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Thus, this weekend has been designated as the ‘Day to Meet Hero Zion.’

Coincidentally, there was also a patient getting discharged over the weekend, and since the order was rearranged, it turned out to be the day when Zion would be admitted to the center.

Once Zion starts living in the hospital room, the useless rumors floating around us in the center will probably vanish completely.

“Zion. Are you going to be okay tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow is the meeting day, right? Is there a problem?”

“Maybe you’re scared to be in front of people…”

“Huh? Why would I be?”

“Well, that’s a relief then.”

I asked because social anxiety is a common symptom for those with trauma or mental distress, but it seemed like it was an unnecessary worry after all.

“Okay, let’s focus now.”

“Sure.”

Strength training isn’t something rehabilitation patients can do every day.

Today, I made sure to complete today’s tasks so that Zion can concentrate more on the event tomorrow.

Zion lay face down on the mat on the floor.

Standing exercises were still a challenge, but in this position, we could expect benefits for the whole body.

“Slowly raise your arms and legs and inhale~”

“Ugh…”

In this lying position, Zion attempted to lift his left arm and right leg as much as possible toward the sky.

It was a full-body exercise that could engage not only the limbs but also the core muscles including the back.

“Lower them slowly and focus. Exhale as you go down~”

“Uh…”

“Take a 3-second break and again, one two~”

“Ugh…”

Ten repetitions constitute one set. After a set, it’s a one-minute rest. Three sets in total, alternating between sides.

Zion focuses silently on the exercise.

I crouched beside him, looking down at Zion, who was trembling slightly as he lifted his limbs off the ground.

Although Zion can’t see my face, with Mirae around, I need to manage my expression…

“Well done, Zion. Take a one-minute break and we’ll do it again.”

“Haah… is this really supposed to be this difficult?”

“If it’s difficult, you’re doing it right.”

Zion sprawled out, stretching his limbs and resting.

But then suddenly, Zion did a complete 180-degree turn and lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling.

“Zion? What are you doing?”

“I’m pinned and it hurts…”

It hurts? Is there something wrong with his body again?

“Does it hurt? Where exactly?”

“Um, Teacher.”

Surprised by his claim of pain, I turned to Zion, but it was Mirae, the nurse-maid, who tapped me on the shoulder from behind.

“Here…”

She whispered very softly so Zion wouldn’t hear and pointed to a specific part of her body.

‘Ah.’

Mirae was indicating her chest, a part that only women have protruding forward.

I see. Lying face down can hurt women. In Zion’s case, it was quite substantial…

Having seen many patients go through rehabilitation, it’s rare to have a woman do strength training, so it’s an experience I hadn’t encountered until now.

“Mirae.”

“Yes.”

I stood up to ensure Zion wouldn’t hear and instructed Mirae in a very low voice.

“Bring me a cushion. It’ll go under Zion’s stomach, so grab a properly sized one.”

“Understood.”

Mirae nodded and headed somewhere.

While waiting for her return, I looked down at Zion once more.

A slender figure wrapped in a white patient gown.

Disheveled, deep purple-tinged black hair scattered everywhere.

The area that was painful when pressed, rising and falling in rhythm with Zion’s breath.

Scarlet eyes gazing blankly at the ceiling, beads of sweat collecting on his exhausted face.

This beautiful, delicate, fragile body lying there was the hero of this world…

“Teacher Hop?”

Did Zion notice me looking down?

He had a puzzled expression looking up at me.

“Hasn’t it been a minute yet?”

“Just wait a moment. I’ll continue once Mirae gets back.”

“More importantly, where are you looking right now?”

“I’m just checking if Zion is okay.”

“Really?”

What’s so amusing that Zion is smiling and giggling like that?

It clearly looks like he’s trying to twist the conversation to make me seem strange.

“Teacher, I’ve brought it.”

“Thank you, Mirae. Zion.”

“Yes?”

Just in time, Mirae returned and placed a cushion about the size of a small pillow beside Zion.

“What’s this…?”

“Go back to lying face down. Put that under your belly.”

Zion rolled around, positioned the cushion under his stomach, and then returned to lying face down with his limbs spread out.

“Oh? This is much better. It doesn’t hurt as much.”

