That’s far enough!!

The shout dropped from above the corridor like a struck bell. A tall girl with a wooden staff plunged down, wedging between Aphelia and the dagger girl. She moved like a falcon on the wind; even nearby girls missed what happened. The dagger girl reeled back in stuttering steps, a leaf kicked by a gust. Aphelia’s punch never landed; her fist met the staff midair and froze there.

“Nice strength. How come I don’t remember you?”

The staff girl laughed bright as sunlight. Two wheat-brown braids streamed behind her, fluttering in Aether like flags on a tower. Her glasses dangled from her collar, as if afraid the fight would shatter them. She eyed Aphelia’s slowly withdrawing fist, genuine surprise cooling her gaze. She’d met brawlers in this academy, sure. But a girl who fought on flesh alone, without an Aether Armament—that was new. What’s more... that power was over the line.

Behind her back, Yuan’s left hand shook once; numbness crawled up from the palm. One clash, and her hand went numb. What kind of force trades even with an Aether Armament, and still stings the wielder?

Aphelia only stared back, face blank as winter glass. That Shattering Fist hadn’t been full power. The moment the glasses girl appeared, she had pulled the force. Otherwise, numb fingers wouldn’t be the worst of it.

“You’re flattering me.”

“Not flattery at all. Hey, want to join the Enforcement Squad? With power like yours, you’d go straight to a field unit.”

She dispelled her Aether Armament and slung an arm over Aphelia’s shoulder, delighted as if finding a new continent. She chatted away, not caring about the Enforcement girls fuming behind her.

Aphelia meant to refuse. The hand reached in; her body wanted to step back first. She thought, then stayed put, and let out a soft sigh. Dodging now would only raise suspicion; better to leave as little imprint as possible.

That math was wrong. From this moment, she was marked. The shyness only drew more eyes.

“She didn’t even flinch before the President...”

“No way...”

“She’s a monster...”

Whispers lapped at Aphelia’s ears, and she sighed again, tired as rain on stone. She hadn’t thought a draw would stand out. Should’ve let the glasses girl knock me flying; that would’ve been simpler.

The Enforcement girls bristled at the sight. The dagger-wielder snapped up from the floor and barked at the two of them. “President Yuan, why’d you cut off my attack? I could’ve subdued her...”

“Subdue her how—by killing her?”

Yuan turned, voice gone cold; winter pooled in her black eyes. The dagger girl swallowed her words. She’d nearly forgotten how this smiling glasses girl took the chair she sat in.

Noticing her own stare growing sharp, Yuan smiled, slid her glasses back on. Behind the round frames, she turned into a bookish goody-two-shoes. No one here dared believe that. Least of all the Enforcement girls, who tried to back away, found they couldn’t, and choked on their fear.

“Miss Ismael, mind yourself. We permit you to use your Aether Armament for enforcement, not to bare a blade at classmates.”

Even without the threat spelled out, her words carried enough weight. Ismael ground her teeth; she wanted to argue and found no courage under Yuan’s pressure.

“S-sorry, President. Can we take them back first? We need statements about the Aether fluctuation.”

Right—the questioning. Ismael’s eyes darkened. She sprang up and jabbed a finger past Yuan at Aphelia. “President Yuan, that woman was there. The Enforcement Squad will take her back for questioning!”

Yuan’s eyes, hidden by plain glass, flashed with brief surprise. The Enforcement Squad is the only group that can balance the Student Council. But their leaders usually keep face for each other. If you can avoid making it hard, you do. Now isn’t the time for humans to eat one another.

Why is this one so tone-deaf? I heard she’s a rich heiress. Her itch for fights could rival those Southeast Asian hardcases—assuming Southeast Asia still exists. Take her back for questioning—who buys that? Her eyes look ready to swallow Aphelia whole. Hand her over, and by the time we pulled strings, the “processing” would be done.

Yuan had heard Ismael’s “reputation.” She hadn’t wanted to believe it. Signs said the rumors were true. A talent like Aphelia can’t be dumped into a madwoman’s hands. Give her an Aether Armament and a slot in the Valkyrie squad, and she’d blaze. There was no way she’d let a good seed rot in vulgar hands.

Decision made, Yuan nudged up her glasses and kept her tone mild. “This student—we need to consult her. You can submit a formal request after—”

She didn’t finish. From the far end of the corridor, a pack of girls surged in. The same badge as Ismael gleamed on their chests. Yuan stopped and, instead, smiled at Ismael. Backup. This wasn’t impulse; it was an ambush. When Yuan knocked Ismael back, she’d already called for support. The loud arguing was a stall. She isn’t stupid. You don’t become an Enforcement captain by being a blunt instrument.

Even if Yuan asked for aid now, it wouldn’t come faster than Ismael’s did. They had already blocked the corridor. Students who sensed trouble were kept outside.

“President Yuan, no more paperwork later, right?” Ismael grinned like a victor, twirling her Aether dagger as she came up. Walking Aphelia out whole was near impossible now.

Yuan’s gaze flicked over the reinforcements. Several squad leaders. Several aces. The difficulty spiked. As Student Council President, she’d be bound hand and foot. A brawl with the Enforcement Squad would stain the Council no matter what. There are many captains like Ismael. There’s only one Council President.

“Ismael, you think a big scene looks good?” Yuan pushed up her glasses again. Anyone who knew her would recognize the tell.

“Mm, I don’t think this is big. We’ve always been loud and quick in Enforcement. You folks are neutral, the mediators. If you brawl with us, your image takes the hit, right?” Ismael smiled all innocence, dagger see-sawing between them, itching for blood.

Aphelia got it now. No matter where she walked, trouble sprouted like weeds after rain. The glasses girl wanted to shield her but was shackled by her seat. Still, stepping up for a stranger—that went in Aphelia’s ledger.

“Step aside. I’ll go with them.”

“Wait...”

Before Yuan could stop her, Aphelia gently pushed her away. Her eyes said there was nothing to argue.

“See? You should’ve come with us from the start. I’d hate for my dagger to leave marks on that pretty face.”

Aphelia smiled—truly pleased. She brushed back her fringe. Her black eyes weighed Ismael, then curved. “Tell me—whose face are you marking?”

“I said, on your—”

The floor seemed to drop. The smiling figure blurred, then burst into her guard. Air cracked like a bursting bubble. Aphelia’s pale right palm pressed to Ismael’s abdomen.

BOOM.

With a string of explosive pops, Ismael flew like a rag into her own crowd. Aphelia was already standing where Ismael had been. She dusted her hands.

“I never said I don’t hit women.” Her voice lilted, playful as a cat with claws sheathed.