Chapter 15: 24
The sound of the alarm clock was faint—faint enough to ignore. However, Kael wasn't the type to sleep in. He sat up in his bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The dorm room was still cloaked in darkness, the faint glow of a digital clock on his desk reading 4:00 AM. Too early for anyone sane to be awake, but Kael had always been an early riser.
He swung his legs over the bed, stretched, and yawned. "Time to start the day." He muttered this mantra every morning, a habit he picked up from his days of hustling in the underworld.
Kael shuffled to the bathroom in his room, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and carefully worked on his hair. It had to look just right—not too formal, but not disheveled either. Once satisfied, he slipped on his school uniform: a sleek, black ensemble with gold accents. The tailoring screamed wealth, but Kael had no time to gloat over his transformation from street kid to billionaire student.
When he stepped out into the common area, he noticed the stillness. The dorm was completely quiet. His roommates—Ren, Xolotl, and Hayashi—were all still asleep. "Figures," he muttered. It wasn't like Ren or Xolotl to be awake unless someone dragged them out of bed.
With nothing else to do, Kael decided to explore the dormitory. Quietly leaving Room A-204, he found himself wandering the long hallway. Doors lined the walls, each housing other male students from his class. From what Kael knew, the girls were in a separate hallway on the other side of the building, with the first floor acting as a shared space for everyone.
Kael's POV
The dormitory was surprisingly large. I walked down to the first floor, my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. When I reached the kitchen, the faint hum of the refrigerator greeted me. "Might as well make myself some breakfast," I thought.
I pulled out some eggs and bread and began whipping up a simple meal. Cooking was second nature to me—when you're broke and living on scraps, you learn to make the most of what you've got. I was just plating my food when I heard an unexpected noise behind me.
Thud.
I froze, my senses immediately on high alert. Slowly turning around, I scanned the room, but it looked empty.
"Who's there?" I called out cautiously.
And then I saw her.
Standing in the doorway was a girl with striking orange hair streaked with strands of yellow. Her pale skin was dotted with light freckles, and her black eyes stared at me with a mix of surprise and irritation. On her chest, barely obscured by her hands, was what appeared to be a tattoo of the sun.
Wait a minute—where the hell was her shirt?!
"Wha—why—" My words came out in a stammer as my face flushed red. "WHERE IS YOUR SHIRT?!"
She narrowed her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Why are you looking?" she snapped, before quickly turning and bolting from the room.
"Wait! I'm sorry!" I shouted after her, but it was too late. She was gone, leaving me standing there, plate in hand, feeling like the world's biggest idiot.
After finishing my breakfast, I decided to go for a run to clear my head—and to burn off the embarrassment. The academy's campus was massive, with sprawling courtyards, towering buildings, and endless walkways. By the time I returned to the dormitory, I was sweating but feeling much better.
That was, until I walked into my room and saw her.
It was the same girl, standing in the common area with her arms crossed. She pointed at me, her expression stern. "I'm not mad at you because it wasn't your fault," she said. "But you better never tell anyone what you saw."
I frantically nodded, my mouth too dry to speak. She huffed, turned on her heel, and stormed out.
"Great," I muttered, dragging myself to the bathroom. "This place is going to drive me insane."
Fast-Forward: Class Time
The dormitory exploration and morning chaos were quickly replaced by the mundane reality of class. Well, as mundane as it could get at this academy.
Our teacher, Mr. Hiro, was at the front of the classroom, shamelessly flirting with his wife, who had stopped by to drop off some paperwork. "You're as radiant as the sun," he declared, loud enough for the entire class to hear.
"Focus on your students!" she snapped, swatting him with a folder before leaving.
Clearing his throat, Mr. Hiro turned to us with a sheepish grin. "Alright, class, let's get started. Today, we're going to talk about chi."
Chi, as it turned out, was a vital energy that could enhance physical abilities, speed, and even manifest as blasts of energy. But what really caught everyone's attention was the concept of Lux—special weapons infused with chi.
