"You...!" she snapped, stepping forward, fingers tightening around her sword hilt.
I held my breath, wondering if this was going to blow up again.
Her hand twitched toward her sword, fingers curling tighter around the hilt as if daring Leo to push her further.
Leo didn’t flinch. Instead, he leaned in slightly, eyes gleaming with a cold fire that sent a chill down my spine.
"Don’t mistake my honesty for disrespect. I’m telling you this because I see potential in you. But potential ans nothing if your emotions cloud your judgnt. That’s the quickest way to lose—especially against soone who doesn’t hesitate."
Leona’s jaw clenched, her gaze burning holes into him.
"So now you’re my judge and ntor? What gives you the right?"
"Reality gives that right," Leo said quietly, voice calm but sharp like a razor’s edge. "Because unlike most, I don’t waste ti on excuses or feelings. I do what needs to be done."
The tension between them thickened, almost suffocating. It wasn’t just about words anymore—it was a battle of wills.
Leona straightened, eyes blazing.
"Maybe your way works for you. But not everyone’s cut from the sa cloth. So of us fight with heart, not just cold logic."
Leo’s expression didn’t soften.
"Heart alone won’t win you battles. Not here."
A few students nearby shifted uncomfortably, sensing the storm brewing.
I wanted to say sothing—anything to break the rising tide—but my voice caught in my throat.
Leona took a step closer, tone low but fierce.
"Maybe you should try understanding that. Not everyone wants to be your ’minion.’ So of us want respect."
Leo’s eyes flickered, then a slow smile crept over his lips—half amused, half deadly serious.
"Respect isn’t given. It’s earned. And sotis, it’s forced."
The words hit harder than I expected. It wasn’t just arrogance—it was a challenge.
Leona t it head-on, unwavering.
"Then maybe you’re the one who needs to learn sothing."
Leo’s gaze sharpened, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"Try ."
The room fell silent.
Just as Ryen was about to intervene again...
"Hello everyone."
Professor Lena stepped into the classroom, her voice light but curious. She paused mid-step as she took in the mood.
"Hmm? What’s going on here? You could cut the tension with a knife."
Everyone stiffened. Leona and Leo were still facing each other, eyes locked like they were one word away from starting round two. I didn’t bla Professor Lena for noticing.
Before she could dig deeper, Leo turned toward her with his usual calm, collected expression.
"It’s nothing, Professor. Just a small disagreent about clubs."
His voice was smooth—too smooth, like he was brushing dirt off his sleeve. He glanced sideways, a quiet signal, and Leona—grumbling under her breath—and Kiera, who had been hovering nearby, both headed out of the room. Their footsteps echoed faintly in the hallway.
Professor Lena arched a brow but didn’t press. She walked further into the room, setting her things down at the desk with a small sigh.
"Well, I understand everyone’s a little fired up," she said, folding her hands together. "Club applications start today, after all. But co on—this isn’t the battlefield. Save the duels for the arenas, alright?"
Her words were gentle, but the ssage was clear. No one dared say a word. Then she gave a small laugh, shaking her head as if to dismiss the heaviness still lingering.
"I was actually going to talk about clubs today during horoom, but it seems like most of you already know what’s going on."
A few students chuckled quietly, and the tension finally began to ease. The air in the classroom lightened, like soone had opened a window and let fresh air in.
Professor Lena scanned the room with a soft smile.
"So, any of you already decided on a club?" She leaned against the front desk casually, her tone inviting. "Or are you all still undecided and planning to visit a dozen booths pretending you’re interested?"
That got a few genuine laughs, and soone from the back muttered, "Guilty..."
I glanced at the doorway where Leona had disappeared. Then at Leo, who had taken his seat like nothing happened. He was already flipping open his planner.
Ryen gave a quiet nudge.
"You okay?"
I nodded, though I wasn’t entirely sure. Things had escalated fast, and it still felt like a fire had been smothered—not extinguished.
But one thing was clear: with club season starting... this was just the beginning.
Clap—!, Clap—!
Professor Lena clapped her hands lightly, drawing everyone’s attention back.
"Alright, let’s settle down. Since we’re already on the topic, let officially start horoom."
She picked up a piece of chalk and scribbled ’Club Orientation Week’ across the board in large, clear letters. Then she turned back to face us, her tone shifting into sothing more serious—but still approachable.
"I know so of you are treating this like a formality," she began, eyes scanning the room, "but I want you to really think about the club you’re joining."
A few students exchanged looks, so already zoning out, but Lena pressed on.
"Here at Velcrest, clubs aren’t just hobbies. They’re an essential part of your training. The Academy evaluates your club performance just as seriously as your academic and combat scores."
She walked slowly across the front of the classroom, speaking with the kind of quiet intensity that made you sit up straighter without realizing.
"Why? Because clubs push you into teams. Real teams. You train together, grow together, and sotis, if it cos to it—you fight together."
Soone from the front row raised their hand. "Even the Gardening Club?"
A few chuckles bubbled up.
Lena smirked. "Yes, even the Gardening Club. Don’t laugh—last year, they won the inter-club tactical challenge with a bunch of vine traps and smoke bombs. Blew everyone’s expectations to pieces."
I couldn’t help but blink at that. The Gardening Club?
"Point is," she continued, now resting her arms on the desk, "your club is where you’ll forge so of your most important relationships here. Friends, rivals, ntors. The kind of bonds that can make or break you when things get rough."
There was a short pause before she added, more quietly,
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