We're in the wrong bath!

Steam curled lazily around the tiled walls, the steady hiss of running water filling the training showers. The warmth dulled the aches in their battered bodies, providing a rare moment of solace.

Arnik leaned against the wall, letting the water cascade over his bruised frame. Deep purple splotches marred his skin, his ribs ached with every breath, and his knuckles—raw and swollen from relentless strikes—throbbed in protest. But he welcomed the pain. It meant he was still standing. Still fighting.

Kai stood nearby, rigid despite the clear strain in his posture. His fingers, red and swollen from pushing precision magic past its limits, trembled faintly under the stream. A few nails clung on precariously, cracked and ready to peel away. But his face remained impassive, betraying only the faintest tension in his jaw.

For a while, neither spoke. The sound of water was the only thing between them.

Kai broke the silence first. "You look beat up, Arnik."

Arnik let out a dry chuckle, running a hand through his soaked hair. "Understatement of the century. Feels like I fought a brick wall. And lost. Every round."

Kai smirked faintly. "Not surprised, considering you dive headfirst into danger without thinking."

"It's my style. You know that." Arnik's grin was lopsided as he tilted his head toward Kai's hands. "What about you? Those look like they went through a shredder."

Kai flexed his fingers slowly, testing them. "Comes with the territory. Precision magic isn't forgiving."

Arnik let out a low whistle. "Looks like it's tearing you apart."

Kai's smirk faded, his tone leveling out. "It's a small price to pay for results." His voice dropped slightly. "The pain reminds me I'm still alive."

Arnik's brow furrowed. "That's a little dark, don't you think?"

Kai let out a humorless laugh. "Maybe. But it's true. Every bruise, every ache… it means we're still here. Still fighting. Still able to make a difference."

Arnik nodded slowly, the weight of those words settling over him. "Yeah. I get that." He ran a hand over his face, feeling the water drip from his chin. "We've got to get stronger, though. Fast. There's no other choice."

Kai nodded, his expression grim but resolute. "Agreed."

Arnik leaned back against the wall, tilting his head slightly as if something had just clicked. "That reminds me… What about Markus?"

Kai stiffened. His gaze flicked downward, lingering on the tiled floor as if searching for the right words.

"Markus…" His voice was quieter now, almost hesitant. "We haven't seen him since—"

"The fall of Earth," Arnik finished grimly. His voice was heavy, the memories of that day pressing down on them like a weight.

Kai's jaw tightened, his glasses catching the dim light as he adjusted them. "He's out there somewhere. I know it. He wouldn't just—" He stopped himself, exhaling sharply. "He'll turn up. He has to."

Arnik nodded, but a shadow of doubt flickered in his eyes. "Yeah. Markus is too stubborn to go down that easily." His tone was light, but the heaviness beneath it was unmistakable.

They fell into silence again, their thoughts thick and unspoken.

Then—

Laughter.

Light. Muffled. But close.

Kai's entire body tensed.

Arnik's stomach dropped.

They turned to each other, realization hitting them at the exact same moment.

"Kai…" Arnik started, his voice dangerously low.

"Arnik…" Kai echoed, dread seeping into his tone.

Their voices overlapped in horrified unison.

"We're in the wrong bath."

A long pause.

Then—

"Did you hear something?" A voice from the other side.

"Yeah… I think so."

Kai's breath hitched. "We need to leave. Now."

Before either could move—

Rose and Aika rounded the corner.

The world stood still.

Steam curled around them, the air thick with warmth, silence, and utter, unfiltered chaos.

Kai and Arnik were frozen. Pressed against the wall like cornered animals.

Rose's gaze locked onto them, her face shifting from confusion… to understanding… to pure, unrelenting fury.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING HERE?!"

Aika's eyes widened. Her face turned a deep shade of red as her gaze drifted downward.

Then—

A single, barely audible whisper.

"So big…"

Aika fainted on the spot.

With a quiet thud, she toppled backward into the bathwater, disappearing beneath the surface with a loud splash.

"Aika!" Rose shrieked, immediately diving after her.

That was it.

That was their cue.

"RUN!" Arnik barked, already grabbing Kai's arm and yanking him toward the exit.

"I'm trying!" Kai yelped, stumbling as he scrambled to keep up. "Stop pulling me!"

Behind them, water sloshed violently as Rose dragged Aika onto the edge of the bath. Her soaked hair clung to her face, her eyes blazing with wrath.

"PERVERTS! IDIOTS! SLEAZEBAGS!"

Kai chanced a glance over his shoulder.

Big mistake.

Rose was already on the move. Her soaked towel barely stayed in place as she bolted after them, an unhinged aura of death radiating off her in waves.

Kai's stomach lurched. "She's going to kill us!"

"She looks like a demon!" Arnik shouted, torn between terror and sheer amusement.

Kai tripped over himself, exhaustion catching up fast. "Arnik—I can't make it!"

Arnik skidded to a stop, grabbing Kai by the arm and hauling him upright. "No soldier left behind!"

"GET BACK HERE!" Rose's voice echoed violently through the halls, her footsteps pounding against the wet floor.

Arnik and Kai rounded a corner.

Kai pointed wildly at a supply closet. "In there!"

They dove inside, slamming the door behind them.

The hallway shook as Rose's furious steps stormed past. "WHEN I FIND YOU, YOU'RE DEAD!"

Silence.

Heavy breathing.

Kai and Arnik stood pressed against the door, their bodies slick with sweat and adrenaline.

Then, slowly—

Arnik turned to Kai.

Kai turned to Arnik.

The sheer absurdity of the situation hit them at the same time.

Arnik clapped a hand over his mouth, shoulders shaking violently.

Kai let out a breathless wheeze.

And just like that—

They broke.

Laughter spilled out between gasps for air, their bodies trembling as they struggled to contain themselves.

Kai wiped a tear from his eye. "We are so dead."

Moments later, they cautiously cracked open the door and slipped back toward the dorms.

If they were lucky, they'd live to see tomorrow.

If not…

At least they'd die laughing.