Night never gave me peace.
Sleep never stayed long enough to forget.
Every dream I had ended the same way...
flames, blood, my father's voice, and that cursed whisper reminding me what I was born to be.
A monster.
By dawn,
I was already in the training hall, fists pounding into the punching bag like it could silence my memories.
Sweat stung my eyes, but I didn't stop.
I didn't dare stop.
The bond tugged faintly.
She was nearby.
I didn't have to look. I knew. Serie had entered the hall for warm-up, her aura faint but distinct..gold brushing against my shadows. I ignored it.
Pretended I didn't feel it.
Then the announcement echoed from the first-year side of the arena.
"First-year combat trial, round three -- Serie Winston, Level 3, versus Amira Keth, Level 10!"
My fist froze midair.
The bag swung forward, smacking my arm like punishment.
I told myself it was just the bond acting up again, not concern.
Not worry.
I lied.
A shadow crept out of my own--my familiar, the silent observer.
I sent it toward the first-year arena while I stayed behind, continuing to punch, harder this time.
But through the shadow's eyes, I saw her.
Serie didn't look like the fragile girl I'd met weeks ago.
Her eyes were calm, steady..though I could still feel her anxiety through the thread.
Her trembling hands gave her away.
Her opponent,
Amira, was a Level 10--older, confident, one of those who thought power made her invincible.
"You may use strength and power only...no beast forms," Professor Leo announced.
Thank God for that. Serie hadn't manifested her beast form yet.
The match began with a rush of movement--Amira charged first, fast.
Serie sidestepped, barely missing a blow to the ribs...
Good, I thought. She remembered my lessons.
But Amira was relentless.
Dust swirled around her, hardening into dozens of sharp clay orbs that hovered in the air. Her special power.
"Let's see you dodge this, weakling!"
Serie ducked the first one, blocked the second but the third clipped her arm.
She winced but didn't cry out.
Each hit felt like a crack in my ribs.
My hand slammed into the bag harder, the sound echoing off the walls.
She stumbled once, then stopped retreating.
Amira smirked. "Done running?"
Serie didn't reply.
Instead, she closed her eyes...breathing steady.
Then her glow started.
That familiar golden-green shimmer crawled over her hands, brighter this time, alive.
"Come on, Serie," I whispered under my breath. "Show them."
She thrust her palms forward, light rippling through the air. A flash. A burst.
Amira's dust projectiles shattered midair like glass, raining fragments across the arena.
The crowd gasped.
Even I froze for a second, the corner of my mouth twitching up.
"My student.."
I muttered under my breath, pride burning quietly in my chest.
But it didn't last.
Amira roared in frustration and pulled her power again dust swirling faster, compressing into one massive, hardened orb.
Serie barely had time to react.
The ball shot toward her, cracking through the air.
"Move!"
I shouted instinctively though she couldn't hear me.
The hit landed.
Hard...
The world spun.
The bond flared...sharp pain slicing through me like a blade.
And I was there...
I didn't remember crossing the distance.
One moment I was in the third-year section; the next, I stood in the arena, the smell of blood sharp in the air.
David was already moving toward her, but my glare froze him mid-step.
I knelt, sliding an arm under Serie's shoulders, lifting her gently.
Her face was pale, blood streaking from a gash on her forehead.
But then her aura flared again.
Gold shimmer.
The level board beside the arena flickered.
Level 3 → Level 5.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Professor Leo's voice was calm, but even he sounded unsure.
"Serie Winston..match over. No victory, but advancement confirmed. Level 5."
The others began to whisper—some sneering, others in awe.
I turned my head slowly toward them. One glare was enough to silence the entire arena.
David stepped forward again, expression tense. "She needs help.."
"She'll be fine," I said flatly.
Ruan and Ryuk were there now. Ruan understood instantly, stepping in to keep David busy with a smirk and a few mocking words.
I carried Serie to the healer's quarters.
The closer I held her, the fainter the thread burned...as if my power was already flowing into her.
Miss Maya met me at the door.
"Put her down, Kael. I'll handle it."
"I'll wait," I said.
Minutes dragged by. My chest felt like it was caving in with every second.
Ruan eventually leaned against the wall beside me. "You're pale. Thread?"
I nodded, jaw tight. "It's… reacting. Uncomfortable."
Ryuk frowned, confused. "Red thread? You mean the bond thing?"
"Don't tell anyone," I muttered. "It's complicated."
Ruan clapped my shoulder. "Complicated's an understatement."
Miss Maya returned after a while, removing her gloves. "She's fine, Kael. Just overexerted. You can see her."
I pushed past her before she finished speaking.
Serie sat upright on the healer's bed, one hand pressed to her head, eyes half open.
When she saw me, confusion flickered across her face.
"You came?"
I smirked, trying to hide the knot in my chest. "Blame the thread."
Her lips curved faintly. "Still… thank you. Your power… it kept me alive."
"I'll collect my price soon," I said with a grin I didn't feel.
She smiled weakly, trying to stand. Her knees buckled, and I caught her before she fell.
"You don't have to.."
"I'm not asking," I interrupted. "Come on."
We walked through the quiet corridors together, sunlight spilling through the high windows.
"You should head to class," I said. "Morning block's starting soon."
She raised an eyebrow. "You're walking me there? How noble of you."
"You faint again, I lose energy. Self-preservation, not kindness."
That earned a small laugh. "You could've just said you care."
I ignored that, stepping outside. A shadow rippled under my hand, taking form...a black motorbike with faint runic etchings glowing along its body.
She blinked. "You made that?"
"Hop on."
"You don't have to be this nice, Mr. Alanto. If Erina sees....."
"Shut the f**k up and get on."
"David messaged me....."
I looked at her once, and she went silent.
"Okay," she said quickly.
"I'll tell him I'm coming with you."
"Good."
She climbed on, hands hesitating before resting lightly on my back. The thread pulsed in approval.
The ride to the Academic Block was quiet..the only sound, the wind tangling through her hair.
When we stopped, the courtyard fell silent. Everyone stared.
Of course, Erina was there too.
She appeared from the crowd, voice sharp as a blade.
"Kael, you don't need to do charity. She's not worth your time."
I didn't even look at her.
Instead, I brushed her hand off my sleeve and turned to Serie then took her hand in mine.
The whispers stopped.
Serie froze, eyes wide, lips trembling but silent.
I felt everything through the bond her confusion, her aching effort to hide it.
At her classroom door, I stopped.
"If anything happens," I said quietly, "tell me. If you lose power, it drains from me. That's all."
She smiled faintly...fake, but convincing.
"Yeah. I remember."
She disappeared inside her class, and I turned toward the North Wing.
The crowd still watched, whispering.
But the thread on my finger pulsed, warm and alive.
As if it was laughing at me.
Reminding me she wasn't just in my head....
she was under my skin.