When they arrived at the library, Emily slowed down, her steps hesitant. Northern stopped too, turning to face her with that same calm, unreadable gaze.
"Something's bothering you," he said, voice steady, more like a statement than a question.
Emily bit her lip, her fingers twisting together nervously before she nodded. "Why… why did you reject that girl? She only wanted to be friends with you."
Northern tilted his head slightly, his crimson eyes unflinching. "Not because she and I share the same thought means we are the same. I don't like her. That's enough reason."
Emily's shoulders sagged. She nodded slowly, not pushing further. Northern narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is that all?"
"Yes," Emily said softly, then frowned suddenly, her eyes shifting past him. "Wait… someone's coming."
Before Northern could turn, a tall boy flanked by four others walked toward them with arrogant strides. His grin was mocking, his eyes filled with disdain.
"Well, well. Look who we have here," the boy drawled. "The weakling who thinks he's smarter than the teacher."
His friends chuckled darkly as they closed in, their presence heavy with hostility.
Emily stepped forward, her voice trembling. "Stop it! Leave him alone!"
One of the boys sneered and shoved her roughly. She stumbled and fell hard to the ground, her palms scraping against the stone floor.
Northern's crimson eyes widened. For the first time, his calm cracked. He clenched his fists, rage burning inside him like fire—but there was nothing he could do. His body, his lack of ability, bound him like chains.
The tall boy raised his fist, ready to strike Northern across the face. His friends leaned forward, eager to watch the humiliation unfold.
Then suddenly—
A flash of light seared through the air. A sharp crackle echoed, followed by a blast of energy that sent the tall boy stumbling back. Sparks danced across the ground as the air filled with the smell of ozone.
All of them froze.
The girl from earlier stood a few feet away, her eyes sharp and glowing with faint blue light. Electricity danced across her fingertips, crackling like caged thunder.
"I don't remember giving you trash permission to touch him," she said coldly, her voice carrying authority that made even the tall boy falter.
Northern's gaze shifted toward her, expression unreadable, but his crimson eyes glinted faintly—as though he were seeing something more than what stood before him.
The tall boy's face twisted with anger as sparks of lightning still lingered in the air around the girl's hands. He stepped forward, fists clenched, and demanded, "Why are you defending that weakling? He's nothing but a waste."
The girl stood her ground, her eyes sharp and unwavering. "Leave," she said firmly, ignoring his question.
For a moment, it seemed as though he might attack her too, but her steady gaze and the crackling electricity around her fingers made him hesitate. With a deep scowl, he finally turned away. "This isn't over," he muttered before signaling his friends. They all followed him, their mocking laughter echoing faintly down the corridor.
Silence followed.
Northern's gaze shifted toward Emily, who was still on the ground, shaken. He bent slightly, extending a hand to her. She hesitated, then accepted it, rising to her feet.
He turned his attention to the girl, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. "Why did you help me?"
The girl smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Because… I wanted us to be friends."
Northern's expression didn't soften. His reply was immediate, almost cold. "Not because we share the same thought makes us the same. I don't want that."
He turned away, his coat brushing lightly as he moved. The girl's smile faltered, but she didn't say anything.
As he walked off, his voice floated back without him looking over his shoulder. "Thank you."
The girl blinked, stunned by his words. Emily glanced at her, then hurried after Northern, leaving the girl standing in the hallway with a conflicted look in her eyes.
They didn't go to the library again. Instead, Northern and Emily walked in silence through the corridor, the echo of their steps hollow against the polished floor. Emily held her arm tightly against her side, wincing each time she moved.
At the school clinic, Northern pushed the door open and guided her in. The nurse, an older woman with sharp glasses resting low on her nose, looked up from her desk.
"She's hurt," Northern said simply, nodding toward Emily.
The nurse gestured to the bed. "Sit." She examined Emily carefully, wrapping the bruised arm and giving her a mild salve for the swelling. Emily flinched under her touch but remained quiet, sneaking occasional glances at Northern, who stood by the door with his hands in his pockets, his face unreadable.
"You'll be fine," the nurse assured her after a while. "Just avoid straining it."
When they left the clinic, neither spoke. They returned to class, slipping back into their seats as if nothing had happened. A few students glanced at them but quickly looked away, whispers already circling about the incident earlier in the hallway.
The lessons dragged on until the final bell rang. As the other students hurried out, chatting and laughing, Northern and Emily quietly packed their things. They walked together toward the front gates, where rows of carriages waited to take students home.
Northern lifted his hand, signaling one of the drivers. The man quickly pulled his carriage closer, and Northern helped Emily inside before stepping in himself.
The carriage wheels began to turn, the steady clatter of hooves echoing along the cobbled street. Inside, silence filled the small space. Emily rested her wrapped arm on her lap, gazing out of the window at the fading light of the evening. Northern sat opposite her, his eyes half-closed, expression calm but distant.
The ride felt strangely long, the gentle rocking of the carriage only amplifying the unspoken weight between them. When the carriage finally stopped in front of their house, they both came down and Northern payed before guiding Emily to the house.
Once they entered, he went straight into his room without a word, his steps heavy. The humiliation from earlier still burned in his chest, like a wound that refused to heal. He clenched his fists as he sat at the edge of his bed, his jaw tightening. If only he had an ability, then things would have been different. Emily wouldn't have been pushed down, and he wouldn't have stood there helpless, forced to rely on someone else's mercy.
"I'll pay them back," he whispered under his breath, his eyes dark with determination. "One day… I'll make sure they regret ever laying a hand on her."
After some time, he rose, pushed aside the bitter thoughts, and went to take his bath. The cold water against his skin helped clear his mind, though the resolve in his heart only grew stronger. When he finished dressing, he stepped out of the room quietly.
Emily was in the corridor, waiting. Her hands were folded nervously in front of her, but the moment she saw him, her face brightened.
"Northern… I prepared dinner for you," she said softly, her voice hopeful.
But he only shook his head. "Have yours first. Then go to bed. I want to take a walk outside."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Can I come with you?" she asked quickly, almost as if she feared being left behind.
He paused, glancing at her only briefly. "No. I want to be alone."
Emily's shoulders sank, but she forced a smile. "Alright… then don't stay out too long."
Northern gave no answer and walked toward the door. Emily watched his back until he disappeared into the night. Slowly, she lowered her gaze, clutching her hands together.
She felt useless. Weak. She couldn't even protect herself, let alone stand beside him when he needed someone. The sadness weighed heavy on her chest, and as the house grew quiet, she wished more than anything that she had the strength not to be a burden.