It was the second day of the weekend—bright and sunny, just like the one before. Clear skies, busy streets, and the usual city hum.

  Except the air felt tight.

  The news of the armed forces raiding a big criminal hideout spread like wildfire. More than fifty people were arrested. Some were found knocked out in an alley.

  The mayor became busy with press conferences to reassure the citizens. The aftermath of last night's disaster was evident.

  It was already past 9 A.M.

  Cassie slowly opened her eyes, disoriented, lying on her bed.

  For a whole minute, she stared at the ceiling, wondering if everything that had happened last night was just a bad dream.

  She let out a long sigh and reached for her phone beside her pillow. As soon as the screen turned on, her eyes fell on a notification about a message from Julianna nearly two hours ago.

  She opened the text chat.

  Julianna: “Do pay me a visit at the student council office after you two are well rested. It's important.”

  “Just woke up. Be right there,” Cassie replied and quickly got off the bed.

  She freshened up, still in her pajamas, and went to the kitchen, where their family maid was already cooking breakfast.

  “Good morning, Erica,” Cassie greeted with a tired smile.

  “Good morning, Lady Lysandra,” Erica replied, bowing sincerely. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

  “Great. I'm starving,” Cassie said with a nod. “Where's Vi?”

  At the mention of Viara, Erica’s expression tightened.

  “She's having a mild fever, so she's still asleep,” she replied. “When I arrived this early morning, I found her shivering. So, I checked her temperature.”

  Cassie’s concern spiked. “Why didn’t she wake me…?” she murmured.

  “Please don’t worry,” Erica reassured quickly. “I’ve been tending to her since I arrived. Her fever has already gone down.”

  “I’m going to check on her.” Cassie moved toward Viara’s room.

  She pushed the door open quietly and approached the bedside. Viara was deep asleep. A thermometer lay beside her pillow. Cassie picked it up—100.2°F.

  She set it back down and took a seat in the chair Erica had placed by the bedside earlier while tending to Viara.

  Cassie watched Viara for a moment, searching for any signs of discomfort. Seeing none—her breathing soft and steady—Cassie gently adjusted the blanket and slipped out of the room.

  The door clicked shut. Cassie let out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful the fever wasn’t worsening.

  She went back to her room, changed into her spare school uniform—mandatory for anyone entering the academy zones—and headed for the front door.

  “My lady, your breakfast…” Erica called.

  Cassie paused, a twinge of unease crossing her features—eating without Viara felt wrong.

  “I’ve changed my mind. Not hungry,” she said, slipping on her shoes. “Take care of Vi while I’m out.”

  And with that, she hurried out, leaving Erica standing there with quiet concern.

  Cassie wasted no time and headed straight for the student council office. The hallways were mostly empty, with only a few students passing through for club activities.

  At the office, she knocked gently. “Enter,” Julianna’s voice called from inside.

  Cassie opened the door to find Julianna sitting on a sofa, quietly sipping tea.

  “Isn’t Elysia supposed to be with you?” Julianna asked, noticing Cassie alone.

  “She’s running a mild fever, but she’s almost recovered,” Cassie replied, closing the door with a soft click.

  “Oh, I see. I hope she feels better soon.” Julianna gestured to the opposite sofa. “Please, take a seat.”

  Cassie sat down, and Julianna poured her a cup of tea.

  “So, what is this about?” Cassie asked.

  “About last night, of course,” Julianna replied, handing over the cup. “Zen paid me a visit this morning.”

  Cassie’s eyes widened with curiosity. “He did? Did you get anything out of him?”

  Julianna sighed. “We spoke for a while, but he didn’t answer all my questions.”

  Cassie took a sip. “I believe it. That guy is so… secretive.”

  Julianna stirred her tea idly. “Given everything we witnessed last night, I find it at least somewhat reasonable.” She paused before continuing. “Have you heard about the armed raid?”

  “No?” Cassie raised an eyebrow.

  Julianna pulled up the news on her phone and handed it to her.

