The classroom buzzed with quiet concentration as Magnus Sir stood before the students, his tone firm and commanding.
"Those who awaken the power in their blood," he began, "don't just gain supernatural abilities. According to the color of their blood, their strength, stamina, and durability increase—fivefold compared to an average human. That's why conventional weapons—guns, swords—are useless against them."
He let the silence hang for a moment.
"In most countries, Awakeners aren't part of the regular military. It's a way to maintain balance—normal humans versus Awakeners. Instead, Awakeners are trained for specialized combat units, mostly to battle demons. The more they hone their abilities, the stronger their bodies become—around ten percent with consistent practice."
The class sat in focused silence. Leon and Isla scribbled notes diligently, eyes sharp with interest.
Finn, however, had surrendered to sleep, his head nestled in his folded arms.
Fanny, sitting beside him, smirked. With a casual swing, she slapped the back of his head.
Finn jolted upright, eyes wide. "YES, SIR!"
Laughter erupted through the room. Even Magnus raised an eyebrow.
"Good morning, Mr. Finn," he said dryly. "Please report to my office after class. Clearly, you need a refresher on how to stay awake."
Finn winced as Fanny stifled a laugh beside him. He glared at her.
Dead. You're dead, he mouthed silently.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Students gathered their belongings and streamed out the door. Leon, Isla, Finn, and Fanny walked together, chatting casually—until they noticed two familiar figures near the cafeteria steps.
The twin brothers.
Finn and Leon recognized them instantly.
One of the twins used his blue blood power to freeze a girl's meal tray midair. It slipped from her hands and crashed to the floor, sending food splattering across her shoes. She stumbled, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
The twins cackled.
Leon and Finn rushed over. Fanny gently helped the girl to her feet and guided her toward the dorms.
Finn's fury boiled over. He grabbed one of the twins by the collar and yanked him forward.
"You bastard. Didn't that incident teach you anything?"
Leon stepped in, placing a firm hand on Finn's shoulder.
"Finn. Not here."
"But—"
"We're in school. A fight means expulsion."
Finn exhaled sharply through gritted teeth, then gave the twin a shove.
The twin sneered. "Touchy, aren't you? We also learned something else in that forest. You're not from a noble house after all, Leon. Just a liar—with cursed, demonic blood."
Leon's fists clenched. His jaw locked tight.
But before he could move, Isla stepped forward, her voice sharp as glass.
"Maybe the school can't do anything to you," she said coldly, "but I can."
The twins froze.
They knew exactly who she was—Isla of the House of Valemire, one of the four noble families. A single complaint from her could end their time at the academy.
"We were just talking, ma'am," one of them stammered.
"Then stop talking," she snapped. "And leave."
The twins hesitated, then turned and walked away, their eyes full of venom.
"What jerks," Isla muttered, turning back to Leon. "What were they talking about? The forest?"
Finn answered. "Yeah. On the way here, those two were bullying a girl—Amelie. Leon lied and said he was from a noble family to protect her."
Isla blinked. "Oh… so that's what happened."
The moment Amelie's name was spoken, Leon went still.
His expression shifted—anger, grief, emptiness. He turned away and walked off without a word.
Finn started to follow, but Isla placed a hand on his arm.
"Let him be," she said gently. "He needs space."
Leon found himself beneath an old tree, its branches whispering in the wind. He stared blankly at the sky above.
Memories of Amelie rose like a storm—her laughter, her pain, the night they made that promise. Her absence cut deeper than any blade.
His heart ached.
Then, a voice interrupted the silence.
"The sun is beautiful today."
Leon turned. Magnus Sir was there, hands behind his back, gaze fixed on the horizon.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Sir slowly sat beside him.
"When we love someone deeply," he said quietly, "they become our world. When we lose them, it feels like the world ends with them."
Leon said nothing.
"But if we stay trapped in grief," Sir continued, "we let pain win. And then, someone else—someone like her—might suffer the same fate."
Leon's voice was low. "I understand. But what do you want me to do?"
Magnus looked at him.
"Nothing, Leon. Just make sure what happened to you… never happens to anyone else."
He stood, placing a hand briefly on Leon's shoulder before walking away.
Leon sat there a moment longer.
Then, slowly, he wiped his eyes. His fingers curled into fists.
"This isn't the time to be broken," he whispered. "I have to become stronger—strong enough to destroy every last demon."
He closed his eyes.
"I'll keep my promise, Amelie. I'll make them all pay."
The wind stirred the leaves above him, as if carrying her name through the sky.