175 I won't -



[Mary Kleine POV]

The last time I saw him with those girls, I warned them not to roam around. Not because I was worried about them, but because I just didn't like the fact that he was wandering around with those girls.

Then, after that, it's been a few days. I thought he'd come around and bother me, but that didn't happen. Not even once. We didn't even cross paths in the academy at all, as if he wasn't even here. It was good in its own way, as I didn't have to worry about him bothering me most of the time.

But now, why am I doing this? I unconsciously grabbed his arm. I just don't understand!

Flick* 

"!!" My eyes widened a bit as he flicked away my hand and turned around. Is he leaving? Why? Why won't he act like he always does?

Yeah, I should say that. It'll trigger him a bit, I just know it. I opened my mouth slightly. I've said this countless times every time he came around, apologizing and growling at my feet for forgiveness. It will work. Whatever facade he's putting up will surely crumble. 

Parting my lips, I said, "...don't bother me in the academy..." And yep, he flinched. He must be shocked. Everyone around me heard it, even if my voice was a bit shallow.

There was a palpable tension in the air, and a heavy silence hung between us like a shroud. His words, "Never intended to... bother you at all," cut through the stillness as he took a step closer.

I felt a chill run down my spine, and confusion swept over me like a tidal wave. My heart raced, and I couldn't help but replay his words in my mind. What did he mean by that? Why was he suddenly acting so distant and composed? This wasn't the person I had come to know.

"Huh?" My voice wavered as I let out a bewildered gasp. It was as if the ground beneath me had shifted, leaving me standing on unsteady footing. What had just happened here?

"I'll take my leave now," he said, his words cutting through the tense air like a blade. He didn't address me, but rather Adam, who stood dangerously close to me.

Tap*

I took a brisk step back, creating a physical gap between Adam and me. My heart raced, and my mind swirled with questions. Why did I care so much about Ruu seeing me with Adam?

Wait, why was I even worried about that?

"Mary?" Adam's voice broke through my thoughts as he closed the gap, his hands finding their way to my shoulders.

Tuk*

Startled by his touch, I reacted on instinct and flicked his hand away. Did Ruu witness Adam touching me?

He did, and for a fleeting moment, our eyes met. He stood there, a mysterious figure amidst the bustling academy courtyard, watching with inscrutable eyes. What had he seen?

Before I could react, Adam dashed toward Ruu. Why was he running toward him?

"Hey! What did you do to her?" Adam's voice carried his concern, echoing through the courtyard. Did Ruu do something to me?

"I what-!" Ruu's voice trembled with surprise as Adam seized him by the collar, their confrontation escalating in the bustling academy courtyard.

My heart raced, and my mind buzzed with confusion. Why were they fighting? I wanted to intervene, but my legs felt numb, and it was hard to focus on anything but a single word echoing in my head.

Why?

But right now, I had to do something before Adam inflicted harm on Ruu. He'd beat Ruu to a pulp if they fought. Ruu was far weaker compared to Adam.

"I asked what you did to her?" Adam's voice, laden with anger, pierced the air as he tightened his grip on Ren's collar. "I've seen enough and heard enough about you... What -!!"

Tud*

But before Adam could finish his sentence, an unexpected force, like an invisible sledgehammer, propelled him backward several steps, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground.

Adam was pushed away? How was that even possible?

"Is this how seniors treat their juniors in the Imperial Academy? Then it surely fails my expectations, Student Council Vice President," a serene voice, so calm that it sent shivers down my spine, resonated through the courtyard. I shifted my gaze back to Ren, who stood unperturbed, fixing the collar of his robe with meticulous precision.

"I might not be strong enough to beat you," he stated with an eerie calmness that felt out of place, "but that doesn't give you the freedom to touch me." With those words,

He looked at me....yeah towards me, directly into my eyes.

His eyes, once familiar and warm, now held an eerie quality. It was as if a storm brewed within them, replacing the usual brightness I had known for so long. Those eyes, which used to light up whenever we played together, had lost their spark. The laughter that often accompanied his squinted eyes was absent.

As he turned and walked away, his departure left behind an unsettling and profound silence, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed in him.

In this charged atmosphere, it was Amelia who broke the silence. Her voice was firm and resolute as she addressed Elsa.

"That guy... is someone you should not be around, am I clear, princess?" Amelia's words cut through the tension in the room, and Elsa simply nodded in response, acknowledging the warning.

"Looks like we don't have time to wait around anymore. The carriages are outside, and the headmaster is waiting. We must go now," Amelia urged, her sense of urgency palpable.

Elsa understood the haste; something significant was happening in the Elishia Forest, and they couldn't afford to delay any longer. However, my thoughts were still consumed by Ren, making it challenging to focus on anything else.

"Let's go... I'll deal with that guy when we return," Adam declared, his expression still bearing traces of anger. I couldn't help but feel that his rash actions had contributed to the tense situation.

...

[Ren Hilton POV]

"Ugh," I rubbed my neck slightly; the spot where Adam had grabbed me still felt a bit sore.

'Wow, that guy sure is strong,' Blaze commented.

It was undeniable; compared to Adam, I was nowhere near his level. At this point, he was more like a five-star mage warrior, while I was only a three-star.

'Still, what was that girl trying to do?' Blaze inquired. I shared his confusion. Was Mary so irritated by my presence that she would make her boyfriend confront me?

Whatever the case, I was relieved that Adam hadn't used his full strength. Things could have taken a dangerous turn otherwise.

'Yeah, you were preparing for quite a showdown,' Blaze remarked, glancing at me.

Well, it's not entirely baseless. I was ready to defend myself if he had attacked.

'Attacked? Princess, you were contemplating taking his head off if he made a move after you pushed him!' Blaze's words were a bit exaggerated, but I did think about how I would react if things escalated. Fortunately, Adam was wise enough not to engage in a brawl with a younger student.

'Well, we both know that you're weaker than him,' Smokeball stated. 'At least for now,' he added.

'So?' I responded.

'Don't ask me what you would have done if you couldn't win,' Smokeball retorted, leaving me in silence.

What if I had been defeated? I wasn't the most powerful, but if it came down to it, then...

"Who knows," I said, "I'm sure I'd figure it out when the time comes but one thing is for sure-"

'What?' he questioned.

'that I'll live this life as I want,' I chuckled as I knew that Blaze was expecting something Else.

'Cringe,' he comments but soon he laughed too..... He's learning more and more unnecessary words from my mind.

....

[After a few minutes]

""""Aghhhhhhhhh """""'

A painful cry, loud and distressing, reached my ears as I walked along the route to the dormitory. The sound drew me toward a section of the path where the shadows from the tall trees stretched long and ominous. There, I discovered a figure sprawled on the ground, writhing in agony. Moans of pain filled the air as they clutched their leg, their face twisted in torment.

Blaze couldn't help but comment on the eerie atmosphere, and I proceeded with caution toward the person in distress. "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice carrying genuine concern as I knelt beside them.

"Get help! Ahhh!!" The person cried out, lifting their face from the ground, revealing themselves to be Aron.

What on earth was going on here? Why was he in such a state? I scanned the area, listening for any further sounds or clues to this mysterious situation.

The rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed closer, a rapid approach from someone approaching. I swiveled around to identify the newcomer and was met with the sight of none other than the blue-haired female knight.

'Cecelia,' Blaze echoed her name in my thoughts.

Her gaze locked onto the fallen prince, and in an instant, she drew her blade, the metallic glint catching the light.