  Cassie read carefully. “An armed police raid at a major criminal hideout?”

  Suddenly, realization struck—Zen’s last words echoed in her mind: “The academy will take responsibility and investigate.”

  “Is he behind this raid?” she murmured. Her eyes flicked back to the screen.

  “Some were found unconscious in an alley,” she read aloud.

  Julianna set her cup down. “I do believe Zen saved Elysia, just as she described on our way back.”

  “But…” she continued, “I still can’t wrap my head around him taking down more than a dozen people in seconds. Not impossible, though.”

  Cassie’s grip on the phone tightened slightly. She exhaled. “I can’t believe it either.”

  “Try not to break my phone,” Julianna teased.

  Cassie relaxed, handing it back. “Sorry, got a little carried away.”

  She glanced up. “I also believe he saved Vi. But is he really that skilled a warrior?”

  Cassie stared at her reflection in the tea. “I need concrete proof. And answers.”

  “Why were we attacked? How did he know we were in trouble? Who were those androids?” she asked, mostly to herself.

  “I don’t know the answer to your first question myself,” Julianna said. “But the others—so far as I know—they knew we were in trouble because the mercenaries carried signal jammers, and the surveillance drone network in that area went down.”

  “And the androids?” Cassie pressed.

  “I asked about them too,” Julianna replied. “But Zen’s only answer was, ‘They’re friends.’”

  Cassie’s expression turned thoughtful. “I see.”

  Julianna crossed her legs and propped her chin on one hand. “If you have more questions, you’ll have to confront him directly. There’s only so much I can answer.”

  Cassie thought for a few seconds, then exhaled. “You’re right. I need to talk to him myself.” She looked up. “Can I have his contact information?”

  Julianna nodded. “Sure. I’ll send it in a text.”

  Cassie nodded back. “Great. I’ll get going, if there’s nothing else.”

  “Actually, there’s one more thing I almost forgot.” Julianna rose and disappeared into the other room.

  A few seconds later, she returned holding a black-and-fiery-orange scythe. “I believe this belongs to Elysia.”

  “Viara’s scythe? How is it here?” Cassie asked, standing immediately.

  “Zen gave it to me this morning and asked me to return it. Apparently, she lost it in the alley last night,” Julianna explained.

  Cassie held the scythe carefully. “Seems like she doesn’t even remember losing it. Thank you for returning it.”

  Julianna chuckled. “You should thank him, not me.”

  “Right…” Cassie murmured. “Now I definitely need to talk to him.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “Best of luck. I’ll keep you informed if I find out more,” Julianna said with a smile.

  “I’ll do the same,” Cassie replied, already moving toward the door.

  Julianna went ahead and opened it, and Cassie walked out, waving over her shoulder.

  Cassie quickly returned to her dorm and went straight into Viara’s room. She found her still asleep.

  Quietly, she placed the scythe in a corner and checked on Viara one last time before heading back to her own room.

  She sank into the kitchen chair, and Erica approached, hands clasped demurely.

  “My lady, would you like to have your breakfast now?”

  Cassie nodded. Erica gave a small bow before returning to the kitchen.

  Just then, Cassie’s phone pinged. A message from Julianna appeared with Zen’s contact information. She sent a quick thumbs-up emoji in reply, then opened a chat with Zen—but paused, unsure how to start the conversation.

  At the same time, Erica returned with a tray holding a sandwich, a fresh fruit salad, and black tea. She set it down quietly and left with a polite bow.

  Cassie remained lost in thought, pondering how to begin her first online conversation with Zen.

  Later in the morning, Zen and Madoka returned from the training grounds, both dressed in their gear tracksuits.

  Madoka took a sip from her energy drink—the one she was required to have twice daily to keep her Null powers in check.

  Zen’s attention was fully on his phone.

  “Reading something important?” Madoka asked.

  “A message from Commander Stelle,” he replied. “I’ve been summoned.”

