CHAPTER - 203

  Narrator: The sound of swallowing echoed clearly in that glacial silence that had wrapped the room.

  It almost felt like the air had grown heavier, harder to breathe.

  Eyes met, one by one. No one dared to speak first.

  The director’s words had struck deep.

  They all reached a similar, almost collective thought:

  “He’s not humanly strong.”

  It was a simple thought, but devastating.

  Many shoulders lowered.

  They felt small in that moment small enough to be mistaken for ants under the sky of a titan.

  The terror didn’t come from him, but from the idea of what he could’ve been if he were different.

  If that strength, that divine calamity, had belonged to someone with violent, vengeful, or evil intent…

  the entire continent, perhaps the entire human world might have fallen into chaos.

  But then, the thought changed.

  “We don’t have to worry, I suppose.

  He is who he is, and we need to take care of him like he did for us.

  If anything ever happens.. he’ll save us again.

  And this time, he won’t be alone.”

  A quiet wave of collective affection spread through the silence.

  No one spoke, but many began to breathe easier.

  The tension gave way to a strange serenity.

  The director, who had been watching silently all this time, looked at Selene and smiled with warmth and gratitude.

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  "Alright then.

  I’ll be going now. See you later."

  The director stood slowly, his jacket folded over his left arm, and left the room with a calm step.

  His figure disappeared behind the door just as a light breeze came in through the half-open window.

  The others began to rise in turn.

  Some murmured a “see you later”

  others offered only a faint smile or a nod of the head.

  But almost all left with their gaze low and thoughtful, still trapped in that whirlpool of reflection.

  Iris and Valeria came close to Selene, that tall and strong woman who suddenly seemed fragile, as if she had taken off her armor.

  They wrapped their arms around her, and all three walked slowly toward Selene’s room.

  Selene, with a small smile of relief, let herself go.

  They walked arm in arm, slowly, like three sisters after a storm.

  Kael, instead, went to his room, rummaging through the items scattered around, looking for that fantastic electric object of his a treasure in his eyes.

  Eldrin, in silence, took the road to the arena. His steps were firm, his gaze resolute.

  Already ready.

  Sofia walked alongside Ekaterina toward the latter’s room.

  The two didn’t speak much, but the way they looked at each other made the depth of their respect unmistakable.

  At the door, Sofia turned.

  "I’ll be busy for a few hours."

  Ekaterina asked no questions.

  She stepped inside and turned only briefly, bidding her goodbye with a wide smile one of those real ones that needed no words.

  Meanwhile, in the arena, Dav was already there.

  Lying exactly at the center, as if he were sunbathing on a beach.

  He really did resemble a beached whale, but he didn’t seem to care.

  He stayed there, eyes closed.

  The arena was vast, silent, and the echo of his breathing seemed to bounce off the walls.

  "Take your time,"

  he said lazily, with a laid-back, bored tone.

  Shortly after, Kael and Eldrin entered.

  Their expressions were calm, almost amused.

  Together they carried the infamous taser, an enormous, modified object that glowed with a small blue light at its center.

  Dav saw it and gulped, fully aware.

  Right after them, with a confident step, Lexia entered as well.

  Her body radiated energy, vitality.

  Her eyes sparkled.

  Kael: (cheerful) Miss Lexia! So nice to see you again.

  We have to help your brother again today.

  [Lexia laughed gracefully, covering her mouth with one hand.]

  Lexia: Yes, I hope I won’t burn through all my mana too quickly today..

  Last time I felt so exhausted I slept an entire day!

  [Eldrin approached and greeted her with a small bow.]

  Eldrin: Good to see another member of Dav’s family again.

  [Then Lexia looked at Dav. She made a funny, slightly disgusted face.]

  Lexia: (annoyed) So?

  Did I come all the way here just to watch you lying around like a beached whale?

  What exactly are we waiting for?

  [Dav raised one finger and pointed it right in front of Lexia’s face, as if to silence her.

  She turned away, annoyed, but then heard the name.]

  Dav: We’re waiting for her.

  Sofia.

  [As soon as he said the name, Sofia entered.

  Feeling the eyes on her, she raised one arm in greeting.]

  Sofia: (smiling) Hey everyone, I’m here.

  END OF CHAPTER - 203