Reborn Financier-Chapter 48: Whispers After the Storm

The next morning in the medical ward of the academy, morning light seeped through the high arched windows of the medical ward. The clean smell of enchanted salves clung to the air, documented in conjunction with the subdued gurgle of circulating waters somewhere off in the distance and the quiet whisper of healing mages working on neighboring beds. Kaidën lay still on a stiff white bed, wrapped in thick layers of bandaging. Dry blood crusted about the ribs and across the knuckles bore testimony to the duel the day prior, but the face was relatively unmarred.

He was insensible to anyone that might observe him. An injured boy struggling to keep a grip on the edges of consciousness after a ruthless duel. But truly, Kaidën was very awake. His breathing was even and controlled. His senses acutely tuned to pick up on motion...Sound...Threat.

"I went too far," kaidën said to himself. "Just a draw, that was the deal. Play the fool, qualify for C-Class, and keep in the shadows. But her sword. that was the real thing. That blow would have cleft a mountain in two. I didn’t have a choice. I hit her or she dies, due to her failure to controlling her power."

Replaying the scene a thousand times in his head: the roar of the crowd, the release of overwhelming power in his last attack, and the brief flash of dazzlement as her family’s legendary skill exploded in a brilliant burst of light. When vision was blinded by the cloud of dust, he acted on the reflexes of a Martial Grandmaster—rapid, precise. A blow to the base of her neck, swift to bypass her aura but not hard enough to incapacitate her. A fake tumble, a roll, and a trained shoulder slam against shattered rock to shatter the bone and make the fall look real.

Now he stood still, pain coursing through him—but pain that he had chosen.

The bed next to him rustled.

Meng Ji moaned softly as she sat up cautiously, reaching up to her temple. Her face was pale, lips dry but eyes still bright and watchful. It was a while before her eyes focused on the fact that Kaidën was beside her. Her body stiffened. Then, after a brief instant, she spoke.

"You are completely irresponsible."

At first, Kaidën didn’t respond. He went on pretending to sleep, but her tone wasn’t accusing - only tired. Tired and contemplative.

"You might have died," she continued. "The last stroke, I didn’t mean for it to end up that way, I wasn’t in control. You managed to dodge."

One eye was slit open by Kaidën, the voice hoarse. "If i didn’t miss. You wouldn’t die."

She let out a dry little laugh. She flinched afterward.

"I wanted to win. I needed to win. For Grandfather. for family. But I wasn’t prepared. You showed me how."

Kaidën glanced toward her but said nothing.

"You fight as someone who has lost something," she told him. "Someone who has experienced real war."

He closed his eyes once more.

"I’ve lost more than you’ll ever understand."

She rolled onto her back to gaze up towards the ceiling.

"Thanks for not letting me see my true standing, I still have a long way until I can control my power, but one day, maybe things would be different."

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Later in the afternoon in the academy hospital ward, Meng ji had been discharged early as she only had light injuries. But as for kaidën, he was still in bed, as his injuries was quite fatal compared to Meng ji, but thanks to the academy magic, he is expected to heal quick.

The gentle glow of the white healing magic filled the ward, casting long shadows across the walls. quiet hum filled the air, the murmurs of attending healers mixed with the rustling of curtains and clinking of glass vials. Kaidën lay motionless, wrapped in white bandages, his eyes closed—his breathing steady but shallow.

He was faking it, of course.

A few bruises here and there, maybe a hairline fracture or two—but nothing that warranted unconsciousness. Still, Kaidën had his reasons. Silence drew less attention than explaining how he had calculated every strike, how he’d used the collapsing dust as cover, how he had deliberately knocked Meng Ji out before dealing himself just enough damage to pass for a casualty.

Then he felt it.

A presence.

Heavy. Serene. Powerful.

There was the sound of footsteps in the marble floor—firm and regal but beneath that, something much more dangerous. Not a man but a predator who’d acquired patience.

"You may as well stop pretending," a low but commanding voice said.

Kaidën stood still.

Next was the aroma of spiced tea and ancient tomes—a slight shift in mana pressure afterward discernible only to a person like Kaidën. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"I know you’re awake, boy."

Still, Kaidën kept still. But internally, he tensed.

"Hmm," the voice continued, walking around the bed. "You’re better at feigning than I expected. Most kids twitch when they’re bluffing. You, though... you’re disciplined. Too disciplined for your age."

Silence.

Then the curtain pulled back slightly.

Headmaster Alaric Varnel stood at the bedside, hands behind his back. Despite his regal robes and snow-white hair, there was no warmth in his gaze—just sharp eyes that had seen war, betrayal, and miracles. His presence radiated mana subtly, like an unlit fire that still gave heat.

"I saw what you did," the Headmaster stated dully. "You used the wreckage as a smoke screen. Struck Meng Ji once. Enough to knock her out but leave her alive. Then you hit yourself. Left only sufficient injury to be believable."

Kaidën’s brows furrowed involuntarily.

"Got you," Alaric whispered with a smirk.

Kaidën’s eyes snapped open.

Alaric chuckled faintly. "Relax. If I wanted to arrest you, we wouldn’t be having a chat."

Slowly, Kaidën sat up, his muscles grumbling in mild protest against the pretend fall. His face was impassive but in his head was a tempest. "Damn it... I underestimated him."

To be continued...