The fat guy's mouth fell open in an exaggerated "O" before his belly shook with booming laughter.
"Pff—Hahaha!" his laugh rolled through the hub, sharp and mocking.
"You? And defeat me in a fight? Don't make me choke. What was your rank again?"
He leaned forward, waiting for the whispers around them to swell louder.
Aziel tilted his head, lips quirking into a faint smirk.
"If you're so desperate, why wait for later? Let's settle it right here and now."
The fat mutt barked, teeth glinting as he raised a meaty fist.
Despite his bulk, the punch came fast, tearing through the air with surprising force.
Aziel slipped aside at the last moment, boots skidding across the polished floor.
"That's the problem," he said coolly.
"If not for Zephyr standing here, I'd have already beaten you into the ground. But I keep my professionalism in his presence."
Zephyr's brows lifted, the corner of his mouth twitching at the absurdity.
Professionalism?
Since when had Aziel ever shown restraint for him?
That was what he must be speaking to himself.
Still, he held his tongue, though his narrowed eyes lingered with faint intrigue.
Lyra, standing just behind, let her lips curve in a quiet smirk.
She didn't interrupt, but she was clearly enjoying the spectacle, as though waiting to see how far Aziel would push it.
Aziel's gaze hardened as he went on.
"And I don't waste my time brawling with petty clan brats. Why would I dirty my clan's reputation?"
For the briefest moment, the boy's grin faltered.
Just a flicker.
Then he sneered, his smile snapping back.
"Unfortunately for you, your clan name means nothing here. They can take all the time they want trying to protect you and hunting me, but the only thing they'll find in the end " he jabbed a thumb into his chest "is a lesson."
Aziel's smirk sharpened. "You talk too much."
Before the fat boy could react, Aziel hooked two fingers into his waistband and snapped it back with a wicked grin.
SMACK!
"GAAAAAH!" the boy squealed, clutching himself as the crowd exploded with laughter.
Aziel didn't wait. "Oliver, run!"
Oliver froze, pointing at himself. "Wait—why me?!"
"Because you're my best friend, that's why! Now move!" Aziel shot back, already sprinting.
"Worst friendship logic ever!" Oliver groaned, but still bolted after him.
The fat boy roared, face purple with rage, and lunged forward. His foot landed squarely in the puddle of spilled drink...
WHAM!
He flipped like a sack of potatoes, crashing onto his back.
"That's insane..."
"Did he really just do that"
"With this kind of attitude, he won't survive long"
The crowd howled, some clutching their stomachs, others pulling out smartphones to record.
Cameras flashed almost in symphony.
Aziel glanced back mid-run, his smirk growing.
"See? I didn't even break a sweat."
Oliver wheezed, dodging between students. "Yeah, because I'm the one running like hell! You started it!"
"Think of it as cardio," Aziel called, voice maddeningly casual.
"Cardio my ass!" Oliver barked, nearly tripping over a bench.
"I swear if I survive this, I'm suing you for psychological damage!"
Their bickering echoed down the corridor, mixing with the roar of laughter behind them.
And then, cutting through the chaos, Lyra cupped her hands around her mouth as her voice rang, clear and sharp.
"Don't forget the Freshers' party at Atrium Hall! No one's coming to retrieve or remind you again!"
Zephyr blinked, still processing Aziel's stunt, while Lyra's amused smile lingered, like she had just found a brand-new dare worth keeping an eye on.
After all, according to her that boy had definitely changed a lot.
.
...
"That was something outta a movie you pulled right there," Oliver commented as he panted, his hands leaning against the wall, fingers tapping nervously.
"W-wait...lemme breathe...first....we've been sprinting for five minutes straight,"
Aziel humped, shoulders rising and falling as he struggled to speak between continuous rapid breaths.
"Do you think that bull is still following us around?"
Oliver asked, eyes darting over his shoulder as he wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Nope, no chance at all, that fatty is probably busy there, fighting other students for recording him and making fun of him,"
Aziel replied, a small grin tugging at his lips as he shook his head.
"I like that analysis," Oliver grinned, falling into step beside him, nudging Aziel lightly with his elbow.
"Will we go to that gaming hub again?"
Aziel gave a sharp glare, his leg almost twisting from a wrong step, and jabbed a finger at Oliver.
"Of course we will, but...not for some days, at least until that milker gets to know his place."
Oliver nodded, shoulders relaxing slightly, as his gaze wandered toward the sleek, almost royal building carved out of medieval France in front of him.
Then he turned his face toward Aziel, eyes blazing like a kid who'd just found the ultimate toy.
Aziel's grin mirrored that exact energy, sharp and mischievous.
"Hey," he said, tapping his fingers against his leg.
"What now?" Aziel arched an eyebrow, leaning slightly against the wall.
"I think… I might have figured out where Atrium Hall is," he said, a little too eagerly, bouncing on his toes.
Aziel's eyes lit up.
"And for me… I just found where the Freshers' party is gonna blow up."
He jabbed a thumb toward the window where shadows flitted like restless dancers.
"Say… should we crash it?" he asked, a smirk tugging at his lips, shoulders leaning forward as if daring the world.
Aziel shook his head slowly.
"Too early, maybe… Lyra and Zephyr haven't even shown up yet."
"Or… maybe someone fed them wrong info," Oliver shot back, eyes glinting with mischief, stepping closer to get a even clearer view of the window on the second floor.
Aziel chuckled, letting his gaze drift over the dancing figures.
"Maybe you're right. Free food… laughter… and who knows? We might make some interesting acquaintances from the 2nd year."
He stretched lazily, letting the spotlight hit his face as he watched the party unfold.
He nudged Oliver in the ribs.
"Looks like it's already in full swing. What do you say… shall we make an entrance?"
Oliver's grin widened, chest rising and falling with excitement, and he leaned closer.
"Oh, absolutely. Let's go shake things up."