Clayton felt as if a mountain had dropped onto his shoulders, crushing the air out of his lungs. When he looked up and saw Jace smiling down at him, his fury ignited all over again.
What the hell do you think you are doing? Get your hands off him!
His friends rushed in as a group.
Quill's expression hardened. His wooden sword flashed several times in a row.
A crackling series of impacts echoed across the training hall, and every student sucked in a sharp breath.
The teacher was genuinely angry.
Put the swords down. Pick up your things and get back to your seats.
Quill's voice was ice.
Then he turned back to Jace and the others.
You three as well. Let him go. You are classmates, not mortal enemies.
Jace shrugged. Sure. No problem.
He released Clayton without resistance.
Clayton, however, had no intention of calming down.
He grabbed another sword from the rack and pointed it at the three of them.
Screw you, Quill. When he slapped my face with his sword earlier you didn't say a damn thing. But now that I'm fighting back you want to play the saint?
He swept his gaze across his friends.
Get over here. Don't be scared. Whatever happens, I'll handle it.
Those who had just retreated exchanged looks… then bent to pick up their swords again.
Quill's tone dropped even lower.
If you have a problem, settle it after class. Keep this up and I won't hold back.
Clayton laughed coldly.
Go ahead. Hit me. If anything happens to me, you'll pay for it.
The tension tightened to a breaking point.
Even Quill looked pressured. He might win if he fought them, but he could not do so without injuring someone.
Clayton came from a powerful family. Quill knew that.
Hurting him, even in self-defense, could mean suspension… or worse.
Jace and the others felt the headache coming on.
Of all days to act like this…
Any other time, we'd beat him down ourselves.
Willa whispered,
So what's the plan? Fight or not?
Jace murmured,
Not yet. Let's see what the teacher does.
Maxwell said quietly,
If things go wrong, you two leave first. Getting hit won't kill me. I can take the beating.
The other two immediately nodded.
Brotherhood.
In the corner, Lyria had been quietly thinking about how to apologize.
At first she thought this noise was some kind of group drill.
Then she heard Quill's voice and realized it was a conflict.
She did not know the others.
But she recognized Jace's voice instantly.
He is in trouble.
This is… this is my chance to help him!
Her heartbeat quickened. She finally had an opportunity to act.
Page one of her error notebook, point three:
When a friend is in danger, stepping forward strengthens the bond.
I am coming!
Bang.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Lyria had tripped over her skirt in her haste and fallen face-first onto the floor.
But she bounced right back up, enthusiasm unshaken.
Please… please give me some face and stop fighting.
She stepped in front of Jace, holding her cane upright.
Clayton nearly laughed out loud.
One by one, all of you think you matter that much? You really believe I need to give you face? Who the hell do you think you are?!
He raised his sword and swung it toward the blind girl.
Jace closed his eyes.
A true hero.
Crack.
To Quill and the rest of the students, a silver arc flashed past.
Clayton's sword vanished.
Where's my sword?!
Clayton gaped.
The wooden blade fell from the ceiling and smacked him directly on the head.
So fast.
Quill's breath caught.
He knew without doubt—he himself could not execute that strike.
It was like a falling meteor, visible only for an instant.
Miss Stormveil… her strength may surpass mine.
He whispered it to himself.
A prodigy under twenty, already beyond level thirty?
Is she even human?
Lyria's cane rested lightly against Clayton's forehead.
Go back.
After that one swing, Clayton's arrogance evaporated.
His friends lost all bravado as well.
Clayton wanted to call out his older brother's name as a threat, but a friend rushed over and hissed urgently into his ear.
Calm down! Didn't you hear everyone earlier? That girl is from the Stormveil family. The Stormveil family.
Clayton's face drained of color.
His jaw trembled as he swallowed his anger.
Finally, humiliated and stiff, he returned to his seat.
Just like that, the conflict dissolved.
Lyria turned back toward Jace, worry filling her expression.
Are you alright?
Jace smiled and nodded. No injury at all.
His classmates were stunned.
I'm so jealous I think I might die.
I will eat glass. Right here.
Alright, I give up. Romance is dead.
Under the chorus of envy, another class period ended.
But the hostility did not.
For the final stretch of the morning, Clayton glared at the trio like a wounded wolf waiting for its chance to bite.
Jace barely cared.
He had bigger problems.
Lyria's behavior made no sense.
If she was testing his identity, she shouldn't interfere.
She should watch from a distance until he slipped.
Unless she had some other goal entirely.
Midday.
Lyria boarded a luxury car. The family butler was already waiting.
Did you enjoy your morning, Miss?
Of course, Mister Butler. I was very lucky today.
Oh? What made Solaria's precious Miss Stormveil so happy?
Lyria hugged her cane tightly.
I met the gentleman who poured my coffee.
The butler blinked, then nodded as he recalled yesterday.
The young man from the café?
Yes. When you spoke to the teacher this morning, I faintly recognized his voice.
So I moved closer to confirm.
Then she lowered her head, a little embarrassed.
But I… fell asleep halfway… so embarrassing.
The butler smiled.
Fate works in mysterious ways.
Lyria's voice dimmed.
But I also hurt him.
She briefly explained the morning's incident.
The butler nodded with understanding.
Miss, that was indeed your fault. First, not everyone likes showing their real strength. Some avoid high combat scores just to escape military deployments.
Second, you assumed he was strong enough to withstand your blows. You cannot do that.
There has never been a case of someone your age reaching your level.
Lyria's hands twisted together.
I just… feel like he doesn't really like talking to me… so I…
So you thought that by helping him improve his swordsmanship, he would become your friend?
The butler chuckled lightly.
Lyria's cheeks reddened as she nodded.
He exhaled slowly.
Miss, if you truly wish to make a friend, then apologize.
I think so too.
She then remembered the confrontation at the end of class.
Jace had warned her about Clayton's identity.
You do not need to worry about that.
The butler smiled faintly.
In Solaria, aside from that man in the Central Citadel, the Stormveil family fears no one.