Poppy and Jayce walked side by side, making their way to Ekko's room. Poppy enters first as Ekko's limbs were suspended in the air, held up by pieces of cloth, rendering him immobile. However, as Ekko's gaze fell upon Poppy's smiling face, a glimmer of hope shone in his eyes, until Jayce comes into the room just behind her and then he realized that Jayce was the reason behind her newfound happiness.
Ekko sneered at Jayce, his voice laced with resentment. "So, you finally decided to show up? Leaving us alone to worry all this time."
Jayce's smile remained steady as he replied, "I was making moves, Ekko. Moves to help you achieve your dream of becoming a Knight, after all."
Ekko's voice dripped with defiance. "I don't want your help, Jayce."
Fury flashed across Jayce's face, and Poppy instinctively reached out to hold him back, but he brushed past her. His voice trembled with anger as he retorted, "I've risked everything to help you, Ekko. But it seems your pride is more important than your dreams."
Ekko screamed, "Get lost, Jayce! I don't need your help!"
The two boys locked eyes, their expressions filled with rage, adrenaline coursing through their veins. Ekko panted heavily, the tension palpable in the room. Poppy's gaze shifted anxiously between the two, terrified of what might unfold.
Jayce approached Ekko, determination etched into his features, and began chanting.
Ekko protested for him to stop. He said, "Jayce, Get away from me! I didn't ask for your help! Leave me alone!"
Ekko struggled to move away, but his limbs barely responded.
Jayce combined three chants—one from the Moonshade tribe for water healing, another from the Hart family for tissue healing, and the final one from the Zorander clan for regeneration.
A blinding flash of light erupted, accompanied by Ekko's desperate screams for Jayce to cease. But his pleas fell on deaf ears. When the light subsided, Jayce's feet wobbled, and he grasped the edge of the bed for support. Poppy moved forward to assist him, but he held out a hand, motioning for her to stop.
He spoke with a weak voice and said, "Don't worry, Poppy. I've only used up a lot of mana. I'll be fine soon." He turned to Ekko and asked, "Did it work? Can you move your legs?"
With a burst of anger, Ekko ripped a hand free from the bandages that had covered it and struck Jayce in the belly. Jayce crashed into the wall, blood spilling from his mouth. Ekko rose to his feet, fury fueling his actions as he relentlessly beat Jayce with blows to the head. Jayce, weakened and defenseless, couldn't muster the strength to stop him. Poppy desperately tried to intervene, but Ekko forcefully hurled her into the wall.
Overwhelmed by rage, Jayce managed to intercept Ekko's next punch with his open fist. As he did, an overwhelming sense of killing intent emanated from him, reaching the senses of all the teachers in the academy. Ekko, stunned and paralyzed by fear, crumpled to the ground, anticipating his impending fate. He gritted his teeth, refusing to beg for mercy.
In that critical moment, Headmaster Lucian, Master Yi, and Grand Alchemist Shen burst into the room, barely managing to restrain Jayce. Their timely arrival saved Ekko's life from the brink of destruction.
Seated next to Poppy, Jayce kept a watchful eye on her as she lay on the infirmary bed, a bandage wrapped around her head. The mages had done a commendable job healing her injuries, but the impact of being thrown into the wall had rendered her unconscious. Jayce wished that he could heal her instantly but his mana was drained and any attempt to use magic could kill him.
Eventually, she stirred, her eyes fluttering open, and when she saw Jayce, she reached out to take his hand. Jayce's smile gentled as he stroked her cheek.
Poppy's voice was soft as she spoke, her gaze filled with concern. "Jayce... please forgive Ekko."
Jayce's expression hardened, and he tightened his grip on her hand for a moment, his anger palpable. But then, his features softened, and he smiled again. "You're lying in that bed because I put you there, and yet you're asking me to forgive him. You know, Poppy, you're one hell of a woman."
A mixture of amusement and admiration danced in Poppy's eyes as she giggled softly.
She continued, her voice teasing. "And that's the second time you've complimented me, you know."
Before Jayce could respond, a knock sounded on the open door, and Headmaster Lucian entered the room. He approached the bedside, leaving a small tray of sweets on the table for Poppy. Turning his attention to Jayce, he spoke with a sense of urgency in his tone.
"Duke Kassadin won't remain ignorant about you for much longer, Jayce. He'll come calling, but I have a plan. You must complete all your studies this week, not just for passing grades, but to earn distinctions in swordsmanship, magic, and alchemy. Once you do, you'll become a candidate for Knight of the realm, and you'll move beyond the Duke's reach."
Jayce's uncertainty was evident as he voiced his concern. "A week is too short, Headmaster."
Headmaster Lucian's gaze bore into Jayce's, filled with unwavering confidence. "If anyone can do it, it's you. After all, you learned the Zorander ultra-fast healing technique in just one day. Something that has taken me a lifetime."
Jayce sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "Looks like I don't have a choice."
Poppy, confused by the exchange, shifted her gaze between the two of them. Her voice trembled with curiosity as she asked, "Who is this Duke?"
Jayce smiled at her. "No one you need to be worried about because I will take care of him."