Maris stood silently in the middle of the quiet street.
For a few seconds, he didn’t know what to say.
Sophria was still waiting for his answer.
Maris looked at her.
Then at the small chocolate box in her hands.
He took a slow breath.
“I don’t want to break your childhood motivation.” Sophria blinked.
“My…
childhood motivation?” Maris nodded.
“You’ve liked me for a long time, right?” She nodded quietly.
“Then I don’t want to crush something you’ve carried for years.” He looked away for a moment.
“So…” His expression softened.
“From my side, it’s a yes.” Sophria’s eyes widened.
“But I don’t think we can go too far.” He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“Let’s just try.” Sophria didn’t say anything.
For a second, Maris wondered if she had misunderstood him.
Then— She rushed forward and hugged him.
Maris’s eyes widened.
“Whoa—” He froze.
His arms remained awkwardly at his sides.
He had expected excitement.
Maybe a smile.
Maybe another confession.
He hadn’t expected this.
Sophria’s heart was pounding.
Maris could feel how happy she was.
And strangely…
he felt happy too.
He thought, “When was the last time I felt something like this?” His expression softened.
Happiness.
Something he had almost forgotten.
For a brief moment, it wrapped around him again.
He slowly relaxed.
“Okay…” He awkwardly patted her shoulder.
“I said yes.
You can stop crushing me now.” Sophria laughed softly.
“Sorry.” “You don’t sound sorry.” “I’m not.” Maris smiled.
“Fair enough.” Neither of them noticed someone standing farther down the road.
Pinezoku had stopped walking.
He stared at them.
“That girl…” His eyes widened.
“Sophria?” He squinted.
“She has a boyfriend?” He looked at Maris.
“Who the hell is he?” Black hair.
School uniform.
A strange reddish-yellow gradient visible beneath the evening light.
But Pinezoku couldn’t recognize his face from that distance.
“I’ve never seen him before…” His expression tightened.
He clenched his jaw.
“This is going to be interesting.” — The Next Day — Rumors Spread Like Plague The moment Pinezoku entered the classroom, he wore a mischievous smile.
He leaned casually against a desk.
A few students immediately noticed.
“What are you smiling about?” Pinezoku looked around.
“Did you hear?” Everyone looked at him.
“Sophria Fruilder has a boyfriend.” Silence.
Then— “What?!” “Impossible!” “Who?” “Since when?” “She rejected everyone!” “Even the seniors!” Pinezoku smiled.
“Exactly.” The classroom became louder.
“Who is he?” “Is he from another class?” “Is he rich?” “Maybe he’s an Elite.” “Do you think he’s handsome?” A girl immediately said, “Obviously.” Another replied, “How do you know?” “Because Sophria chose him.” Pinezoku laughed.
“Relax.
We don’t even know what he looks like.” The classroom door opened.
Sophria walked inside.
Every head turned toward her.
She stopped.
“…Why is everyone looking at me?” Nobody answered.
Pinezoku grinned.
“Hey, Sophria.” She looked at him.
“Who is Mr.
Sophria Fruilder?” The class burst into laughter.
Sophria’s expression remained calm.
“That’s not funny.” Pinezoku shrugged.
“I’m just asking.” A student raised his hand dramatically.
“Is he handsome?” Another shouted, “Is he stronger than Melio?” Melio immediately looked up.
“Why am I being dragged into this?” The class laughed again.
Pinezoku leaned forward.
“But I know one thing.” He smiled.
“Her boyfriend isn’t Maris.” The laughter grew louder.
Someone looked toward Maris’s empty seat.
“Obviously not.” “Why would Sophria date him?” “He’s the weakest-looking guy here.” Melio’s expression hardened.
He slammed his fist onto the desk.
“Shut up, Pinezoku.” The room became quieter.
Pinezoku raised an eyebrow.
“So defensive.” He smiled.
“Did I touch a nerve?” Melio stared at him.
“You’re annoying.” Pinezoku laughed.
“And you’re predictable.” — Outside the Academy Meanwhile, Maris was nowhere near the classroom drama.
He stood outside the academy gates.
Still wearing his uniform.
His reddish-yellow gradient hair was slightly messy from training.
A crab-like beast screeched in front of him.
Maris cracked his knuckles.
“Come on.” The beast lunged.
Maris didn’t move.
At the last second, he stepped forward.
His knee struck the creature and sent it stumbling backward.
Maris immediately flipped backward.
Then spun.
His heel connected.
CRACK!
The creature collapsed.
Maris landed smoothly.
