Game's Extra

Three days had passed since the chaos at the mall. The spatial gate incident had left deep scars on the city and its people. The memory of that day was still fresh, and the impact of the battle lingered in Aiden's mind.

Sunlight filtered through the hospital blinds, casting soft patterns on the sterile white sheets. Aiden lay motionless, his body still heavy with fatigue. Then, with a slow inhale, his eyelids fluttered open. A dull ache coursed through his limbs as he slowly pushed himself upright. His amethyst eyes drifted to his right arm, remembering the sharp sting of the energy bullet that had struck him. He flexed his fingers, then activated Overhaul, reconstructing the remaining damage at a cellular level. A faint glow enveloped his arm as the wound stitched itself back together, good as new.

"I didn't think I'd pass out from that fight…" Aiden murmured, staring at his palm. A scowl crossed his face. "I didn't even manage to scratch his defenses."

Before he could contemplate further, the door creaked open. A nurse entered, her eyes widening in relief.

"You're awake!" she exclaimed, a bright smile forming. "Wait here, I'll inform the doctor."

Aiden barely had time to process before she rushed out. A few minutes later, the doctor arrived, a middle-aged man with sharp yet kind eyes. He checked Aiden's vitals and sighed in slight exasperation.

"You pushed yourself beyond your limit, Aiden. You were in a near-comatose state due to mana exhaustion," the doctor explained. "If you keep pushing yourself like this, there's a chance the next time won't be so forgiving."

Aiden exhaled. "I understand."

The doctor gave him a stern look but nodded. "You're lucky to have friends who worried about you. Take care of yourself, alright?"

Not long after, the door burst open again.

"Aiden!"

Elena, Ava, Felix, Olivia, and Tomas rushed in, their arms filled with bags of food. Relief was evident in their eyes.

"You reckless idiot!" Ava huffed, standing closest to his bed. Her brows furrowed in frustration, but her voice wavered with concern. "Are you okay?"

Aiden chuckled weakly. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Ava bit her lip. "I'm sorry. I was useless back there. You trained me in MMA, and yet I couldn't do anything to help you."

Aiden shook his head. "You weren't useless, Ava. We all did what we could."

Elena, who had been quietly peeling an apple, walked over. She skewered a piece with a small fork and handed it to him. "Eat," she said, her voice softer than usual.

Aiden took it with a small smile. "Thanks, Elena." He popped the slice into his mouth, savoring the crisp sweetness.

Felix crossed his arms, smirking. "You really scared us, man. Next time, try not to pass out after saving the city."

Olivia nodded, her eyes filled with genuine concern. "We were all worried about you. Don't do something so reckless again."

Aiden scratched the back of his head. "I'll try."

They continued chatting for a while, laughter filling the room as they shared lighthearted banter. For the first time in days, Aiden felt warmth in his chest—a reminder that he wasn't alone in this world.

After another check-up, the doctor finally gave him the all-clear. Aiden changed into his uniform, and with his friends by his side, he left the hospital.

As they stepped outside, the crisp air greeted them. However, before they could get far, a man in a formal uniform approached them. His presence was authoritative yet calm.

"Hello, Aiden," the man greeted, his expression neutral but respectful. "I'm Kael Steelior from the Federation Authorities. I'm glad to see you've recovered."

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Nice to meet you, sir. Is something wrong?"

Kael shook his head. "No, quite the opposite. I've reviewed the surveillance footage of the mall incident. Your efforts, along with your friends, helped countless civilians escape unharmed. And you, Aiden, despite being outmatched, managed to hold off Scar, the Diamond Tyrant of Chaos Order. You may not have injured him, but you bought us the time we needed."

Aiden's eyes widened slightly. So they knew…

Kael tapped his quantum watch, and a notification appeared on Aiden's own device. "As recognition for your heroic efforts, the Federation is granting you a reward of one million Aurens."

Aiden's jaw almost dropped. "Wait… What?"

His friends gathered around, peering at the notification on his screen.

"HOLY—Aiden, you're rich now!" Felix shouted.

Ava smacked his shoulder. "That's not the point, idiot."

Kael smiled. "It's well deserved. Thank you, Aiden." He gave a polite nod before turning on his heel and walking back to his car.

As soon as he left, the group turned to Aiden with mischievous grins.

"Aiden, my best buddy, my dear friend…" Tomas started, draping an arm around him.

"You should totally treat us to a feast," Felix finished with a cheeky grin.

Aiden rolled his eyes, a smirk forming on his lips. "Fine, fine. Let's go eat."

Their destination was a well-known restaurant. The night was filled with laughter, food, and teasing remarks about Aiden's newfound fortune. It was a moment of respite, a reminder of the bond they shared.

After their meal, they returned to the academy, knowing that their journey was far from over. But for now, they allowed themselves to enjoy this fleeting moment of peace.