"There are standard Lux, which are basic weapons, and then there are SP Lux," Mr. Hiro explained. "These are unique weapons with their own personalities and special abilities. Only a few of you will be able to wield one, but—"
"Let me guess, we're going to fight each other to find out who's the strongest?" Ren interrupted, grinning.
"Exactly!" Mr. Hiro said, clearly unbothered by the interruption. "Everyone, follow me to the arena."
The Arena
The arena was massive, its circular layout surrounded by rows of seats. Mr. Hiro handed each of us a straw to determine our opponents.
I drew the number six and stepped into the ring, stretching to prepare myself. My opponent stepped in shortly after, and my stomach dropped.
It was her.
The girl from the kitchen—whose name, I finally learned, was Jules Homura. Her orange and yellow hair gleamed under the arena lights, and her piercing black eyes were locked onto me.
She smirked, clearly recognizing me. "Hope you're ready to lose."
I gulped. "This is going to be bad."
The fight began, and it was clear Jules had the upper hand. Her movements were fast and fluid, while mine felt clumsy and sluggish. Within minutes, she had me on the ground, gasping for air.
Before I blacked out, one thought crossed my mind: At least I didn't say anything about her… you know.
When I woke up, the match was over, and Ren was laughing hysterically.
"You really got your ass handed to you!" he said, clapping me on the back.
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. This school was going to be the death of me.
As we settled into our seats, the classroom was buzzing with anticipation. Mr. Hiro stood at the front, his presence commanding attention as he cleared his throat. "This will be our official seating arrangement from today onward," he announced, his tone a mix of authority and challenge. "As you all know, Seat No. 1 belongs to the strongest and most capable student in this class."
The air in the room seemed to thicken as everyone turned to look at Seat No. 1, where Akemi Minthe sat. Her calm demeanor only added to her intimidating aura.
"Akemi Minthe," Mr. Hiro began, gesturing towards her, "or as many of you know her, 'Mimi.' She's a Zero—someone capable of wielding both magic and Meta abilities. Her Meta ability, Ink Blot, is as versatile as it is dangerous."
Akemi leaned back in her chair, her tattoos faintly glowing under the classroom light. The intricate omega-heart symbol on her spine was a centerpiece of her power, and even though her forehead tattoo remained dormant, it gave her an ethereal presence. Mr. Hiro continued, "Her tattoos are more than just designs; they are manifestations of her intentions. Each tattoo can grant her a unique ability, but they come at a cost. Her body must adapt to each new power, causing intense physical strain during the transition. The stronger the tattoo's ability, the more severe the drawbacks."
Akemi's piercing gaze swept across the room, her dark lashes framing eyes that seemed to see more than just the physical. The almost-invisible wings etched across her shoulders twitched slightly, a reminder of the untapped strength she carried. Her beauty was as captivating as her abilities, but no one dared to underestimate her—least of all the students sitting closest to her.
"Seat No. 2: Rayne Pérez," Mr. Hiro announced next. Rayne sat poised, her mismatched eyes—one a jet-black abyss and the other a shimmering crystal ice—catching the light. Her blonde curls framed her face, and the flame tattoos on her arms seemed to flicker as if alive.
"Rayne's Meta ability, Negative Flare, allows her to wield ice-cold flames. She can extinguish, control, or even absorb natural or man-made fires, turning them into freezing streams of destruction. The tattoos on her arms represent her mastery over her flames, but they grow and expand with her power, a visible marker of her limits and potential."
Rayne smirked, her confidence radiating as she crossed her arms. "Cool, right?" she said under her breath, earning a few chuckles from the class. Despite her casual demeanor, everyone knew her strength was anything but ordinary.
Mr. Hiro moved on. "Seat No. 3: Yumi Reid." Yumi gave a shy smile as her name was called. Her dark curls with a streak of purple shimmered as she tucked a strand behind her ear. At only five feet tall, she seemed delicate, but her abilities told another story.
