Calvin and Lizzie spent the entire night trying to come up with a solution, but exhaustion eventually overtook them, and they fell asleep without any answers. The living room was littered with crumpled notes and empty coffee cups, a testament to their restless brainstorming. As the first light of morning filtered through the windows, Calvin awoke with a start. His eyes were gritty with fatigue, and the weight of his obligations crashed down on him as he realized he had to attend the meeting with the health department.His phone buzzed on the table, its vibration a harsh reminder of the day ahead. Calvin quickly picked it up, seeing Alana's name on the screen. He answered, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. "Alana?""Calvin, good morning. Do you need a ride to the meeting?" Alana's voice was tense but supportive, the underlying urgency clear.Before Calvin could respond, Lizzie, who had also been stirred awake by the call, glanced over at him with curiosity. Her eyes were puffy
Alana greeted Calvin with a warm, confident smile, linking her arm through his as they walked into the room. Calvin's heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to appear calm and composed, his steps purposeful and steady.As they entered the conference room, Calvin immediately spotted Dr. Matthew Greene standing at the center. Seeing Greene brought a small measure of relief; the man had made a full recovery thanks to Calvin's treatment. However, a pang of anxiety twisted in Calvin's stomach—without the system from the amulet, his diagnostic abilities were severely hindered. He had to rely on his knowledge and past experiences, hoping they would be enough.In the room, several key figures were present: Kevin Lang, Lionel Lang, and James Perry. Their expressions ranged from skeptical to openly hostile. They were all anticipating Calvin's failure.The Head of the Board, a stern-faced woman with sharp eyes, called the meeting to order. "We are here today to review the medical capa
Calvin looked around the room, a sinking feeling of worry growing in his chest. Without his amulet, he felt vulnerable and powerless. The ticking of the clock on the wall echoed in the silence, each second passing increasing the pressure he felt. His heart raced as he scanned the faces around him—some curious, some skeptical, and others openly hostile. He stood there, frozen, unable to diagnose anyone in the room without the aid of the system.Alana, sensing his distress, stepped forward with concern etched on her face. "Calvin, are you okay?" she asked, her voice gentle but anxious. Her eyes were wide with worry, and her hand reached out to touch his arm, offering a semblance of support.Calvin swallowed hard, his mind racing. "I... I need more time. This pressure... I can't do it under these conditions." His voice was shaky, betraying the confidence he tried to project.Kevin Lang's laughter cut through the tension like a knife. "More time? What a joke!" he sneered, his voice drippi
The Head of the Board cleared his throat, cutting through the tension that filled the room. "Mr. Hudson," he began, his voice steady and authoritative, "are you admitting that you cannot perform a diagnosis at this moment? This would substantiate the claims against you, indicating that you are indeed a fraud."Calvin felt a lump in his throat as his heart pounded. His mind raced, weighing his options. Admitting defeat now would mean the end of everything he had worked for. Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his voice. "I'm not feeling well at the moment," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "I need more time. I promise I will prove my abilities in front of everyone."Kevin Lang seized the opportunity, his voice dripping with contempt and mockery. "This is pathetic," he sneered. "He's just buying time because he knows he can't do it. Head of Board, I urge you to make the decision now. He should be permanently barred from practicing. He's a disgrace."Lionel Lang leaned forward
Calvin drove home, his mind a whirlwind of frustration and anxiety. Every event seemed to conspire against him, and the absence of his amulet only intensified his helplessness. The thought of who might possess the amulet and what they might do with it gnawed at him, adding another layer of worry to his already overwhelming stress. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he navigated the familiar streets, each turn bringing him closer to home but offering no solace from his turbulent thoughts.Pulling into the driveway, Calvin took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He turned off the engine and sat in the car for a moment, letting the quiet of the evening wash over him. The house stood still and silent, a stark contrast to the chaos in his mind. With a sigh, he got out of the car and walked to the front door, his steps heavy with the weight of the day.As he entered the house, Calvin immediately noticed something unusual. Lizzie was seated on the floor in the living room, h
Calvin pulled up to the airport on the outskirts of the city, the dimming light of the evening casting long shadows across the tarmac. The sense of urgency between him and Lizzie was palpable as they hurried out of the car and into the terminal. The airport, a modest structure compared to the bustling international hubs, was relatively quiet, with only a few travelers scattered around.Inside, Calvin and Lizzie made a beeline for the ticket counter. The woman behind the desk looked up as they approached, her expression a mix of curiosity and professionalism."We need the earliest flight to Tarius," Calvin said, trying to sound composed despite the nervousness in his voice.The clerk tapped on her computer, her fingers moving quickly over the keys. "Let me check the schedule... There's a flight departing in two hours. Would you like to book it?"Calvin glanced at Lizzie, who nodded in agreement. "Yes, please. We'll take it."As the clerk processed their tickets, Calvin’s mind raced. Ta
After several hours in the air, Calvin and Lizzie finally touched down in Tarius, Barrion. As they stepped off the plane, the weight of their mission pressed heavily on them, their anxiety palpable. The scene before them was one of organized chaos. Aid from various countries was being sorted and distributed to makeshift tents that served as shelters for refugees and the wounded.Calvin looked around, taking in the makeshift tents and the hurried movements of aid workers. Lizzie stood beside him, her expression one of concern. "We need to get back to Bacca from here," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But I don't know how we're going to do that. The distance between Tarius and Bacca is still quite far."Calvin thought for a moment, then a spark of an idea lit up his eyes. "I have an idea," he said, his tone resolute. He approached a nearby aid worker, who was busy organizing supplies. "Excuse me," Calvin said, trying to catch the worker's attention. "I have medical knowledg
Calvin and Lizzie finally arrived at the main camp. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of urgency and exhaustion as volunteers and aid workers moved swiftly to unload the patients and transfer them to more adequate treatment areas. Lindsay, with her dark brown hair tied back and her sharp eyes focused, immediately took charge, directing the flow of people and resources with practiced efficiency."Everyone, we need to get these patients to the medical tents immediately," Lindsay called out, her voice carrying over the noise of the camp. "Let's move quickly and carefully."Calvin and Lizzie joined the other volunteers, helping to lift stretchers and support those who could walk. The sight of the severely wounded weighed heavily on Calvin's heart. The injuries ranged from shrapnel wounds to severe burns, each one a stark reminder of the brutal conflict between Han Xin and Barrion. The casualties of power struggles and territorial disputes lay before him, suffering and vulnerable.As t