Sullen seized Lucas's hand with an iron grip and dragged him away, her cool fingers feeling more like steel than flesh.
Behind them, Gavin and the others stared in disbelief, confusion written all over their faces.
That was Sullen Crowford.
The cold and distant physics teacher.
The woman known throughout the school for her emotionless gaze, sharp enough to make even seasoned instructors uneasy.
Driven by curiosity, Gavin hurried after them.
"Hey, wait!" he called out, his voice echoing through the empty hallway.
The moment the words left his mouth, Sullen stopped.
She turned slowly.
Her gaze locked onto Gavin.
In an instant, a chilling pressure washed over him.
It felt as if an invisible blade had sliced through the air and plunged straight into his chest.
Gavin froze.
His legs trembled. His breath caught in his throat as a numbing cold spread from his heart throughout his body. It felt like being pierced by a frozen spear.
"W-what is this…?" he gasped, trying to move.
He couldn't.
The strength drained from his limbs, and his vision spun violently before everything went dark. His body collapsed onto the floor with a dull thud.
"Gavin!"
His friends rushed forward in panic, their faces pale as they gathered around his unconscious body.
---
Meanwhile, Lucas was forced to follow Sullen without resistance.
Her grip never loosened.
The strength behind it was unmistakable.
Lucas knew exactly how terrifying Sullen Crowford truly was. She stood far above him, a magus who had long surpassed the Spirit Realm. Compared to her, his own strength was insignificant.
The sound of their footsteps echoed through the empty corridors.
Moments later, they arrived at a secluded garden on school grounds. No students. No teachers. Only silence.
Sullen finally released him.
"Now we're alone, Lucas," she said coldly, folding her arms as she faced him.
Her eyes met his.
The air grew heavy, an invisible pressure pressing down from all sides.
Lucas, however, looked completely relaxed. He even smiled, a lazy and teasing grin spreading across his face.
"Well, Ms. Sullen," he said lightly, "this is a pretty rough way to ask a guy out." He tilted his head, eyes roaming shamelessly. "Still, I don't mind older women. I actually have a thing for them."
Sullen's expression hardened instantly.
"Have you completely forgotten how to respect your teacher, Lucas?" she replied icily.
Lucas chuckled. "Funny thing is, I'm not the one dragging a young, handsome student into a quiet garden just to be alone with him."
Her eyes flashed with irritation.
"That's enough," Sullen snapped. "I know you took Leon's jade."
Her voice was sharp, leaving no room for denial.
"Why did you steal it?"
Here's a polished, novel-quality rewrite that sharpens the tension, makes Sullen more imposing, and keeps Lucas controlled but dangerous. The tone is smooth, natural, and cinematic.
---
"I don't know what you're talking about," Lucas said calmly. "Why would I take anything from Leon?"
A faint, unsettling smile appeared on Sullen's lips.
"Oh?" she replied. "You don't know?"
Her gaze sharpened, cutting straight through him.
"Then tell me this. Why were you so interested in the Leon family's heirloom?" she continued. "Did you really believe that taking it would give you control over him?"
Lucas's brows knit together.
So Leon had already told her.
At this point, denying it would only insult her intelligence.
"You're imagining things," Lucas said evenly. "You're drawing conclusions without proof."
"That's enough," Sullen cut in sharply. Her tone left no room for argument.
A frigid pressure flooded the space around them, invisible yet crushing, like icy water closing in from all sides.
"I have no interest in your excuses," she said coldly.
Her steps brought her closer.
"Return the jade," Sullen said, her voice low and dangerous. "That is all that matters."
Lucas showed no fear.
Instead, a crooked grin appeared on his face.
"How about we go somewhere a little more private to discuss it?" he said casually. His tone was light, almost teasing. "Who knows? I might be willing to return the pendant… after you do something for me."
Those words were the final spark.
The temperature seemed to plummet.
An invisible pressure exploded outward from Sullen, flooding the garden like a crushing tide. The force slammed into Lucas, pinning him in place as if the air itself had solidified.
Lucas's expression changed instantly.
Before he could react, Sullen grabbed the collar of his shirt, her grip reinforced by pure power. The pressure intensified, pressing down on his body and spirit alike.
"Keep talking like that," Sullen said coldly, her voice devoid of emotion, "and you will face consequences you won't survive. I don't care what ancient family you come from."
At those words, something inside Lucas snapped.
A violent surge of rage erupted from deep within him.
No one had ever dared to treat him this way.
No one.
His pupils suddenly shifted, glowing an unnatural crimson. A terrifying aura burst from his body, distorting the air as if reality itself recoiled.
In the blink of an eye, Lucas moved.
His hand shot forward.
His fingers closed around Sullen's neck.
"Gh—!"
Shock flashed across her face.
"Don't touch me," Lucas said coldly, his voice stripped of all warmth. "You insignificant human!"
Sullen struggled, clawing desperately at his arm, but his grip was absolute. No matter how much strength she poured into her movements, she could not break free.
It made no sense.
She was far stronger than him. This should have been impossible.
"L-let go…!" she choked, panic finally seeping into her eyes.
"I will kill you," Lucas whispered, his voice colder than frost. "Do not test me."
His grip tightened.
Fear surged through Sullen as her vision blurred. She could feel consciousness slipping away.
He meant it.
He truly would kill her.
Then suddenly, the pressure vanished.
Lucas's fingers loosened.
One second passed.
Then another.
Finally, he released her.
"Cough!"
Sullen collapsed to the ground, gasping violently, her body trembling as she struggled to draw breath. Her strength drained away, leaving her weak and shaken.
Lucas stood frozen.
Confusion flickered across his face.
He stared at his hand.
Then at Sullen, slumped on the ground, pale and trembling.
"What happened?" he asked slowly.
Sullen looked up at him, disbelief etched into her face, her voice hoarse.
"You… you almost killed me."
Lucas frowned deeply. "What are you talking about?"