"Yumi is another Zero, with both magical and Meta abilities. Her water manipulation allows her to create water at any temperature, from boiling hot to ice cold. But her Meta ability is what sets her apart—she can grow Black Panther-like ears, claws, and a tail, enhancing her speed and senses to extraordinary levels."
Yumi nodded politely, her tail twitching slightly as if to emphasize her abilities. Despite her gentle demeanor, there was an undeniable fierceness in her eyes.
"Seat No. 4: Jennifer Love." A confident figure leaned back in her chair, her multicolored hair catching the sunlight streaming through the windows. Her orange base with blonde streaks gave her an almost fiery appearance, and the ice-blue hue of her eyes seemed to pierce through anyone who dared to meet her gaze.
"Jennifer's magic ability, Mass Negation, allows her to manipulate the mass of objects or even people. Her control is so precise that she can cause objects to float or render them immovable. She also has a contract with a wind-using familiar, a bird that grants her additional mobility and strength in combat."
Jennifer's gem-encrusted forehead glinted as she gave a confident nod. The air around her seemed lighter, as if her ability extended to making herself the center of attention.
The introductions continued, each student revealing a dazzling array of talents and powers. As Mr. Hiro detailed each ability, the reality of our class's strength began to sink in.
Seat No. 5: Takeru Sachi's Anatomical Morph made her a shapeshifter of unparalleled versatility, while Seat No. 6: Catty Cupid's jaguar-like Meta ability added a fierce edge to her presence. Seat No. 7: Isla Aoi's Portal Creation and Seat No. 8: Jules Homura's mastery of lunar and solar energy ensured that our class wasn't just strong—it was a force to be reckoned with.
As the list went on, I couldn't help but glance at my own seat. Surrounded by these incredible individuals, I felt a mix of excitement and pressure. These were my classmates, my rivals, and perhaps, someday, my allies.
"And finally," Mr. Hiro concluded, "Seat No. 23: Xolotl Ixtli."
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Xolotl, who gave a small, confident smirk. His Power Circuit technique was already legendary, combining raw strength, ranged attacks, and energy absorption into a versatile arsenal.
"This is your class," Mr. Hiro said, his voice heavy with meaning. "Each of you is here because you're extraordinary. But remember, strength alone won't make you the best. It's how you grow, how you adapt, and how you work together that will determine your future."
As his words hung in the air, I felt a spark of determination ignite within me. This was just the beginning. In this classroom of prodigies, I would carve out my place—and no one would stand in my way.
Kaerith Fetuoval Sulemoranis stares at the slab with a mix of horror and disbelief. Seat No. 24—the very last spot—is glowing bright next to his name. Whispers ripple through the room like wildfire.
"Seat No. 24? No way."
"Isn't that like… the weakest rank?"
"How could someone who looks like that be so bad at everything Kaerith slowly lowers his gaze, his expression a perfect storm of disbelief, annoyance, and murderous intent. "The last seat? Seriously? Me?!" he hisses, his voice dripping with venom. His flawless features—the sharp jawline, piercing heterochromatic eyes that seem to hold galaxies, and spiky, perfectly styled hair—are practically sparkling under the classroom's ethereal light.
But the absolute worst part? The room collectively decides to ignore the "weakest" part and instead focus entirely on his face.
"Oh my, Kaerith! You're just so… beautiful!" a girl swoons, clutching her chest dramatically.
"How are you this pretty?!" another gasps, practically crying.
"Are you single?" one of the guys asks boldly, earning death glares from the rest of the class.
Kaerith grits his teeth, fists clenching. He glances at his two of his friends, Xolotl Ixtli and Citlali Soils, who are seated nearby. Both of them are visibly struggling to contain their laughter, tears streaming down their faces as they desperately try not to wheeze too loudly.
Citlali leans over her desk, barely able to breathe. "The mighty Kaerith, last place? Oh, this is gold!" she cackles, wiping a tear.
