Heavy boots crushed the dried wood in the snow, and the owner of the boots let out a dull gasp.
Hewinia followed silently behind him, her mind seemingly preoccupied.
Finally, the man stopped walking, bent down, and supported himself on his knees, gasping heavily, clearly in poor condition.
"Are you sick?" Hewinia asked lightly, "If you are sick, you can see a doctor."
"...Shut up!" the man roared, then suddenly raised his head, staring intently at Hewinia with bloodshot eyes, "How dare you mock me?!"
"I was merely stating the facts," Hewinia said calmly, "If you truly feel unwell, I can take you there. With Doctor Norman's medical skills, he will surely be able to help you."
Upon hearing Hewinia's words, the man laughed.
But it wasn't a normal laugh; it was a laugh filled with anger and mockery.
"Stop pretending, Hewinia!" the man said, "In this academy, no one knows your true nature better than I do!"
