A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 47: Back To The Ward
Chapter 47: Back To The Ward

As soon as Arix returned to her hospital room, she saw Drexel half-lying on her bed, playing with the opticomputer she had hidden under her pillow.

”Hey, you’re back!” Drexel greeted his sister while playing a game, glancing up as she walked in.

”Yeah,” Arix replied, too tired to say much else. She grabbed her toiletries and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. Afterward, she returned to her bedside table, took out some bandages, and replaced the sling on her left arm.

Once finished, Arix sat down on a chair beside her bed. She looked at Drexel, still lounging on her bed, and said softly, ”Don’t you think it’s a bit much to hog your sister’s hospital bed?”

”I trained all day and haven’t rested yet. I’ll get up soon, I promise,” Drexel replied shamelessly, showing no signs of moving.

Arix twitched her lips, knowing Drexel would definitely not get up ”soon.” Her eyes were flat and emotionless as she gazed at him, and she said coolly, ”Kellan should be here soon with my dinner. So... are you sure you still want to lie here a little longer?”

Drexel’s body stiffened as he heard that. The next moment, he obediently climbed off the bed and sat on the chair, giving Arix a plaintive look. ”Other people’s sisters are sweethearts, but you’re just bitter and harsh.”

”Well, other people’s brothers don’t steal their little sister’s hospital bed,” Arix shot back with a hum as she lay down comfortably.

”Hmph!” Drexel rolled his eyes at Arix. He suddenly remembered a message from his instructor, and a hint of envy crept into his voice. ”By the way, the instructor wanted me to tell you that once you’re healed and back at the training base, the military will hold a ceremony to award you a rank. You’ll also need to give a speech in front of all the faculty and students.”

Arix sat up, bewildered. ”Wait, what? I have a rank? Are you sure?”

”It’s for the merits you earned yesterday when you captured Pritchett. Plus, the rank is awarded by the president, which means you’re officially recognized by them.” Drexel was getting more jealous with every word, his eyes nearly turning green.

”All this for a rank? I really don’t think I did much,” Arix said sheepishly, scratching her head.

”It’s probably also because you saved people when the wormhole appeared last time. But you’re definitely famous now. Not many people get a rank before even graduating from military school,” Drexel said, full of envy.

However, he felt better when he remembered she was his sister, and he could always brag about her to his roommates later.

”You said I have to give a speech on stage?” Arix asked, eyes glimmering with an idea.

”Yeah, the instructor told you to prepare a speech ahead of time so you don’t freeze up. But why do you ask?” Drexel looked at her, puzzled.

Arix intended to use this opportunity to put all those pesky rumors to rest once and for all.

This round of rumors taught Arix one thing: human emotions, even that of siblings, don’t always align. Throughout the entire ordeal, she was the only one who felt embarrassed, while Drexel, oblivious as ever, didn’t give it a second thought.

With this realization, Arix looked at Drexel, her emotions tangled, and said, ”Nothing. But sometimes, I really envy how blissfully ignorant you can be.”

”What?” Drexel looked at her, bewildered and clueless as to why she was suddenly mocking him.

Just as Drexel was about to respond, there was a knock at the door.

Knock, knock.

”Arix, it’s me,” Kellan’s voice called through the door.

Inside the room, the siblings jumped in surprise, exchanging a quick glance before springing into action.

Arix grabbed a pillow, and Drexel quickly slipped off the opticomputer from his wrist. Once the device was securely tucked beneath the pillow, they both exhaled a sigh of relief.

”Come in,” Arix said, trying to sound casual.

Kellan walked in carrying a bag and immediately noticed Drexel. He frowned and asked, ”How did you get out of the training base?”

Generally, freshmen weren’t allowed at the real military base.

”I was worried about her, so I asked the instructor for permission to visit. It worked out because the instructor also had a message for Arix,” Drexel explained obediently.

But only Arix knew he had really come to retrieve his opticomputer. The miserly dude only let her borrow it because she was in the hospital.

After hearing Drexel’s explanation, Kellan nodded. He moved to the bedside table and unpacked the meal, setting it up neatly. ”Today’s dinner is roast lamb and vegetable soup. How does that sound?” he asked Arix.

”Sounds great, thanks,” Arix said eagerly, her mouth practically watering. She took a quick sip of the soup.

Watching her, Drexel couldn’t help but feel envious and looked up at Kellan with a pitiful gaze. ”Dude, is there any for me?”

”What do you think?” Kellan replied, smiling as ta turned toward Drexel.

This blatant favoritism made Drexel instantly feel like he was back home. He sulked in the corner, glaring but not daring to complain.

Seeing Drexel looking so pitiful, Arix couldn’t help but scoop a small bowl of soup and pass it to him. ”Here, have some.”

”At least Arix still cares about me,” Drexel beamed, his mood instantly improving as he carefully took the bowl. He glanced at Kellan smugly and let out a satisfied hum.

Kellan shook his head, chuckling at Drexel as though he were a fool.

”Kellan, would you like some?” Arix asked again.

”No need, I’ve already eaten,” Kellan said with a smile. Then, he remembered something and asked Arix, ”Arix, did you go to the Chemistry Department today?”

Arix looked up at Kellan in confusion. ”How did you know? I did go there this afternoon.”

”Just curious, that’s all,” Kellan replied. He had a pretty good idea of what had happened but not saying more. After all, it couldn’t have been anything bad.

”OK,” Arix muttered. She was still a bit puzzled but not dwelling on it as she returned to her vegetable soup.