Xolotl, clutching his sides, manages to add, "You could destroy us all with a glare, and yet… Seat 24! I can't—"
Kaerith's glare does, in fact, almost kill them. "Say another word, and I'll make you eat your seats," he growls.
This only makes them laugh harder.
The next teacher, Master Arathis, clears his throat, trying to regain control of the room. "Class, settle down! Remember, this is only the preliminary ranking. Effort and skill will allow you to rise."
Kaerith rolls his eyes, but before he can retort, someone in the back pipes up. "Master Arathis, can we request to switch seats if someone's too distracting?"
The class laughs, but the student looks completely serious.
"Yeah, Kaerith's face is… too much," another adds, fanning herself. "It's hard to focus."
"I think I'm falling in love just looking at him," a third sighs dreamily.
Kaerith's eye twitches. This is hell, he thinks.
Master Arathis sighs heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Kaerith, just… sit down and try not to incite chaos."
Kaerith takes his seat, jaw clenched, glaring straight ahead as if willing the universe to implode. But the moment Master Arathis leaves the room, the class erupts.
"Kaerith! Look over here!"
"Do you have a skincare routine?"
"Are you a model or something?!"
"Marry me!"
Citlali and Xolotl are practically on the floor at this point, their laughter echoing through the room. Citlali gasps between laughs, "This is the best day of my life."
Xolotl wheezes, "You're… you're like one of those characters from a forbidden romance novel, but… but in Seat 24!"
Kaerith, barely holding on to his sanity, slams his fist on his desk, sending a ripple of Ether through the room. The entire class falls silent, staring at him with wide eyes.
"Shut. Up," he says, his voice low and menacing. "I don't care about the rankings, and I definitely don't care about your compliments. So just… stop."
For a moment, the class is stunned into silence. But then someone whispers, "Even his angry voice is hot…"
Kaerith buries his face in his hands, letting out a muffled scream of frustration.
Citlali pats him on the shoulder, still laughing. "Cheer up, Kaerith. At least you've got the looks to distract people from your abysmal ranking."
Kaerith lifts his head, his glare enough to make Citlali step back. "I'm going to end you," he growls.
But before he can make good on his threat, the door swings open, and Master Arathis re-enters. "Alright, settle down, everyone. Time for your first Ether Arts practical exam!"
Kaerith smirks, his earlier frustration replaced with determination. Weakest rank? We'll see about that.
As the students file out to the training grounds, Kaerith shoots a glance at Xolotl and Citlali, who are still grinning like idiots. "Laugh all you want now," he says, his aura flaring with power. "But after this, you'll be eating your words."
Citlali snickers. "Can't wait to see you trip over your Ether Shield, Seat 24."
Kaerith's smirk widens. "Oh, you're gonna regret that."
Kael POV
I slumped against the rooftop railing, letting the wind whip through my hair, which of course, looked flawless because it always did. I hated this. Lunch had barely started, and already I could feel the chaos brewing. This is how it always starts, I thought. Compliments, stares, people throwing themselves at me like my existence was some kind of romantic anime.
I unwrapped my lunch, trying to enjoy my moment of peace before the inevitable stampede. My thoughts drifted back to class. "Seat 24." I muttered bitterly to myself. How the hell did I even fail that Ether Shield? It was like trying to use the Wi-Fi during a storm—nothing connected. The memory of Citlali and Xolotl's laughter sent another wave of irritation through me.
Just as I took my first bite of rice, the rooftop door creaked open. My heart sank. Here we go. I braced myself for another round of, "Kaerith! Can I have your babies?" or some other wild declaration.
But instead, someone… shuffled in.
She wasn't in my class. Hell, she didn't even look like she should've been in any class. Her hair was a greasy, matted mess, as if shampoo had filed a restraining order against her. Dark circles carved trenches under her eyes, and her uniform was wrinkled like she'd crumpled it up and stuffed it in a drawer for six months.
I froze mid-bite, staring at her like I'd just encountered a cryptid. Is she even a student here?
