CHAPTER 23

  ~ The Next Day, Watching the Students During Training ~

  Dav (thinking to himself): So this is how it is, Kael Solis, Mr. Principal?

  If you needed help, you could have just asked me directly.

  ~ The Day Before ~

  Principal’s Office – Late Afternoon

  Kael Solis: I need to hurry.

  (He knocks firmly on the door.) Mr. Principal, it’s me, Kael. May I come in?

  [From inside, a calm and measured voice grants him permission. Kael enters, finding the principal seated at his desk, flipping through some files.]

  Director: In one week, Lord Alistair Valenhart will come to take his daughter from the Academy.

  (He lifts his gaze, studying Kael’s reaction.)

  Principal: He informed me personally that he will be here in person to arrange her marriage with a house worthy of her lineage.

  [Silence. Kael clenches his fists, but before he can respond, a voice seeps into his mind... cold, fierce.]

  Dav (in his mind): So that bastard is coming to take my Elysia?

  [A pause. Then a darker, more dangerous thought brushes his mind with a shiver of repressed excitement.]

  Dav (in his mind): I’ll make sure he returns with his feet over his head... without alerting the principal. I’ll tear him apart. I’ll make him feel fear. And when it’s all over, I’ll take Elysia back.

  (Dav narrows his eyes, hiding an imperceptible smile.)

  Kael Solis (worried): Won’t this put your position at risk, sir? What if I warn Professor Dav?

  (The Director leans back, intertwining his fingers with absolute calm.)

  The Director: Kael, are you accusing me of meddling?

  [The young professor’s eyes widen slightly, but the principal continues, with a subtle smile.]

  The Director: If he interferes... let’s say, of his own volition, without anyone officially informing him, then it won’t be our problem. Right?

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  [Kael swallows. The principal will never admit it, but he has already foreseen the scenario. And he’s merely guiding it to its inevitable conclusion.]

  Principal: What I want is simple: when he arrives, you and some other professors must be ready. To take him to the hospital when it’s over.

  [Kael’s skin chills. Not "if" it happens. "When." The principal has no doubt about the outcome of the confrontation.]

  Kael Solis: And what if Professor Dav doesn’t care?

  (The question almost sounds ridiculous.)

  The Director: (Sighing, with an indulgent expression.) Kael... he’s not just a monster of power. He’s a good man.

  More than he wants to admit.

  You’ll see when the time comes.

  [A long silence. The young teacher lowers his gaze, then nods slowly.]

  The Director: You just have to make sure he and Elysia are in the same place at the same time.

  The rest... will happen on its own.

  (Softly.) And I will be the one to lead Lord Valenhart to the arena.

  [Kael feels a shiver run down his spine. The Director has already decided every detail. It’s all a game of pieces. And Lord Alistair Valenhart... is walking straight into a trap.]

  Kael Solis: Understood, sir. I’ll make sure to be ready.

  [He turns to leave, but before closing the door behind him, he hears the principal whispering, almost to himself.]

  The Director: Ah... I wonder what it will be like to see fear in the eyes of a man like Lord Valenhart.

  [Kael leaves the office, with the feeling that fate has already been written.]

  Dav (Happy): So it won’t be a problem if I make a little noise? Good.

  Narrator: The whole time, Dav used Divine-Level Stealth to remain unnoticed during the discussion.

  ~ Present ~

  Training Grounds – Late Afternoon

  [The clashing of swords fills the air. Elysia, covered in sweat, continues to move with precision despite her exhaustion.

  Her determination is unwavering.]

  Dav: Elysia, come here.

  (His voice is firm but not harsh. She stops immediately, lowering her sword and approaching him with respect.)

  Dav: How are you?

  Elysia: (Taking a deep breath.) Like every day... (She wipes the sweat from her forehead, lifting her gaze to him with a spark of pride.) Hellish training, but I can train thanks to you.

  Dav: (Tilting his head slightly.) Can I ask you a question?

  Elysia: (With immediate reverence.) Any question you want, professor!

  Dav: (Watching her closely.) Do you hate your entire family... or is there someone you love?

  [A shadow crosses Elysia’s gaze. Her smile fades for a moment, replaced by an expression veiled with sadness.]

  Elysia: (In a low voice.) Only my grandfather...

  [Dav remains silent, letting her continue.]

  Elysia: (Clenching her hands, as if holding onto something fragile.) He was really kind to me.

  He always took me to shops, bought me ice cream... and taught me the sword. (She lowers her gaze, her voice softer.) He was the patriarch of our family.

  (A pause, then a pang of pain flickers through her red eyes.)

  Elysia: He died of illness at the age of 87.

  I was only 12... (She presses her lips together for a moment.) And since then, my father took his place.

  From that moment, my family started treating me like merchandise, forcing me into dances, parties... all for their interests, denying me the right to be strong and become a Hunter.

  [A heavy silence falls between them.]

  Elysia: (But then, she lifts her gaze and smiles, with a new light in her eyes.) But I’m happy!

  (She takes a step forward, with sincere intensity.) Now I’ve met you!

  [Dav watches her, motionless.]

  Elysia: (With a vibrant voice.) You remind me so much of my grandfather.

  Your strictness, the passion with which you train me...

  (Dav’s heart beats slowly. Then, he speaks, calmly.)

  Dav: Suppose you could have another family.

  One that doesn’t force anything on you.

  That supports you without impositions.

  That doesn’t sell you off in a shitty marriage for their own interests... and protects you.

  (Elysia’s eyes widen in surprise. Her breath catches for a moment.

  She wonders how he knows about the marriage.)

  Elysia: (Staring at him, with growing emotion.) I wouldn’t hesitate!

  (Her voice is firm, almost impassioned.) I’d accept immediately, without a second thought!

  [Dav lowers his gaze for a moment. Then he smiles, barely perceptible.]

  Dav: (With a soft tone.) I see.

  (He turns, walking away.)

  (Without looking back.) Get back to training... and don’t die.

  [Elysia watches him, her heart beating faster than usual. And, for the first time, she feels that maybe... her life is truly about to change.]

  Dav: I hope you entertain me next week, my dear Lord Alistair Valenhart.

  END OF CHAPTER 23