlier conversation—

Her kind heart softened, and she apologized softly, "Eren, something's going on in the infirmary. I think I need to check it out…"

Ditching her boyfriend during the school dance—even if it was for a good cause—still made her feel guilty. She knew it might ruin Eren's night.

But before she could finish—

"I'll go with you," Eren said immediately. "Who knows? I might be able to help."

Seeing he wasn't angry, and even offering to assist, Gwen felt both touched and delighted.

"Thank you, Eren!"

On tiptoes, she kissed him sweetly on the cheek.

As for a deeper kiss?

She wasn't ready to risk suffocating again just yet.

Enjoying her affectionate kiss, Eren chuckled and led her out of their little hidden nook.

As soon as he stepped away, the illusion spell faded.

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"Whoa! You were right here?!" Illya jumped when Gwen appeared beside her.

Gwen rolled her eyes and pointed at the exact spot they had been standing.

"We've been right there the whole time. You're the one who's blind."

She said it so confidently that Illya was left speechless.

"But that's impossible… I swear I didn't see…"

Ignoring her stunned friend, Gwen quickly added, "I already got permission from the council to skip duties tonight, but if Buniz is calling me now, it must be urgent. I'm heading to the infirmary—see you later."

And with that—

She took Eren's hand and hurried off, leaving Illya and Brett exchanging confused glances.

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On the way to the infirmary—

Gwen and Eren passed several student council members, each supporting students who clutched their stomachs, rushing urgently in the same direction.

Among them were teachers and security guards—Eren and Gwen even spotted a sweaty, panicked Dean Shelmore.

Seeing him only confirmed how serious things had gotten.

When they reached the infirmary—

The place was packed.

Students lay moaning in pain, curled up on beds or even the floor, holding their stomachs in agony.

Nurse Winnie was rushing back and forth, trying to treat as many as she could.

Dean Shelmore stood nearby, face dark and tight-lipped.

"Ms. Winnie, do we know what's causing this? Is it food poisoning?" he asked.

The nurse, just finishing with a patient, shook her head.

"The symptoms aren't exactly typical, but based on what I've heard, all these students started having stomachaches and dizziness after eating the food at the dance. We can't rule out mass food poisoning just yet."

She turned to the dean again.

"Before we know the exact cause, we should stop students from eating anything else from the banquet. If this spreads, even with help from local hospitals, we might miss the treatment window."

Before Shelmore could respond, the student council's vice president Charlie stepped in.

"I've already sealed off the food. Aside from the ones already affected, we shouldn't have new cases."

Even though he acted quickly, Charlie's face was even darker than the dean's.

After all, he was the one who had overseen food procurement for tonight's dance.

This disaster would be a black mark on his record—and possibly ruin his Yale application.

Still—

No one had time to worry about his future right now.

Shelmore visibly relaxed after hearing the food was secured.

Winnie also exhaled in relief. Then she looked up—and spotted Gwen entering.

Her eyes lit up.

"Gwen! Over here! I need your help with these students—check them and take notes!"

Gwen nodded, rolled up her sleeves, and got to work.

Meanwhile—

Eren scanned the room and spotted Doug Wong, his chubby friend, lying on a cot, drenched in sweat and not even able to cry out anymore.

"Big D? What the hell…?"

Others he might've ignored—but not Doug.

Eren immediately crossed the infirmary, stepping carefully around the prone bodies, and knelt by his friend.

Doug's condition was even worse than he'd imagined.

He was slipping into unconsciousness.

And beneath his loosened shirt—

His round belly was slowly, unnaturally swelling.

Eren narrowed his eyes.

Activating his spirit vision, he peered beyond the flesh—and into what was happening inside.

Three seconds later—

His expression changed dramatically.

Inside Doug's stomach were dozens of rapidly growing mushroom-like growths—spores shaped like tiny umbrellas.

Not only had they survived stomach acid—they were thriving, feeding off his body.

Delicate white mycelium stretched out like roots, piercing blood vessels and draining nutrients at an alarming rate.

His gut was already bloated with clusters of mature fungal growths.

If this kept up—

Forget being drained into a husk—Doug's stomach would soon burst from the inside.

(End of Chapter)

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