She walked over, carrying what looked like a crumpled convenience store bag. For a second, I thought she was going to pass by, but no. She stopped right next to me. Then—without asking—sat down.
My internal alarms went off. Stranger danger! I instinctively grabbed my lunch, ready to leave before this turned into something weird. But as I stood up, she spoke.
"Sit."
It wasn't a request. Her voice was raspy, like she'd been chain-smoking in a cave for a decade.
I blinked. "Uh, excuse me?"
"I said, sit. Down."
I opened my mouth to argue but froze when she turned to look at me directly. Her expression wasn't hostile, but it wasn't exactly friendly either. It was… deadpan. Like a sleep-deprived owl.
"Do you have any idea," she started, pulling a crushed onigiri out of her bag, "how hard it was to find a quiet place to eat around here without people talking about how hot you are?"
My brain short-circuited.
"Wait—what?"
She sighed heavily, unwrapping her onigiri with all the enthusiasm of someone defusing a bomb. "Everywhere I go, it's, 'Kaerith this, Kaerith that,' like you're some kind of god walking among mortals. I came up here to escape them. And now you're here. What are the odds?"
I sat back down, stunned. This wasn't the usual reaction I got. No compliments, no flirtation, no worshipping my ethereal existence. Just… contempt.
"Uh, thanks, I guess?" I said cautiously.
She snorted. "Don't get it twisted. You're still hot. It's just annoying." She took a huge bite of her onigiri, crumbs flying everywhere.
I blinked. What the hell is happening right now?
"Do I… know you?" I asked.
"Nope."
"Then why are you sitting here?"
She shrugged. "You looked miserable. Misery loves company."
This girl was weird. And not in a quirky, "I make clay miniatures of mushrooms" kind of way. More like, "I spend 12 hours a day on cursed internet forums and haven't seen sunlight in three weeks" kind of way.
I cleared my throat. "Well, uh… I was just leaving, so—"
"No, you're not." She grabbed my sleeve with her free hand, her grip surprisingly firm. "If you leave, people will come up here looking for you. And if they find me? They'll talk to me. You wouldn't do that to someone, would you?"
"That's… oddly manipulative."
"Call it what you want. Sit."
I sat.
She nodded approvingly, like she'd just tamed a wild animal. Then she pulled out a phone with a cracked screen, the wallpaper some horrifying meme of a cat with laser eyes. She started scrolling without saying another word, occasionally giggling to herself.
"Do you… have a name?" I ventured, breaking the awkward silence.
"Yeah, but you don't need to know it."
"Why not?"
"Because if you know my name, you'll feel obligated to remember it. And frankly, I don't think either of us wants that level of commitment."
I stared at her, completely at a loss. Who was this girl? A glitch in the system? A ghost of some poor student who failed out years ago?
Suddenly, she looked up from her phone, squinting at me. "You know, you're way less insufferable in person than people make you out to be."
"Uh… thanks?"
"Don't let it go to your head."
And with that, she went back to her phone, munching on her sad, crumpled onigiri like this was the most normal interaction in the world.
I sighed, leaning back against the railing. This day just kept getting weirder. But, for some reason, sitting here with this strange, greasy-haired cryptid of a girl… wasn't so bad.
At least she wasn't throwing herself at me.
For a while, we sat in silence, the only sounds coming from her aggressively chewing on that tragic onigiri and the faint hum of the city below. It was… oddly peaceful. I'd never been around someone who wasn't completely starstruck or obsessed with me.
Then, out of nowhere, she let out a sharp snort-laugh.
"What's so funny?" I asked, glancing over.
She held up her cracked phone, showing me a meme. It was a poorly edited photo of some generic anime protagonist with glowing red eyes, captioned: "POV: You're about to fail your Ether exam but look hot doing it."
"Is that supposed to be me?" I asked, feeling my eyebrow twitch.
"Obviously," she said, cackling like she'd just discovered the meaning of life.
"Wow, great, so now I'm a meme," I muttered, rubbing my temples.
