Hangout

…Chris has just finished admiring every corner of his newly constructed sanctum before he and Sensen walk farther inside.

With a soft whirring sound, countless nanobots rise gracefully from the floor, weaving through the air like streams of silver mist. They rapidly assemble themselves, erecting an elegant monochromatic-grey Divan. Its luxurious cushions possess a subtle metallic sheen, while intricate geometric patterns ripple across its surface whenever the surrounding nanobots pulse with energy. A beautifully crafted trestle materializes at its center, its polished finish blending seamlessly with the sanctum's modern aesthetic, making it appear as though it has always belonged there.

The room radiates a quiet sophistication.

Chris and Sensen take their seats opposite one another, the atmosphere calm after the excitement of the day's events.

"Okay, Sensen..."

Chris leans forward slightly, his eyes already sparkling with anticipation.

"When can I start the tasks?"

His eagerness is impossible to hide.

Sensen lets out a quiet chuckle.

"Alright, Seito."

She gently raises a hand.

"Buckle down."

Her voice is calm and reassuring.

"You need to relax first."

She studies him carefully.

"You've been pushing yourself ever since you arrived at the Academy."

"From your entrance examination..."

"...to today's sparring match..."

"...your body and mind have barely had a chance to recover."

She smiles warmly.

"So..."

"I'm giving you some time off."

Chris blinks.

"Huh?"

"You'll rest."

"You'll recover."

"And when I feel you've had enough time..."

She smiles knowingly.

"...I'll call you back."

As she finishes speaking, she slowly opens her left palm.

Immediately...

Thousands of nanobots begin swirling above it.

The tiny machines rotate faster and faster, producing a soft monochromatic-grey glow that gradually intensifies until it resembles a miniature galaxy spinning within her hand.

The light condenses.

Its shape evolves.

Moments later...

Two beautifully crafted rings emerge from the center of the swirling nanobots before gently settling into Sensen's palm.

Chris's curiosity instantly takes over.

"Hey, Sensen..."

He points toward them.

"What are those?"

Sensen lifts one of the rings.

"These..."

She smiles.

"...are Nano-Rings."

"They're primarily used for communication."

She gently takes Chris's right hand before carefully sliding the first ring onto his right index finger.

The instant it touches his skin...

A faint pulse of monochromatic-grey light travels across the ring before disappearing.

She repeats the process with his left hand.

The second ring settles perfectly onto his left index finger.

Chris rotates both hands curiously, admiring them.

"They synchronized..."

He whispers.

Sensen nods.

"The Nano-Ring on your right hand..."

She lightly taps it.

"...is our communication link."

"Whenever it activates..."

"It'll emit my Aura signature."

"That's how I'll contact you whenever I need you."

She then gestures toward the ring on his left hand.

"This one is for your friends."

"When you tap it..."

"A holographic interface will appear."

"You simply input the person's name..."

"...along with their progeny title..."

"...and the system will automatically establish communication between the Nano-Rings and their quantum earrings."

Chris's eyes brighten.

"So they're basically long-distance communicators."

"Exactly."

Sensen smiles proudly.

Chris continues examining them with fascination before looking back at her.

"Okay, Sensen."

He grins.

"So..."

"What am I supposed to do now?"

He is clearly expecting her to assign his first trial immediately.

Instead...

Sensen folds her arms.

"You take this week off."

Chris freezes.

"...A week?"

She nods.

"Spend time with your friends."

"Explore the Academy."

"Rest properly."

"I need you at your absolute peak before we begin."

"The training I'll be putting you through won't allow room for fatigue."

She points toward him.

"So..."

"Go."

"Relax."

"When the time comes..."

Her smile widens slightly.

"...I'll vociferate you through the Nano-Ring."

Chris stares for a brief moment.

Then...

A smile slowly spreads across his face.

...

It really has been a while since I've seen them...

His thoughts drift toward Rhys...

Cia...

And Elisa.

After everything that's happened...

...and after that crazy fight with Kaito...

I guess a break wouldn't hurt.

Maybe she's right.

I should enjoy it while it lasts...

He turns back toward Sensen.

"Alright, Sensen."

His smile returns.

"I'll come back the moment you call for me."

