The university office smelled of polished wood and faint coffee.
Cyrus leaned against the edge of the principal's desk, trying to mask his irritation with casual smirks. He had tried intimidation before—quiet threats, subtle manipulations, even showing up near Jay—but today was different.
Today, he was alone.
And Keifer was present.
"Cyrus," the principal began, voice tight, "we need to discuss your behavior."
Cyrus waved a hand dismissively. "I've done nothing wrong. It's just a misunderstanding."
A shadow fell across the doorway.
Keifer stepped in. Quietly. Calmly. One movement, one glance, and the entire office seemed to lean toward him. His presence wasn't loud—it didn't have to be. The air itself shifted.
Cyrus froze.
Keifer's gaze swept over him like a blade. "You know exactly why you're here," he said, voice low and controlled. "And you know exactly what happens to people who continue harassing a student despite repeated warnings."
Cyrus opened his mouth. Closed it again. Tried a smirk. But it faltered under Keifer's stare.
"I've explained the situation to the administration," Keifer continued. "You've repeatedly crossed boundaries, ignored direct requests, and created a hostile environment for a student. That ends today."
Cyrus' face flushed. "I… I didn't mean—"
"You didn't mean anything," Keifer said evenly, stepping closer. "Intent doesn't matter here. Actions do. And your actions have consequences."
The principal cleared his throat. "We've reviewed the evidence, witness statements, and repeated complaints. Considering the severity of your behavior, we're expelling you from the university immediately."
Cyrus' jaw tightened. He opened his mouth again, but Keifer's gaze pinned him. Silent. Absolute. Immovable.
"No," Keifer said softly. One word. But it carried a weight that crushed the last of Cyrus' bravado. "You do not speak."
Cyrus swallowed hard. He looked down at the papers the principal slid toward him—expulsion documents. His hands trembled slightly as he signed.
Keifer didn't move. He just stood there, letting the silence fill the room, letting the weight of his presence do what words could not.
Once it was over, Keifer turned to Jay, who had been waiting quietly in the corner. Her eyes were wide, a mixture of awe and relief.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
Jay nodded, voice barely a whisper. "I… I am now."
Keifer placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Good. Because no one will ever cross your boundaries again. Not him. Not anyone."
Outside, students whispered. Some glanced at Cyrus, walking away humiliated. Some looked at Keifer, eyes wide with respect, almost fear. One word from him, one presence, and the university had obeyed.
Jay realized, quietly, that she had never felt so safe, so protected—not because of rules, or luck, or force—but because Keifer simply existed, and anyone who threatened her knew they could not stand against him.
And in that moment, she knew it would stay that way.