"Relax, Seat 24," she teased, shoving the phone back in her pocket. "You've got bigger problems than being meme-fied."
I flinched. "Seat 24"? Seriously? Even she knew? Was there an announcement or something?
"Why does everyone keep bringing that up?" I groaned.
"Because it's hilarious," she said bluntly. "Hot guy with god-tier genetics gets ranked dead last. You're living the plot of a bad webtoon."
I glared at her, but she didn't even flinch. In fact, she seemed to be enjoying herself.
"Okay, first of all, I don't have god-tier genetics. Second, it was just one test! Everyone has an off day!"
"Sure," she said, smirking. "Tell that to the Binding Chains you summoned earlier. Oh wait, you didn't."
I groaned again, burying my face in my hands. She was relentless.
But then, to my surprise, she nudged me with her elbow.
"Look, don't take it personally," she said. "Everyone sucks at something. Even me."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What do you suck at?"
"Social interaction," she said without hesitation.
I blinked. "Well, I mean… yeah."
"Wow, rude," she said, shoving the rest of the onigiri into her mouth.
"Just saying," I muttered.
The rooftop door burst open suddenly, and I turned to see Citlali and Xolotl stumble out, laughing so hard they were practically wheezing.
"There he is!" Xolotl shouted between gasps. "Our little Seat 24 in his natural habitat!"
"Hey, don't bully him too hard," Citlali added, wiping a tear from her eye. "It's not his fault he's too pretty to think."
I groaned audibly. "Oh my god, can you guys not?"
The girl next to me perked up, her gaze flitting between the two of them and me. "Oh, these your groupies?"
"Excuse me?" Xolotl said, offended.
"Groupies?" Citlali echoed, clearly amused.
"Yeah," the girl said, gesturing lazily at them with her phone. "You're hot, so obviously you've got groupies."
Citlali burst out laughing again, and Xolotl just shook his head in disbelief.
"Who's this?" Citlali asked, nodding toward the girl.
"No idea," I said quickly.
"Don't worry about it," the girl said, leaning back like she owned the place. "I'm just here for the vibes."
"She's weird," Xolotl whispered loudly.
"Yeah, no kidding," I muttered back.
The girl smirked, clearly hearing him, but didn't say anything. Instead, she stood up, brushed crumbs off her lap, and stretched.
"Alright, I'm out," she said.
"Wait, where are you going?" I asked.
"Anywhere but here," she replied. "Have fun with your groupies."
Before I could respond, she sauntered off, leaving me with Citlali and Xolotl, who immediately started grilling me.
"Who was that?" Citlali asked.
"I don't know!" I said, exasperated.
"She seemed kinda cool," Xolotl said thoughtfully.
"Cool? She was weird!"
"Yeah, but like, in a fun way," Xolotl argued.
Citlali grinned. "Maybe she's your soulmate, Kaerith. You know, the greasy-haired goblin to your ethereal prince."
I stared at her in horror. "Don't even joke about that."
They both burst out laughing again, and I sighed, staring up at the sky.
This day couldn't possibly get any worse.
The day was one long blur—a cacophony of taunts, flirtations, and jabs from people who thrived on my misery. A stranger had even joined in, like they had any business inserting themselves into my life. By the time the sun set, I felt like a marionette stretched too tight, ready to snap. But there was no reprieve. Duty called, and that duty bore the name Miu Cradula.
Miu—effortlessly graceful, with a crown of golden hair and eyes like arctic skies. She was the kind of person who made the world stop and take notice. But to me, she was more than an enigmatic beauty. She was the one who'd pulled me from the abyss two months ago, forcing me into the empire I now ruled. Billionaire. The word still didn't feel real, like it belonged to someone else, some character in a story that wasn't mine.
As the sleek black limousine glided to the curb, I exhaled sharply, bracing for whatever tonight's "duty" entailed.
The door opened, and there she was—Miu, seated elegantly, her posture as perfect as her icy blue stare. She didn't speak at first, just smiled, a knowing curve of her lips that told me she had plans. Plans I probably wouldn't like.