"Thank you."

Without another thought...

He suddenly steps forward and hugs her.

Sensen blinks in surprise before smiling softly and returning the embrace for a brief moment.

Chris quickly lets go.

"Welp!"

He laughs.

"See you later!"

Before Sensen can even respond...

He sprints out of the sanctum.

Out of the annex.

And into the open pathways of the Academy.

Sensen watches him disappear.

A gentle smile remains on her face.

"He really is an energetic one..."

She quietly murmurs.

...

Standing just outside the annex...

Chris taps the Nano-Ring on his left index finger.

A soft pulse of light spreads across its surface.

Immediately...

A translucent holographic interface expands before him.

Floating letters and symbols arrange themselves neatly in the air.

Chris quickly inputs three names.

Rhys Drack.

Elisa Curvature.

Cia Frost.

The interface briefly scans the entries.

Connection Established.

Three Aura signatures immediately synchronize with his Nano-Ring.

Chris smiles.

This is his first time using it.

He clears his throat.

"Hi, guys..."

He waits excitedly for someone to answer.

Almost immediately...

A gentle feminine voice comes through.

"...Excuse me..."

"Who might this be?"

Elisa asks politely, her naturally light-pitched voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

Chris chuckles.

"It's Chris."

Silence.

Then...

"OH!"

Rhys's voice practically explodes through the connection.

"Buddy!"

"How are you?!"

"What's up?!"

His excitement is so loud that Chris instinctively moves the ring slightly away from his ear.

A second voice joins.

"Hey, Chris."

Cia's calm tone follows shortly after.

"How have you been?"

"It's been a while."

Finally...

Elisa speaks again.

"Hey, Chris..."

A small smile unconsciously appears across her face.

"It really has been a while since I've heard from you."

A faint blush quietly spreads across her cheeks.

Chris cannot see it.

But it is there nonetheless.

He smiles warmly.

"I've really missed you guys."

His voice carries genuine sincerity.

"So..."

"I was wondering..."

"If you're all free..."

"Could we meet up and just hang out for a while?"

Almost instantly...

"That would be AWESOME!"

Rhys practically shouts.

"I'll be there!"

Cia smiles to herself.

"No problem."

"I'll head over now."

Elisa nods happily.

"I'd like that too."

Chris laughs.

"Alright then."

"It's settled."

"Let's meet at the Lyceum."

"I'll be waiting for you all."

The holographic interface slowly dissolves.

The communication ends.

Chris slips both hands into his pockets before smiling to himself.

"Guess it's time."

Without another second of hesitation...

He bursts into a sprint.

The pathways of the Academy rush past him as countless Zodiacians move about their daily routines.

Although the Lyceum lies a reasonable distance from Sensen's annex...

It doesn't take Chris long to arrive.

He slows to a stop at its entrance.

His breathing remains steady.

Immediately...

He begins scanning the enormous Lyceum.

His head turns from left...

...to right...

Searching.

Then—

He spots them.

Standing near the edge of one of the Lyceum's smaller buildings...

Rhys.

Cia.

And Elisa.

Rhys is already enthusiastically waving both arms above his head.

"There he is!"

Chris's face immediately lights up.

Without thinking...

He breaks into another sprint toward them.

"Pant... pant..."

Chris breathes heavily after finishing his sprint from Sensen's Annex to the Lyceum.

"Pant... pant..."

His palms rest firmly on his knees as he bends into a slight squat, trying to steady his breathing. Small beads of sweat trickle down the sides of his face before falling onto the polished substratum beneath him.

Before he can catch his breath...

Elisa quietly walks over.

Without saying a word, she crouches beside him and gently takes both of his hands into hers.

Her touch is soft.

Careful.

She slowly helps him back onto his feet.

Chris rises with her assistance until both of them are standing upright.

For a brief moment...

They are much closer than either of them expects.

Only a small gap separates their faces.

Elisa instinctively looks into his eyes.

Her heartbeat quickens.

A faint blush gradually blooms across her cheeks as she quickly realizes just how close they are.

Chris smiles warmly, completely oblivious to her flustered expression.

"Thanks, Elisa."

He scratches the back of his head sheepishly with his left hand.

