The atmosphere was thick.
The red-haired woman looked at all the students in the courtyard. Then, she laid her eyes on León. She chuckled and slowly flew over to face him.
"You. Your Reverse is... Beautiful." She informed. León took a step back, sweat dripping down his forehead.
León swallowed hard, his fingers curling into fists at his sides.
"Beautiful?" he echoed, his voice barely steady. "I don't know what you're talking about."
The woman's smile widened through her mask, sharp and knowing. She tilted her head, crimson hair drifting as if moved by an unseen current. "You will soon... My little puppet."
The air around them thickened, pressing against León's chest. He felt it then—a low, pulsing heat beneath his skin, answering her presence like a heartbeat out of sync. Murmurs rippled through the courtyard, but they felt distant, unreal.
"Stay back," León warned, though he wasn't sure who he was warning—her, or himself.
Sorel gulped, watching all of this unfold. He checked up on Diego, who definitely wasn't having a fun time. His forehead was as purple as grapes, and his eyes were shaking like he saw a ghost. His hands were frozen at his sides, unable to move.
León's breath hitched as the pressure in the air intensified. His vision blurred for a moment, red sparks flickering at the edges. He stumbled back, bumping into a stone bench, the cold shock snapping him into focus.
"Enough." A voice rang out across the courtyard.
The woman's eyes flicked away from León, irritation flashing across her face as a tall figure stepped forward from the crowd. A professor—robes embroidered with sigils—raised a hand, magic crackling faintly around his fingers.
"You are not welcome here," the professor said. "Leave. Now."
She sighed dramatically, as if bored. "Such protectiveness," she replied, her gaze sliding back to León one last time before looking back at her men. "Seize everyone who has a promise of reverse. Don't make the master disappointed." She chuckled before approaching a portal she made.
She turned back one last time. She blew León a kiss before disappearing into it.
The men nodded before moving around and attacking the kids.
The courtyard erupted into chaos.
Students screamed as the men surged forward, their movements sharp and practiced. Dark sigils flared along their arms as chains of crackling energy shot outward, wrapping around anyone who tried to run. Stone shattered under stray blasts, and the once-open courtyard became a storm of smoke and fear.
"Get back!" someone in the crowd shouted.
León's heart slammed against his ribs. He barely had time to think before one of the men lunged toward him, eyes hollow and glowing faintly blue. León raised his hands on instinct—
The air answered.
A violent pulse exploded outward, throwing the attacker back across the courtyard. León staggered, staring at his hands as a dull red glow bled from beneath his skin. He's part of the student council, so his reverse is strong after all.
"Wow, you're pretty strong for an academy boy." Another man smiled, turning toward him. The man was the only one of the men without a mask on. He was young, maybe around his early 20's, and had jet black hair.
León didn't wait. He ran.
He ducked beneath a streak of dark magic and slid behind a fallen pillar, breathing hard. Around him, students were being dragged away, their shouts echoing in his ears. Anger—hot and unfamiliar—coiled in his chest, tightening with every cry for help. He wasn't in the shape to fight now. Especially since he's tired from his duel with
"They want my reserve." The word echoed in his mind.
A shadow loomed over him.
León spun just as a blade came down. He threw up his arm—
Metal screamed.
A sword, forged of pure crimson light, formed in his grip, stopping the strike inches from his face. The force rattled his bones, but he held.
The man froze, eyes wide.
León's own eyes burned brighter.
"I don't know why you guys want me," León said, his voice low and shaking, "but you're not taking anyone else."
The sword pulsed, eager.
And for the first time, León had a reason to be serious.
He stepped forward, Inches away from the masked man.
"Tell your men to skiddle out of here." He demanded, his red colored reverse glowing around his body and his eyes.
The man chuckled.
"And if I don't?" The man started laughing. "What are you gon-" The man's head flew off from his body. Leon's blade dripped with blood.
"Then I'll murder all of you."
On the other side of the courtyard, Diego was hiding behind a rock. He was too weak to fight back; unlike his brother, he wasn't a genius. Sorel was right behind him; he also knew that he was weak.
They were both staring at people being dragged into the portals, while the ones with no promise were being beaten up. Deep down, they knew they should help. To at least do something, but again, they knew they couldn't.
Diego's hands shook as he pressed his back against the cold stone. Every shout, every crack of magic, felt like it was tearing at his chest. He wanted to move, to run toward the chaos, but his legs refused to obey.
Sorel's eyes flicked to him, a mix of fear and frustration. "We can't," he whispered harshly, though his voice wavered. "If we go out there… We'll die before we even get close."
Diego swallowed hard. He hated feeling powerless. He hated watching everyone suffer while he stayed hidden. But the truth was brutal—he wasn't ready. Not for this. Not for any of this.
A scream cut through the courtyard, sharp and raw. One of the younger students—a girl barely older than a child—was being dragged toward a swirling portal, kicking and clawing. Diego wanted to scream, to leap forward, but Sorel's hand gripped his shoulder.
"Diego… stay. Please," Sorel urged, his voice breaking. "We'll find a way. We have to survive first."
Diego's eyes darted to León, who now stood at the center of the courtyard, glowing with red power. He looked unstoppable. Unreachable. A spark of hope ignited in Diego's chest, quickly smothered by the hopelessness surrounding him.
He felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes. He hated it—hated feeling weak. But for the first time, he realized something terrifying: sometimes, surviving meant watching, waiting… and praying someone else could change everything.
The portals continued to pulse, dark and hungry, and the courtyard became a battlefield of screams, shadows, and fire. Diego gritted his teeth. He didn't know if he'd ever be strong enough. But he knew he couldn't forget this day.
Because one day, he would have to fight.
And when that day came, he'd make sure no one ever felt this powerless again.