"Maya! Maya!"
Dreyden barely thought—he just moved.
Thanks to his recent boost in physical stats, he caught up to Maya in the hallway before she could sprint any farther. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her into a tight hold.
"T-this… it can't be real… It can't be!"
She muttered to herself, voice trembling, completely ignoring the students starting to gather around them.
They stared, whispering.
A red-haired girl sobbing and struggling in the arms of a Class A student—it was the kind of scene that drew attention fast.
Dreyden's eyes swept over them once, then shifted his grip, turning Maya so he could lift her in a bridal carry. She thrashed weakly, lost in her panic.
One student couldn't take it anymore.
Seeing a beautiful girl being carried away while clearly distressed, he squeezed through the small crowd and spread his arms wide.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing? Put the girl down!"