"I kind of overdid the sprint."

Elisa simply nods with a gentle smile, quietly releasing his hands.

...

"Are you alright, Chris?"

Cia asks, her calm voice carrying genuine concern.

Chris gives an assuring smile.

"I'm fine."

"I just ran a little harder than I should've."

...

Before anyone can continue...

Rhys casually strolls over with his trademark grin.

Without warning...

SMACK!

His palm lands squarely against Chris's back.

The impact echoes loudly enough to make nearby Zodiacians glance in their direction.

Rhys bursts into laughter.

"Hey, bro!"

He beams.

"Good to see ya!"

Chris immediately jerks forward.

"Agh!"

He winces, instinctively grabbing the spot Rhys just hit.

Rhys was significantly strong he did not know how hard he had hit Chris.

He slowly turns toward his best friend with an exaggerated expression of suffering.

"Buddy..."

He sighs dramatically.

"Please..."

"Be gentler next time."

He continues rubbing his sore back, hoping the lingering ache subsides.

Rhys freezes.

"...Oops."

A guilty chuckle escapes him.

He rubs the back of his own neck.

"Sorry, Buddy."

"I honestly didn't think it'd hurt that much."

His sheepish grin only makes Chris sigh even harder.

...

Watching the two of them...

Cia quietly chuckles.

"They're impossible..."

A small smile forms on her face as the two boys continue acting like complete goofballs.

Even Elisa can't suppress a quiet giggle.

...

"Okay..."

Rhys claps his hands together.

"So what are we going to...?”

BUMP!

A shoulder suddenly crashes into him.

Rhys stumbles sideways.

His balance teeters dangerously.

For a split second it looks as though he's about to plant his face directly into the ground.

He quickly catches himself.

Barely.

His expression immediately darkens.

"...The hell?"

Without hesitation...

Rhys clenches his fist and turns around, ready to throw a punch.

Before his arm can move...

Another hand firmly grabs his wrist.

At almost the exact same instant...

Chris steps forward.

His own hand shoots out, grabbing the stranger's arm with surprising speed.

The atmosphere shifts immediately.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

The Zodiacian glares directly at Chris.

Chris's grip tightens around the arm restraining Rhys.

He calmly studies the stranger.

The boy possesses a light-brown complexion, while his striking periwinkle-blue eyes seem almost unnatural beneath the afternoon light. His hair is a richer, deeper shade of the same color, styled into a clean drop fade that perfectly complements his sharp facial features. His teeth are neatly aligned, though noticeably pointed enough to give him a predatory appearance whenever he speaks.

Without warning...

He swings his free left hand toward Chris's face.

Chris calmly tilts his head.

The strike whistles harmlessly past him.

He never loosens his grip.

Not even slightly.

...

Standing just behind him...

Another Zodiacian steps forward.

He is slightly taller.

His complexion is considerably fairer, while his Celestine-blue eyes carry an unmistakable arrogance.

His lighter blue hair falls toward his eyes in a stylish mullet fade, giving him an effortlessly charming appearance that is almost ruined by the smug expression resting across his face.

"Hey."

His voice is cold.

"Would you mind taking your hands off my bro?"

Chris meets his gaze without flinching.

"Yeah."

"I will."

His voice remains calm.

"The moment he lets go of my buddy..."

"...and apologizes for bumping into him."

Silence settles between them.

Then...

The taller boy laughs.

A mocking laugh.

He glances over his shoulder.

"Hey, Ivy."

He smirks.

"Listen to this asshole."

"He actually thinks I'm going to apologize to his little-ass buddy."

As he calls out...

A young woman steps forward.

Her skin is fair and smooth, contrasting beautifully with her vivid azure eyes. Her dark hair is neatly tied into an elegant ponytail braid that sways gently behind her. Her figure is slightly fuller around the upper body before flowing naturally into more pronounced curves beneath, while her light-purple lips complete her composed yet striking appearance.

She quietly observes the situation.

Just behind her...

Another girl emerges.

Unlike Ivy, her complexion is a rich shade of brown. Her deep cerulean eyes seem almost oceanic, perfectly matching the subtle blue tint woven throughout her long bob hairstyle. Darker streaks run through her hair, adding extra contrast. Though slimmer in build, her elegant posture and defined silhouette make her presence equally captivating.

