---
Lira and Kilay were on their way down the corridor that led to the arena gates.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the stands, Sindy had just finished reporting the remaining information about placing the injured in the medical wing of the House of Duty to Igor Xen Don Crates after returning to that floor.
That's everything I have to report, sir. If you allow me, I left the second team, the medical staff, and the temporary representative of the House of Cleopatra waiting for my return. I also left the representative in charge of anything necessary, but with your permission, I'd like to go back so I can uphold the good name of the House of Plato. - Sindy
Of course, you may go. Keep up the good work. - Igor
With your permission, and that of the other leaders. - Sindy bowed respectfully and began heading down the stairs toward the site of the disturbance.
"So it looks like everything's been resolved... and I... didn't have to do anything... what a... bad feeling." - Leonardo Krivak
Sindy ran off, heading back to the third floor on the stands side where the newcomers were. She quickly disappeared from everyone's sight, and from the shadows, a man emerged, calmly adjusting his black tactical suit as he approached from behind the leaders.
Kássia D. Apolodoro and Leonardo were the only ones who turned around when they sensed a new presence approaching.
Looks like your representative finally came back, Matteo. - Kássia
Good to see you managed to return to fulfill your duties on such an important day, Raian. - Kássia
I wasn't feeling very well. - Raian said, casting a dead, cold gaze first at Kássia, then at Leonardo, who remained seated. - But it seems a lot has changed while I was away, since it looks like two representatives forgot their place and decided to sit in the leaders' chairs. - Each word from Raian's mouth felt like the cold edge of a blade, cutting slowly.
Leonardo remained silent, simply turning his gaze forward again.
To me, it looks like the quiet representative of the House of Othello decided to loosen up a bit too much today. You're even speaking in front of your leader without permission. - Kássia
For a few seconds, the two stared at each other seriously, as if challenging one another.
Alright, both of you, control yourselves. - Matteo F. Mouro
I'm glad you're feeling better, Raian. Now go back to your place. - Matteo said with a calm expression, though his foot tapped rapidly against the floor, betraying him.
On the outside, Matteo seemed completely calm, his face neutral and unreadable, but his restless foot told a very different story.
"Come on, come on, come on, Raian, just tell me what I want to know already. Come on, come on, grace my ears with the results you got." - Matteo thought to himself.
Raian returned silently to his position, standing guard behind Matteo at a distance of about ten steps. He remained completely still, and to Matteo, that silence stretched endlessly, as if Raian wasn't even breathing.
By the way, sir, I forgot to mention, but I was informed that a package arrived for you not long ago. - Raian said after a few seconds of silence that felt much longer.
Once I'm done with my duties, I'll check it. Thanks for letting me know, Raian. - Matteo replied, his eyes still fixed on the empty arena.
"Excellent, excellent, Raian. Now I can stand out among the other leaders with this opportunity. How perfect." - Matteo
Is something wrong, Mr. Matteo? You've been tapping your foot a lot. - Leonardo
Huh? Oh, that? I'm fine, don't worry about it. Just killing time while the fight hasn't started yet. - Matteo
I see. - Leonardo
Meanwhile, in the treatment room for the winners, Neale was waiting to be attended when a doctor appeared holding a clipboard.
So you're the winner of the fourth match, Neale, right? - the doctor asked, ready to write something down.
Yeah, that's me. - Neale Sanchez R.
Alright then, I need you to extend your left arm with your palm facing up. - Doctor
As he did, the doctor grabbed his arm and began checking his pulse.
Seems fine, nothing abnormal. - she said while quickly jotting down notes. - Now I'll need you to remove all your clothes.
W-what?... but I'm a man... I can't just start taking off my clothes in front of you like it's normal. - Neale
Listen, kid, I'm a doctor, not your mother, and we're short-staffed right now, so you don't get to make demands. Take off your clothes so I can finish your exam. - Doctor
Alright... - Neale said, removing his gray shirt. - Wait... do I really have to take everything off?
You can keep your underwear on if that's a problem. - Doctor
"That's... better... I guess... but this is still really embarrassing... don't doctors here have limits?" - Neale thought as he stood there one step away from being half-naked.
Now raise your arms to shoulder height. - Doctor
Neale obeyed. She began examining him from the front, looking him up and down, observing every small detail. Not knowing where to look, his eyes kept darting around.
Nothing major, just some bruises and cuts from your fight. Now I'll check your back. - Doctor
O-okay. - Neale
When she reached his back, the doctor saw a large claw mark, relatively recent, covering about twenty-five percent of his back, stretching from his neck down toward his ribs, along with several smaller cuts and light bruises.
Who left these claw marks on your back? They don't look recent. - Doctor
I got them when I ran into a lesser winged demonic beast. - Neale
"This kid fought a rare demonic species? Is that serious?" - Doctor thought.
And you fought it? - Doctor
Me? No, I don't think I could win, and things got pretty bad, so I ran. - Neale
Even so, it's impressive you managed to escape without even awakening yet. - she said, pressing lightly around the wound.
I think I only got away because I cut one of that thing's wings. - Neale
"That's incredible... if it's true, this kid is insanely lucky. Hard to believe." - Doctor
Does it still hurt? - she asked, pressing directly on the mark.
Sometimes it bothers me, but not much. - Neale
Alright, unfortunately I can't do anything about it since it's not recent. And the only serious injury you had was in one of your hands, correct? - Doctor
Yeah. - Neale
Do you feel internal pain? If so, is it mild, moderate, or severe? - Doctor
Just mild pain. Probably from the punches I took. - Neale
Alright, I already have an idea of how much Just Wrath I'll need to use to "heal" you. - Doctor
Now pay attention to what I'm about to say so we can proceed with your treatment. - Doctor
You can put your pants back on, but stay without your shirt, and sit over there. - Doctor
Neale nodded and put his pants back on.
