The infirmary was quiet.
Too quiet.
Arin lay half-reclined on the white bed, staring at the ceiling.
His body had healed.
Divine medicine was terrifyingly efficient.
But healing the body and settling the mind were very different matters.
He flexed his restored hand again.
It worked perfectly.
No pain.
No stiffness.
Just faint phantom memory of it being torn apart.
"…I really overdid it."
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
Before he could respond, the door opened.
Kaelthar stepped inside.
Arin blinked.
"Oh."
The son of the God of War stood there without armor this time. Simple dark attire. No audience. No battlefield tension.
Just a warrior.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Kaelthar broke the silence.
"You are awake."
"Unfortunately," Arin replied dryly.
Kaelthar's lips twitched faintly — almost amusement.
"You surprised me."
Arin tilted his head slightly. "That's one way to describe it."
Kaelthar stepped closer, stopping at a respectful distance from the bed.
"I have fought many opponents," he said calmly. "None have forced my father to intervene."
Arin winced slightly. "Ah… about that."
There was hesitation in his expression now.
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Sorry."
Kaelthar frowned slightly. "For what?"
"For… almost killing you. And possibly half the audience."
There was no humor in Arin's voice. It was simple, direct.
Human.
Kaelthar studied him carefully.
Then he spoke, steady and firm.
"It was a battle."
Arin looked up.
"In battle, one stakes their life," Kaelthar continued. "There is no need to apologize for fighting seriously."
Arin gave a small, uncertain laugh.
"That wasn't serious."
Kaelthar's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Then what was it?"
Arin paused.
"…A mistake."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Kaelthar crossed his arms.
"You intended to lose."
Not a question.
A statement.
Arin blinked. "…Was it that obvious?"
"Yes."
Arin sighed. "I just wanted a peaceful life."
Kaelthar stared at him as though trying to determine whether he was joking.
He wasn't.
"That power," Kaelthar said quietly. "It was not peaceful."
Arin looked down at his hands again.
"No," he agreed softly. "It wasn't."
Another pause.
Then Kaelthar gave a small nod.
"When you are stronger, I will fight you again."
Arin looked up sharply.
"Stronger?"
"You were not in control."
That was not an insult.
It was an observation.
Then Kaelthar turned toward the door.
"And next time," he added, "I will not hesitate."
Arin smiled faintly.
"Looking forward to it."
Kaelthar stopped at the doorway for just a second.
"…You are strange."
"So I've been told."
And then he left.
A few moments later, a divine physician entered, checking Arin's vitals and nodding approvingly.
"You have recovered fully," the doctor said. "You may leave the infirmary."
"That's it?" Arin asked.
"That is it."
Divine healthcare was terrifying.
Arin stepped out into the corridor.
The Arena had mostly emptied now.
The noise was gone.
But the whispers remained.
He could feel them.
Eyes watching.
Conversations stopping as he passed.
He spotted Caelum waiting near the outer gate.
Calm.
Composed.
As always.
Arin approached cautiously.
"So…"
Caelum glanced at him briefly. "You are well."
"Apparently."
They began walking slowly away from the Arena.
"What happened?" Arin asked.
"You were disqualified," Caelum replied evenly.
"Ah."
No disappointment in Arin's voice.
"Kaelthar was declared winner."
"Good for him."
Caelum studied him briefly.
"You do not seem bothered."
"I lost. That was the goal."
Caelum exhaled softly.
"There are consequences regardless."
"Such as?"
"You are now… widely discussed."
Arin grimaced. "That doesn't sound good."
"News spreads quickly in Heaven. The irregular human who absorbed divine mana and forced intervention from the War God."
"…When you say it like that, it sounds bad."
"It is significant."
They stepped outside the Arena gates now.
The sky above Heaven shimmered faintly.
"The reactions?" Arin asked carefully.
Caelum was silent for a moment before answering.
"Some Elder Gods are intrigued."
"That sounds dangerous."
"It can be."
"And the others?"
"Some are displeased."
Arin swallowed slightly.
"Displeased as in… annoyed?"
"Displeased as in… cautious."
That word carried weight.
Cautious gods were unpredictable gods.
"But," Caelum continued, "you remain under her protection."
That steadied Arin slightly.
"Does she… know everything?"
"Yes."
"…And?"
"She has summoned us."
Arin's steps slowed.
"To the palace?"
"Yes."
Silence fell between them.
Arin's mind raced.
What would she say?
Would she question him?
Punish him?
Expose Cutie?
Why did she stop it?
Or had she?
His thoughts tangled with doubt.
Caelum did not speak again as they approached the palace.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
Outside, Heaven felt open.
Bright.
Alive.
But within the palace grounds—
The air felt heavier.
Quieter.
More absolute.
Arin felt it clearly now.
Before, he had wandered these halls with casual curiosity.
Now—
He was cautious.
Measured.
Aware.
They entered the grand chamber.
She sat upon her throne as always.
Unmoved.
Timeless.
Caelum stepped forward and bowed.
"My Lady. Arin has recovered fully."
"Is that so?"
Her voice was soft.
Calm.
"Yes, my Lady."
Silence followed.
Then—
Her gaze shifted.
To Arin.
It was not hostile.
Not sharp.
Just—
Focused.
Arin felt it like weight pressing against his thoughts.
Ah… shit.
He had not prepared anything.
No excuses.
No explanations.
What would he even say?
"Human," she said at last.
"You seem well."
That was not what he expected.
He straightened slightly.
"Yes, my Lady."
His answer came smoothly.
Instinctively respectful.
She observed him for another long second.
Then—
"You may leave."
Arin blinked.
"…My Lady?"
"I believe I was clear."
Her tone did not change.
But the room felt colder for a moment.
"Yes. My Lady."
He bowed immediately.
His mind scrambled.
That's it?
No interrogation.
No warning.
No punishment.
He had nearly destroyed half the Arena.
And she was dismissing him?
As Arin turned to leave with Caelum, confusion flooded his thoughts.
Why was I worrying so much?
Behind them, she remained seated.
Watching.
Her expression unreadable.
But just before they exited the chamber—
The faintest curve touched her lips.
Outside the palace, Arin exhaled deeply.
"…That was terrifying."
Caelum glanced at him.
"She did not reprimand you."
"That's what scares me."
Caelum did not disagree.
They began walking down the marble steps.
Heaven was quieter tonight.
But beneath the silence—
Waves were forming.
And Arin could not shake the feeling that he had just been observed…
Not judged.
Not punished.
But measured.
And that unsettled him more than anger ever could.