Neither girl speaks.

They simply watch.

...

"Fuck..."

The periwinkle-haired boy scoffs.

"Liam..."

He jerks his arm again, attempting to wrench himself free.

"This dude actually said I should apologize."

"What a load of crap."

He pours more strength into his arm.

His muscles tense.

Veins briefly surface beneath his skin.

Yet...

Chris's grip doesn't move.

Not even an inch.

The boy's expression shifts ever so slightly.

"...Seriously?"

...

The taller Zodiacian sighs.

"Now, Braylen."

He folds his arms.

"They're confused."

"They don't know who we are."

His tone remains filled with quiet superiority.

"So..."

"Let the little asshole go."

Braylen clicks his tongue in annoyance before finally releasing Rhys's wrist.

Almost immediately...

Chris lets go of Braylen's arm as well.

The tension eases.

But only slightly.

...

Seeing the confrontation settle...

Cia and Elisa quickly move beside Rhys and Chris.

Cia immediately reaches for Rhys's hand.

"Hey..."

Her voice softens.

"You're not hurt, are you?"

She gently turns his palm over, carefully inspecting it for injuries.

Her fingers lightly trace across his knuckles, making sure nothing was damaged during the brief confrontation.

Rhys watches her quietly.

Then...

He smiles.

A genuine one.

Only then does Cia realize just how closely she's been holding his hand.

Her eyes widen slightly.

She quickly looks away.

A rosy blush spreads across her cheeks as warmth quietly rises to her face.

Rhys notices.

His smile only grows a little wider

…Elisa immediately steps toward Chris and gently takes hold of his hand, pulling him protectively to her side before giving him a careful once-over.

"Hope you are not hurt." Elisa says, concern filling her voice as her fingers tighten slightly around his hand.

Chris smiles reassuringly.

"Nah. That little thing wasn't enough to bruise me."

The Academy's nanobots had already perfected every trace of physical damage. His body feels completely restored, leaving not even the slightest ache behind.

Elisa puffs out one side of her cheek.

The left side of her face swells adorably while the right remains composed, her expression becoming one of lovingly disguised annoyance.

"Hmph..."

"You always say that."

Her eyes soften despite herself.

"We're still waiting for our apology."

The cerulean-haired girl with the long bob finally steps forward, her voice sharp enough to slice through the atmosphere.

"Don't fret, Freya."

The girl called Ivy casually brushes a finger across her upper lip before folding her arms.

"They simply don't realize they're standing before members of the Vile Clan."

The confidence in her voice borders on arrogance.

The four of them stand with an air of unquestionable superiority.

The Vile Clan...

The fourteenth-ranked clan in the world.

One of the few clans whose history bears a profound connection to the Moon itself.

Though they have never held the title of an Aristocrat Clan, they played a pivotal role during the Kūhaku no Sensō, the Blank War, a conflict fought to uncover the hidden truth behind the Blank Century.

Among the countless clans across the world, only twenty possess an Eldritch Glyph, ancient inscriptions said to preserve fragments of history erased from existence.

The Vile Clan is one of them.

Their mastery over craftsmanship is unrivaled, but what truly inspires fear is their Kamon...

Moonclave Crescents.

Aura-forged blades so impossibly sharp that legends claim they can pierce through nearly anything.

"So what?"

Rhys shrugs carelessly.

"The Vile Clan isn't all that influential."

"That's true."

Cia calmly folds her arms.

"They certainly have influence..."

"But influence alone doesn't make someone stronger."

Her voice remains composed, almost indifferent.

GRRRK...

Braylen's teeth grind together so violently they screech against one another.

The muscles around his jaw tighten.

Veins begin surfacing across his temple.

His right hand slowly curls into a fist.

The air around him almost seems to tremble.

Without another word...

He explodes forward.

"Liam."

Before Braylen can take even a single step...

A lone arm stretches across his path.

Perfectly calm.

Perfectly steady.

It blocks him effortlessly.

"What the FUCK, Liam?"

Braylen snaps, glaring sideways.

"You heard every damn word they said!"

