The silver knife in Karua's hand gleamed against Ray's throat—until the front door suddenly swung open. Karua instantly hid the blade.
"Well now, what are you kids doing?" Professor Witzany looked down at Ray sprawled on the floor.
Karua was still sitting squarely on Ray's back.
"Heh heh… Mister Ray and I were just… wrestling, that's all. Heh heh heh."
"You lying bastard! That's the worst excuse I've ever heard!" Ray shoved him off and scrambled upright.
Karua trembled, whether from caffeine or something else. Slowly, he removed his glasses, wiping at his eyes, sobbing.
"I… I'm sorry, Mister Ray… hic hic! I only wanted… to be your friend… that's all I ever wanted…" His acting was Oscar-worthy.
"Oh my, quarreling? Better to make peace, children. Come now, shake hands," Witzany smiled warmly, taking both their hands to reconcile them.
Ray shook begrudgingly, refusing to truly clasp Karua's. The blue-haired professor tilted her head, puzzled—Ray had always been obedient, yet now he was acting strangely.
"Hmm, perhaps there's more to this than I saw just now. But oh well, I shouldn't meddle too much," she said with a motherly smile, patting both boys' heads.
Ray scowled at Karua, who was sniffling pitifully. He wanted to punch him but couldn't in front of the professor.
"Sniff Mister Ray, I'm sorry… Next time, I hope we can be friends…"
Ray glared. "Karua, why the hell do you want to kill me!?" he shouted after him.
Karua gave no reply, slipping down the stairs just as Jason and Aria came up.
"What happened, Ray?" Aria folded her arms, brow furrowed.
"Hahaha! That psycho was crying and ran off! Serves him right. What'd you do to him, man?" Jason snickered.
"I didn't do anything! He almost killed me—if the headmaster hadn't walked in, I'd be dead. What does he want? Phoenix? I don't get it."
Witzany joined their circle, resting her chin on her hand thoughtfully. "Hmm, Ray, I don't think that's it. Karua is a dragon-user, with pure dragon blood. Even if he killed you, he couldn't command the phoenix."
She slipped seamlessly into their group, casual as ever.
"But he really tried to kill me! Maybe he was hired? Maybe he's an assassin? Or maybe he just enjoys killing me!?"
"Why not investigate?" Aria suggested with a gleam in her eyes.
"Don't encourage him, snow-head. You're enjoying this way too much," Jason groaned, disliking complications.
Witzany mused, "Come to think of it, the surname Karl—linked to dragon blood—doesn't exist in the records. Could be an alias. But he managed to produce valid ID from Lugha, so he must have connections."
"Wait, Professor. If you knew it was fake, why let him enroll?" Ray asked.
"Well… some dragon-blooded have complicated circumstances. After the Third Pandora Dragon Catastrophe, many were hated by common folk, hunted as witches during the dark ages. Only Dagasia remained safe. But Dagasia enforces strict rules—betrayal can mean death. Children who fled often changed names. It's… normal."
Aria's eyes sparkled. "So mysterious! Karua wants to kill Ray, but not for the phoenix. Hired assassin? No, too sloppy—he tried to kill you on day one, far too reckless. If he were a pro, he wouldn't have declared war openly. Maybe it's personal? Ray, did you ever wrong him before?"
"No, I've never even seen him before," Ray answered.
"What about women? Did you get close to anyone? He might be jealous."
Ray counted on his fingers. "Close women? Uh… Aunt Olivia… and you, Aria. That's it. Never had a girlfriend, so it's not jealousy."
Aria smiled faintly, meaning heavy behind it.
Witzany frowned, glancing between them.
Ray's eyes widened. "Wait… Karua likes you, Aria!? If you two end up together, do I have to stop being your friend? Should I tell him we're just friends so he doesn't kill me!?"
Witzany covered her mouth, eyes on stoic Aria, whispering inwardly, Stay strong, Aria. She gently patted her shoulder.
Aria inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly.
"Ray, you are the densest, dumbest, most idiotic fool I've ever met." Her tone was calm, but she was seething.
"W–what!? Why so harsh?" Ray shrank as she glared at him.
"Think about it. If Karua were jealous of me, he'd target Jason too. But to him, Jason is invisible."
"Hey! Did you just insult me for no reason!?" Jason snapped.
"Yes, Jason."
"Damn you. If I weren't such a gentleman, I'd punch you."
"Sorry, Aria, I'm sorry for thinking he was jealous of you!" Ray pleaded with puppy eyes. Aria sighed, finally nodding.
Still, the three had no answer. Karua's motive remained unclear—not phoenix, not jealousy, not a contract. Then why did he want to kill Ray?
Witzany chose not to judge yet. Without evidence, she couldn't condemn the dark-haired boy with the red scarf.
Before leaving, she handed them the Fruit of Evolution, their long-awaited prize. Then they headed for their next class.
…
Karua's scarred hands lifted his fifth cup of black coffee that day. He had stalked Ray relentlessly, memorizing his every move.
Even without sleep for four days, he kept planning, though progress was slow.
"Heh heh… I just need to wait until he's alone again. This time, I'll force him to summon the phoenix first… then I'll kill him, and its tears will fall."
He trailed Ray everywhere: to class, to meals, to the dorm. Every day, he recorded.
"Ray… you're too clingy with friends. Plan One: failed."
Day 4.
"Then Plan Two. I'll frame him for theft! Heh heh…" He placed a jewel worth 100,000 in the library.
Ray pulled down a book—and a priceless necklace fell out.
"Whose is this? Better give it to the librarian," Ray said cheerfully, handing it in.
Karua froze, stunned. "Plan Two… failed."
Day 5.
"Then… poison! I'll swap his plate at lunch. But first, I must know his favorite food…"
He tracked Ray's meals for a week—only to realize Ray ate something different every day.
"No favorite…? Impossible…" Sweat beaded down his face. "Plan Three: failed."
Day 14.
At last, Ray went alone to sell goods at Baymark. Karua ambushed him on a deserted road, eyes sunken from only two sleeps in two weeks, shaking from caffeine.
"Mister Ray… I'm done planning. I'll just fight you head-on. Permit me… to kill you directly."
"You're insane, Karua. But fine. Come on then!" Ray readied himself.
They summoned their beasts. Sunlight waned, the two facing off.
Karua whispered to the wind, his true desire slipping out.
"Finally, I'll kill you, Ray… and the phoenix will weep… Then I'll break the curse for you, Kana. Just a little more…"
Thus began their deadly battle, life and death on the line.
…