I shook off Zhao Yi’s hand and sprinted straight toward the three delinquents.

“What do you three think you’re doing?”

The blond guy turned to glare at me, knuckles cracking loudly as he clenched his fists. “You asking for a beating, punk?”

I quickly scanned their positions, shoved the blond aside, and strode up to the boy huddled in the corner.

He was called a boy, but up close, he looked almost like a girl. His pale face held surprise, a hint of tears glistening at his eyes’ corners. Ashen arms bore red finger marks, slender legs pressed tight against the floor.

I reached out and pulled him up. “Relax. No one will hurt you now.”

He slowly lifted his head, tears shining brighter. “Um… are you my guardian angel?”

A smile spread across my face. I gently patted his head. “Right now, I’m just here to protect you. Maybe I am your guardian.”

He stared at me, tears sliding down his cheeks. His lips parted slightly, as if whispering something.

The pink-haired guy charged, fists raised. I spun and kicked him mid-run.

*Damn these thugs—zero sense of timing.* His move made me miss the boy’s words.

The pink-haired guy screamed, crashing to the ground. The green-haired one yanked a dagger from his jacket, eyes wide.

“Kid, listen up. Blades don’t care! Walk away now, and I’ll forget this happened.”

“Sure. We’ll leave.”

The blond snapped out a telescopic baton, jabbing it at me. “Don’t push it! Take that four-eyes and scram! The kid behind you owes us cash—this is private! Butt out!”

I felt the boy behind me shiver slightly, despair flooding his eyes again.

Meanwhile, the pink-haired guy scrambled up, pulling a small hand axe. Its blade glinted coldly.

“No one leaves today! You hit me? Even if they spare you, I’ll wreck you, bastard!”

I eyed the trio with disdain, pulling a playing card from my uniform pocket. “Know what card numbers mean?”

The blond gripped his dagger, tip aimed at me. “Don’t care. But you’re hospital-bound today.”

I flicked my fingers—the card split into three. “Hey, student. Magic trick? I’m a pro!” I called to the boy behind me.

He weakly murmured, “Um…”

I nodded, hurling the cards. They flew like icy streaks toward the thugs.

Clang—clang—clang—

Metallic clashes rang out.

The three stared—weapons replaced by three Aces.

“Three Aces. Means this better be your last time pulling this crap.”

I turned; their weapons tumbled from my uniform. I threw three more cards.

Each sliced clothes or hair, embedding deep in the wall. “This is ‘4’. If I catch you again…”

I shot another ‘4’, severing all their weapons. “…you’ll end up like these.”

The green-haired guy bolted. The others followed, vanishing from sight.

After a while, Zhao Yi finally snapped out of his shock and walked slowly toward me.