"And you're stopping me from knocking their teeth in?"

His anger burns openly.

Liam doesn't answer immediately.

Instead...

He slowly turns his head.

His pale Celestine eyes settle upon Chris.

Chris instinctively meets his gaze.

For a brief moment...

Everything else seems to disappear.

Liam's eyes are strangely captivating.

Cold.

Elegant.

Almost regal.

They carry the quiet confidence of someone who has never questioned his own superiority.

To Liam...

Chris appears beneath his notice.

Like someone insignificant.

Someone unworthy of standing before him.

Chris narrows his eyes.

"What an arrogant bastard..."

Elisa notices Chris standing unusually still.

Without hesitation...

She steps gracefully in front of him.

The movement is smooth enough that the gentle motion of her body naturally follows her stride.

She raises her right hand and lightly waves it before his face.

Chris blinks.

The invisible tension between him and Liam instantly breaks.

"Chris?"

Elisa tilts her head.

"Are you alright?"

Concern fills her eyes.

Chris exhales softly before smiling.

"Yeah."

"I just got lost in thought."

Even now...

He cannot completely shake the strange pressure lingering from Liam's gaze.

"What exactly do these people think they are?"

Ivy scoffs, visibly irritated.

"They're speaking about the Vile Clan as though our name means nothing."

"It's simple, Ivy."

Freya smiles faintly.

"They lack the intelligence to show respect where it's deserved."

Elisa immediately steps forward.

Her expression hardens.

"That's where you're mistaken."

"The Vile Clan has influence because of its craftsmanship."

"Not because you're overwhelmingly powerful."

"So don't expect everyone to bow simply because your clan is ranked fourteenth."

"I agree."

Cia's calm voice follows immediately.

"Respect isn't something you demand."

"It's something you earn."

"And ranking alone isn't enough."

Braylen's eye twitches violently.

"Hey..."

He lowers his body into a sprinter's stance.

"Liam..."

"Move your damn arm."

Liam remains perfectly composed.

Without looking at Braylen...

He speaks.

"Behave yourself."

His smooth voice carries absolute confidence.

"I don't see the value in wasting our time on people like them."

His eyes drift lazily across Chris and the others.

"It would only demean us."

…Ivy tugged Liam's sleeve with surprising force. Liam turned, looking down at her with the same composed expression that never seemed to crack.

"What the hell, Liam? Are you seriously just going to stand there and watch these assholes insult our clan?" Ivy demanded, frustration burning across her face.

…Freya stepped closer from the opposite side and pulled lightly at his arm as well, forcing Liam to glance toward her.

"Like, seriously, Liam... you're just going to let them keep talking like this about the Vile Clan?" Freya asked, her annoyance barely restrained.

"Bitches, we don't give a fuck if you complain from now till tomorrow. All we're saying is that your clan doesn't deserve as much respect as you people keep demanding. Simple." Rhys replied, folding his arms with an unapologetic grin.

"Yeah. The Vile Clan is impressive, and I genuinely admire their craftsmanship," Cia added calmly. "But admiration isn't the same thing as unquestionable influence."

"Words..." Braylen scoffed, rolling his shoulders. "Is that all you people are made of? Stop talking and settle it with your fists."

"Who said we're running?" Rhys stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "We'll face you head-on... and we'll pummel you."

"Ugh..." Freya sighed with visible disgust. "They actually believe they stand a chance."

"You all carry yourselves like royalty," Elisa said, her voice firm despite remaining composed. "Yes, the Vile Clan deserves recognition, but recognition isn't a license to look down on everyone else."

She intertwined her fingers with Chris's once again before turning toward Freya, offering Chris a reassuring smile while directing a sharp look of disapproval toward her.

…Silence gradually settled between both groups.

It wasn't peaceful.

It was heavy.

The air itself seemed to tighten.

Neither side was willing to retreat.

Liam slowly shifted his gaze back toward Chris.

Those pale Celestine eyes remained calm...

Yet they carried an oppressive confidence that silently challenged anyone willing to meet them.

Chris refused to look away.

Instead...

He stepped closer.

Elisa, still holding his hand, was gently pulled along beside him.

