Chapter 103: Chapter 103

"I will definitely see your effort. And you must know the consequence of failure. Yesterday I told you that if you couldn’t count to one hundred, you’d have to stand in the field. That’s also a lesson, that you must always keep your promises."

Kai kept bowing. He was still terrified of being sent back to Omino. He didn’t want to return there. He would do anything to avoid it.

Mrs. Manu left Kai standing in front of the statue of St. Julian, outside the dormitory building.

"Don’t even think about cheating. I’ll be back at lunchtime," Manu warned.

Kai only nodded obediently. He was prepared for this. He glanced at Manu as she walked out the gate, then bowed his head again.

His eyes drifted to the pond in front of him. The marble base of the statue stood firm in the middle of the rippling water, where fish occasionally surfaced from behind wide lotus leaves.

The heat was growing stronger, and the urge to dive into the pond grew with it. Thoughts swirled in his mind, but most of them were just his fears.

He was sleepy. Weak. Hungry. He hadn’t eaten anything.

Kai took a deep breath. His hands were clasped behind his back, just as Manu had ordered, and he refused to move.

In his mind, he began counting again, recalling what Manu had taught him yesterday. One by one, the numbers returned.

As long as he was calm and not under pressure, the memory came easily. For an hour, he managed to recall the seventy numbers he had memorized the day before. Then he pushed forward, adding eight, nine, until finally he reached one hundred.

As lunchtime approached, Gremblin’s voice called from behind.

"Are you still out here standing? You’ll roast alive!" the woman shouted. She noticed Kai’s back drenched in sweat. When she got closer, she saw his pale face, beads of sweat dripping, lips dry and cracked.

"My goodness, how long have you been here?" she asked. Normally, she never cared about students, but right now Kai was all she could see.

Kai felt terrible. His body was giving out. He knew these signs, soon he would collapse. But this time, he couldn’t afford to be weak. Mrs. Manu had given him only a light punishment, not whipping or beating. He couldn’t afford to look sick.

But his body was failing, and he couldn’t control it.

When Gremblin turned to go back inside, shielding herself from the heat, Kai collapsed onto the ground.

He trembled, trying to hold himself up on his hands. Nausea churned in his stomach. His whole body felt weak. He just wanted to lie down.

"Hey!" Gremblin shouted.

Just then, Bram appeared, coming to take Kai to church.

"Bram! What’s wrong with that boy? Take him inside!" Gremblin shouted, pointing at Kai.

Bram rushed over, startled at Kai’s corpse-like pallor and sweat-soaked body. He lifted the boy to his feet, but Kai trembled in his arms.

"Are you sick?" Bram asked, trying to guide him inside.

Kai shook his head weakly. "Please don’t," he whispered.

"Why? You’re clearly sick. Why are you standing out here?" Bram pressed, tugging his arm again.

But Kai gently pushed his hand away. "No... I’m being punished."

He didn’t want Bram to get in trouble. In Omino, anyone who helped a slave being punished would be punished the same way. He couldn’t let Bram suffer because of him. He was used to punishment, used to pain and torture.

So he forced himself upright again, body trembling, head spinning. Cold sweat dripped down his face.

Bram tried again, but Kai refused to move. Finally, Bram gave in.

"You should rest today. I’ll go, then," he said, leaving Kai alone.

Mrs. Gremblin only shook her head and went back inside. She didn’t bother anymore.

When Mrs. Manu returned, she found Kai leaning heavily on his hands, his clothes drenched in sweat.

Manu frowned and hurried to him, seeing his pale face.

"What’s wrong with you?" she asked, pulling him up by the hand and leading him to the terrace of the building.

Kai followed and collapsed onto the floor, his hands trembling.

Manu’s worry deepened. She realized Kai wasn’t faking, he was genuinely sick. Quickly, she brought him water and bread.

Kai took them, eating slowly despite the nausea. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel~fire~net

"Oh my goodness, what happened? Are you sick?" Mrs. Manu asked.

Kai didn’t answer. His head hung low, all his strength focused on staying awake.

"Rest, then. We’ll continue tomorrow. But in exchange, I want you to keep practicing what I’ve taught you. If you feel better tomorrow, I’ll take you to the servants’ quarters. Since you’re new, you need to know your duties. After that, we’ll continue the lessons." Manu had prepared a special course at James’s request, since Kai had never studied in the capital before. At the very least, he needed to master the basics before the new class began.

Kai nodded weakly. "Th-thank you, Mrs. Manu."

Manu was taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to say that. Though uneducated, Kai’s attitude showed the heart of a true servant. There was no arrogance to break down, unlike with most students she dealt with.

As soon as Manu left, Kai lay down on the bed. His head pounded, and his body felt heavy.

Gremblin returned later with medicine for his fever. Kai fell asleep soon after.

When he woke up, the sun was nearly setting. He sat up quickly. He must have slept for hours. His body was still drenched in sweat, but he felt much better. Only hunger remained.

He grabbed the carving he had made for Noel. He needed to give it to the boy before he went home. Hopefully, Noel was still at the church.

Kai walked there slowly. Luckily, he spotted Noel, who was "helping" decorate the table, but it seemed he was only annoying the sisters instead.

When they saw Kai, everyone greeted him, asking how he was. He was surprised they knew he had been sick earlier. Had Bram told them?

This was the first time Kai had felt overwhelmed by kindness. Usually, when he was sick, he was beaten. Now, people worried about him.

Noel ran over, tugging his hand toward the spot where Kai usually carved. "Teach me how to make an angel."

From across the room, Bram shouted, "Noel, leave him alone today! He’s sick!"

Kai grew embarrassed. He had to reassure them several times that he was fine. Then, secretly, he slipped Noel the angel statue he had carved, making sure the other children didn’t notice.

Noel’s face lit up. He jumped with joy, but Kai hushed him quickly. "Don’t tell anyone it’s from me."

Noel nodded eagerly. "It’s beautiful! Thank you!" He ran off happily.

Just then, a loud call rang out:

"Prince Sylas is coming! Everyone, to your positions!!"