  She smirked, unimpressed. “I’ll be waiting outside.”

  Zen slipped the phone into his pocket. “You could come with me. Not like you have anything better to do.”

  Madoka finished her drink and tossed the can into a nearby recycling bin. “I don’t think she’ll be happy about it.”

  “Don't worry about it,” he said. “It's nothing confidential.”

  Madoka’s eyes narrowed playfully. “Are you scared to confront her alone?”

  Zen exhaled. “You’re such a tease.”

  Madoka laughed.

  A short walk later, they stood in front of the Academy Director’s Office.

  Zen opened the door and stepped in without waiting—he didn’t need to.

  Inside, the room held a large desk, the director’s chair behind it, and two guest chairs at the front. Behind the director’s chair, a floor-to-ceiling window offered a clear view of the academy arenas.

  Commander Stelle sat in the chair, her posture precise. Medium-long brown hair flowed freely beneath her hat, and her uniform bore stars and badges that marked her rank and authority.

  Across from her, a young woman in her early twenties sat cross-legged, clad in an instructor tracksuit, long blonde hair visible beneath a backwards white cap.

  Zen approached as if this were a casual family reunion, Madoka trailing behind.

  Commander Stelle’s black eyes locked onto him. “You brought company?”

  “You didn’t ask me to come alone either,” he replied.

  She shook her head in resignation, letting the matter drop. “Anyway, Instructor Sayuri and I were just discussing the investigation reports of the armed raid last night.”

  Zen remained standing beside the desk, arms crossed, while Madoka took a seat beside Sayuri.

  “Didn’t expect to see you here,” he said without even looking at Sayuri.

  “Just because I’m usually busy doesn’t mean I’m unaware of what you’re up to from time to time,” she replied, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.

  Zen shifted his gaze to Madoka, who offered a teasing smirk.

  “I’m obliged to keep her updated,” she said.

  “Not surprised,” he replied, deadpan.

  Commander Stelle cleared her throat, cutting through the banter. “Back to the matter at hand.”

  Everyone’s attention shifted to her as she pulled up a report on her laptop.

  “According to the findings, the criminal group was a hastily assembled band of mercenaries with long-standing records. No higher authority seems to be behind them.”

  “Well, that’s a relief,” Madoka said.

  “It is,” Commander Stelle agreed. “Their objective was to abduct Princess Lysandra and Princess Elysia and demand a substantial ransom. Miss Marcevelle was caught in the crossfire.”

  Zen smirked. “In my opinion, that actually turned out for the better. Her quick thinking bought just enough time for help to arrive.”

  Sayuri’s expression grew contemplative. “Lysandra, huh?”

  Madoka glanced her way. “You sound like you’ve got history with her.”

  Sayuri nodded once. “I do.”

  Zen leaned back against the wall. “Sayuri saved Lysandra’s life once. The Solheim family was beyond grateful—they even tried to hire her as the princess’s personal trainer.”

  Sayuri exhaled, almost tired of the memory. “They pushed the offer up to twelve million euros a year, plus bonuses, just to pull me away. But I can’t abandon my duty because someone waved a cheque. So, I refused under official orders.”

  Madoka raised a brow. “So that’s why the Solheims chose this academy of all places.”

  She added, “I always wondered if her wearing a cap like yours was a coincidence.”

  Commander Stelle chuckled. “That cap became Instructor Sayuri’s ‘battle crown’ during her rise in fame. Every academy has at least one student who imitates her. She is second only to the Apex on the global leaderboard, after all.”

  Sayuri’s gaze softened. “Lysandra has incredible potential. It’s a shame I can’t help her develop it.”

  “I agree,” Zen said. “She really does.”

  Sayuri smirked. “Then train her in my stead.”

  He smirked back. “Not recommended. I’m not as gentle as you.”

  Commander Stelle cleared her throat again, reclaiming the room. “I’ll send a formal report to the three students involved.”

