As soon as the match ended, Alex let out a faint smile—barely noticeable, but laced with quiet pride. Even if it ended in a draw, it was enough. Enough to prove his strength. Enough to silence doubt.
Moments later, Zeke and Seraphina dashed onto the stage, rushing to Alex's side. Meanwhile, Sanjo's allies scrambled to help their comrade to his feet, his pride as battered as his body.
Zeke didn't hesitate. He bent down, hoisting Alex onto his back, the weight of his unconscious friend far lighter than the pressure in his chest. Seraphina joined him immediately, both sprinting toward the nearby treatment station.
But just as they neared the facility, something unexpected brought them to a halt.
A tall figure stepped into their path.
He wore the distinguished black and crimson coat of a high-ranking hunter, a silver crest gleaming on his chest. His presence radiated authority. He looked to be in his thirties, his stern gaze sharp as a blade—and all too familiar.
General Thorfinn Dortmon.
One of the powerful generals they had encountered before at the Hunter Base.
Zeke instinctively stopped, still carrying Alex on his back, his breath catching in his throat. Seraphina froze, eyes narrowing as her instincts screamed caution.
"Hey, kid," Thorfinn called out, his voice firm but calm. "Where are you taking him?"
He already knew the answer. There was only one destination in this part of the grounds—the nearest medical center.
"W-What…?" Zeke and Seraphina raised their heads slowly, only to stiffen the moment they recognized the voice. Their eyes widened.
Him?!
They gasped, thoughts racing. What now? What did we do?
Zeke stepped forward, masking his fear with forced composure. "Sir… we're just heading to the medical center," he replied, tightening his grip on Alex. He swallowed, trying to keep his gaze steady.
Seraphina, however, couldn't even manage that. She stood still like a statue, her eyes distant, almost as if she were trying to retreat into her own mind—away from the overwhelming presence of the general. Thorfinn's expression revealed nothing, but his silence felt louder than any accusation.
Suddenly, the general clapped his hands together with a sharp snap, shattering the tension.
"Good. But I don't think the medical center will be necessary," he said. He paused, his eyes drifting toward Alex's unconscious form. "I've already prepared a place at my private residence. A highly skilled doctor is waiting for him."
There was a brief silence as Zeke and Seraphina exchanged glances. Refusing wasn't really an option.
With no choice left, they nodded.
"S-Sure… I guess there's no problem. He is our superior after all…" Seraphina muttered under her breath, lowering her head and clenching her hands as though counting her thoughts. Her eyes briefly flicked to Alex, worry hidden behind her silence.
Zeke forced a smile. "Okay, yeah. That… sounds better," he said, trying to appear agreeable.
"Excellent," Thorfinn replied, clapping his palms once more. "Then let's not waste time. This boy needs treatment—and rest."
They followed him through the winding streets, which gradually turned into a dim, wooded trail at the outskirts of the city. As they reached the edge of the forest, Seraphina and Zeke slowed down, glancing around warily.
But Thorfinn simply nodded reassuringly and pressed forward.
Reluctantly, they followed.
The forest was eerily quiet. The wind whispered through the trees. Birds flitted between the branches, their chirps soft and distant—then silence. A moment later, the sounds returned. Then silence again. As if the forest itself was watching.
Moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting a silver path ahead. It illuminated their way as they sprinted through the woods.
"There," Thorfinn finally said, pointing ahead.
In the distance, nestled deep within the forest, stood a large house—more like a villa. Its silhouette shimmered under the moonlight, peaceful and serene.
Zeke and Seraphina exhaled in relief at the sight.
Finally… Alex will be safe.
They quickened their pace, racing toward the building. As they neared the entrance, they slowed, allowing the general to lead the way inside.
The house looked immaculate. The air was thick with the calming scent of medicinal herbs, and the garden surrounding the villa bloomed with moon-kissed flowers. Even at night, the place looked like something out of a dream.
"Whoa…" Zeke muttered, eyes wide in awe.
