The Infinite Torrent

Chapter 7: Medical Panic

The main road felt different under his feet. Every stride was deliberate, his muscles vibrating with a latent, rhythmic power that made the asphalt seem soft, almost malleable. He didn’t look back at the school gate, but he could feel the residual heat of the afternoon sun—and the icy, encroaching shadow of the secret he carried.

He didn't make it as far as the bus stop before his phone buzzed in his pocket. A notification from the school portal blinked on his screen, followed by a text message from the administration office.

“Bayu Wijaya. Report to the Principal’s office immediately. Urgent.”

Bayu exhaled, a visible puff of mist escaping his lips despite the lingering tropical heat. "So, the fallout starts now," he muttered to himself. He turned back, his pace measured. He couldn't run, not when he was trying to project the image of a struggling, exhausted student rather than an evolving anomaly.

The Principal’s office was stifling. It was a small, windowless box lined with mahogany bookshelves that smelled faintly of lemon polish and old paper. Principal Subrata sat behind his desk, his face a stern map of concern and impatience. He didn't look up as Bayu entered; he just kept tapping his pen against a manila folder.

"Sit, Bayu," the Principal said, his voice clipped.

Bayu pulled out the wooden chair and sat, his hands resting naturally on his knees. He focused on the stillness, pulling the cold energy deep into his core to ensure his skin remained warm and dry.

"I’m here, Pak," Bayu said, keeping his tone respectful but tired.

Principal Subrata finally looked up. He took off his spectacles, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I’ve had three separate reports today, Bayu. The coach, the physics teacher, and a complaint from a student’s parent regarding an incident near the gym. You haven't exactly been keeping a low profile."

"I’ve had a rough few days, Pak. I explained that to the coach," Bayu said, meeting the older man’s gaze steadily.

"A rough few days don't explain why a student loses the ability to move his own arm, or why the maintenance staff is reporting flash-frozen patches of condensation in the bathroom," the Principal said, his eyes narrowing. "You look like you haven't slept in a week, and your medical records show no history of these kinds of... erratic outbursts."

Bayu felt the system pulse in his mind, a sharp, cold warning.

[ ALERT: Biometric heart rate elevated. ]

[ Suggestion: Maintain composure. External perception is shifting toward suspicion. ]

"It’s just exhaustion, Pak. I had a bad reaction to some bad water on a hike. I’m seeing a doctor tomorrow. I’ll get a note for you," Bayu lied, his voice sounding steady, even to his own ears.

The Principal leaned forward, his hands clasped on the desk. "You’ll get more than a note. Because of the nature of these incidents, the school board is requiring a comprehensive blood panel and a physical exam from the district clinic. We need to rule out performance enhancers or—well, frankly, something more dangerous."

Bayu’s stomach dropped. A blood test. If they drew his blood, they would find something that shouldn't be there. They would find the essence of the grotto, the azure shimmer that defied human biology.

"A full panel?" Bayu asked, his voice tighter now. "Is that really necessary? It’s just dehydration."

"It’s mandatory, Bayu," the Principal stated, his tone brooking no argument. "You have until Friday. If you don't bring back a clean bill of health, we’ll have to discuss whether you can remain a student here. We have a reputation to maintain, and frankly, I don't need a liability wandering my halls."

"Understood," Bayu said, standing up. "I’ll handle it."

He walked out of the office and into the quiet hallway, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird.

[ ALERT: External threat detected. Medical facility will analyze blood composition. ]

[ System Query: Would you like to activate Blood Solidification? ]

Bayu ducked into the shadows of the stairwell, his hands trembling. "Blood solidification? What does that mean? Will it kill me?"

[ Response: The System can temporarily transmute blood markers to mimic baseline human DNA by condensing liquid essence into a dormant solid state. It will appear normal under standard testing. Warning: Temporary strain on cardiovascular efficiency. ]

"Do it," Bayu whispered. "Whatever it takes."

[ Skill Activated: Blood Solidification (Experimental) ]

[ Warning: You require a stable external influence to mask the procedure. Finding a doctor who understands the anomaly is highly recommended. ]

Bayu leaned his head against the cold concrete wall. "A doctor who understands? You mean a quack? Or someone who knows about the source?"

The system didn't answer. Instead, a new waypoint flashed in his vision—a coordinate leading deep into the old quarter of the city, a district known for its back-alley clinics and unconventional practitioners.

"Fine," Bayu sighed. "I’m going."

The clinic was tucked away behind a noodle shop that hadn't seen a fresh coat of paint in twenty years. A dim, flickering neon sign read Dr. Aris – General Practice & Alternative Remedies. It was the kind of place people went when they wanted to avoid questions.

Bayu pushed the door open. A bell chimed, sounding like a funeral knell. The air inside smelled of ozone, dried herbs, and sterilized metal.

An old man sat behind a cluttered desk, his eyes magnified behind thick, circular lenses. He wasn't wearing a lab coat; he was wearing a worn cardigan and reading a journal that looked like it belonged in a museum.

"We’re closed," the man grunted, not looking up.

"The school sent me," Bayu said, stepping into the pool of light. "I need a medical clearance. But I can't be... poked around too much."

Dr. Aris finally looked up. He didn't look surprised. He looked at Bayu’s hands, then at his eyes, his gaze lingering on the subtle, pulsating blue light behind the iris. The doctor didn't reach for a stethoscope. He reached for a glass of water, setting it on the desk between them.

"You’re one of them, then," the doctor said, his voice raspy and devoid of shock. "The one they talked about in the myths. The one who found the basin."

Bayu froze, his muscles tensing. "Who are you?"

"I’m the man who cleans up the messes," Aris said, leaning back. "I’ve been waiting for someone like you for a very, very long time. You’re scared of the hospital, aren't you? Afraid the blood test will show them the truth?"

"I can handle the test," Bayu said, his voice defiant. "I just need you to look at me, make sure this... solidification thing doesn't kill me."

The doctor laughed, a dry, wheezing sound. "Solidification? You’ve already unlocked the Tier 1 survival protocols, haven't you? Impressive."

He stood up, walking toward a cabinet filled with strange, glowing vials. "Listen to me, boy. The school isn't the only one watching. If you think a little blood test is your biggest problem, you haven't been paying attention to the shadows in the hallway."

Bayu’s breath hitched. "You saw it? The figure in the jacket?"

Dr. Aris turned, his face suddenly serious. "They aren't scientists, Bayu. They’re harvesters. They want the water in your marrow just as much as you want to drink it."

He gestured to the stool in the center of the room. "Sit. If we’re going to get you through that exam, we have a lot of work to do. And you’re going to tell me exactly how you touched the basin."

Bayu looked at the doctor, then at the door he had just locked behind him. He was tired, he was thirsty, and he was being hunted. But for the first time since the cave, he felt like he had a sliver of an advantage.

"I didn't just touch it," Bayu said, taking his seat. "It chose me."

Dr. Aris smiled, a thin, dangerous expression. "Then let’s see if you’re worth the choice."

The system interface expanded in Bayu's vision, flickering with a steady, reassuring light.

[ Quest Initiated: The False Clinical Clearance. ]

[ Objective: Survive the transition. Maintain the disguise. ]*

Bayu looked at the vials on the desk, the blue liquid inside pulsing in perfect synchronization with his own heartbeat. He wasn't a student anymore. He was a target, a subject, and a survivor. And as the doctor reached for a syringe, Bayu knew that the school's routine physical was the least of his worries. The real test was about to begin.