  She continued typing as she spoke. “The girls complied with our advice not to inform their families, which avoids political pressure from the Solheim and Marcevelle households. And since the surveillance network in that area went down, there’s no live footage—so nothing leaks to the public. That concludes this discussion.”

  She looked up at Madoka. “The rank reassessment exams are approaching. I expect nothing less than excellence from you, Miss Fuyukawa.”

  Then she turned her attention to Zen. “As for you, Captain—since you’re registered as a transfer, you’re not required to participate. You may, if you choose.”

  “I’ll pass,” Zen replied.

  Commander Stelle returned to her laptop. “Very well. Dismissed.”

  Sayuri got up from her seat and walked toward the exit, with Madoka and Zen following after.

  Once outside, she turned to them both.

  “Best of luck, Madoka. And Zen…”

  She paused, studying him for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. Her voice shifted—still firm, but warmer, carrying that familiar, almost maternal concern.

  “There’s no point telling you this, but I’ll say it anyway. Don’t be so reckless.”

  “I’ll try,” Zen replied.

  Sayuri turned and walked off, waving a hand over her shoulder.

  Zen and Madoka headed in the opposite direction, back toward the dorms. Madoka’s gaze drifted across the empty school field when Zen’s phone suddenly pinged.

  He checked it. A message from an unknown number:

  “It’s Cassie. Meet me at Arena Two at 6:30 p.m., alone.”

  Zen didn’t think much and typed back a simple “Ok.”

  Madoka leaned in just enough to peek at his screen.

  “Oh? Another girl messaging you—and it’s Miss Solheim, no less. Aren’t you Mr. Popular?”

  She gave him a teasing grin.

  “Honestly, if we weren’t technically related, even I might fall for you. Luckily, now I know the absolute menace you are.”

  Zen shot her a side-eye. “…Shut up.”

  Madoka flicked his forehead and laughed.

  “Relax, idiot. Even if I did fall for you, you’d never notice.”

  The evening sky was washed in orange and faint pink, the last light of the day spilling gently across the empty arena.

  Zen stepped through the entrance gate and spotted Cassie standing at the center of the field, her eyes fixed on the setting sun.

  He walked over and stopped beside her, leaving a comfortable meter of space between them. For a moment, neither spoke. They simply stood there, sharing the quiet beauty of the sunset.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Cassie murmured. “I’ve never been in the arenas at this hour.”

  “Most people aren’t,” Zen replied.

  She glanced at him. He met her glance. A brief, calm silence stretched between them—one last moment of peace before the conversation she came for.

  Cassie exhaled softly. “Right on time.”

  “The least I can do is be punctual,” he said, arms crossing. “So… why are we here?”

  Her gaze lowered to the ground, thoughtful and tense. “To get some proper answers this time. And to thank you, of course.”

  She turned to face him. He mirrored her.

  “I’ll be direct,” she said, voice steady. “I don’t know who those androids were—and I know you won’t tell me either. But they listened to you, so I assume you sent them.”

  She took a small breath. “I’m truly grateful to you for saving us, especially Viara. And also, for returning her lost weapon.”

  She placed a hand over her chest, letting her sincerity show.

  “She's precious to me. I can't stand the thought of losing her.”

  Zen’s tone stayed cool but genuine. “I was only doing my job. But… you’re welcome.”

  Cassie straightened, exhaling. “Great. Now that that's out of the way...”

  A clicking sound split the air, and her gear deployed in an instant. Her twin-bladed staff formed in her hands, and she pointed it at him. “According to Viara, you knocked out more than a dozen people in mere seconds last night.”

  Zen tilted his head, unfazed. “And? Your point?”

  Cassie’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “I find it hard to believe unless I see it myself. Prove yourself.”

  Zen shrugged. “You don’t have to believe it. No one’s forcing you.”

  Her grip tightened. “But I want to know. No, I NEED to know. Ignoring you is no longer an option.”

  Zen sighed. “I don’t have to prove anything.”

