The next day, we resumed our usual routine. After breakfast, we headed to school. Letisha brought up what happened the night before, but I brushed it off, pretending he was just mistaken. I couldn't let both of us get locked down — it was too risky. Since I was the target, it was better if she stayed away from me.
On the way, Liam and his lackeys walked ahead, as always. I already had enough problems, so I kept my head down, hoping to go unnoticed.
It worked... until we passed the passball ground.
Lucky me — a ball came flying out of nowhere and smacked me right in the forehead.
I stumbled and fell, dizzy but still conscious. Of course, Liam and his crew burst out laughing.
The guy who threw the ball rushed over. He grabbed my hand to help me up. He was tall — seriously tall — maybe two meters. Brown skin, brown eyes, and this panicked look like he'd just hit a kitten.
"Are you alright? Should we go to the infirmary? Do you feel dizzy? Can you see properly—?"
I didn't catch half of what he said. I was too shocked by how tall he was. "Wow," slipped out of my mouth.
The tall guy froze, then suddenly laughed and wrapped an arm around my neck, playfully ruffling my hair.
"Hey, your forehead's practically a red traffic light, not a green one!"
I blinked, stunned by the sudden closeness. He was acting like we were… friends? I fumbled for words, flustered.
"No, I'm fine. Just… be careful when you play."
He was definitely strong — his thick arms almost crushed me when he laughed — but then he let go, scooped up the ball, and jogged back toward the field.
"See you later," he called with a wave.
I didn't think much of the words, but his friendly attitude left a weird warmth in my chest. I actually smiled.
Then I noticed Liam and his group watching.
I turned away quickly and started walking. But before I could get far, someone yanked me back by the collar—
And a fist slammed straight into my face.
I hit the ground hard, rolling like a clumsy ball. The guy who punched me towered over me, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Don't you have eyes? How dare you walk in front of us—"
He didn't finish. The others were already laughing as they walked away.
As always, everyone else looked away. No one ever stepped in.
Ouch.
Now my cheek matched my forehead — both glowing red.
I let out a quiet laugh.
Yeah. Nothing had changed.
I was waiting for my last lesson to start, just fiddling with my pen. It slipped right out of my hand and hit the floor, so I crouched down to grab it.
Then I heard someone call out,
"Hey man, Noa! What's up?"
I looked up, kinda startled.
"Oh… the baseball guy," I blurted without meaning to.
Ryan laughed as he walked over.
"That's my nickname, huh?"
I stood up, clutching my pen, and looked him straight in the eye.
"How do you know my name?"
He shrugged like it was no big deal.
"Dude, you're the top student. Everyone knows."
Before I could say anything else, he slipped behind me and gave me a quick shove toward the cafeteria.
"Wha? Where?"
"Come on, let's go!"
I stumbled after him, confused but curious.
At the cafeteria, I slid into a seat while Ryan disappeared. He came back a minute later carrying a tray piled high with food and plopped it in front of me.
"Here's the peace offering," he said, tapping the tray with a smirk.
He sat down across from me.
"Oh, by the way, I'm Ryan."
I eyed the mountain of food nervously.
"Uh… isn't this a bit much?"
He smiled.
"Nah, it's just for peace making."
I took a bite, and wow, it was delicious.
"You know, this is really good."
Ryan chuckled.
I looked over at him.
"You're not eating?"
He flinched, kinda awkward.
"No, no, I already ate."
I noticed the vibe but didn't want to push it. So I stood up, grabbed an empty tray, and loaded half my food onto it.
Ryan looked confused.
I set the tray in front of him.
"I really can't eat this all alone. If this is a peace offering, how about you eat with me? Otherwise, I might not accept it."
He looked surprised, then smiled shyly.
He started eating, awkward at first, but after a while, he relaxed, and we just talked.
I spent the afternoon with Ryan, and it was... different. He told me his brother actually teaches at our school — I had no idea! Turns out, Ryan was also the baseball team captain, which explained a lot.
I loved listening to him. He could talk for hours, and I was happy to listen. He seemed genuinely excited, and for once, I felt like someone really enjoyed talking to me.
When the bell rang, we both realized it was time to head back.
