The cafeteria bustled with its usual chaos, but one corner stood out amidst the noise. Crystal sat alone, surrounded by her former classmates from Beta Class. Their laughter and taunts echoed through the room as they closed in on her, their words dripping with mockery. At the center of the group stood Aristotle, his smug demeanor commanding attention as always.
"Look at her," Aristotle said, his voice loud enough for the entire cafeteria to hear. "From the top of Beta Class to Epsilon. I guess your so-called rare Tay isn't so rare after all."
The others laughed, their jeers blending into a cacophony of cruelty.
"Maybe she just couldn't handle the pressure," one of them added.
"She's probably just weak," another chimed in, smirking.
Crystal, sitting with her hands folded in her lap, kept her gaze steady. Her bright red eyes burned with defiance, but she refused to say a word, knowing that engaging them would only fuel their mockery.
The scene caught the attention of everyone in the cafeteria, including Alex, who had just entered. His sharp eyes immediately locked onto the group, and his expression darkened when he saw Aristotle at the center of it. Memories of their school days together surfaced—memories of Aristotle's arrogance and condescension.
Without hesitation, Alex made his way across the cafeteria. The chatter died down as students noticed his approach, a ripple of curiosity spreading through the room.
"What's going on here?" Alex's voice cut through the air, calm but laced with a cold edge.
The group turned to face him, their laughter faltering. Aristotle raised an eyebrow, a smirk still playing on his lips.
"Well, well," Aristotle said, folding his arms. "If it isn't Alex Wallace. Didn't think you'd bother stepping up for someone else."
Alex ignored him, his gaze fixed on Crystal. "You okay?" he asked, his tone softening slightly.
Crystal gave a small nod, her expression unreadable.
Aristotle laughed, drawing attention back to himself. "Really, Alex? Defending her? You're full of surprises today."
Alex finally turned his attention to Aristotle, his eyes narrowing. "Walk away," he said, his voice low but commanding.
Aristotle chuckled, shaking his head. "Come on, Alex. We're just having a bit of fun. No harm in that, right?"
"I wasn't asking," Alex replied, taking a step closer. His tone carried an unspoken threat, and the room seemed to grow colder.
The tension in the air was palpable. Aristotle hesitated, his confident facade cracking under Alex's unwavering stare. Finally, he raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Fine. Whatever," he said, stepping back. "Let's go."
The group reluctantly followed him, their taunts and laughter fading as they left the cafeteria.
---
Crystal looked up at Alex, her red eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and gratitude. "You didn't have to do that," she said softly.
Alex shrugged, his expression neutral. "I didn't do it for you. I just can't stand people like them."
Crystal's lips curved into a faint smile. "Thanks anyway."
Alex nodded and turned to leave, but as he walked away, he could feel her gaze lingering on him.
---
Later that day, the academy released the matching board for the upcoming mid-term competition. The announcement spread like wildfire, and students rushed to the digital boards displayed across the campus to see who their opponents would be.
Alex joined the crowd, scanning the list for his name. When he found it, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Alex Vonn vs. Sarah Valen
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "This is going to be fun," he murmured to himself.
Around him, students were buzzing with excitement, discussing the matchups and placing bets on who would come out on top.
"Sarah's going to crush whoever she's up against," someone said confidently.
"Yeah, she's one of the top Delta Class students. Whoever her opponent is doesn't stand a chance."
Alex ignored the chatter, his focus entirely on the challenge ahead. He knew Sarah's abilities well—she was strong, skilled, and had a powerful Tay. But what they didn't know was that Alex wasn't the same person they thought he was.
He clenched his fist, feeling the power of his Shadow Tay pulsing within him. This was his chance to prove himself, not just to the academy but to himself.
As he walked away from the board, his mind was already strategizing. He would need to be careful, especially since his powers were still a secret. But one thing was certain: he wasn't planning on losing.
---
The next morning, Alex arrived at the training grounds early. The air was crisp and cool, and the sky was painted with hues of pink and orange as the sun rose. He stood in the center of the field, his shadow stretching long behind him.
Closing his eyes, he focused on the energy coursing through him. The Shadow Orb had grown stronger, and with it, his abilities had evolved. He could feel the power of his new skill, Shadow Strike, waiting to be unleashed.
Alex raised his hand, summoning a small wisp of shadow energy. It danced in his palm, flickering like a living flame.
"I won't lose," he said quietly, his voice firm.
The mid-term competition was just the beginning, and Alex was determined to rise above the expectations—and doubts—of everyone around him.
This time, he would show them all who he truly was.