Returning to his room was the only thing that came to his mind, and no matter how much his body begged for rest, he wasn't about to collapse here in the hallway.
Just as Ashok neared the exit of the Private Training Area, a sharp voice cut through the still air, commanding him to halt.
"STOP!"
The sudden urgency made him pause, turning back toward the reception counter, where the receptionist remained seated, her gaze locked onto him.
Her expression was unreadable—calm yet pointed, a knowing glint in her eyes as she leaned forward slightly, preparing to speak.
With deliberate emphasis, she stated—
"I am sure there are no 'thieves' inside the Academy who would simply use the training room for an extra hour for free. So, You must have forgotten to pay for the additional time you spent."
The word thieves carried a sharp, mocking undertone, laced with enough sarcasm to make her meaning crystal clear.
