The quiet of the infirmary was broken by a small rustle.
Samantha stirred, her green eyes fluttering open still fogged with exhaustion and soreness. Her gaze met Kael's, who was seated calmly beside her, his cheek wrapped in a light bandage, a faint scratch from her blade peeking through.
She blinked at him groggily, then noticed the trace of concern in his expression.
"Don't worry," she said softly, her voice still hoarse. "And… you don't have to call me 'princess.'"
Kael chuckled lightly.
"How could I not? That would be disrespectful."
Samantha looked away, cheeks tinting slightly with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to say something else but Kael spoke first, looking toward the window with narrowed eyes.
"That damn Jin Eldraven…" he muttered. "He was really about to kill me."
That made Samantha pause.
"Yeah… he's been like that since five years ago. He used to be lazy and carefree. Then, suddenly, he changed. Became cold. Started training like a madman."
Her voice quieted, a strange uncertainty in her tone.
"It was weird. And now he has five cores? That's not normal…"
Kael nodded slowly, his expression unreadable.
She doesn't know… Jin's hiding more than just five cores. Way more. That man isn't the same person from the past.
He stared at the floor for a second, then thought to himself:
That's because he isn't the original Jin at all. He's a reincarnator.
But he kept that thought buried.
"Anyway," he said, rising to his feet, brushing imaginary dust off his uniform. "You should focus on recovery. That was a strong attack you threw. No shame in resting after that."
Samantha gave him a small smile, still drowsy.
"Thanks, Kael."
He turned and made his way toward the door. Just before exiting, he glanced over his shoulder.
"You did great. Really."
And with that, he stepped out, his figure vanishing into the hallway's soft golden light.