The sun hung lazily over the wide school street of Astra Academy, basking the sleek black gates in golden light. The wind stirred the uniforms of the students strolling through the polished walkways, but none drew attention quite like Naomi and Prisca. Their footsteps echoed with a quiet tension as they walked side by side, the silence growing heavier with each step.
Naomi's eyes, curious and unreadable, were fixed on Prisca. She didn't speak. She just stared.
Prisca stopped abruptly.
"Don't get the wrong idea," she said, turning to Naomi with eyes sharp as blades. "I didn't accept you in my life."
Naomi tilted her head with a faint smile. Prisca stepped closer, her voice cold and precise.
"The only reason I told Paul to allow you to cooperate with us is because you're friendly with everyone else. You want to help Cain, so you might be useful for investigating the incident. That's all."
Naomi's smile widened. "So we're partners, right?"
Prisca narrowed her eyes into a death stare. "Don't get me wrong. I've never considered you a friend or a partner. You are just a classmate. Know your limits."
Naomi chuckled. "Okay."
She reached out playfully to hug Prisca, but Prisca instantly grabbed her neck.
"Seems like you got a death wish," she whispered menacingly, then shoved Naomi aside.
Naomi stumbled but remained calm. She stood there smiling devilishly, whispering to herself, "I'm getting close to you... soon... soooon."
---
Meanwhile, inside the long glass-paneled hallway of the academy, Paul walked with a determined stride. Students from other classes turned to look at him, whispers trailing behind him, but he didn't flinch. His eyes were fixed forward—calm, steady.
From the side, a familiar voice echoed.
"Paul," said Elvara, his homeroom teacher.
He paused. "Yes, Teacher?"
"Follow me."
They entered a quiet room. Elvara turned to him, her eyes grave.
"Why are you pushing this case so hard? You might not win. Class E should just admit they were at fault and step down."
Paul's expression didn't change.
"You and I both know Cain is innocent."
Elvara looked at him silently, then sighed.
"In Astra Academy, the strong always wins while the weak watch in despair."
Paul leaned forward slightly, eyes intense.
"The strong only win because the system backs them up. But the weak? We fight to survive. That makes us different."
Before Elvara could reply, the door opened.
"Paul!" Joseph called, then stopped upon seeing the teacher. "Oh... sorry."
"Nevermind," Elvara said, brushing past him. She looked back once. "I hope you know what you're doing."
"I do," Paul replied.
After she left, Joseph turned to him. "What did she ask?"
"Nothing important," Paul muttered. "What about the magic traces I gave you?"
Joseph nodded. "I saw something odd. Most of the traces belong to Class B students who fought with Cain. Meaning, Cain barely fought back. The Class B students caused most of the damage."
Paul clenched his fist. "I knew something was up."
---
In Paul's room, Prisca, Naomi, Deborah, Joseph, and Felix sat in a tight circle.
"This case is complicated," Felix said. "No one will support Class E. Class B is superior."
Deborah smacked him on the head. "What do you mean superior? Thanks to Joseph, we have some evidence."
Paul nodded but looked serious. "It still isn't enough to convince the court."
A heavy silence fell.
Then Naomi spoke, "I'll try to make friends in Class B. I might learn more about the case."
"You? Make friends with them?" Joseph raised a brow.
Naomi grinned. "Trust me. I'm different."
Paul nodded. "I'm counting on you all."
Suddenly, the door creaked open. Cain stood at the entrance.
"You're late," Felix said. "We're done already."
Cain lowered his head. "I don't think I deserve your kindness. Please, drop the case. I can't..."
Without warning, Paul approached and punched Cain in the stomach. Everyone gasped.
Cain fell to his knees.
Paul grabbed his shirt, eyes blazing. "You think I'm doing this for you? No. I'm doing this for justice. For everyone. The weak need to breathe. We can't keep bowing to the seniors. We are humans. Created equal. Isn't that God's purpose? Then why do humans keep trying to divide it?"
Cain's tears spilled over.
Paul let go. "Someone's using you to silence us, right?"
Cain hesitated. "How did you know?"
"Someone?" Joseph stepped forward. "Who?"
Cain sighed. "The seniors from Class A are threatening me."
A grim silence settled.
Paul placed a hand on his shoulder. "Trust me. I'll protect you."
Felix smirked silently. My master always means his words.
A knock came at the door.
Paul opened it. A court official stood there.
"Paul. The head of the school department wants to see you."
Gasps filled the room.
Paul nodded. "I'll be there."
---
As Paul walked toward the department office, he met Liorion Dante, Prisca's older brother, exiting the room. They locked eyes like two titans.
Liorion smirked. "So, you're Paul."
Paul said nothing.
Liorion sneered. "Seems you've got a death wish. Staring at me with no respect."
He raised a finger to strike, but Paul grabbed his wrist, holding it firm.
Paul looked calmly into his eyes and said:
"Respect is earned. Not demanded. Especially from someone too arrogant to see truth beyond his pride."
He dropped Liorion's hand and turned.
Liorion scoffed. "Better drop the case."
Paul ignored him and entered the office.
---
At the back of the school, Cain was curled up, arms shielding his bruised face. Elijah laughed cruelly from a corner.
"Pathetic."
Then, a flash of blue light struck the thugs. It was a water-based binding spell: Aqua Chains.
"What the—?" one thug yelled.
Joseph stepped forward.
"Who the hell are you?" Elijah asked.
"Just... a friend," Joseph muttered.
Elijah raised a brow. "You look scared."
He gestured, and his assistant kicked Joseph to the ground. The thugs laughed.
"Let them go," Elijah said, grinning.
As they walked off, Cain helped Joseph up.
"Why did you help me? You're from Class C."
Joseph didn't answer. "Let's get to the nurse."
---
In the head office, Paul sat across from a young boy in a sleek black suit. His aura matched Paul's.
"I'm Kura. Sign here. It's the date for the hearing."
Paul read and signed.
Kura chuckled. "Do you think you can win?"
Paul remained silent.
Kura leaned forward. "I told my dad never to allow a Class E. Anyone who fails the entrance test should be banished. I don't know why your class even exists."
Paul stood up. "I think I have to leave. Have a nice day."
Kura watched him walk away. "This little bastard... who does he think he is?"
---
Liorion and Crysta's older brother were walking up the dorm steps when they saw Prisca.
She bowed. "Please... I need your help for my class—"
SLAP!
She looked up, tears already forming.
"You're a disgrace," Liorion growled. "Crystal is missing, and you beg for your disgusting class. You should've been the one missing, not her."
Crysta's brother sighed and walked away. Liorion turned and left.
Prisca stood there, trembling. Naomi watched from behind a wall, smiling darkly.
---
Later, in the restroom, Paul turned to leave. Elijah stood in the doorway.
"You must be Paul."
Paul didn't answer.
Elijah struck—a jab at Paul's chest.
Paul tilted his head. Missed.
Another punch. Dodged.
Another. Dodged. Again. Calm. Precise. Focused.
Elijah grinned. "Hope you're ready to face your nightmare."
Paul looked straight into his eyes.
"I was born in it. Trained by it. So yes, I'm fully prepared."
---
To be continued...