The doctor placed her clipboard on the table beside the chair where Neale sat.
She approached him and placed the palm of her hand on his forehead, applying a small amount of her own Just Wrath into his brain for a few seconds. When she finished, she noted the result.
It seems the seed of your soul isn't stored between the two halves of your brain, which means it's in your chest, on the opposite side of your heart. - Doctor
And that's bad? - Neale
No. It's just the second possible location where the human soul can reside. It varies from person to person. - Doctor
Now listen. What I'm going to do isn't exactly healing. I'm going to exchange your injuries with your soul, effectively healing your body so you can fight in the final stage. - Doctor
Remember, this isn't true healing. You're making a trade with your own soul. Your body will be healed, but the wounds won't disappear. You'll transfer them to your soul. You'll recover faster physically, but your soul will carry those injuries. You'll need to train your body, mind, and soul to heal them. - Doctor
But... I don't know how to train that. - Neale
Don't worry about that. You'll learn, as long as you pass the final stage of the admission exam. - Doctor
Almost forgot, you'll also feel sleepy, hungry, and physically exhausted. Your soul won't be able to generate enough Just Wrath to sustain your body while it focuses on recovery. Also, this will only work for your current injuries, meaning your back will still have those claw marks. - Doctor
Understood? - Doctor
Yeah. Let's do it. - Neale
Then I'll begin. - Doctor
For Soul. - she said, placing her palm on Neale's chest.
Neale's body lit up like a faint bulb, colorless. His cuts and bruises seemed to sink into his skin, replaced by new flesh.
When his hand began to be "healed," his fractured bones, muscles, skin, and even ligaments seemed to vanish before being replaced by new ones. When it was done, it was as if he had never broken it. As the transfer completed, his body dimmed again.
We're done. All your injuries have been transferred to your soul. It will consume a lot of your energy to recover, and you might feel something strange in your hand, like it's not yours, but that'll only last a few days. - Doctor
As she spoke, Neale already felt the effects. A strong dizziness hit him, and he nearly fell just trying to stand. Even hearing her voice felt difficult, as if the words couldn't reach or be processed by his brain.
I... feel... exhausted... like my body is devouring itself just to keep me standing. - Neale
It won't last long. You'll see. It'll pass much faster once you learn to train your soul. - Doctor
What's your team number? I'll take you to your waiting room. - Doctor
T-twelve... I'm from twelve. - Neale
Let's get you there, then. You need some rest. - Doctor
Neale was then taken to the waiting room with the rest of his team, supported by the doctor.
Meanwhile, Sindy had already returned to the accident site. The last group of injured newcomers was being removed.
Hey, you. These are the last injured left to be taken, right? - Sindy
You're back, Miss Sindy. Yes, these are the last ones. - Medic
Were all of them taken to the designated location without issues? - Sindy
Yes. - Medic
Good. And the representative from the House of Cleopatra, where is he? - Sindy
He and the second team went straight up to the fourth floor, collecting the newcomers' weapons. They'll start from the top and work their way down. - Medic
Which direction did they go? - Sindy
The medic quickly pointed.
Alright. Leave only the necessary personnel to treat the injured. The rest should return and spread evenly across the other floors. Let's finish this quickly. - Sindy
Yes, ma'am. - all the medics replied in unison.
The moment they answered, Sindy was already running again, heading for the fourth floor to catch up with the representative.
As the representative of the House of Cleopatra and his group climbed the stairs, they encountered two young people coming down and stopped them.
Where do you two newcomers think you're going? - Representative
As Lira was about to answer, Kilay raised his hand, stopping her.
We're going to carry out Team Twelve's final duel in the second stage of the admission exam. - Kilay
Hmm, is that so? Could you show me your team number? - the representative said, his tone making the air feel heavier, the corridor tighter, as if the walls were closing in.
Kilay showed his right shoulder, where the number twelve had been burned into his black hoodie using Just Wrath.
Can we go now? - Kilay asked calmly.
You too, girl. Show me your team number. - Representative
Lira showed the hem of her shirt, marked with the same number.
Alright. Seems you weren't lying. I won't need to worry about you. You may go. - The heavy atmosphere faded with his words.
Make way for them. A tip: the path to the left leads straight to the arena gates, the other goes down a floor. Good luck, young ones. - Representative
Thank you. - Lira
Let's move, we have work to do. - The representative and his group continued upward.
Once they felt safe to speak, Lira commented:
What was that about? - Lira
I'm not sure, but I doubt it's unrelated to the noise and that floor collapse below us. - Kilay
---
FOUR SOUL
Explanation:
It's a technique where a person's injuries are transferred to their own soul with the help of another person.
The technique doesn't truly heal the person. Instead, all recent physical damage is sent to the soul, "healing" the body.
When the injuries are transferred, the soul stops generating energy and starts consuming it to heal itself, causing fatigue, hunger, and weakness.
The higher the user's level of Just Wrath, the faster the soul heals, and the negative effects become minimal. At high levels, they may last anywhere from five minutes to an hour.
The injured person cannot transfer their own injuries alone. They require a third party acting as a receiver, who sends the information to the soul and initiates the transfer after awakening it.
Depending on the receiver's level, they can heal up to three people in a row before running out of energy. The current record is four consecutive uses, as acting as a receiver also consumes a large amount of energy, since the injured person's soul draws energy from the receiver before the process fully begins.