Maya picks up a bottle of water from the floor, her hand trembling like a leaf in a hurricane during mating season. She pours the water over her hand, trying to form a thin glove of water mixed with her unique healing mana. For a moment, it almost looks like she's got it under control.
But then, as she inches closer to Oogorim, her hand starts shaking that the glove disintegrates into a sad, wet mess.
Behind her, Aezel stands with a deadpan expression. "I'm surrounded by idiots!" She rolls her eyes in disappointment. "You may hate him! But you have to put your personal issues aside!"
"I know," Maya retorts, her voice trembling. "But…"
She struggles, but the healing water glove never be form in her hand.
"She won't be able to do it," Lily whispers in Aezel's ear like she's about to spill tea at a high school reunion. "That Orc bullied her and Irvine so much that he's basically living rent-free in her subconscious. After all, controlling mana for healing is not that easy like waving a magic wand. It's like giving a toddler a live grenade and hoping it doesn't blow up."
Aezel sighs, a long, drawn-out why do I even bother? sigh. She watches Maya struggle for a few more seconds, before finally throwing up her hands in defeat.
"Fine! Just slap a cloth on the wound to stop the bleeding! I'll go get those two useless bitches here."
Later, enter Rebecca and Litzy, the self-proclaimed queens of the medical world, strutting into the room like they're walking a Paris runway. Their noses are so high in the air, it's a miracle they don't trip over their own egos.
"Oh, look! The amateurs finally called for the real professionals," Rebecca says, smirking so hard her face could pull a muscle.
"About time," Litzy adds with the kind of eye-roll that could power a small city.
As they start treating Oogorim, they don't waste a second lording it over everyone. It's like they're trying to win a gold medal for smugness.
"Hey! Didn't I ask for a bucket of warm water earlier?"
"Why are you just standing there? Move your lazy asses!"
"This is why medical personnel like us are indispensable," Rebecca declares, her tone dripping with enough superiority to drown a room.
"Exactly! You Ezlenmir kids clearly have no clue what you're doing," Litzy says. "Where's your so-called medical expert now? Oh, right! She's too busy praying to her imaginary friend in the sky!"
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Maya is holding a chicken egg like it's the last fragile thread holding her sanity together. Litzy and Rebecca's insults echo through the halls, and Maya looks about ready to either chuck the egg at someone or crack it over her own head.
Lily, busy cooking and left to handle all the kitchen chores alone, mutters under her breath, "You could at least break the damn egg…"
Meanwhile, outside, Aezel storms toward Irvine's room like she's ready to settle a score, still clutching the bloody knife like a villain in an old crime movie.
Knock-knock-knock!
After a pause, the door creaks open to reveal Irvine, shirtless, with a towel slung over his shoulder. He is half-naked, with hair a bit wet, standing there like a model for shampoo advertisement.
No, don't expect Aezel to swoon or blush like a teenage girl in a romance novel. Instead, her face is a perfect blend of pity and disbelief.
Her eyebrows twitch as her brain struggles to process the reality in front of her. How is this spaghetti-armed kid the one who took down Oogorim's horn?
And let's not forget! Oogorim had sent him flying through a thick glass wall just a few minutes ago. Yet here Irvine stands, looking as fresh and wound-free as someone who just stepped out of a spa.
Could it have been a one-sided fight? Aezel's head tilts slightly as if to say, No way.
"What is it?" Irvine asks, snapping her out of her existential crisis.
"Uh… nothing. I believe this belongs to you," she says, handing him the knife.
Without waiting for a proper response, she turns to leave. But before Irvine completely closes the door…
"Wait!"
"Yes?"
"I'm going to split our group, and will put you into Elea's team. You see, our elf girl is quite reckless sometimes. Please watch over her out there."
And just like that, she's gone, leaving Irvine standing in his doorway with a face that questions his sanity.
"What was that about?" he mutters, scratching his cheek.
<< She thinks you're dependable now! >> Atniel pipes up cheerfully. << Congratulation! You've unlocked a specific mastery: Babysitter specializing in Elf toddlers! >>
"Me? Babysitting Elea Adlen, the most talented student in academy? That's rich!"
<< You can't deny she's talented, but let's be honest! She's got the reckless energy of a toddler having a jar full of candies. >>
Now, speaking of who's babysitting whom… During breakfast, Elea can't stop sneaking glances at Irvine, who's busy munching on food that barely qualifies as edible. Her eyes practically sparkle, and a small smile plays on her lips.
Meanwhile, Oogorim, now looking like an Orc mummy thanks to all the bandages, is sprawled out on the sofa, still unconscious. Elea knows it was Oughan who put the Orc into a nap. But her curiosity is entirely focused on the skinny guy who somehow managed to lop off Oogorim's right horn and ear.
Across the room, Aezel watches Elea like a parent watching their kid's awkward first crush. Leaning toward Oughan, she whispers, "I can't tell if she sees him as a man or as a rival she can't figure out how to beat."
Oughan pauses mid-chew, raising an eyebrow with curiosity in his face. Aezel nods toward Elea, subtly motioning for him to observe. Sure enough, Elea's gaze is still locked on Irvine like he's the answer to a question she can't solve.
"Don't tell me…" Oughan mutters, his face twisting with concern.
Aezel sighs. "I've noticed her acting weird since that trial at the academy. And whenever Maya shows concern for Irvine, Elea looks like she just bit into a lemon."
"Are they dating?" Oughan asks cautiously.
"Irvine and Maya? Apparently, they've been together since junior high."
Oughan groans. "No good. Nooo good at all! You know how crazy elves get when they're in love."
"Tell me about it," Aezel replies, rolling her eyes. "Half their wars started because of this exact same issue. Maybe their late puberty has something to do with it. Who knows?"
"Daamn," Oughan mutters, leaning his back with so much disinterest. "Why couldn't she hit puberty next year?"