After what had been a life-or-death battle, Nathan wakes up in the school's infirmary. His muscles are screaming in agony as he tries to get up. His head, being the only thing he's able to move, is placed higher on the headboard.
[Damn, this hurts like hell. How long was I out for anyway?]
Voices start to echo outside the room, getting louder by the second.
[Is that Prof. Nowell and… the instructor?]
Their argument heats up and goes on for longer until a woman's voice whispers through Nathaniel's ear.
"Oh, you're awake."
"Shit! You scared me."
A black-haired woman in a lab coat appeared out of nowhere. Her eyes gave a calming presence.
"Seems as though your body is in much better condition than before. But let me run through a full diagnostic just to be safe."
She begins her check-up on Nathan's injuries
"How long was I out for?"
"About 4 hours. Say aah."
"Aah…"
"Your vocal chords seemed to be strained, but nothing too serious. Can you move your limbs?"
"I can, but not without them feeling like I got crushed by a boulder."
"I see."
She browses through her cupboards and takes out a pink potion.
"Drink this."
"Is this a different healing potion?"
"Yes, but it heals muscle tissues and nothing more, unfortunately."
After drinking the potion, Nathan's body begins to feel revitalized, with him being able to move his body without it hurting.
"I feel great."
"Anything else, no other signs."
"I feel a bit tired and sleepy, but nothing so far."
"I guess those are the after-effects. I'll make a few tweaks later today."
"What do you mean by a few tweaks. Did you give me one of your experiments?!"
"Why are you getting angry for? It helped, didn't it?"
"What if something bad had happened to me?"
'The other guy didn't have a problem with it."
"Who?"
"The blonde kid that came along with you."
"You mean William?"
"Yes, but he left in quite a hurry after I told him his father came to see him after being called.
Their conversation gets interrupted by the two teachers, Prof. Nowell and the instructor.
"Say it, Zeno."
"(sighs) I apologize for letting your fight with William get out of hand."
"And…"
"And whatever criticism you may have with me, please don't hesitate to inform any of your other teachers or the headmaster."
Nathan looks at this display orchestrated by Prof. Nowell for the brazen instructor.
"It's alright, I'm fine now."
Prof. Nowell looks at the bandages around Nathan's body and asks Nurse Abigail if it is true.
"His muscles were unforgiving, but I gave him a potion, and he should be fine with some rest."
Prof. Nowell's abrupt appearance reminded Nathan about the theory he had discussed with Harry. Before they left the room, he called out to his teacher.
"Prof. Nowell."
"Yes."
"Harry had something to discuss with you earlier today."
"What is it about?"
"What I know about it is that it's a theory where someone's affinity can evolve into another based on its element."
"Can you elaborate on this?"
"It's basically going from water to ice."
"Interesting. I'll call him to my office and we can discuss it in more detail."
Instructor Zeno loudly asks Nathan.
"Can he fight?!"
Prof. Nowell drags him out of the room.
Nathan smiles at Harry's chance at impressing everyone again.
[Good luck, Harry.]
Abigail notices his beaming smile and approaches his face a bit closer to get a better look with her sharp black eyes staring deep into him.
"Wha- what is it now?"
"My potion must give people the ability to smile."
"Very funny. Am I cleared to go now?"
"Sure, but don't go to the rest of your classes since the day's almost over."
"Then where can I go?"
"Stay here, go home, walk around the school, just as long as it doesn't need your full attention."
She leaves the room, leaving a baffled Nathan on the bed.
[Wow.]
He gets up and stretches his body, making loud cracking sounds. As he heads in the direction of the boys' changing room, he sees Noah, Oscar, and all the other boys peeking out of the corner, past the door.
"Noah, what are you guys looking at?"
"Your old buddy William seems to be having family issues."
He takes a look and sees William being yelled at by his father and mother, watching from the sidelines.
"NOT ONLY DID YOU LOSE, BUT YOU LOST TO A COMMONER!"
"He wasn't just a commoner, but a strong one."
"What a useless excuse. We have given you all the tutors, magic enhancements, and instructors, but this is how you repay us!"
"I'm sorry…"
After hearing his apology, his mother walks over to him and gazes at the trembling boy she gave birth to before giving a thunderous slap across his face.
"Pitiful. To think a frightened coward like you is my son. It's appalling. Let everyone see how much of a crybaby you are after all your arrogance."
For the first time since meeting each other, Nathan saw William's face filled with shame and hate as he held back tears from what his mother had done to him in front of them.
Before another word is said, Oscar walks over to them and asks them to leave the school and discuss their matters in a more private venue.
"How dare you tell us what to do?"
"I apologize, Auntie Loren, but I am still the president of this academy, and my responsibility is to see to it that the time that the students are here is as peaceful as ever. And with this title, I humbly ask you both to leave and not cause a scene."
"Have you any idea what you're doing, Oscar?"
"I do and I don't plan on repeating myself otherwise, I will call on the staff to handle this matter."
"Tsk, very well then. (whisper) Like father, like son. I am taking William with us."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible when the school day hasn't yet finished."
"What utter rubbish. Let's go, William."
Oscar looks at his cousin and goes with them, leaving the school. Feeling defeated at helping him, he holds his face in dread.
Those around to see this incident start to gossip, with some laughing at it. But Nathan's attention is only focused on Oscar, who tried to help William but proved useless.
Silence echoes with the two of them ignoring the presence of those around them.