Mr. Showoff Arc: Chapter 19.
Lyle Cass woke up, vision clearing, spotting the familiar tiled ceiling. He was sent to the clinic again, and with an exasperated sigh, he rose from the medical bed but felt a tinge of pain in his chest.
Ignoring it, he stood up and patted himself. The door opened, revealing the school's head nurse.
"Keep this up and you're going to die. I'm not joking around. You had a heart attack. If it weren't for my timely arrival and intervention, you'd be dead."
The head nurse said with frustrated anger, tossing the medical clipboard, whereas Lyle Cass remained silent, unable to think of a proper excuse.
"You were unconscious for only six hours this time. If anything, your body is getting used to the strain. However, I disagree with your 'almost-dying' adaptation."
The head nurse said, cracking his neck while grabbing a broom and frustratingly looking at the dirtied floor because the janitor he requested earlier didn't arrive.
"Please exit the clinic and, for both our sakes, try not to come back. The pain relief and energy boost should fade away in a few moments. I suggest you hurry to your dorm."
"H-head nurse! You dropped your medication!"
A soft voice interrupted their conversation. It was from a student, working part-time in the clinic. Her bangs covered her eyes while her voice was full of anxiety.
(Isn't that...?)
"Thank you, Klara. Now please exit the clinic, Lyle Cass."
With those exhausted words from the head nurse, Lyle immediately exited the clinic and headed straight toward the dorms. His body ached while his head felt like it was going to explode. He needed a proper rest and a hearty meal.
⟐ Ten minutes later.
With sluggish steps and bated breaths, Lyle Cass finally arrived at his dorm and shoved the door open, not caring if his roommates were already asleep. He sluggishly marched to his bed and collapsed, breathing heavily.
A few minutes after leaving the clinic, he was suddenly brought down because of an intense amount of fatigue. His hands shook as his whole body rang out in pain.
"Lyle?" His roommate, Jesse Yun, called out while squinting his eyes at the entrance. Lyle Cass collapsed, wheezing heavily.
(Did that nurse even fix me!? I feel like dying.)
Lyle Cass thought, trying to ask for help. Jesse Yun instantly jumped down from the top bunk bed and lifted him, dragging him to the bed while his two other roommates were fast asleep.
"You look like you went through hell. I've heard what had happened."
Jesse said, grabbing his water canteen and pouring water on Lyle's mouth.
"What did you hear?"
Lyle Cass asked, coughing and feeling his airway constrict.
(Goddamn, I really should turn these painful sensations down. These are way too overwhelming.)
"Your fight attracted a lot of attention. They even named it as polished talent vs raw talent. You're the raw talent."
Jesse explained while wiping the sweat from Lyle's forehead. His smile and actions beamed like a caring big sister. Lyle Cass's vision faded, carried by the severe exhaustion of his body.
Jesse Yun fixed Lyle Cass's hair, casting a small relaxation spell and tucking Lyle in for the night. He then opened a window, letting the fresh night air enter.
"I wish I had a talent," Jesse said with a huge sigh after returning to the upper bunk bed.
⟐ Early Morning.
The time was now 9:01 am.
Lyle Cass only had a few minutes left until the start of the classes, but he remained fixed on the bed, unable to stand up. His three roommates had left earlier, but Jesse Yun left a small warm stew for him to enjoy.
Lyle Cass budged and reached beneath the bed. Underneath a pile of discarded clothes were two Everflow potions. Lyle grabbed one bottle and drank it, alleviating some of the pain and fatigue.
⟐ Two hours later...
Lyle Cass opened his eyes, quietly hoping for all the pain to go away, but it was still there, albeit not as much as before. He was about to rise until his vision blurred, and after a momentary migraine.
⟐ Jing Hoo.
"Fuck!"
Jing Hoo spasmed as he woke up. The
"I hope my avatar isn't dead."
Jing said, grabbing a bottle of water from the nightstand and drinking it. He took several deep breaths and wore the
(Goddamn, that pain was no joke. That was way too immersive. However, I should probably tone it down, and I hope Lyle Cass isn't dead.)
⟐ Lyle Cass.
The simulation resumed, Jing's consciousness entering inside Lyle Cass's body. Upon entering, Lyle Cass felt lighter and was suddenly enveloped in a light green light.
"Medicatrix."
A feminine voice chanted beside him. He turned to see who it was, and to his shock. It was Mary Anne Grace, dressed in a long light-blue dress. Her loose blonde hair swayed with the wind, and her white sleeved shirt was white like snow.
Mary Anne Grace's expression remained blank, focusing on continuously maintaining the focused beam of restoration. Lyle Cass felt his body become light in each passing second.
"That should keep you up for a while."
Mary Anne Grace commented while picking up the warm stew and sniffing it. Noting that it smelled decent and enticing.
"Why are you here?" Lyle Cass said with suspicion.
(This is troubling. She shouldn't be giving this much attention to a side character.)
"I'm partly responsible for the reason you are bedridden. My reputation would be in tatters if I wasn't a graceful and honorable winner."
Lyle Cass raised a brow, taking a moment to register what Mary Anne Grace meant.
(Oh, right. In this world, when you defeat an opponent in a duel. You must do something for their wellbeing to get rid of bad spirits.)
Lyle Cass thought, rising from the bunk bed and stretching his body. *Snap!* He felt his muscles ached; he was stable, yet not fully healed. Mary then handed over the warm stew made by his roommate, holding a spoon in the other hand.
(What a thoughtful superstition.)
He thought while enjoying the warm stew. Eyes glancing at Mary Anne Grace, who was expressionlessly scanning the dorm. Taking in every detail.
Mary's nose and senses were sharp; she could tell that Lyle Cass recently drank an illegal potion. The unmistakable scent of a powerful illegal potion permeated her nose.
"This pungent scent is similar to those potions from that herbalist's basement." Mary
Anne Grace whispered as she turned to Lyle.
"It took me a while to find you. The teacher forgot to mention that you're a Class A-1 student mistakenly assigned in the Class B dorms."
She said, scanning Lyle Cass one last time before heading out the door.
"You're healing better than I expected. I apologize for calling you a showoff. You're more than that." With those words, Mary Anne Grace then left the dorm, leaving Lyle Cass to enjoy the stew in peace.
(She's going to be late. She's supposed to be a perfect student.)
Lyle Cass mused, sighing.
(I should just skip the day. Yeah, I need to sleep some more.) With those thoughts, Lyle finished the warm stew prepared by Jesse Yun. His mood lightened up when thinking of Jesse, but in an instant, he shrugged those thoughts away.
(He's a guy, he's a guy. Not a woman.)