He looked down.
“That was easy.” A nearby policeman approached.
“Thanks a lot, kid.” Maris turned.
The policeman pointed toward the defeated creature.
“This thing escaped from a transportation cage.” Maris raised an eyebrow.
“You transport these things through the city?” “Unfortunately.” “Seems safe.” The policeman laughed awkwardly.
“Not exactly.” Maris glanced back toward the academy.
Something had caught his attention.
Noise.
Too much noise.
He could hear shouting coming from the classroom windows.
His expression changed.
He thought, “Something’s wrong.” He turned toward the academy.
“I should check.” — Back to Class When Maris entered the classroom, he immediately noticed the problem.
A circle of students had formed around Sophria.
“What is his name?” “Is he rich?” “Is he stronger than us?” “Is he from another academy?” A boy laughed.
“Or did he just pay you?” Sophria’s expression remained controlled, but her hands tightened.
Maris stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
“Hey, Pinezoku.” Everyone turned.
“What’s going on?” Pinezoku flinched.
Only for a second.
Then he laughed.
“Nothing serious.” He pointed toward Sophria.
“I just saw her with her boyfriend yesterday.” Maris looked at Sophria.
She looked uncomfortable.
His expression hardened.
He thought, “I promised I’d protect her.” He stepped forward.
“Then I will.” Maris moved between Sophria and the group.
“Enough.” The students became quiet.
“Leave her alone.” He looked around.
“Respect her personal space.” Nobody answered.
One boy finally scoffed.
“If you care that much…” He smirked.
“Why don’t you become her boyfriend?” Another laughed.
“Oh wait.” He pointed at Maris.
“You can’t.” The girls giggled.
“Yeah.” “Sophria dating Maris?” “Impossible.” Sophria stared quietly at Maris.
She smiled faintly.
She thought, “Idiots.” Her eyes softened.
“He is already right in front of you.” Pinezoku lowered his head.
His smile disappeared.
He looked toward Sophria.
For the first time, he noticed her expression.
She wasn’t enjoying the attention.
She was hurt.
Pinezoku swallowed.
He thought, “It’s my fault.” He looked at Maris.
“He is right.” His expression became serious.
“We shouldn’t interfere.” He looked back at Sophria.
“It’s her life.” A kid pointed toward him.
“You started the rumor.” He frowned.
“You’re stupid.” Pinezoku sighed.
“Yeah.” He scratched his head.
“Fair.” Before the situation could get any worse— BANG!
The classroom door slammed open.
Teacher Foshi stood there.
“Sit.” Everyone froze.
“Down.” Within seconds, every student was seated.
Foshi looked around.
“Much better.” Maris dropped into his chair.
He yawned.
“Urgh…” He rested his head on the desk.
“Boring studies.” Two seconds later— He was asleep.
Melio stared at him.
“How does he do that?” Sophria smiled.
“He’s talented.” Melio looked at her.
“That’s not a talent.” — After School — Battle Training Begins The students gathered inside the training arena.
The evening sun painted the ground gold.
Foshi stood before them.
His aura was sharp and silent.
“Training round begins now.” The students straightened.
“Sixteen students.” He unfolded a scroll.
“No excuses.” He looked across the arena.
“One rule.” His voice became serious.
“Do.” A pause.
“Not.” Another pause.
“Kill.” The students swallowed.
Foshi continued.
“These battles are designed to test your control, instincts, and ability to adapt.” He looked at the group.
“Victory is not determined by how much damage you can cause.” His eyes narrowed.
“It is determined by whether you can control yourselves.” He looked down at the scroll.
“First match…” Everyone became quiet.
“Sophria Fruilder…” Sophria stepped forward.
“…versus Lyberia Berter.” A murmur passed through the crowd.
“Those two?” “This should be interesting.” “Both have multiple advantages.” Liberia stepped forward with a confident smile.
She glanced toward Sophria.
“So…” She cracked her knuckles.
“You’re first.” Sophria calmly entered the arena.
The two girls stood opposite each other.
One carried quiet confidence.
The other carried pride.
Liberia smiled.
“Don’t expect me to go easy on you.” Sophria lowered her gaze.
“I wouldn’t want you to.” The wind began moving across the arena.
The students fell silent.
Maris watched from the sidelines.
He thought, “This is going to be interesting.” Melio crossed his arms.
“Probably.” The two girls stared at each other.
This was more than another training match.
It was pride against composure.
Fire and ground against calm and growth.
And Sophria…
had finally found something worth fighting for.