The next day came quicker than expected, leaving the passage of night a faint memory in the minds of many.
Phonzo rested on the wall beneath the bridge where he lived, pondering. Not only did he forget Ammaina's birthday, but the Cultivation tool he planned on buying had already been sold, making the past days' events fruitless.
Not to mention the bitter memories of his father's short visit, reminding him of his goal and main reason for living. If he didn't reach a level higher than even the king, then he'd at least die trying.
The morning rays cast their dim light on the bridge's concrete, evading Phonzo, who took shade beneath its sturdy build, his body still enveloped by darkness as though night had never left.
His thoughts wandering away into distant lands, too much was on his mind within too little time. At this point, all his efforts would be in vain, years put into work just for Ammaina to have everything he wanted handed to her on a silver platter.
Along the grassy pastures of the outskirts leading away from the City, a vague figure of an animal lay pathetically on the ground, its body barely illuminating the sun's light, letting out a purple glow from its skin.
Too complicated to be an everyday dog or cat, it definitely had to be a magic beast of sorts, though its features were hidden by the green grasses wrapped around its body like a garment.
Even beneath the darkness of the concrete bridge where he pondered, that much was obvious. Phonzo's curiosity, mixed with his wondering thoughts and the urge to investigate, spurred within him like weeds.
Then again, if it ended up being a wild magic beast setting a trap for prey, he'd be in trouble. He barely had the strength to go up against a bulldog and survive, and even going against copper-level spores nearly killed him. Considering the beast's structure, it could at least be a bronze to silver.
Ignoring all the intrusive thoughts that swarmed his head, Phonzo slowly crept through the shadowy corners of the bridge, his curiosity taking the steering wheel as he tiptoed into the sun's light, each bright gleam reflecting on his face as he grabbed a small wooden branch sitting by his corner.
Phonzo took calculated steps as he approached the beast, submerging his presence beneath the grass like a hunter to its prey, the stick gripped tightly in his hand like a baseball bat.
"Huh?" Phonzo exclaimed. His curiosity turned to confusion within seconds.
Phonzo was familiar with a wide variety of mana and magic beasts, but had never heard of nor seen any with such a composition as this.
A grey fox with weak purple mana oozing from its neck and feet, its breaths heavy as though unable to gasp for air, stuck to the ground with its hind legs caught in a hoop of weeds like rope, a truly pitiful sight to behold.
From the creature's eyes, the sign of life fading was clear as day, its gleam reducing with each passing second, along with the dancing ooze of mana that cloaked its fur.
"Poor thing... I won't lie, it kinda reminds me of myself. Stranded alone with no one to help, only being able to show off intimidating power," Phonzo muttered as his eyes glared at the creature's failing condition, furrowing his brows in rage. "There was no one to save me back then... but your story's gonna be different!"
Reaching out his palm, Phonzo tried making contact, his fingers twitching as he placed them on the creature's icy cold skin. Touching its fur felt weird, as though jolts of electricity surged through his body at once.
At first, he leapt back instinctively, his senses unable to decipher what just happened, tingling like little bells rung in his head, warmth spreading throughout his body, a feeling of rejuvenation coming from nowhere.
Weirdly enough, the grey fox gained enough energy to move its eyes as it redirected its near-lifeless stare towards Phonzo in silence. They both exchanged silent glares at each other, with Phonzo maintaining a specific distance, pondering what to do next.
He could just leave it and let it die, or save it. Both decisions carried risk. What if he leaves it and it ends up being a nightmare creature, haunting his slumber till his death? Or saving it leads to fostering a greater threat?
"I know what I'll do," Phonzo decided, his words embedded with confidence.
Meanwhile, in the Hora City hospital...
Ammaina laid exhausted on a bed gifted by the doctor, just for her after the unpaid all-night shift she went through.
She'd already thanked and sent the two strangers who helped her mom home, promising to take care of her despite their protests.
Luckily, her good deeds weren't a waste. Her mother's treatment would have required a fat stack of gold coins, which, to the best of her knowledge, they didn't have, being a simple family and all.
The doctors and nurses took note of her voluntary service, concluding her deeds couldn't go unrewarded, leading to the cancellation of her mother's medical fees. Upon hearing this, Ammaina felt a mix of relief and gratitude. She wasn't going to run helter-skelter, begging for money just because.