"Man, you're fun," Ryan said, looking a little bummed.
"By the way," he added, "would you ever consider joining the baseball team?"
I felt a little suspicious and replied, "So, you wasted all this time just to recruit me?"
He laughed nervously. "No, no, not really... I mean, look at these arms," he said teasingly, flexing his thin arms. "Don't they look like they're gonna break down a wall?"
Then he tilted his head slightly. "Wanna hang out after school too?"
I was shocked but liked the idea. At the same time, I worried he'd eventually ditch me.
"Well, bud, thanks for the invite, but no thanks," I said, grabbing my bag.
His eyes lit up like a supernova.
"Bud???? ✨"
I hurried to class before he could catch me.
I had a feeling he might be a bit much, but this could be the best day ever. I wasn't all alone at school after all.
...
The weight of yesterday was still clinging to me by the time the final bell rang. My chest felt tight, and every sound in the hallway grated on my nerves.
I grabbed my bag and slipped out as fast as I could, taking a different route—quieter, out of sight.
My feet moved on their own, leading me toward Letisha's school. I didn't even think about it—just went.
I waited near the gate, watching the students trickle out. One of her friends came out, and I approached her, asking about Letisha.
She simply said Letisha had already gone home.
I felt my stomach drop. "Is she with Mark?" I asked quietly.
She shook her head.
I didn't even reply. My hands were already in my pockets, pulling out my phone.
I called Mark.
No answer.
Another call. Still nothing.
Panic clawed up my throat. My legs moved before my brain caught up. I checked the usual roads, hoping she just took a different route. Maybe she was fine. Maybe this was all in my head.
And then—there. I spotted her up ahead, carrying two huge bags. Groceries?
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. She was okay. I started walking faster, relief flooding my body.
But suddenly, unannouncly, Big men, all in black, towering and silent. They surrounded Letisha like a pack closing in, too fast for anyone to react.
One of them—tall, built like a wall—grabbed her from behind and yanked her toward him. She kicked, screamed, struggled. Then I saw it—his hand rising with a cloth, aiming for her face.
My heart dropped as I watched all of this.
They were trying to knock her out.
They were trying to take her.
"TIA!" I shouted, and before I even thought, I charged.
I pushed out everything I had left. The impact wasn't small—it launched the man backward like a cannon hit him. His body slammed into the wall with a deafening crack, drilling straight into it until the surface split and crumbled around him.
His grip on Letisha broke just long enough for her to slip free.
But the others?
There were still four, maybe five, just as big—bigger, maybe. And they all turned their heads toward me at once.
I didn't even have time to think before I was rushing to her.
When I reached her, Letisha grabbed onto my clothes. The world started spinning, dizzying me. My body was shaking all over, and I was too weak to stand. I began to fall.
She tried to hold me up, gripping my arms tightly, but she was trembling too much.
We both collapsed to the ground.
"Brother!" she cried, her voice full of fear.
I couldn't even answer. My breathing was too rough. Everything felt slow. Distant.
And then it shifted.
The air.
Her mana.
When I looked at her, my heart broke.
Her eyes were crimson. Blood tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Tia… no!" I said hoarsely, but she wasn't listening anymore.
Her power was rising.
The huge men saw it too. They hesitated, but only for a moment. Then they moved in—fast. Ready to finish the job before things spiraled out of their control.
And maybe they would've.
But they never got the chance.
In an instant, they hit the ground.
Like gravity itself crushed them.
Their bodies slammed down hard, groaning, coughing—some of them bleeding. None of them could move. It was like something invisible pinned them to the pavement.
And then I heard it.
Footsteps.
Slow. Calm. Heavy like they carried the weight of something powerful.
He stepped out from the far end of the street. Out of the shadows.
The man from yesterday.
That calm, sharp presence. That ridiculous confidence. He hadn't even broken a sweat.
His aura alone made it hard to breathe.
Behind him, a few others followed—his men. They spread out quickly, following his silent command, already cleaning up the mess like it was routine.
I looked down. Letisha's power was already fading. Her breathing steadied.
I looked up at him again, heart still hammering.
"…Old man," I muttered under my breath.
He turned slightly, met my eyes.
"That's Lord Thorne to you, kid."