"Liam," Chris said quietly, meeting his gaze. "You place so much value on the Vile Clan that you've forgotten what truly matters."

Liam's expression barely changed.

"I agree that you're surrounded by members of the Curvature Clan... the Frost Clan... and the Drack Clan." His eyes narrowed slightly.

"But you..."

His gaze settled firmly upon Chris.

"...are from a defamed clan."

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"What exactly do you think gives you the right to speak to me like this?"

…

Chris bit down hard on the inside of his lip.

His jaw tightened.

He couldn't deny it.

The Moonstraight Clan had fallen into disgrace.

That truth still lingered like a scar history refused to erase.

For a brief moment...

He remained silent.

Elisa immediately noticed the subtle change in his breathing.

His pulse had quickened.

The confidence in his eyes wavered ever so slightly.

Without saying a word...

She turned toward him.

Her left hand gently lifted his chin.

Her thumb softly brushed across his cheek while her right hand continued holding his.

She leaned a little closer.

Close enough that only he could truly feel the warmth behind her smile.

"It's okay."

Her fingertips lightly patted his cheek.

The frustration slowly faded from his expression.

She smiled.

A simple smile.

Yet somehow...

It steadied his heart.

"Who gave you the audacity to speak to Chris like that?" Rhys growled, taking another step forward.

"You really don't know your place," Cia added, her normally composed voice carrying an unmistakable edge.

"Chris..."

Elisa looked directly into his eyes.

"No matter what happens..."

She smiled warmly.

"I'll always be by your side."

She slowly released his hand.

Then calmly walked toward Liam.

Every step was steady.

Every step carried quiet resolve.

Before she could reach him...

Ivy stepped across her path.

"And where exactly do you think you're going?" Ivy asked coldly.

…

Braylen watched the exchange with growing irritation.

His patience snapped.

Without warning...

He lunged forward.

His arm whipped through the air.

His open palm surged toward Elisa's face.

Fast.

Violent.

Unrestrained.

Chris's eyes widened.

His instincts exploded into motion.

"Elisa!"

He launched himself forward.

Rhys reacted at almost the same instant.

Both of them shot toward Braylen with explosive speed.

Braylen's palm closed the remaining distance.

Only inches remained.

Then...

THUMP.

CHILL.

SWISH.

Everything stopped.

Braylen's eyes widened.

His strike...

Never landed.

His wrist had been caught.

Firmly.

Immovably.

The sudden burst of force blasted Liam, Ivy and Freya several steps backward, forcing them to regain their footing.

Standing beneath Braylen's extended arm...

Was Cia.

She had moved so silently that none of them had even seen her appear.

An overwhelming mantle of frigid Aura silently expanded around them.

The surrounding temperature plummeted.

Frost spiraled through the air.

The very moisture in the atmosphere crystallized into shimmering particles.

Cia slowly raised her head.

Her eyes glowed with a deep sapphire blue...

The brilliant blue found at the heart of an ancient iceberg.

Cold.

Beautiful.

Merciless.

Braylen instinctively swallowed.

For the first time since arriving...

His confidence faltered.

His captured wrist began bleeding immediately.

Not from impact...

But from the crushing pressure of Cia's grip.

Blood streamed down his forearm faster than the nanobots could completely stabilize it, only for the microscopic machines to continuously restore the damaged tissue as fresh compression reopened it under her overwhelming hold.

At the same time...

An intense frost rapidly spread across his wrist.

The skin whitened.

Ice crystals crawled over the Chrono Suit.

A severe frostbite bloomed beneath her fingers.

Braylen cried out.

He violently pulled.

Twisted.

Forced every ounce of strength into escaping.

Nothing.

Her grip never shifted.

Not even a fraction.

His Chrono Suit became stained crimson as the cycle of injury and instantaneous regeneration repeated beneath her crushing grasp.

Every attempt to break free only worsened the pressure.

Her fingers tightened slightly.

The bones in his wrist groaned.

Pain surged through his entire arm.

His body trembled.

The biting cold seeped deeper, making his muscles feel numb and unbearably heavy.

Then...

Cia looked directly into his eyes.

There was no anger.

No excitement.

Only absolute stillness.

A silence colder than winter itself.

