Chapter 72. Upgrade
Liana ran towards him, her face alight with disbelief and joy. "Young Master, you’re awake?" she cried, tears spilling as she threw herself, wrapping Leo in a fierce, trembling embrace.
Her warmth enveloped him, her sobs muffled against his bandaged chest. "I thought you were gone," she choked out, voice raw with fear and gratitude. "When they brought you in—blood everywhere, barely alive, I prayed, Young Master Leo. Thank the gods you’re here!"
Leo wheezed, her hug squeezing the breath from his aching lungs, a half-smile breaking through his pain. "Liana... gonna... suffocate me," he rasped, voice hoarse but teasing, his hand weakly patting her back.
She pulled back, cheeks flushing, wiping her tears with a shaky laugh. "Oh, gods, I’m so sorry!" she stammered, her brown eyes sparkling with embarrassment and relief.
"I’m just... you’re awake, Young Master! I couldn’t—" She stopped, her smile softening, radiant. "You scared me so much."
Leo managed a crooked grin. "What, I was out for a few hours, right? No big deal."
"Four days, Young Master."Liana’s expression shifted, her gaze turning cold, voice low. "You’ve been out for four days."
The words hit like a thunderclap. Leo’s grin faded, his mind reeling, the Adrenaline Surge’s brutal recoil flashing back. "Four days?" he muttered, shocked in his tone. "What... what happened after I went down?"
Liana’s eyes softened, uncertain, her hands twisting nervously. "The academy breached the dome, saved the students. They found you... unconscious, torn apart." Her voice wavered, a flicker of awe in her gaze. "They said it was a miracle you were alive."
She stood abruptly, brushing her hair back, urgency returning. "Stay here—I’m getting the healers!" She darted out, her footsteps echoing, leaving Leo alone with the morning’s quiet.
He sank into the pillows, confusion swirling. Birds chirping outside, sunlight spilling across his bed.