Chapter 181: The News About Zeke (2)

Aisha’s expression changed as she read the first few lines.

The report was vague.

It mentioned an operation conducted inside a contaminated zone and stated that several Association personnel had encountered an unforeseen situation, which had resulted in serious injuries to at least one high-ranking member.

However, the photograph beneath the report said far more than the carefully worded article did.

A man was being supported as he walked out of the contaminated zone. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

His clothes were damaged, while dark traces covered parts of his exposed skin. His face was pale, and his usual composed appearance was nowhere to be seen.

The image remained on the screen for another few seconds, and the more she looked at it, the harder it became to dismiss the tight feeling in her chest.

Zeke.

Aisha stared at the picture without moving.

For several seconds, she simply looked at him.

Then her eyes shifted automatically toward the person supporting him.

Ares.

She recognized him immediately.

He was the same man who had brought her to Zeke’s residence before, and now he was the one supporting the Admiral in the photograph.

Aisha’s fingers tightened slightly around the terminal.

So it was real.

The photograph wasn’t some exaggerated rumor created by a student who were simply looking for something interesting to discuss.

Zeke had actually been injured.

Aisha continued reading.

The report stated that the Association had yet to release a detailed explanation of the Admiral’s condition. However, speculation had already spread throughout the academy and across the wider network, with some claiming that he had been exposed to a dangerous level of miasma.

Others were already discussing the possibility of a Rampage.

Aisha’s brows drew together.

She didn’t like the thought of it.

The reaction surprised her.

She had known Zeke for some time. He had helped her before, given her access to his residence, and even allowed her to use equipment that belonged to the Association without demanding anything from her.

Yet that still wasn’t enough to explain the strange discomfort that had suddenly settled inside her chest.

It wasn’t fear.

Not exactly.

Perhaps, she was concerned.

Aisha stared at the photograph again.

She had seen him before the accident.

He had always appeared so composed that it was easy to forget how dangerous his position actually was. Even when he had stood in front of Nykos, he had never looked intimidated.

Seeing him like this felt wrong.

She slowly lowered the terminal.

Why am I worried about him?

She rubbed her thumb against the edge of the terminal, annoyed by how quickly her thoughts kept returning to the same unanswered question.

The question came without warning, and Aisha frowned at herself.

Perhaps it was simply because she knew him personally. Anyone would feel uneasy after seeing an acquaintance in that condition.

That had to be it.

She wasn’t going to think too deeply about it.

Aisha looked back at the report.

There was still no official confirmation of his current condition.

Unknown.

That single word bothered her more than it should have.

She left the academy forum portal and opened another report in the local forum. Then another. There was still nothing about how he was doing.

Every article repeated the same information. Zeke Valaerion had been injured during an operation, but his current condition had not been officially disclosed.

Aisha’s expression gradually became more serious.

The last time she had seen him, he had been standing perfectly fine.

Now he was being carried out of a contaminated zone.

She remembered the stone inside his chest and the strange miasmic energy she had sensed from him before.

Her brows tightened further.

Could that have something to do with this?

She didn’t know.

She also didn’t know whether she should ask or who to ask this question.

Aisha lowered the terminal and leaned back against the sofa.

Perhaps she would find out later.

Before she could think about it any further, another notification appeared.

Kane.

Her eyes widened slightly as she opened the message.

[Are you still coming for the duel tomorrow?]

Aisha stared at the message.

For a brief moment, she couldn’t understand why he had sent it. Wasn’t it already concluded that she would participate in the duel?

Then she remembered.

She had been unconscious and missed their plans to train together.

Aisha glanced at the timestamp.

The message had been sent at the same time she must have lost consciousness, which meant Kane had probably been waiting for a reply all this time.

She sighed quietly.

Right. She had never answered him.

A second message was beneath it.

[You haven’t replied. Is everything okay?]

Aisha’s fingers stopped moving.

Aisha hesitated as she stared at the screen. She could simply message him back and explain that she had been unconscious, but considering how much time had passed, it might be easier to call.

She had not expected to see anyone arrive so soon, especially after the house had finally become quiet.

Her thumb moved toward the call icon.

Just before she could press it, she heard something outside.

The faint sound of the mechanical hiss of the front gate opening was heard.

Aisha immediately straightened.

Her body moved before she had time to think about it.

The relaxed expression disappeared from her face as her senses sharpened. Someone had entered the property.

She turned her terminal off and stood up.

Although her body still felt somewhat weak, the moment danger registered in her mind, every instinct she had developed from years of surviving in a ruined world returned at once.

For someone who had survived by reacting quickly, there was no room to hesitate once she sensed a threat inside the place she had chosen to call home.

Aisha moved toward the door.

A moment later, the front door opened.

Ares appeared.

Two men wearing Association uniforms followed closely behind him.

Aisha’s eyes widened slightly.

Ares stopped so suddenly that the two men nearly walked into his back. The instant he saw Aisha, his expression changed.