Class ended in the same boring way as usual, but something about Tetsu seemed… off today.
As I was about to head to the cafeteria, I noticed him standing with Valen. His face looked pale, filled with fear and exhaustion.
I hope he's okay.
With a heavy sigh, I decided to go to that restaurant from yesterday.
Just as I got up to leave, Tetsu stopped me.
"Nao."
His face was a mess of emotions—fear, guilt, hesitation.
What's with him?
"Nao, meet me here tonight," he said, handing me a piece of paper with directions.
"Alright. See you later."
And with that, I left for my long-awaited meal.
But as I walked away, I already had a feeling about what this was all about.
---
Night fell.
I quietly slipped out of my dorm and followed the directions on the paper.
Honestly, I felt like this was all happening way too fast… but what choice did I have?
Eventually, I arrived at an old, abandoned building that looked like a warehouse. Inside, it was pitch black—no signs of light anywhere.
"You've arrived."
A voice behind me made me turn around.
Valen.
"What's your name, kid?" he asked, his tone oozing arrogance.
I looked at Valen, then at the two guys standing beside him—his lackeys, most likely.
"Nao," I answered briefly.
"Nao, do you want to be strong?" he asked, his voice carrying a hidden agenda.
"No. I'll get stronger in my own way," I replied firmly.
"In that case, we'll have to test you."
Test? What?
"First, let's test your endurance…"
Before I could react, one of Valen's lackeys punched me straight in the stomach.
And not just any punch—he used magic to enhance his strength.
I flew backward, landing hard on the floor.
Damn… that hurt.
I clenched my stomach in pain, trying to catch my breath. "I-I'm sorry… please, forgive me…" My voice trembled with fear.
They burst into laughter, enjoying my helplessness.
"NAO!"
A loud voice echoed through the warehouse.
I turned toward the source.
Tetsu?
I thought he wasn't coming.
"Tetsu… what are you doing here?" One of the guys approached him.
"Enough! This time, I'll beat you all!" Tetsu declared with confidence.
I almost laughed.
Sorry, but that sounded way too much like a classic hero line from a storybook.
One of them punched Tetsu, but he barely managed to block it. His arm turned red from the impact.
"Tetsu, let's have some fun too," another one sneered, grabbing Tetsu by the hair and throwing him into the dark warehouse.
"Make sure to teach him a lesson," Valen ordered.
"Got it, boss."
They followed Tetsu inside, leaving me alone with Valen.
Wait…
I'm way too calm about this.
I dropped to my knees, lowering my head.
"I'm sorry… please, tell me what I have to do." My voice trembled, my breathing shaky.
"Good. You'll be my personal punching bag."
He stepped on my head.
"This is your training to get stronger."
Right then—
"Hey, you guys done yet?"
Valen frowned. It had been too quiet inside.
The silence was unsettling.
"Oi, what's taking so long?"
"B-Boss… we have a problem."
One of his lackeys stumbled out, looking terrified.
"What is it?"
"T-There's… Silas in there…"
Silas?
"What the hell are you doing here?"
A calm yet intimidating voice rang out.
A guy with black hair and piercing purple eyes stepped into the dim light. His face was completely expressionless.
"Silas, this has nothing to do with you," Valen said arrogantly. "Stay out of our business and get lost."
"You idiot. I was hired by this guy," Silas pointed at Tetsu, who had just walked out of the shadows.
"This time, I'll make you regret everything." Tetsu's voice carried an unusual strength.
Oh?
I was planning to deal with this differently, but I guess I'll let them handle it now.
"Tetsu, help me!" I said, faking a desperate, teary-eyed expression.
Tetsu glanced at me, then turned to Silas.
"You know what to do."
Silas sighed. "Yeah, yeah."
In a blink, he was standing right next to me.
What the hell—!?
"Move your damn foot, bastard." Silas glared at Valen.
"This is my territory. You don't get to order me around," Valen shot back, eyes burning with anger.
"You deaf?"
Silas met his glare with an icy stare.
"You too."
Valen didn't back down.
Tension filled the air.
Then—
BAM!
Silas punched Valen straight in the face, sending him stumbling backward.
I was free.
Whoa.
"Step aside, kid," Silas muttered.
I snapped out of my daze and quickly moved away, giving them space.
1… 2… 3…
BOOM!
The fight erupted with a fierce explosion of magic. I couldn't tear my eyes away—it was mesmerizing.
"Are you okay, Nao?" Tetsu asked.
I ignored his question.
"Who's Silas?"
Tetsu noticed my fascination with the battle.
"Oh, Silas is from a noble family. His family and Valen's… let's just say they've got bad blood."
So they were sworn enemies.
I watched closely.
Valen fought using fire magic, while Silas controlled the wind.
Fire against wind.
Each strike, each counterattack—it was insane.
"Tetsu, what happens if we just let them fight it out?" I asked, my gaze still fixed on the duel.
"Well…" Tetsu hesitated. "We might get penalized."
"Penalized?"
"If we get caught, we'll have to pay a fine of 500 silver."
500 silver?
Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
GONE?
I snapped back to reality.
"Wait—"
Tetsu didn't even finish his sentence before I took off running.
"RUN, TETSU! Do you wanna get caught?!"
Tetsu panicked and chased after me.
"Nao, wait—"
But then—
"STOP."
Standing right in front of us—
Sir Arsene.
Oh crap.
500 silver…
My food money will GONE.