Alex slowly opened his eyes. The world around him was blurry at first, then gradually sharpened into the white ceiling of the academy's medical ward.
To his surprise, there was no pain left. Only a faint dizziness when he first woke up, and even that faded quickly. He raised his hand and touched his own face. Smooth skin. No bruises. No swelling. His body had been completely restored thanks to the academy's high–tier healing facilities.
But what could not be healed was the humiliation burning in his chest.
"That... trash," he muttered under his breath, voice trembling with boiling hatred.
Isabel, who had been sitting in a chair beside his bed, immediately turned toward him.
"Alex! You are awake. How do you feel?" Her beautiful face, once filled with worry, softened with relief.
"I am fine," Alex replied, sitting up straight. His movement was smooth, painless. Physically, he was perfectly restored. But inside, the wound was still fresh and bleeding.
