Leo lay sprawled on the floor, utterly drained. Chen Wei, still frozen in shock from the previous training chaos, stared at him with wide eyes. Yuna held her snack box tightly, her gaze flickering to Lily, who stood calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Above Lily, her Phoenix beast hovered, wings glowing faintly. But something was… different. The aura near her stomach glowed warmly, pulsating gently—almost like a secret whisper hidden in plain sight.
Yuna whispered, nudging Chen Wei:
"Chen Wei… do you feel that? The aura around Lily… it's… unusual."
Chen Wei's eyes narrowed, sensing something extraordinary.
"…Yeah… I've never felt anything like this. Leo… has nothing to do with it, right?"
Yuna shook her head subtly.
"Not him. It's Lily. Her power… it's showing something… someone inside her."
Chen Wei's jaw dropped.
"…Wait… you mean—"
Yuna gently tugged Lily aside, motioning her to a quieter corner.
Yuna (softly, whispering):
"Okay… tell me. What's going on with your aura? Why is it glowing like that?"
Lily let out a tiny sigh, a playful smile on her lips.
"You'll see soon… but don't tell Leo. He's already fragile enough."
Chen Wei's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"…She's hiding something… from LEO?"
Yuna nodded seriously.
"Yes. But I think… from this aura, there's a life inside her. Incredible, isn't it?"
Back in the hall, Leo groaned, half-dead on the floor.
"…Why is everyone whispering? I'm dying here… can someone tell me what's happening?!"
Yuna shot him a reassuring smile.
"Nothing for you to worry about… just a little… secret. Focus on surviving first."
Chen Wei muttered, still stunned:
"…Only at Lily's house… can training, Phoenix beasts, and mysterious glowing auras happen at the same time…"
The Phoenix beast hovered above, wings flicking, almost playful in its subtle approval.
Phoenix Beast (soft, resonant):
"An aura reveals truths without words. Let patience guide those who sense it… and protect those who do not yet know."
Leo tilted his head, utterly confused.
"…I'm too tired for secrets… just let me collapse already…"
Yuna whispered one last time to Chen Wei:
"Stay calm. Don't freak out. Just… watch, learn, and survive."
Narration:
"And so, Chapter 22 unfolds — a secret life glowing in plain sight, Chen Wei and Yuna discovering truths quietly, and Leo still completely unaware. The real chaos has only just begun."