Infinite Regeneration In The Apocalypse-Chapter 50: Start Of The Trial

There was blood everywhere, but there was no wound visible anywhere on Vogue’s naked upper body. His flesh was intact!

"W-what? How is this possible?" She was stunned and confused.

She checked his entire torso properly and carefully with her medical training, running her hands over his chest and back. But she genuinely couldn’t find a single mark, scar, or wound anywhere on Vogue’s chest where the blade had clearly pierced completely through. It was as if the injury had never happened.

She almost couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She quickly checked his breathing, pressing her ear to his chest. Her eyes went wide.

Vogue was still breathing! Although his breaths were shallow and slow, he was definitely still breathing and alive.

Gloria felt overwhelming relief and joy flood through her entire body. She quickly wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand, smearing blood across her cheek without noticing.

She gently lifted and carried Vogue’s unconscious body to her bed then laid him down on the soft mattress with care. Then she spent several minutes cleaning all the blood off of his body with a warm, wet cloth, making sure he was comfortable.

When he was clean and resting peacefully, she sat down on the edge of the bed right by his side.

"Cough!"

Vogue had barely opened his eyes when a worried voice spoke up.

"You’re finally awake!"

Relief washed over Gloria as she saw Vogue stir. She had been terrified he wouldn’t wake up before the Trial began, praying desperately for this moment.

But her fears had been needless. There were still two hours left until midnight.

"How are you feeling?" Gloria quickly checked him over, listening to his breathing before placing her hands on his chest. A warm glow spread from her palms as healing energy flowed into his body.

She couldn’t have done this while he was unconscious—his body would have rejected the foreign energy. But now that he was awake, she could ease some of his exhaustion.

Vogue felt the cool energy seep through him, circulating from his chest throughout his entire body and into his head. His mind cleared instantly, the fog of sleep vanishing like smoke.

He glanced at Gloria and noticed the streaks of dried tears on her face.

Gently, he reached up and caressed her cheek, his thumb tracing the tear stains. "I made you worry."

Gloria shook her head, small sobs catching in her throat. "I-it’s fine. I’m just happy you’re alright."

Vogue nodded, then his expression sharpened. "What time is it?"

"It’s 10:17 PM. You still have enough time to prepare and make it to the academy." Gloria checked her watch.

Vogue acknowledged this with a nod. Forcefully rewinding time by one second had drained him completely—both mentally and physically. The fact that he hadn’t slept even longer was surprising. It had felt like his soul was being split in two by a crushing headache, so intense that he’d actually felt pain despite his pain nullification ability.

"Do you think the academy knows I’m here?" Vogue sat up and looked at Gloria with concern. "They’ll be tracking a potential Sunfiend. I don’t want to get you into trouble."

Gloria shook her head firmly. "It doesn’t matter. Even if they don’t find out now, when I report to the enforcers about you almost being killed, the academy will know anyway." Her face hardened, her eyes cold and fierce.

Vogue raised an eyebrow and chuckled. He felt much more like himself now—the splitting headache had vanished after such a long rest.

"I need to shower and head to the academy before the Awakening ceremony starts." He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood.

Gloria rose with him. "Alright, let’s go together."

Vogue felt his heart skip as he glanced back at her. "I’m really in a hurry, Gloria."

"Don’t worry, I’ll do everything I can to make it quick."

Heat rushed through Vogue at her words, his imagination running wild for a moment.

The two quickly undressed and stepped into the bathroom together.

"Ah? You just want to help me bathe? You should have said so!" Vogue’s disappointed voice echoed off the tiles. "I thought you wanted to do something... else."

"You’re a few hours away from the most important and dangerous moment of your life and that’s what you’re thinking about?" Gloria scolded. "You almost died a few hours ago! I’m terrified you’ll die again!"

Silence fell for a moment before Vogue spoke, his tone reassuring. "Don’t worry, Gloria. If a Lower Moon couldn’t kill me, I doubt a Radiant will be able to either."

Despite her worry, Gloria found herself comforted by his confidence.

-----

Terragrave City was in a state of high alert.

For the next twenty-four hours, the entire city would be in complete lockdown.

No one except Stellar Knights were allowed outside their homes.

During this time, the four Suns wouldn’t set. Instead, they would turn crimson, forming what was known as the Blood Phoenix Gaze.

Under this gaze, Radiants, Sunfiends, and Sunghouls would enter a berserk state. Their strength would increase by over three times, their bloodthirst by over ten times, and their intelligence would drop by more than half.

This night was called the Night of the Bloody Solar Eclipse. During this time, Sun-infected beings from all directions would attack the city, battering the walls and attempting to tear through the Space-Locking Net that covered Terragrave. Their goal was to create dimensional portals into the city—and that was where the real danger lay.

Rumor had it that evolved Radiants, Sunfiends, and Sunghouls—those who had regained their intelligence—kept their minds even during the Eclipse. This allowed them to lead the monster hordes into the city.

Of course, the Second Wall and Inner Wall would remain safe.

The Third Wall was the first line of defense, and it had fallen more times than anyone could count. That was why everyone was desperate to live in the inner sections of Terragrave City.

Aries Star Academy sat closer to the Second Wall and was also on high alert.