The sound of fingers breaking echoed through the room.

  Clenching his fists, Noah paid no heed to the sounds or sensations. There was no pain or noise that could draw his eyes from the energy which, instead of healing, continued to drain away. The pill he had given to Ting wasn’t working.

  Why?!

  The blood he swallowed from biting his lips didn't seem to have a taste, yet it boiled. It was warm, contrasting with his cold skin.

  There was no blood on Ting's wounds and her skin was turning paler by the second. Her face contracted in sudden spasms, as if fighting an invisible battle. Every muffled groan was like a dagger stabbing Noah, a reminder of his mistake.

  He let out a long sigh. He needed to calm down, to think. Continuing to watch her wouldn't help.

  The pill dissolved in her mouth and energy gathered at her abdomen on its own, but did nothing. Instead, it dispersed, leaking even through her skin... He drew closer, hesitant. Was it supposed to focus on the injured spots, or circulate in her whole body? Then why isn’t- Damn, why is she unconscious?

  Noah loosened the knot of the sash at her waist and then lifted her clothing slightly to place his hand beneath the fabric. He closed his eyes, concentrating.

  The cold touch gave him away.

  Ting flinched in an involuntary reflex. It wasn't pain, but surprise. Still, the cold was soon replaced by a gentle, comforting warmth, like a heated blanket on a winter night.

  The tension in her face slowly faded. Her relieved breathing was low in the deafening silence of the room.

  The wounds started to close. First the minor cuts, then the lacerations. The skin reformed at a serene pace, as if it had found its way back. However, not all healed. Most of the pill's energy had already dispersed. Some marks remained, reddish scars glowing like embers, remnants that the body refused to erase.

  Noah watched her a while longer. Her face, now peaceful, no longer displayed pain. It calmed him, letting his heart return to the controlled rhythm he was used to.

  He stood in silence and covered her with the blanket, adjusting it with a gentle gesture. He swept stray strands from her face and paused to glance at her a bit longer. He didn't want to leave her side. He felt he needed to, even as he told himself he didn't care. That irritated him.

  Then he turned away. He could already sense anxious footsteps beyond the door, pacing back and forth.

  The door opened and Isadora froze when their eyes met.

  Her words rushed into the air as soon as she saw him — Are you alright?! Are you hurt? Xiao Yun said that — her gaze shifted past Noah and stopped on the bed. She trembled — She...

  — She’s fine, — Noah answered before the question was even asked. — We’re fine. Thank you for worrying.

  He closed the door slowly, savoring each second to look at her. His anger had vanished along with the guilt. It was sudden and strange, and despite what he thought he should feel, the irritation only grew. He was mad at himself for being so calm after such an event.

  — Can you take me to your parents? I believe they're still awake.

  After nodding, Isadora began to lead the way somewhat awkwardly.

  Time stretched under the night breeze. The stars silently accompanied them. Grass trembled and trees swayed. It was a calm Noah found unbearable but couldn’t deny. Something in him refused to accept it, yet in the end, it made no difference. The worry for Ting no longer reached him.

  When the door opened, Undric and Mirabel were seated in chairs, wearing serious expressions and wholly surrounded by silence. On the floor, Xia Tao was still meditating.

  Mirabel's eyes widened as she rose to see them enter — Noah, you—! — Isadora's shake of her head made her stop.

  He walked over and took a chair at the table for himself. He looked at them, noticing the confusion on their faces and realizing how strange, yet natural, it seemed to care that they were suffering.

  Averting his gaze, he began to speak — I understand why you were so excited about me using alchemy. You hoped I might be able to save her?

  Undric swallowed hard. Those words hit him with surgical precision. Isadora, on the other hand, shrank back. She clutched her arm and couldn’t meet his eyes anymore. Mirabel, however, felt something closer to anger. She was ready to rebuff the accusation that they were trying to use him, but didn’t have time. The gentle glow that appeared on the table paralyzed her. All three eyes trembled in their direction, fixing on the sight of small emerald-green spheres like dewdrops. They all held their breath as they watched, unaware of it themselves.

  — Take these pills and leave the city as soon as possible, — Noah continued, thinking that if he did, he might free himself from the strange feeling that kept him from leaving.

  Mirabel blinked, feeling her anger slip through her fingers. There was no room left for it. Only the question remained — Is this because of the people that man said would come? — but there was no answer — So, you... are you worried about our safety, is this your way of showing it?

  The question hung in the air.

  Noah hesitated. The truth was, he hadn’t thought of that. Or maybe he had. He believed he was only breaking possible bonds that he felt tethered him here, pushing the three away. But then, why did he do it in the first place? If he hardly knew them, what kind of bonds could there be? To act so instinctively, where there was no plan. No analysis. Just the gesture, an impulse.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Seeing the confusion in his eyes, Mirabel came closer — If that's really it, then you need to reconsider your methods. Because they almost made me kick you out. — She smiled gently, stroking the top of his head for a moment.

  Feeling warmth in his chest, Noah didn't understand the reason for that cozy heat. It was the same reason he had asked to stay longer, arising as confusingly as the first time. For just an instant, it made him feel he belonged there. But how could he...? It seemed his golden core could neither accept nor reject such a feeling from reaching him.

  — We’re not leaving. — Mirabel’s statement fell like a silent stone in the center of the table. Noah stared at her, thoughtful — We’re not abandoning our home or everyone else.

  — So you’ll die with them too, how is that any different?

  — I believe that sacrificing yourself for what you believe in is not a mistake or a weakness, Noah. Fighting for the right to stay in your home... maybe that's a feeling any being could understand.

