The fact that I didn't notice her presence could only mean one thing—she was hiding it deliberately. She wasn't the one following us. So why is she here now… and why is she helping us? Alex thought as the girl pushed them forward with inhuman strength.
Her grip didn't waver until they reached a mountain ridge where a dark cave yawned at the edge like the mouth of a beast. She finally released them and stepped back.
"You'll be safe here," the horned girl said, her tone calm but commanding. "Stay. Don't leave until it's over."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Hold on!" His voice carried an authority that made her pause. "Who are you? And what business do you have with us?"
The girl turned, her crimson eyes gleaming faintly. "My name is Mikasa. I'm here to protect you."
Protect me? Alex's brows furrowed. He didn't know this girl—never seen her before. How could she suddenly appear, speaking as though she knew everything about him?
"You don't need to understand," Mikasa said softly, as though reading his thoughts. "All that matters is that you are safe. As long as you remain here, you and your friend will survive."
"Safe from what exactly?" Alex demanded, his tone sharp. "Stop speaking in riddles. Who is after me?"
Mikasa hesitated for a heartbeat. Her lips pressed together, then she exhaled. "I am not good at lying… so I will tell you the truth. Your school is under attack. The enemy is strong—stronger than anyone you've faced. Even your Headmaster cannot stop him." Her voice was grim. "If you want to live, stay here. If you want to fight and die with the others… follow me."
Alex's fists clenched. School under attack? His mind raced.
"Then tell me who the enemy is," he pressed.
Mikasa shook her head. "I don't know his name. I only know he is beyond anything you are ready for."
Silence stretched between them. Alex's jaw tightened. Part of him wanted to stay, to hide, to live. But another voice inside him whispered: If you hide now, what then? What about those who can't protect themselves?
"You hesitate," Mikasa said gently. "It's as Master predicted."
Alex's head snapped up. "Master? What master are you talking about?"
"You'll find out soon enough." She turned and darted off, leaving only the echo of her words.
Beside him, Raphael broke the silence. "Alex… are we going or not? I'd rather fight. I want to save as many as I can. But if you choose to stay, I'll stay too."
Alex's eyes narrowed, determination flaring. "Who said anything about staying?" He sprang forward, racing in Mikasa's direction.
Raphael smiled faintly and followed.
They ran through the fog-drenched forest, Mikasa ahead of them like a phantom. Her speed was incredible—she glided over the ground as though her feet barely touched it. Alex pushed himself harder, his breath sharp, refusing to let the distance widen. Raphael trailed last, slower but relentless, refusing to be left behind.
After a relentless sprint, Mikasa abruptly stopped and raised a hand. Alex and Raphael skidded to a halt beside her.
"Not a step further," she warned.
Alex frowned and looked past her—and froze.
In the clearing below, dozens of students were huddled together, surrounded by monsters with glowing eyes, their bodies taut like hunting hounds waiting for command. Teachers and senior students were kneeling, heads bowed as if crushed under invisible weight. And at the center of it all stood two men—one with a mane of stark white hair, the other…
"Damon?" Alex's voice cracked, his heart twisting.
"Yes," Mikasa replied quietly. "That is my master. Your uncle."
Alex's eyes darted back to her in shock. "Your master? Then why help me?"
Mikasa's face hardened, unreadable. "Because it was his order. But I advise you—don't interfere."
Alex's voice sharpened. "What business does he have with the Academy? Why target us?"
"The white-haired man," Mikasa explained softly, "is the Dean's elder brother. Their feud runs deep. Today… it has reached its breaking point."
Alex's brows furrowed. "So because two brothers hate each other, everyone else has to suffer? That makes no sense!"
Before Mikasa could reply, one of the beasts growled and turned toward the ridge. Its glowing eyes fixed on them.
"Who's there?" The white-haired man's voice thundered across the clearing. "Show yourselves, or my hounds will drag you out!"
The monsters growled in unison. Alex, Raphael, and Mikasa exchanged glances—there was no choice now. They stepped out.
The white-haired man's lips curled into a smile. "Oh? And who do we have here?" His eyes glimmered with cruel amusement.
Damon's expression shifted instantly when he saw Alex. His face darkened, his jaw clenched. His gaze flicked to Mikasa, and his eyes blazed with fury. She immediately lowered her head in submission, trembling.
Alex's gaze swept across the scene—his classmates terrified, the teachers subdued, and the Dean himself locked in a standstill before his brother.
"What did we ever do to you?" the Dean asked hoarsely, struggling against unseen restraints. His body trembled as though invisible chains bound him.
The white-haired man sneered as he approached. "Did you say something?" His steps were deliberate, mocking. "Say it again."
Alex's chest tightened. His throat burned as he tried to speak—but suddenly, an invisible grip closed around his neck. His vision flickered red as if his own blood boiled.
"You've got some nerve," the white-haired man snarled. "But no strength. You're wasted potential." He scoffed, turning away dismissively.
Something inside Alex snapped.
"I dare you… to say that again!" he rasped, forcing the words out through the choking force.
The man halted. Slowly, he turned, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "What did you say?"
"Say it again!" Alex shouted, voice breaking the hold around his throat.
The man chuckled darkly. "Aren't you just wasted potential? What can you—"
Before he could finish, Alex moved. His body surged with sudden energy. He leapt high, higher than seemed possible, and came crashing down. His foot slammed against the man's head, forcing him to one knee.
Gasps erupted across the clearing.
The white-haired man lifted his head slowly, not injured, but clearly shocked. No one had landed a blow on him since this began—no one except Alex.
Damon's eyes widened. His fists clenched. Impossible… he's grown this much already?
"Alex!" the Dean shouted desperately. "Take your friend and leave! You can't fight him—it's useless!" His eyes carried sorrow, resignation, as if all hope was already lost.
"What are you saying?" Alex shot back, his voice fiery. "What about the others? Who's going to save them if we run?"
"Forget us! Save yourselves!" the Dean pleaded.
Alex's jaw locked. He turned back toward the white-haired man, his crimson-tinged eyes blazing. "No. I won't run. I'd rather fight than crawl away like a coward. I'm not like you."
The man rose to his full height, cracking his neck, a dangerous grin curling his lips.
"Let everyone go," Alex declared. "Take us instead. What do you say?"
For a moment, silence. Then—
"What?!" the Dean exclaimed.
"What?!" Raphael echoed in disbelief.
The clearing trembled with tension.