  Cassie’s voice sharpened. “I’m not letting you leave until you do. Gear up. You held back in our demo match, but no one’s here right now except us. Don’t hold back this time.”

  He stood still for a moment, then turned.

  “Oh no, you DON’T!” Cassie yelled, charging.

  She expected him to summon his weapon and parry—but what came next was beyond her anticipation.

  Zen moved aside with smooth speed, as if time itself slowed down. His right hand lightly held hers, applying gentle pressure that caused her to let go of her staff. The weapon clattered to the ground.

  He spun her hand behind her back, pinning it for less than a second before letting go. Three seconds. That’s all it took. Cassie hadn’t even processed what happened.

  A couple of silent seconds passed as she stared at her staff on the ground. Then, dizziness hit, her vision blurred, and her legs wavered. “My... head.”

  She almost fell face-first, but Zen caught her, holding her steady.

  Breathing heavily, clutching her head with her free hand, she whispered, “What... was that?”

  Zen helped her walk to a spectator bench at the edge of the arena field.

  He guided her to sit before taking a seat beside her.

  “Feeling better?” he asked.

  “A little dizzy,” she admitted.

  “I’m sorry,” Zen said. “I didn’t mean to overwhelm you.”

  She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, still clutching her head. “Just… how much are you really holding back?”

  Zen didn’t answer. He stared at the sky where the sun had set, and stars were beginning to dot the sky around the full moon.

  Cassie shook her head, shaking off the last traces of nausea. Her mind finally felt steady. She took a few deep breaths. “That feels better.”

  Her eyes followed Zen's gaze towards the sky.

  "So much happened in the past few days," she thought.

  "And even after I caused him so much trouble, he's still here, sitting beside me."

  She exhaled shakily. "Your kindness is your most dangerous weapon, Zen."

  Zen lingered by her side a little longer to make sure she was truly okay.

  Then he stood. “Can you make it back to the dorm safely, or do you want me to escort you?”

  Cassie rose after him. “I’ll be fine. I feel normal now.”

  “Great. I’ll be off then,” Zen said, turning to leave.

  “H-hey, wait!” she called.

  He paused and turned back. “What is it?”

  “Can I ask you something?” she said. “And I want an honest answer.”

  “Depends on the question,” he replied.

  She nodded, clearing her throat. “Are you… an apprentice of Sayuri-sensei, or are you here to become one?”

  Zen was silent for a moment before answering calmly, “No. I’m not here to be her apprentice.”

  “I see. So, I had the wrong idea,” Cassie murmured. “But… how do you have such a similar combat style?”

  “Two different people can develop similar styles,” he replied.

  She sighed. “You’re right. Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

  He turned to leave again. “Goodnight, then.”

  She quickly grabbed his wrist. “Wait—don’t go just yet.”

  Zen turned back, eyebrow slightly raised. Cassie’s cheeks tinged pink, but she held his gaze. “I… I just want to say something,” she admitted, taking a small, steadying breath.

  “I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I’m truly grateful for last night,” she continued, fidgeting with a strand of her hair. “Can we… be friends?”

  “N-not because I like you or anything!” she blurted, voice quick and defensive. “I just… don’t have many friends, and… I trust you. That’s all!”

  Zen regarded her quietly for a moment, then nodded. “Sure.”

  Her face broke into a bright, relieved smile. “Great!”

  She straightened, adopting a more daring grin. “And just so you know… I don’t know how strong you really are, but I’m going to train hard and stand side by side with you one day, not behind.”

  Zen’s eyes flicked up, a hint of surprise in his gaze. “Huh… bold. I like it.”

  He smirked, genuinely amused. “Then I guess I’ll have to help you catch up.”

  Cassie lifted her fist, meeting his. “Looking forward to it.”

  Under the vast, starry sky, bathed in soft moonlight, they collided fists—not just a gesture, but a silent promise. In that simple touch, the tension, the doubts, and the misunderstandings between them finally shattered, leaving something new in its place: trust, respect… and the spark of a real bond.