  No, I... Noah felt his core quiet, silencing itself.

  — That would be stupidity, — he said, but couldn’t utter the next sentence. The farewell seemed impossible to say, with the warmth in his chest turning into an increasingly uncomfortable feeling — ...I won’t leave either... — he murmured, the only words he seemed able to say — And since we’re going to protect this place, we should do it in the best way possible. So gather only the most talented people here.

  They all stared at him.

  — Why? You can leave, so why risk yourself like this?

  — I said I would spend a few more days in this place... That time isn’t over yet.

  The reply came with a smile. Calm. Unexpected. And more than that, strange. Just like the discomfort.

  Mirabel and Isadora fell silent. Not for lack of words, but because they thought none would be enough for this moment.

  Undric, on the other hand, felt the blow. One by one, his fears returned with force, piling up in his throat. Yet he didn’t think he had the right to say anything. Not in this situation.

  — From now on, we’ll have to count on luck, because I see two possibilities, — Noah said, as if laying out pieces on an invisible board — First, they might come all at once, a full assault. In that case, we’d lose. But... — he raised a finger, negating — I believe that’s less likely. So let’s prepare assuming the second scenario.

  The silence that followed was thick, broken only by the rhythmic beating of his fingers on the table. It was his way of thinking, his way of bringing into view what could not be seen. Each tap was an idea that might have been lost, faulty in its composition and expected results.

  After a moment, Noah sighed.

  — The second scenario is more likely. They’ll send a group in which there will almost certainly be someone whose cultivation matches or surpasses that of the old man. That is, someone above Foundation Establishment. But that’s not the biggest concern right now.

  — It's not...? — the three said in unison, incredulous.

  — What matters is time. The first group will take a while to get here, and with luck, we’ll have that same period until the second attack. Or maybe they’ll stop after the first, but that’d take even more luck.

  Mirabel raised her hand, hesitant — But...why do you talk as if the first attack doesn’t matter? If someone at that level comes, we won’t be able to defend ourselves. It’s impossible.

  — I’ll deal with the first wave alone. You don’t have to worry about that. — The silence turned to incredulity, and before anyone could speak, he continued — Just bring the people, and I’ll try to handle the rest.

  He stood — Use the pills, I believe they may help you.

  — Help us...? — Mirabel glanced at Isadora, her brows raised and heart tight — You mean she also — She couldn’t finish the sentence and had to stop.

  Noah nodded. The vision was the same. He could see the faint reddish energy beginning to envelop the light she carried. Mirabel’s was already tainted.

  — But it’s not a big problem yet, — he said before leaving — Don’t worry, the pill will fix it.

  When the door closed, the two hugged. Undric clenched one fist to hold back the trembling. He let go. On the table shone what he’d sought for so long. With steadier hands, he comforted them.

  And so, as the cold wind wandered with lonely sounds, Noah walked back to the room. Something felt off. What was it? He couldn’t imagine. Now, only doubt lingered in his mind.

  Is she awake already...? He would rather not. It might be selfish, but he wasn’t ready to face her yet.

  Sighing, he raised his finger. At its tip, a whitish glow appeared, strong and pure. It molded, sharpened, and condensed into a small blade.

  How hard is it to create a technique as complete as the one the old man used?

  [A bit...?]

  Was that a response?

  The blade circled him, moving through the air under his control.

  [Well, it depends, because- Would you like to buy the basic information about technique creation?]

  Seriously...? He frowned. All right, do it.

  [0.1 points have been used to buy basic information on technique creation.]

  [Information is available for reading.]

  Why is it different this time? Couldn't you just send the information directly to my brain?

  [You’re getting too spoiled, Noah...]

  When he closed his hand, the blade dissolved in the air.

  Noah focused on reading the information on the translucent screen as he walked to his room at an intentionally slow pace.

  The Dao... The understanding of cultivation stages, is this where technique creation is based? And knowledge of the specific element the technique is founded upon. He turned to the system. This is theft, isn't it? Why would I have to pay for such a ridiculous piece of information?

  [Did you know this?]

  He didn’t answer.

  [Then don’t complain.]

  Rolling his eyes, Noah didn’t bother complaining anymore. He turned back to the surroundings, realizing that after a few more steps, he’d be at the door of his room.

  He swallowed hard.

  Standing before the dark wood, he could hear the tremors. Ting was awake. He just didn’t know whether or not he should go in to see her. In doubt, he decided to knock.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  At first, there was no response.

  Noah thought about leaving, but her voice echoed, reserved and tearful — Noah...? — she didn’t sound confident, but doubtful. It wasn’t a reply, but a genuine, desperate question.

  He opened the door and saw her on the bed. Ting gripped her legs tightly, curled up, yet unable to stop trembling.

  — Please, stop. I can’t take it anymore... — she whispered in a plea, hiding her head as she refused to look at the one approaching — Leave me alone, please...!

  Noah stopped. He even considered moving away, but was unsure what those words meant or where they came from.

  — Ting... do you feel anything? Are the wounds still hurting?

  At first, she didn’t respond with words, and it took a while for her first movement. Digging her nails into her arms, Ting scratched herself, gritting her teeth tightly before starting to lift her head. And, again, he was there. But something was different. Not in his appearance, in his eyes. Unlike the coldness she dreamed of, there was the gaze that refused to see her bleed.

  Even though he didn’t understand the whole situation, Noah held her hands to stop her from hurting herself.

  — Why-!

  She hugged him in tears. Without words or explanation. First, she just needed the certainty that she was truly awake.