“If you place that, it shouldn’t hurt, but you’ll need to raise your limbs higher, so it’ll be tougher.”

“Is that okay, though?”

“Let’s give it a shot.”

This is appropriate to be regarded as a form of resistance training, so as long as Zion isn’t struggling too much, it should be doable.

“Ugaaah…”

Zion again raised his limbs with all his might.

“How’s that? Manageable?”

“Yes, somehow… it’s working!”

Fortunately, it didn’t seem too strenuous, and Zion safely completed one more set before collapsing and gasping for air.

“Haah!”

“Alright, take another minute to rest…”

This time, instead of rolling over like before, Zion rested face down as he was.

Luckily, the cushion seemed to be working, so he wasn’t in pain.

If he can complete the last set like this, today’s workout will be successful…

“Is that the hero?”

“What?”

An unfamiliar voice interrupted. I turned my head toward the sound and saw some patient quietly approaching, looking at Zion lying down.

‘What the heck? Where’s the nurse and interns?’

“Zion is currently undergoing treatment, so please return to your seat.”

“Uh, but I just want to see the hero once…”

“You have to follow my orders in this center. Nurse!”

“Yes, Teacher!!”

“Quickly escort this person back to their seat.”

“S-sorry!! You need to return to your spot. You have to get treatment.”

Once the rumor about the hero being in the center spread, it was only natural for some to come see him.

Since there’s an event planned for tomorrow, dealing with uninvited visitors is going to be a headache…

“The hero?”

“The hero must be receiving treatment!”

“That person is the hero!”

“I can’t see their face!”

I thought of getting staff to send the first patient away, but as the commotion began, it seemed to attract even more attention.

All the patients who had been doing their rehabilitation training in the gym suddenly began to swarm over here.

“Patients! Please return to your spots…”

“Teacher Hop.”

Zion was looking up at me with a serious face, calling my name in a quiet voice.

She was shaking her head gently with a warm smile, suggesting I shouldn’t dismiss them.

“I’m fine. Can you allow me a moment just to greet them?”

“Sigh…”

Don’t try to create a scene like that while lying sprawled on the floor…

Zion was not someone who could turn away when so many people wanted and cared for him. So, saying no here wouldn’t work.

“Mirae.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“Help Zion up and sit him in the wheelchair.”

“Understood.”

Mirae assisted Zion, who couldn’t stand on his own, and lifted him into the wheelchair.

“Nice to meet you. I am Hero Zion Laurel.”

Zion, now sitting upright, waved to the gathered patients who had come to see him.

“Oh wow, the hero!”

“It’s really the hero!”

“Thank you so much!!”

Patients exchanged expressions of awe and approached closer.

Zion was surrounded by so many people that I had no choice but to squeeze in and try to maintain some order.

“Since Zion says it’s okay, I won’t insist any further, but remember, Zion is still a patient, so please don’t get too close, and don’t touch him.”

Fortunately, this time, the patients complied with the request.

After all, they would see him a lot during tomorrow’s event, so there’s no need to create a fuss.

“I’ve fought for so long, and in the end, I’ve also become a patient.”

“I’m relieved to hear you aren’t injured.”

“I was curious about the hero’s news!”

“It’s hard to believe that the hero struggles to move like this. I wish you had come for rehab earlier.”

“Haha, indeed.”

Even with the training disrupted, Zion seemed to be enjoying chatting with people, smiling endlessly, and eagerly responding to questions and listening to their words.

As always, Zion engaged with others, smiling lightly.

‘Zion. Hero Zion Laurel…’

The wielder of the Holy Sword, the strongest and fastest swordsman. The peak adventurer. The adversary of the Demon King and savior of humanity.

The reason people held onto hope and could protect their homes during the endless war with demons was that Zion and his companions were heading to the Demon King’s castle.

It was as if everyone was treating meeting Zion as a once-in-a-lifetime fortune, trying to gather around him, making a ruckus just to catch a glimpse of him from a little closer.

To me, Zion is, of course, a special patient. Because she had such a prime, her current state holds profound meaning for me as well.

‘Hmm…’

But has Zion always smiled this way?

I’ve seen Zion’s smiles to the point of being fed up, but somehow, the smile Zion is wearing now feels…

Strangely unfamiliar, as if it were a completely new expression to me.

 

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