Classes ended later that afternoon, and students slowly began leaving Nova High.
Kai walked through the hallway quietly, ignoring the whispers around him.
"Did you see the arena fight?"
"Yeah… that powerless guy got destroyed."
Kai sighed.
At least they believe it, he thought.
He was about to leave the school when someone suddenly spoke behind him.
"Kai."
Kai stopped.
He turned around slowly.
Standing there was Zara, the Queen of Nova High.
Students nearby immediately became quiet.
The Queen rarely talked to anyone outside the Top Ten.
Kai blinked. "Uh… hi?"
Zara crossed her arms and studied him carefully.
"You lost badly today," she said.
Kai shrugged. "Yeah… I'm not very strong."
Zara continued staring at him like she was trying to read his thoughts.
Then she suddenly said, "Walk with me."
Kai looked confused.
"Why?"
"Just walk."
Kai didn't really have a choice.
The two of them walked outside the school together.
Students stared in shock as they passed.
"Why is the Queen walking with that powerless guy?"
"Does she know him?"
Kai rubbed the back of his neck.
"This is kind of awkward."
Zara ignored the comment.
After a moment, she asked, "Why did you come to Nova High?"
Kai looked at the sky.
"Just… transferred schools."
"That's not what I asked," Zara replied calmly.
Kai smiled slightly.
"You ask a lot of questions."
Zara stopped walking.
Her eyes were serious.
"Because something about you doesn't make sense."
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"I've seen many weak students," she said. "But none of them stay calm while being beaten."
Kai chuckled softly.
"Maybe I'm just used to it."
Zara stared at him for a few seconds.
Then she started walking again.
"Tomorrow," she said.
Kai frowned. "Tomorrow what?"
"I want to see you fight again."
Kai sighed.
This girl is trouble, he thought.
But he followed her anyway.
Because the Queen of Nova High had just taken an interest in him.
And that was the last thing Kai wanted.