<b>Chapter </b>100


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, a signal for her friend to continue.


    “The monthly ordeal of the Deathly Tests!” Jenna exhaled deeply. “Do you know why they call Ate ‘The She–Devil?‘ Because anyone whose average score dips below theirst one gets subjected to the most twisted form of punishment!”


    Mirabe looked on, her expression the epitome of nonchnce. “Punishment?<b>” </b>


    “Yeah! Tenps around the track every afternoon after school for ten days straight. If that’s not twisted, I don’t know what is!” Jenna shivered at the mere thought.


    A smirk tugged at the corner of Mirabe’s lips. “You call that twisted?”


    Jenna’s patience snapped like a twig. “Ten wholeps! You know the size of our school track, it’s massive! Just onep during PE, and I’m already winded!”


    Tenps might as well be a death sentence!


    Oh right, she forgot that Mirabe always performed like an Olympic athlete during gym ss as if they weren’t even attending the same school.


    Mirabe stroked her chin, eyeing Jenna from head to toe before shaking her head in mock disapproval. “Dark circles under the eyes, habitualte nights, a body bloated with retained water, and ack of exercise. You’re squandering your youth, sweetheart. That’s a no–go.”


    Jenna snorted, “You sound like one of those slick holistic health gurus right now.” While speaking, she fished out apact mirror from her desk and peered into it. “But seriously, are my under–eyes that bad?”


    Mirabe remained silent.


    “Looks like my dark circles are pretty bad,” Jenna said somberly, setting down the mirror and turning her woeful gaze onto Mirabe’s face, which was wless, radiant skin without a blemish in sight. The stark contrast was a blow to her self–esteem.


    Jenna covered her face. “Ooh, I <b>am </b>wounded. Spare me thefort.”


    Mirabe’s lips twitched slightly, her voice as light as a feather. “Just hit the books and survive your Deathly Tests.”


    Jenna dropped her hands, ring at Mirabe with indignation. “That’s just mean, a double whammy of insults!”


    Mirabe offered a faint smile.


    Jenna was bbergasted. This wasn’t the caring Mirabe she knew!


    That evening, after dinner, Mirabe ascended the stairs and rummaged through her collection


    of jars and bottles. She selected a te–grey vial and descended back to the living room. “Zach, this is for you. One pill a day. Come back to me when you’ve run out,” she said, handing over the porcin bottle to Zach.


    Zach raised an eyebrow and epted the bottle. “Is this that energy–boosting concoction you mentioned at lunch?” he inquired, unscrewing the lid.


    “Yes,” Mirabe nodded. “Trust me, it’ll work wonders for you.”


    Zach chuckled, bringing the bottle to his nose for a sniff. A subtle aroma wafted out, not the overpowering scent of herbal remedies but rather a refreshing fragrance that seemed to clear his mind.


    “This medicine…” Zach lifted his eyes to Mirabe, clearly surprised. “The smell is actuallyforting!”


    Of course, Mirabe’s lips curved up in satisfaction. This was a remedy beyond value.


    “I’ll try one now.” Zach said eagerly, tipping out a pill the size of a pea. A ss of water was conveniently beside him, and with a gulp, he swallowed the pill. Despite being an herbal pellet, it went down smoothly,cking the harshness of themercial herbal medicines that often left a bitter taste.


    Perhaps the initial soothing scent had primed Zach, and as soon as he took it, he felt the perennial weight on his shoulders lift significantly<b>. </b>


    This medicine was nothing short of miraculous!