After the recent chaos that occurred at school —
which was stopped by Alan's arrival —
a first-ever tournament between Blackridge and Ironfall Academy was announced.
It would be held next week.
The strongest B-rank fighter in the city would finally be decided.
---
On their way back to Ironfall Academy, Mark, Chris, and Wayne encountered Max and Kasey.
Chris clicked his tongue.
Chris: Look who we have here.
The memory of Blackridge students mocking them still lingered.
Chris took a step forward.
Chris: Should I release some stress?
Wayne smirked slightly, but before Chris could move further—
Mark grabbed his shoulder.
Mark: Don't.
Chris frowned.
Chris: Why not?
Mark's eyes shifted toward Max.
Calm. Observing.
Mark: That one isn't normal.
Max felt the stare but said nothing.
Chris scoffed but stepped back.
Mark turned and continued walking.
Mark: Save it for the tournament.
Chris glanced once more at Max before leaving.
---
BLACKRIDGE
After Mark and his group left, the school slowly returned to its normal rhythm.
Alan walked toward his classroom.
Students still whispered as he passed.
But his steps were steady.
Then—
He saw her.
Ellie.
Walking beside her classmate.
For a brief moment—
Alan stopped.
Not visibly.
Not dramatically.
Just half a second.
Then he continued walking.
Suddenly, an arm wrapped around his shoulder.
Daniel: Damn, Alan!! I can't believe it!
Alan glanced at him.
Daniel: Are we finally going to fight Ironfall officially?
Alan didn't reply immediately.
The thought of the tournament.
Mark.
The tension in the air earlier.
Daniel waved a hand in front of him.
Daniel: Alan?
Alan blinked once.
Alan: Oh? What about it.
Daniel: The tournament!
Alan exhaled lightly.
Alan: It's between you and Mark.
A short pause.
Alan: Settle it once and for all.
Daniel grinned.
Daniel: Right! I'll try my best!
"Hey—wait!"
Alan froze.
That voice.
Daniel turned.
Ellie came running toward them, slightly out of breath.
Daniel: Oh hey Ellie, what's up?
Ellie hesitated.
Her eyes slowly lifted toward Alan.
Ellie: Is… your name Alan?
Alan met her gaze.
Alan: It is.
Ellie blinked.
Her fingers tightened around her sleeve.
Ellie: Oh… I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else.
She quickly turned and walked away.
Daniel scratched his head.
Daniel: What's up with her today?
Alan didn't answer.
His eyes followed her.
A little longer than necessary.
Until she disappeared into the hallway.
Daisy suddenly tapped Daniel from behind.
Daniel: Woah! You startled me!
Daisy: Shut your nonsense already—
Her eyes landed on Alan.
Daisy: Oh. You're back after so long.
Alan: Seems like it.
He didn't look at her.
His gaze remained distant.
---
The day passed uneventfully.
Classes felt longer than usual.
Whispers about the tournament spread like wildfire.
By evening, most students had gone home.
The school grounds were quiet.
The sky painted in fading orange.
Near the field—
Ellie was crouched in the grass.
Ellie: Where… where did I drop it?
She brushed her hands through the grass anxiously.
Ellie: I shouldn't have given it to her… it was too precious…
Footsteps approached.
Alan: What are you looking for? It's evening. You should go home.
Ellie jumped and let out a small scream before turning.
Ellie: Oh— it's you?!
She placed a hand on her chest.
Ellie: You scared me.
Alan blinked.
Alan: I just spoke.
She pouted slightly.
Ellie: Still…
Alan glanced at the empty campus.
Alan: It's not safe to stay here alone.
Ellie looked down again.
Ellie: I know… I'm just looking for my necklace.
Alan: Necklace?
Ellie nodded.
Ellie: My friend gave it to me when we were little. I don't want to lose it.
Her voice softened.
Alan watched her for a moment.
Then crouched beside her.
Alan: Want help?
Ellie hesitated.
Ellie: …Would you?
Alan: I'm free.
He began searching through the grass without looking at her.
Ellie smiled faintly.
Ellie: Thanks.
He didn't reply.
Only the sound of rustling grass filled the quiet field.
Minutes passed.
The light dimmed further.
Alan's hand suddenly stopped.
Grass shifted behind them.
Not from wind.
Footsteps.
Multiple.
Alan: Ellie.
Ellie: Hmm?
His voice was lower.
Alan: Don't turn around. Move forward slowly. Stay low.
Ellie froze.
Alan stood up.
Without warning—
He spun and delivered a sharp back kick.
A man flew backward and hit the ground.
Man: Tch—!
Another voice whispered.
Man: How did he notice us?
Ellie slowly turned despite his warning.
Her breath caught.
Eight figures surrounded them.
Metal reflected the fading light.
Ellie: W-what is going on…?
Her voice trembled.
Ellie: Wakizashi…?
A man stepped forward with a lazy smirk.
Nel: Well well. If it isn't Blackridge's strongest. Alan, right?
Alan's expression remained calm.
Alan: Who are you.
Nel spread his arms.
Nel: Nel. We work under someone who wants you dead.
Ellie's face turned pale.
Alan didn't react.
Alan: Who.
Nel shrugged.
Nel: I don't care. I care about the money.
Alan's eyes scanned them.
Eight.
Armed.
Alan: I see.
Nel grinned.
Nel: Enough talking. Boys.
They attacked at once.
Alan stepped in front of Ellie.
Alan: Stay behind me.
Blades cut through the air.
Alan tilted his body, narrowly avoiding the first strike.
He drove his elbow into one attacker's ribs.
A crack.
The man collapsed.
Another slash aimed at his leg.
Alan jumped back.
Alan: Skilled.
He twisted under another swing and struck a second attacker unconscious.
Six left.
Alan: Individually B-rank level.
A blade grazed past his sleeve.
Alan: Not very fast.
But trained.
Ellie stood behind him, watching in shock.
Ellie: Alan…?
He didn't answer.
His breathing remained steady.
Out of the corner of his eye—
He saw Nel moving.
Not toward him.
Toward Ellie.
Alan's gaze sharpened.
Alan: Not good.
He knocked two attackers aside and dashed forward.
Nel raised his blade toward Ellie.
Alan stepped between them.
Slash.
Ellie closed her eyes.
Silence.
Then—
A drop.
Blood fell onto the grass.
Ellie slowly opened her eyes.
Alan stood in front of her.
His hand gripping Nel's wrist.
Blood running down his left rib.
Ellie: A-Alan?!
His expression didn't change.
But his grip tightened.
---
To be continued.