Chapter 35 – Private Practice (Part 3)
Chapter 35 – Private Practice (Part 3)
"This is my balcony. Well, it also has a pool, so it's more like a backyard—but yeah... What do you think?" Fiora said as she slid the glass door open, motioning for Zane to step outside.
The boy stepped onto the balcony and was immediately struck speechless. A sprawling view of the city skyline stretched out before him, glittering in the sunlight like a canvas of living light. A crystal-clear pool reflected the sky above, its still surface mirroring the towering buildings. The entire scene looked like something ripped from the pages of a luxury magazine—or a dream.
He had never seen anything like it in his life.
The opulence hit him like a wave, a stark contrast to the grimy streets and crumbling buildings of his own neighborhood. Every polished edge, every gentle ripple in the water, every faint breeze that swept over the tiles screamed wealth. A silent, persistent reminder that he didn't belong here.
'I'm not here to enjoy this,' Zane told himself as he stepped further in. 'I'm here to train. To get stronger. That's it. Focus.'
"It looks really nice," he admitted quietly.
"Right? I told you, your world isn't all that bad. Nice view, nice weather. I definitely wouldn't mind coming back here for a vacation," Fiora said, crossing her arms as she admired the scenery.
"I'm glad you're one of the few who can enjoy their time here," Zane replied, walking to the edge and peering over the railing. The ground was so far below he couldn't even make out the details—just a hazy blur of movement and color.
When he turned back around, Fiora was watching him closely, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"So," she said, tilting her head, "are you ready to begin, champ?"