The training hall was unusually quiet, almost as if the room itself was holding its breath. Leo, still half-dead from previous rounds, tried to catch his breath on the floor.
Then—
Lily suddenly froze mid-step. Her hand instinctively pressed against her stomach. A faint shimmer appeared, the Phoenix beast above her glowing a little brighter, wings fluttering protectively around her torso.
Leo's eyes widened.
"Uh… Lily? You okay…?"
Lily's face turned pale. A wave of nausea swept over her, and she stumbled, gripping the edge of the training mat.
"…I… I feel… sick…"
Yuna, standing near Chen Wei, froze. Her sharp eyes immediately caught a faint, glowing aura around Lily's abdomen—subtle, but unmistakable.
Yuna (whispering to Chen Wei):
"Chen Wei… look… her aura… she's carrying…"
Chen Wei's jaw dropped.
"Wait… she… what?! Are you serious?!"
Leo's panic skyrocketed. He stumbled backward, realizing what this meant.
"Oh no… oh no… ohhh nooo… she's not letting me escape now…"
Lily, still holding her stomach, let out a soft retch, covering her mouth politely.
"…ugh… excuse me…"
Yuna stepped closer carefully, sensing the aura more clearly.
"Lily… it's… it's a child, isn't it?"
Lily nodded faintly, trying to stabilize herself. Chen Wei peeked over, eyes wide with astonishment.
At that moment, Lily's mom appeared from the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, trained eyes immediately noticing the aura as well.
"Ah… I see. So it's finally time… she's carrying a child."
Leo's knees nearly buckled.
"NOOOO… I didn't sign up for THIS level of chaos!"
Meanwhile, Lily's giddiness turned into a sharp edge of irritation—the kind only subtle pregnancy hormones can bring. She clenched her fists for a second, muttering to herself.
Lily (thinking):
"Focus… don't vomit in front of everyone… stay strong…"
The room was a mix of silent tension, mild chaos, and awe:
Lily trying not to topple over or lose control
Yuna and Chen Wei staring in both worry and amazement
Leo internally panicking, imagining all ways to "disappear"
Lily's mom calmly nodding, clearly aware and assessing the situation
And yet—Leo and Lily's dad remained completely oblivious.
Narration:
"And so… the child's presence was revealed to everyone except the main character and Lily's dad. Chaos, worry, and a tiny hint of awe filled the room, while training—already intense—was
momentarily overshadowed by this unexpected revelation."