"Instructor Storik, we've put the equipment away."
One of the third-years pulled me out of my quiet stare at the clear blue sky.
"You're dismissed," I said, lighting a cigarette and tilting my head back again.
It was still cold—but there was something in the air.
Spring.
And with it, another one of those staged demonstrations.
I should've started picking candidates already… but paperwork had never inspired me. I always left it for last.
"Storik!"
That voice.
Cold. Sharp.
I grimaced before even turning.
"Silius. What the hell are you doing here in person?"
"You've finished your classes. No one's around," he said, gesturing lazily at the empty training grounds.
"That doesn't mean no one can show up. I don't need rumors spreading because we're seen together. It won't do your reputation any favors either."
"You mean our reputation."
"I only joined because Holivan wouldn't stay out of it. Someone has to keep an eye on him."
"Still talking like his mother," Clyde said dryly. "Speaking of him—that's why I'm here. Holivan's ignoring my calls again."
"Maybe you've just worn him out."
"I have a bad feeling," he said—and this time there was nothing casual in his voice.
I didn't answer.
Just pulled out my phone and dialed Alan.
Nothing.
"Looks like he's back to muting his phone," I muttered. "Is this urgent—or just another one of your pointless errands?"
"Do you know where he is?"
"No. But I can find out."
I opened the tracking app—
—and Silius leaned in, his blond head blocking half the screen.
"You put a tracker on his phone?" he asked, genuine surprise slipping through.
"He's been acting off. I took precautions," I said, pushing him aside and focusing on the display.
"…That's not good."
"What?"
"His phone's in the archive wing. Basement level."
"You're sure?" Silius frowned.
"Look for yourself," I snapped, shoving the screen toward him.
"Thanks."
He turned to leave.
"You're going there?"
"Not your concern."
"I'm coming."
I crushed the cigarette under my heel and followed.
I couldn't stand that arrogant bastard—
but for Holivan, I'd tolerate him.
I'd asked myself more than once why I kept stepping in for that kid.
Why I couldn't just leave him alone.
The answer was simple.
Hope.
Something I'd buried a long time ago.
He was born into everything I despised—
and still wanted to become something better.
Something I'd once wanted to be myself.
He stood between two sides of the hidden world—
and refused to break.
I wanted him to make it.
Even if the odds were a fucking joke.
Maybe that's why I kept trying to shield him.
To keep him from breaking.
While I still could.
—
"Did you hear that?" Silius said suddenly, stopping in the middle of the dark basement corridor.
We both froze.
Then—
a scream.
Raw.
Torn straight out of someone's throat.
Alan.
I knew it instantly.
My body locked.
I turned to Silius—
and for the first time, I saw something real on his face.
He'd gone pale.
Eyes wide.
Fear.
We moved at the same time.
The door was locked.
"Please—stop!" a girl's voice cried from inside.
I didn't think.
I drove my power into the door—
splintering it off its hinges.
"What the hell is going on here?!"
I stepped inside—
and stopped.
I knew it would be bad.
I knew he was in trouble.
But not like this.
He was on the floor.
Wrists bound behind his back.
Legs chained.
Clothes torn.
His body covered in blood.
Broken.
Completely defenseless.
A man stood over him—
half-dressed—
one hand gripping his hip, forcing him up—
ready to keep going.
Alan didn't move.
Didn't fight.
He had nothing left.
The man let go—
and Alan's body dropped back onto the floor like something already used up.
His thighs—
streaked with blood.
And more than blood.
Something inside me snapped.
Rage flooded everything.
I moved before I could think.
There was only one thing left in my head.
Kill them.
All of them.
"Stop, Storik!" Silius shouted, grabbing my arm.
I turned and swung—
he caught my fist mid-strike.
"Get a grip! You're a teacher! If you kill them, you're finished!"
"I don't give a damn!" I snarled, wrenching free.
"And what happens to him if you are?!" Clyde snapped.
I froze.
Turned.
Looked at him.
And saw it.
The same rage.
The same need to tear them apart.
Burning in his eyes.
But he was holding it back.
Because he was thinking.
About consequences.
About Alan.
I looked back at the boy on the floor.
He hadn't even reacted to us.
"…Get the fuck out," I said through clenched teeth.
They didn't argue.
One by one, they left.
I stood there, fists clenched so hard they hurt, forcing myself not to move.
If I killed them now—
I'd lose everything.
My position.
My access.
My chance to stay near him.
To help him survive this.
I couldn't afford that.
—
I didn't go to him right away.
I couldn't.
I just stood there—
staring at that broken body—
unable to move.
Footsteps pulled me back.
Silius moved first, crouching beside Alan, fingers pressing to his neck.
"He's alive," he said.
Only then did I realize—
I hadn't been breathing.
"Help Hwon," he added, already pulling off his jacket.
I snapped back, cutting through the ropes binding the girl.
She collapsed to the floor—
but I was already breaking the chains on Alan's wrists and ankles.
The moment they gave way, Silius carefully turned him onto his back, pulled what was left of his clothes into place, lifted him, and wrapped him in his jacket.
"He… he…" Hwon whispered, shaking violently. "He tried to protect me. This is my fault…"
"Of course it is," Clyde said coldly, not even looking at her. "I warned you, Hwon. Are you satisfied now?"
She broke.
Completely.
"Enough, Silius. She's a victim too."
"They didn't touch me," she sobbed, shaking her head. "He wouldn't let them. He stopped them. He saved me… He shouldn't have come… God, Alan… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"