"Easy," she said softly, lowering the trembling student back onto solid ground.
The other students nearby froze, mouths open. Some were staring at her as if she had performed a miracle.
"Thanks…" the student whispered, still wide-eyed.
Emily brushed off her sleeve casually. "Watch your footing next time. That's all."
No one knew how close they had come to a serious injury. No one realized the split-second calculations she had made to keep them safe.
---
From the edge of the court, Perry leaned against the fence, arms crossed, his gaze following her every movement. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Quick reflexes," he said, stepping forward. "But you didn't even break a sweat."
Emily glanced at him, expression calm. "I've had worse to handle," she replied lightly.
"Really now?" His gray eyes flickered with curiosity. "And yet you still make it look effortless."
She said nothing, returning her attention to the students, who were beginning to murmur among themselves. Some of their whispers carried a mix of awe and caution.
> She's… different, one of them muttered.
Too skilled… it's unsettling, another added.
---
Later, Emily walked back toward the main building, keeping her movements deliberate. She could feel the lingering eyes of some students following her, some curious, some wary. She ignored them.
Her life had taught her long ago that attention can be dangerous, and that a calm exterior is the strongest shield.
From the shadows near the entrance, Perry's voice followed her quietly. "Not bad for your first day back."
Emily didn't look at him. "It's only the beginning," she said softly.
He stayed behind, watching, already knowing that the calm exterior hid far more than anyone at this school could imagine.
---
The afternoon sun had dipped low, turning the academy grounds into a maze of long shadows. Emily walked toward the back courtyard, her backpack slung loosely over one shoulder, mind already calculating paths, exits, and potential trouble spots.
She didn't have to wait long.
---
A small group of students—three boys and a girl—cornered a younger student near the storage shed. The victim's face was pale, eyes wide, and they were backed against the shed, unable to escape.
Emily's first instinct was to assess. Nothing in this school should get violent… yet here it was.
Without announcing herself, she moved. Step by step, silently, positioning herself between the aggressors and the younger student.
"Hey!" she called, her voice calm but carrying an authority that made heads snap toward her.
The four students turned, surprised. "Who are you?" one of them demanded, smirking, thinking this was easy intimidation.
Emily tilted her head slightly, lips curved faintly. "You don't need to hurt anyone."
The smirk faltered. Something in her stance, the ease of her movement, the confidence—it was unsettling.
---
One of the boys lunged, trying to scare her. Emily's reflexes were instantaneous: a small sidestep, a gentle but firm push redirected him off balance. He stumbled backward, crashing into the grass.
The others hesitated.
Emily didn't move quickly, but her presence alone was enough. Her calm control, the precise way she positioned herself, and the subtle authority in her gaze made them reconsider.
"Leave," she said softly. "All of you. Walk away, now."