"Good evening, Kaerith," she greeted, her melodic voice tinged with mischief.
I slid into the seat across from her, the scent of leather and faint lavender filling the air. She started talking immediately—about upcoming parties, meetings with politicians, and the ever-present chaos of managing wealth and power. Her words washed over me, but my focus was elsewhere.
And then, she dropped the bomb.
"We need to talk about your training," she said lightly, as though she hadn't just shifted the weight of the conversation entirely. "Oh, and… I need to apologize."
I blinked. Apologize? Miu Cradula didn't apologize. "What for?" I asked, my voice cautious.
She hesitated, her gaze flickering to the window before meeting mine. "You weren't ready to awaken completely before school started. If you had… your strength would've been dangerous. You might've hurt someone—or worse." She paused, then added quietly, "I asked Hiro to make sure you lost your fight."
The words hit like a sucker punch. My mind reeled. "You decided for me?" I asked, my tone low but trembling with anger.
"It was for your safety," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Zeros… they're different. Your instincts would've overwhelmed you. You don't understand the risks—"
"Stop." My voice cut through hers, sharp and unyielding. I didn't want to hear it.
But before I could spiral further, something stirred within me. A voice.
Master… I have failed you.
I froze. Turbo. After two months of silence, he was back. His voice echoed in my mind, heavy with guilt.
I left you alone when you needed me most, he said, his tone a mixture of regret and resolve. But I'm here now. I will make amends.
I clenched my fists, trying to push him aside. The limo came to a stop, and Miu's voice pulled me back to reality. "Come on," she said, stepping out gracefully.
She led me into the mansion, her presence commanding even in silence. We moved through the grand halls to the arena section—a private training space equipped with everything one could need to hone their skills.
"Put on your tracksuit," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.
I obeyed, slipping into the athletic wear she'd prepared. When I returned, she was waiting, her hair tied back in a ponytail, her outfit a testament to her physical prowess. Compression shorts and a sports bra hugged her figure, revealing the lean, powerful build of someone who lived for battle.
"Come at me," she said simply, her voice a challenge.
The sparring began. At first, it was mechanical—punches, blocks, and dodges in perfect rhythm. But then she spoke again, her words cutting deeper than any blow.
"I know what you've been through," she said softly, her movements slowing.
I froze, my guard faltering. "What?"
"Your childhood," she continued, her eyes locked on mine. "I know you're not from this world, Kaerith. I know about the torment. About the things you had to do to survive."
"Stop." My voice cracked, but it was sharp. Desperate.
She didn't stop. Instead, she pressed forward, her strikes calculated but not cruel, until I found myself on the ground, pinned beneath her.
"I know it hurts," she said, her face inches from mine. "The memories. The guilt. But you don't have to carry it alone anymore."
"You don't understand," I hissed, turning my face away.
"I do," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "I know you've been thinking about ending it. I've seen it in your eyes, Kaerith. That sadness. That hopelessness."
Her words shattered the walls I'd built around myself. Memories flooded in—blood, betrayal, the weight of my first kill. Xolotl and Ren, the only ones who'd stayed by my side through it all.
"How much do you know?" I asked, my voice barely audible.
She hesitated before replying. "Only fragments. Enough to know you've been through hell."
I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow. "Xolotl and Ren are the only ones who know everything."
She nodded, her expression softening. "The tan guy and the one with the star earring?"
"Yeah," I muttered.
Miu's hand cupped my face, her touch gentle but firm. "It's okay," she said, her voice steady. "You're not alone anymore. I'm here. And as long as you're alive, I'll stay by your side."
Her words broke something inside me. For the first time in years, I felt the faint stirrings of hope. It was fragile, barely there, but it was enough to hold on to.
She pulled me into a hug, her arms warm and steady. "Let's get some food," she said, her tone lighter now. "You look like you could use a break."
I nodded, unable to find the words. For now, that was enough.