Ironfall Academy
The campus was louder than usual.
Clean uniforms moved through the hallways in organized chaos. Laughter echoed from classrooms, shoes scraped across polished floors, and excitement hung thick in the air.
There was only one topic on everyone's lips.
The upcoming tournament between Blackridge and Ironfall.
Even students who had never thrown a punch were debating strategies as if they were professionals. The stronger students trained harder than ever. Even some of the weaker ones wanted to participate—if only to say they stood for their school.
But above all else—
One fight dominated every conversation.
Daniel.
Mark.
The battle that would determine who the strongest B-rank in the city truly was.
---
Inside a Classroom
Not everyone was celebrating.
In one corner of a classroom, a girl sat quietly at her desk, flipping through a textbook.
Her black hair, faintly tipped in purple at the edges, framed her face in layered strands. Her name was Lily.
Around her desk stood a group of girls.
Their leader, Samantha, had her black hair tied into a messy bun. Her posture looked relaxed, almost careless—but her eyes were sharp and calculating.
Samantha tapped Lily's book with two fingers.
"Look at this," she said mockingly. "She's studying while we're just sitting around."
The other girls snickered.
Lily instinctively pulled the book closer to her chest, lowering her gaze.
Samantha leaned down slightly. "What are you waiting for? Get up."
Lily hesitated for a moment before slowly standing.
They surrounded her and walked her out into the hallway.
"Walk faster, Lily," Samantha said lazily.
Lily nodded softly as she looked down.
They reached the storeroom and shut the door behind them.
One of the girls snatched Lily's book. Another grabbed her backpack.
Lily's voice trembled. "Please… I need that."
Samantha crossed her arms. "Choose one. The book… or the bag?"
Lily looked helplessly between them. "I—I need both. My mom will get angry if—"
The girls burst into laughter.
"Do you think we care?" Samantha replied coldly.
Without warning, she drove her knee into Lily's stomach.
Air escaped Lily's lungs as she collapsed to her knees, clutching her abdomen.
Samantha crouched in front of her.
"Do you think this school is about grades?" she asked quietly.
Her tone darkened.
"Look around. This city doesn't reward studying. Those idiots are busy fighting for titles every day. Tomorrow there's a tournament between two schools, and the entire city is watching."
She grabbed Lily's chin and forced her to look up.
"And you're worried about homework?"
More laughter filled the small room.
Tears formed in Lily's eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
As she glanced toward the small window in the storeroom door, she saw someone passing by.
He briefly looked inside.
Jin.
Their eyes met for a split second.
But as always, his expression didn't change.
He walked away without stopping.
Samantha's kick snapped Lily's head to the side.
"What are you staring at?" she spat. "Nerd bitch."
Lily trembled—but something inside her shifted.
Her voice was weak, but this time it did not break.
"You're just jealous," she said quietly.
The room fell silent.
"I got better grades this time. That's the only reason you're doing this."
None of them had expected her to speak back.
Samantha slowly smiled.
"I didn't know you could run your mouth too," she said, leaning closer. "But you're wrong. I don't care about grades."
Her expression hardened.
"I just enjoy bullying you."
She kicked Lily again, sending her crashing into the lockers.
Samantha stood up.
"Put her book in the bag," she ordered. "And bring Lily with us."
---
Meanwhile — Outside Blackridge
Nel and the remaining seven fighters moved quickly away from the school grounds.
"Damn it," Nel muttered. "That brat was stronger than I expected."
One of the men spoke cautiously. "Sir… is there anyone else in this city that strong besides… him?"
Nel's jaw tightened.
"Don't forget the other one," he said. "The kid who killed a B-rank when he was ten."
A heavy silence fell over the group.
"This city really is full of monsters," another muttered.
Eventually, they reached an old temple surrounded by ancient stone pillars and weathered statues—the same temple where Chris once fought Bob and the others.
They rested near the stone fountain, splashing cool water onto their faces.
For a brief moment, the place felt calm.
Too calm.
Then they heard footsteps approaching along the stone path.
All eight men immediately gripped their wakizashi and turned toward the sound.
A boy emerged from the shadows.
He wore a traditional kimono, and a katana rested at his left side. His long black hair flowed almost to his waist, moving slightly with the breeze.
His presence alone altered the atmosphere.
"We've been receiving many visitors lately," he said calmly.
His voice was cold—but not surprised.
Nel narrowed his eyes. "And who are you supposed to be?"
The boy's gaze passed over them one by one.
"First children," he said evenly. "Now armed men. What business do you have at this temple?"
Nel scoffed. "Your temple?"
"I oversee it," the boy replied. "And I would advise you to leave."
Nel's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Advise us? On what authority?"
He pointed his blade forward. "If you're in charge here, then we'll just take it over."
The others raised their wakizashi in agreement.
The boy's expression did not change.
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?" he asked calmly.
Nel's smile widened.
"By killing you."
He dashed forward at full speed, sandals scraping against the stone as he lunged with his wakizashi aimed straight at the boy's throat.
In the next instant, his vision blurred.
The boy was no longer in front of him.
Before Nel could react, he felt a presence beside him.
The faint metallic sound of a blade sliding back into its sheath echoed softly.
"Don't embarrass yourself," the boy said.
Something struck the stone floor with a dull thud.
Nel looked down.
His hand—still gripping his wakizashi—lay separated from his arm.
For a brief moment, his mind refused to process what he was seeing.
Then pain exploded through him.
He screamed.
The others rushed to his side, wrapping cloth tightly around the severed limb to stop the bleeding.
Nel trembled with fury and fear.
"You bastard!" he shouted. "Our boss will take over this city soon! Your temple, your family—everything will fall!"
The boy turned slightly, his gaze sharpening.
"I am not afraid of your boss," he replied calmly. "Nor of childish dreams about ruling this city."
His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his katana.
"I may even know who sent you."
The men froze.
"Leave," he said quietly. "If you value your lives, walk away now. Because the next strike will not take a hand."
He turned and walked back toward the temple entrance.
Nel and his men stood there, shaken and humiliated.
For the first time-
They felt small.
---
To be continued.