The hallway crackled with tension.
Charles, clutching Kaira's red boots in one hand, felt his pulse racing—not just from the threat of the three guys in brown tunics, but from the certainty that this could make his already precarious situation worse.
Asriel, his face red with fury and frustration, took a step forward, his eyes locked on Charles.
"I'm sick of your attitude!" he growled, his tone dripping with contempt.
He turned to the short-haired guy.
"Dren, teach him a lesson. Make him learn respect!"
Dren let out a snicker, clearly thrilled by the order.
"Gladly," he said, cracking his knuckles.
Without wasting time, Dren lunged at Charles, shoving both hands toward his chest, aiming to knock him to the ground.
The move was more about humiliation than harm, but Charles reacted on instinct.
He sidestepped, dodging the shove with a fluid motion, his free hand rising, ready to swing back.
But his arm froze mid-motion.