"I'm not gonna lie, if it weren't for the doctors offering to pay for my mom's medical bills, I don't think she'd have made it," she spoke to herself as she laid on the small sick bed, staring at the ceiling, the smell of medical drugs and blood-laden than fresh air.
She didn't feel comfortable where she rested her weary body. The dreadful atmosphere that engulfed the hospital felt like it could swallow her whole, the dying hope of people gathering like clouds in the air.
"Ammaina Valkyrie, I'd like to talk to you, please," Dr. Zegg's calm, yet serious voice created a sense of unease, his tidy and spotless white coat mistakable for a mirror.
"Yes, doctor?" She replied, her tone shifting as though on edge.
"Your mother endured a few internal fractures, thrombosis, blood clotting, and a tumor as a result of whatever damage she took. Can you please tell me what accident she was involved in or whether she had any previous medical conditions?"
"I'm not really sure how the accident happened, doctor. I was just coming from buying groceries, and when I got home, she was unconscious," her tone changed to suit her lie, as though she bore sadness. "As for any medical conditions, well, none that I'm aware of."
"I see. All I came to tell you is that you shouldn't get your hopes high on your mother's recovery. We're trying our best, but most of the tools and medicines we need don't exist on Hagi's part of the world," Dr. Zegg's words were eerily serious, without beating around the bush.
"Okay, sir. I won't get my hopes high on her recovery."
"Seriously? That's your best reaction?"
"We've both tried our best, doctor. There's nothing more we can do," her remarks held no hint of care nor concern whatsoever.
Zegg understood what was going on perfectly from her words. Without wasting time, he bid her adieu and walked away. Her eyes followed him as he left her ward.
"Haaah... I should really try harder to care for my mom," she muttered, placing her palm on her face, suspending it mid-air.
After all, it couldn't kill her to show a bit more compassion, even if it wasn't her mother. She was still responsible for her current condition.
"Ammaina Valkyrie, was it?" The stern voice of a man made its way from the distance.
Though not too long a distance, just two beds away, held two people wearing fancy attire, their hair silky smooth, wearing clothes cloaked beneath large blue robes stretching from their shoulders to their feet.
The one who spoke had his front hair in three dreadlocks across half his face, spirited yet cocky eyes like that of a rich brat, and a black belt tied like a necklace around his neck.
The other wore a beanie with small strands of hair hanging out, his eyes more mature, with a more understanding face, as if he'd gone through life's hardship with a strong will, only a small gold chain hanging on his neck.
"Yeah, who's asking?" Ammaina replied with a feisty tone.
"Thank goodness we found you. We went to your home, you went there, and whilst looking for you, we... sorta... got robbed," the man with the beanie spoke, his tone lacking seriousness.
"Looking for me? My home? Are you both stalkers or something?" Her feisty tone fostered rage, leaning her body towards their direction, her dreariness evaporating. She was about ready to pounce on them both.
"Simmer down, commoner. What's worse is how you'd get this childish indulgence from a woman, no less. Have some shame," the man with dreadlocks commented, as he layed on a sick bed, recovering.
"What the hell did you just..." Her veins rose throughout her body.
"You heard me, commoner. What are you going to do about it?"
Both parties riling up as if about to start a war, their loud arguments cutting through the orderly chatter of the hospital.
"Hey," Dr. Zegg cut in. "If you both don't shut the hell up, then I'll kick you the hell out."
"Ugh?" Both men exclaimed in shock.
"Wait, is this the same doctor that came moments ago?" Ammaina's thoughts leaked out, her brow raised in wonder.
"Just abstain from any more noise. In case you've forgotten, this is a hospital," Zegg's aura turned menacing in an instant.
The man who wore the beanie, being more mature, apologized for both parties, reassuring the doctor the mistake wouldn't repeat itself, while the two people who actually caused the argument remained stubborn.
Though the problem of discourse between the two was buried, only one question remained, which its answer required immediate attention.
"Who the hell are the both of you?" Ammaina asked, stiffening her voice even further.
"We're your escorts, Redrick and Alphase," his demeanor flipped like a coin, all seriousness emerging in his words. "We've come to take you to Hora on orders from the head of the Frederik family."