Banishment is Fine: As a Genius Saint, I Can Shine Anywhere. - Chapter 5

“You’re awake? Hey, stay with me.”

“…Ah… No, stop—!”

Meteora instinctively pushed at the figure in front of her.

But the solid chest didn’t budge. She panicked.

“Stop… No… Help me—!”

“Calm down. You’re safe.”

She couldn’t hear him.

Couldn’t believe him.

She swayed—kicking, pushing—desperate to escape.

But her fingers were ice-cold, tingling with pain.

Her breath came in sharp gasps—

“Hah… Hah… Hhh… Hhh—”

A wheezing sound escaped her lips.

Her vision blurred and narrowing—

(No, no, no! This is terrifying—!)

“Hey—are you having a panic attack? Just how bad was that nightmare?”

The voice—low, familiar—held both concern and frustration.

And then—

Strong arms wrapped around her.

A firm hand lifted her chin—

And suddenly, his lips were on hers.

“Mmph—!”

She couldn’t breathe.

Couldn’t think.

Instinct she kicked in—she bit down.

But he didn’t flinch.

Instead, he exhaled—a warm breath filling her lungs.

“Mmm—!”

She resisted.

She tried to resist, but with every breath he gave her, the suffocating tightness in her chest eased.

His hands—warm, steady—held her trembling fingers, rubbed her back, chased away the lingering chill.

When he finally pulled away—

Meteora slumped forward, utterly drained and collapsing against him.

“Honestly, you? Panicking? That’s not like you. You almost gave me a heart attack.”

His tone was deliberately light—almost teasing.

Meteora, still dazed, slowly lifted her head.

“…Lionel?”

“Hey, you’re finally recognizing me? Good. Now, how many fingers?”

He held up three fingers in front of her.

“…Three.”

“Great. Looks like you’re back with us.”

Relieved, Lionel loosened his hold and gently eased her onto the bed.

“…Where are we?”

She glanced around.

The dimly lit room was unfamiliar.

The only source of light—a single candle by the bedside—cast flickering shadows.

“It’s the Fourth Regional Temple. Lady Chuli led us here. We had to flee after getting kicked out of the city.”

“The city… Chuli…”

Meteora muttered, trying to piece everything together.

Then—

A sudden realization struck.

She threw off the blanket, trying to sit up.

“The townspeople—are they safe—ugh!”

“Hey, take it easy!”

She swayed—nearly falling off the bed.

Lionel caught her effortlessly, supporting her.

Seeing she was determined to sit up, he propped up some pillows behind her and letting her lean against them.

She exhaled shakily.

“…I still have a fever.”

“Obviously. After using that much power, your body’s was completely drained. Lady Chuli used every bit of her healing magic on you—honestly, you’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”

“…Lady Chuli…”

Hearing that even she had nearly collapsed helping her, Meteora lowered her gaze, feeling guilty.