Braylen's heartbeat skipped.

An instinct buried deep within him screamed only one command.

Run.

For the first time since the confrontation began...

Fear crept across his face.

"What the hell were you just trying to do?" Cia asked.

Her voice was calm.

Too calm.

The chilling tone carried far more terror than a scream ever could.

"P-Plea... please..."

Braylen's body trembled violently.

"Cough... cough..."

"I didn't mean to..."

His words dissolved into pained gasps.

"S-Screech..."

Cia tightened her grip just a little more.

A fresh wave of unbearable pain coursed through his arm.

His knees almost buckled beneath him.

Ivy instinctively stepped forward.

Only to stop.

The suffocating Chill Aura surrounding Cia spread across the ground like an invisible glacier.

The overwhelming cold alone was enough to make Ivy hesitate.

For that period of time...

She was afraid to get closer.

…

Elisa gently reached out and tugged Cia's sleeve.

"Cia..."

She smiled.

A small...

Gentle...

Comforting smile.

The warmth in Elisa's expression slowly melted away the frost clouding Cia's emotions.

Cia quietly exhaled.

Then released Braylen's wrist.

Without another word...

She shoved him backward.

BOOM!

The force behind the push sent Braylen flying several meters across the Lyceum.

Liam reacted instantly, catching him before he crashed into the ground.

The nanobots immediately restored every injury across Braylen's arm.

The frostbite disappeared.

The torn flesh regenerated.

The bleeding stopped.

Physically...

He was completely restored.

Mentally...

The image of Cia's emotionless eyes remained carved into his mind.

…

Cia gently held Elisa's shoulder and guided her back.

Chris and Rhys, who had been preparing to rush forward, slowly lowered their guards.

Chris immediately reached for Elisa's hand.

Then...

Without hesitation...

He pulled her into a hug.

He embraced her tightly.

Almost instinctively.

Relief washed across his face.

Elisa smiled softly.

Her cheeks warmed with a faint blush as she wrapped both arms around his back, quietly returning the embrace.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

"Why..."

Liam slowly applauded.

"That was impressive, Cia Frost."

His voice carried obvious mockery despite the compliment.

"I'll admit..."

His smile widened.

"You surprised me."

He adjusted Braylen's shoulder before looking back toward the group.

"Normally..."

"We would've settled this here."

His eyes narrowed.

"A proper battle."

"A proper beating."

"But unfortunately..."

He shrugged.

"We're on our way somewhere."

"I don't care!" Rhys barked, stepping forward.

"We're throwing hands right n..."

Chris quietly raised one hand.

Rhys immediately stopped speaking.

Chris stepped forward instead.

Elisa remained beside him.

Their hands were still intertwined.

He lifted his eyes toward Liam.

"You're going to apologize before you leave."

Liam laughed.

Freya folded her arms.

"Apologize?"

She scoffed.

"Impossible."

"You people should be the ones apologizing."

She continued supporting Braylen, who still instinctively rubbed the wrist Cia had crushed moments earlier despite it already being perfectly healed.

"I have an idea."

Ivy suddenly smiled.

A smug grin slowly spread across her face.

Her eyes sparkled with satisfaction as though she had just conceived something brilliant.

"Since we're already heading to the Apex Range..."

She looked between both groups.

"...why don't we settle everything there?"

"The losing team apologizes."

Her smile only grew wider.

"It'll save everyone time."

Liam chuckled.

"Now that's a brilliant idea."

He cracked his knuckles.

"When we beat the hell out of you..."

"You won't have any choice."

"You'll apologize."

Chris's lips slowly curled upward.

A confident smile appeared across his face.

"Fine."

"We'll meet you at the Apex Range."

"And after we beat every single one of you..."

He pointed directly at Liam.

"...you'll be the ones kneeling to apologize." Chris said pointing his index finger downward indicating a demeaning stance they would take when kneeling..

For a brief moment...

Silence settled between both groups.

Neither side looked away.

Neither side yielded.

Liam's smile slowly widened.

It wasn't friendly.

It was the grin of someone anticipating a hunt.

"Hmph..."

He let out a quiet chuckle.

Then gave Chris one long...

Unwavering...

Vigilant grin.