Inside Classroom 1-A, the gentle rays of morning sunlight spilled through tall windows, dancing across polished marble floors and casting long shadows from the rows of ornate desks.
Charlotte stood beside Seraphina near the front of the room, arms crossed and brows furrowed, her gaze locked on Ethan Williams. He stood near the classroom exit, holding a sealed envelope in his hand—the very one he planned to submit to the Student Council to officially challenge Alex Dragonheart for the Apex Title.
The room was silent. Ethan’s mad laughter still echoed faintly in their ears.
Charlotte’s eyes narrowed.
’He’s not bluffing. He’s actually going to challenge Alex...’
Without a word, Ethan turned and strode out of the room, his presence still lingering like a storm cloud.
A voice spoke from beside Charlotte, low and amused.
With a smirk tugging at his lips, Alden crossed his arms and said,
"Looks like he’s serious about taking the title of Apex from Alex. And that part about burying him? I honestly can’t tell if he was joking or dead serious."
Seraphina, still staring toward the door, added calmly,
"His eyes... they looked serious. Not just about winning. About beating him to a pulp."
Alden chuckled, though there was tension behind it.
"And it’s going to be so interesting to watch."
He leaned slightly forward.
"Ever since Ethan awakened, the whole world’s been in turmoil."
Charlotte nodded solemnly.
"True. My father’s called me dozens of times just to confirm the news."
Alden continued,
"Even his dad—Duke Arthur—seems genuinely worried. Told him to come home with his sister, but Ethan refused. Apparently, even the Church has gone into a frenzy."
Seraphina’s brow arched.
"The Church?"
Alden gave a half-shrug.
"Yeah. They said they’re sending officials to the academy personally to confirm his condition and ensure the well-being of ’the Chosen One’ and blah blah blah."
He glanced to the side.
"Even all the Saint Candidates were summoned. Maria left for the Church yesterday."
Before anyone else could speak, Draven leaned in from behind them, his voice unexpectedly grave.
"I feel like even their friendship is on the line now. Alex isn’t the kind to back down from a fight... especially when provoked seriously. You guys know that."
He clenched a fist.
"To him, only winning matters. No matter the cost."
Charlotte nodded slowly.
"He didn’t even care about his own body when he fought the Student Council President."
A collective sigh passed through the group, all their memories echoing the same truth.
That’s when Rein, the newest among them, spoke up quietly.
"From the aura Ethan is releasing now... it’s undeniable. He’s already at Expert (Low) rank."
Alden’s jaw tightened. His expression darkened as he looked toward the hallway Ethan had disappeared into.
His voice came low, almost bitter.
"You’re right about that."
His fists clenched at his sides.
"Just when I felt like I was catching up... he breaks ahead again. So far ahead it’s almost laughable."
Suddenly, Ava chimed in from behind, her sweet voice laced with sarcasm and a teasing tone.
"Seriously, you’re worried about being surpassed... when it looks like Ethan is ready to turn Alex into a punching bag?"
Alden let out a long, dramatic sigh.
"What do you want me to do, pipsqueak? Go beg him not to challenge Alex just because Big Sis Eve happened to grace Alex with her lips?"
Ava just pouted hearing that.
Alden continued with mock frustration,
"If I told him he’s being childish, he’d probably challenge me to a duel. And with the power he’s radiating now... he’d flatten me without breaking a sweat."
He groaned.
"That bastard loses all reasoning when it comes to his sister."
Charlotte smirked.
"Yeah, you’re right about that."
Then her eyes widened slightly.
"But still... I’m shocked to the core. Big Sis Eve kissed Alex. I mean—what?! Even in a billion years, I wouldn’t have believed it."
Seraphina and Alden both nodded silently, their expressions unreadable.
Then Ava tilted her head curiously.
"Then what about Alex...?"
Alden raised an eyebrow at her, his tone dry and teasing.
"Don’t tell me you’re worried about him, pipsqueak?"
Ava puffed her cheeks in irritation and—smack!
She slapped the back of Alden’s head.
"It’s not like that!" she huffed. "He’s like a big brother to me. He treats me well!"
Alden winced, rubbing his head.
"Okay, okay! I understand! No need for violence!"
He sighed in relief when Ava stepped back.
Then, Seraphina spoke up, her voice soft but firm.
"We should follow Ethan to the Student Council Office. I’m worried... about all of this."
Everyone shared a glance. Without a word, they all nodded in agreement.
---
A few minutes later...
They slipped out of the classroom, skipping their next period—Alchemy—without hesitation. As the group made their way down the marble-floored hallway, a familiar voice called out from behind them.
"Hey! Where are all of you going together?"
Turning around, they saw Lilia Scott approaching, dressed in her immaculate Zenith uniform, her curious eyes scanning the group.
Draven replied without missing a beat,
"We’re heading to the Student Council Office. Ethan’s going to challenge Alex for the Apex title."
Lilia blinked. For a brief moment, something gleamed behind her eyes—excitement? Intrigue? But it vanished almost instantly, her expression returning to casual neutrality.
"Can I come too?" she asked sweetly.
Rein shrugged.
"Of course you can. But are you sure you want to miss your next class?"
Lilia smiled faintly.
"This seems much more interesting."
The rest of the group mostly ignored her, already too focused on the storm brewing ahead. Rein gave her a small nod, and they continued walking down the corridor.
Just as they neared the ornate archway leading toward the Council Wing, Charlotte’s EtherPad buzzed.
She pulled it out, eyes scanning the message—and her face immediately tensed.
"You guys go on ahead. I’ve got something important to do," she said, sliding the pad back into her pocket.
The others paused only briefly.
Alden gave her a nod.
"We’ll fill you in later."
---
As soon as the group disappeared down the corridor, Charlotte turned on her heel and broke into a run.
The long hallways of Zenith Academy blurred past her, boots tapping sharply against the floor. She reached the nearest warp gate and slammed her palm onto the panel.
A soft hum followed.
In the blink of an eye, her figure vanished from the academy grounds and reappeared at the Phoenix Spire.
Charlotte strode into the glittering lobby, barely acknowledging anything. Her footsteps were swift and measured as she entered the elevator, fingers jabbing the panel for Floor 5.
Moments later, she stepped into a lavish apartment suite—sleek, minimalist, yet glowing with embers of noble taste. She kicked off her shoes and tossed her academy cloak onto the sofa.
Without wasting a second, she moved toward the changing room.
The doors slid shut behind her with a soft hiss.
Inside, she peeled off her academy uniform and changed into something more comfortable: a black leather jacket cropped just above the waist, zipped halfway to show a sliver of her toned stomach; a deep crimson tank top clung to her form underneath.
She slipped into a pair of snug dark shorts, laced up at the sides with silver strings, and finished the look with thigh-high combat boots and silver bangles.
Her snowy white hair fell loosely over her shoulders.
She glanced once in the mirror.
’Bold, sharp, and ready.’
With a breath, she tapped her EtherPad and selected a contact.
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