Seraphina's mouth parted slightly. "It's… beautiful."
Inside, the villa was even more stunning. Ornate woodwork, golden lanterns, and silk curtains. Everything was polished, warm, and welcoming.
Waiting inside was an older man dressed in pure white attire, his eyes sharp despite the wrinkles on his face. His presence felt gentle but experienced—like someone who had seen the world and lived to tell about it.
"That's Papa Dortmon," Thorfinn said with a nod. "Real name—Andrea Dortmon. He's the one who'll be treating your friend."
The old man smiled and stepped forward. "Let's get him inside. Quickly now. There's no time to waste."
As Zeke and Seraphina caught sight of the old man, they both nodded respectfully. There was something reassuring about his presence—like the calm before a storm. Without wasting a second, he motioned them inside and led them down a quiet hallway.
The door creaked open to reveal a room that could only be described as astonishing.
Lined with shelves of glowing herbs, exotic roots, and jars filled with strange liquids, the room pulsed with medicinal energy. Several soft beds lay at the center, surrounded by medical tools and steaming bowls of herbal mixtures. It wasn't just a treatment room—it was a sanctuary for healing.
"Whoa…" Zeke whispered, unable to hide his amazement. "This place… it's better than any medical center I've seen."
Without hesitation, Zeke gently laid Alex on the nearest bed.
The old man, Papa Dortmon, moved forward with the calm precision of someone who had done this a thousand times. He placed his wrinkled hand just above Alex's chest, his eyes closing as he sensed the boy's inner state.
He nodded slowly. "Good… the energy in his meridians is flowing smoothly."
But his brows furrowed moments later.
"Strange…"
With his inner eye, he scanned deeper—and what he saw (or rather, didn't see) sent a ripple of unease through him. There was no trace of blue energy—the very element Thorfinn had described. It was as if Alex's elemental attribute had vanished entirely.
"So it's true…" Papa Dortmon muttered. "What Thorfinn said wasn't just exaggeration. A boy whose energy defies detection... but how can this be?" He shook his head slightly, recalling the words of the general. "To the world, he might be General Thorfinn... but to me, he's still the reckless Thorfinn who brings me mysteries I never asked for."
After gently applying a few salves to Alex's chest and neck, Papa Dortmon stood up.
"I'll return shortly. I need to prepare a special pill—something to reinforce his energy core."
With that, he left the room, his robes trailing behind him.
All the while, Zeke and Seraphina sat silently, eyes glued to every movement the old man made. The scent of rare herbs still lingered, wrapping the room in a comforting warmth.
Moments later, Alex's eyelids fluttered.
Then, slowly, they opened.
A faint smile curved his lips when he saw the familiar faces before him.
"Hey… guys," he whispered, his voice weak yet filled with warmth. "Thanks… for everything."
Zeke was on his feet instantly, a storm of guilt in his eyes.
"No… we're the ones who should be thanking you," he said, voice trembling. "If it weren't for us… you wouldn't be this injured. Especially me. I should've stopped them. I should've—"
"It's not just him…" Seraphina added, stepping forward, her voice soft. "I could've done more. I should've protected you. I'm sorry, Alex."
But Alex, even in his fragile state, shook his head.
"Don't," he said. "We all knew what we were walking into. You spoke up for me when it mattered. You had my back. That's more than I could ever ask for. I owe you both."
Their hearts clenched at his words. Despite the pain, despite the betrayal—they were still a team.
Just then, the door opened once more.
Papa Dortmon entered, holding a small glass cup filled with a glowing green liquid. The scent of crushed herbs and rare roots wafted into the room, cleansing the air like sacred incense.
"Hm-hm," he chuckled lightly, walking toward the bed. "This concoction is made up of pure herbs. It's designed to quicken your recovery... and strengthen the flow of energy in your meridians."
He offered the cup to Alex, who took it with a faint nod.
Without hesitation, Alex drank the liquid in one go. A surge of warmth spread through his chest as the medicine coursed through him, revitalizing his body with every heartbeat.