The hall seed to hold its breath.
Atlas looked at Jelo, his expression torn, uncertain whether to fight, refuse, or wait to see what Jelo would do.
The Class 1 students whispered frantically among themselves, so looking horrified, others curious about what would happen next.
Xino watched with barely concealed glee, as if this mont was everything he’d been hoping for.
Then Jelo spoke.
"Fine."
The word was flat. Cold. Final.
Xino’s grin faltered for just a fraction of a second, shock flickering across his face. He clearly hadn’t expected Jelo to agree so quickly, hadn’t anticipated such imdiate compliance. For a brief mont, his eyes widened, and his mouth opened slightly as if to confirm what he’d just heard.
But then the shock lted into sothing far worse.
A wide, twisted smile spread across his face like a wound opening, stretching from ear to ear. His eyes lit up with a dangerous gleam, the kind of expression soone wore when they realized they were about to witness sothing truly entertaining.
"Well, well," Xino said, his voice lilting with dark amusent. He took a step back, arms spreading wide as if presenting a grand show. "Looks like you really are sothing special, aren’t you? No hesitation. No begging. No rcy for your friend." He laughed, the sound echoing through the hall, sharp and mocking. "This is going to be fun. This is going to be really, really fun."
He clapped his hands together once, the sound ringing out like a gunshot.
"Alright then," Xino continued, his voice rising with excitent. "Let’s make this official, shall we?"
Ken’s stomach dropped.
No. No, no, no.
His hands tightened into fists, knuckles going white as his nails dug into his palms. Disappointnt crashed over him like a wave, cold and suffocating, dragging him down. He had been so sure, so certain that Jelo wouldn’t fall for this. That he’d refuse, that he’d find another way, that he wouldn’t betray a friend just to satisfy Xino’s sick ga.
But Jelo had agreed.
Just like that.
Ken’s jaw clenched, his teeth grinding together as he forced himself to stay seated. Every instinct scread at him to jump up, to stop this before it started, but he couldn’t move. Not yet. Not without making everything worse. His eyes stayed locked on the stage, watching Jelo’s face for any sign of hesitation, any hint that this was part of a plan.
But Jelo’s expression was unreadable.
He watched, chest tight, as Xino stepped back from the stage, gesturing grandly toward the two first-years like a ringmaster presenting his main act.
"Alright then," Xino said, voice dripping with satisfaction. "Let’s make this official."
He raised one hand high, fingers splayed wide, and the entire hall fell silent once more. Even the whispers stopped. Everyone’s attention fixed on that raised hand.
"Five."
The hall went deathly silent.
Atlas shifted his weight slightly, his body tense, eyes locked on Jelo. The confusion on his face was clear, mingled with worry and sothing that looked almost like hurt. He didn’t raise his hands into a fighting stance. He didn’t prepare to dodge. He just stood there, staring at his friend.
"Four."
Jelo didn’t move. His breathing was slow, controlled, his gaze unwavering as he stared straight ahead. His posture hadn’t changed since he’d agreed to the fight. He looked calm. Too calm.
"Three."
Ken leaned forward in his seat, muscles coiled, ready to spring. His heart hamred in his chest, every beat loud in his ears. If Jelo actually attacked Atlas, he’d have to move. He’d have to stop it. Consequences be damned.
"Two."
Xino’s smile widened impossibly further, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. So of the Class 2 students around the stage were grinning now too, sensing blood in the water, eager to see how this would play out.
"One."
Xino’s hand dropped.
"Fight!"
Jelo raised his hand instantly, arm snapping up with precise speed, fingers extended toward Atlas.
Atlas froze.
His body went rigid, eyes widening as he stared at Jelo’s outstretched hand. He didn’t move to dodge. Didn’t raise a guard. Didn’t even flinch. He just stood there, rooted to the spot, like he couldn’t believe what was about to happen. Like so part of him refused to accept that Jelo would actually do it.
Ken’s breath caught in his throat. His body tensed, legs preparing to launch him forward, to throw himself between them if he had to.
Then Jelo’s hand shifted.
Just slightly.
The motion was so fast, so subtle, that most people in the hall didn’t even notice. But Ken saw it. Atlas saw it. And Xino definitely saw it.
Jelo’s aim changed.
His hand swung away from Atlas in one smooth, deliberate motion, fingers now pointing directly at Xino.
Red energy flared around Jelo’s hand, crackling and violent, condensing into a sharp, clawed shape that glowed like molten fire. The air around it shimred with heat.
Dragon Claw
The attack exploded forward, tearing through the air with a vicious hiss that seed to swallow all other sound.
Xino’s eyes went wide, his confident smile vanishing in an instant.
He threw himself to the side, the Dragon Claw ripping past him so close it singed the edge of his sleeve and left a scorched line across his shoulder. The energy smashed into the wall behind him with a deafening crack, leaving a jagged, blackened scar in the stone. Chunks of debris crumbled to the floor.
For a mont, the entire hall was silent.
Every single person stared at the smoking crater in the wall, then back at Jelo, then at Xino sprawled on the ground.
Then Xino scrambled back to his feet, rolling once before pushing himself up with shaking hands. His face was flushed red, veins bulging along his neck, his entire body trembling with fury.
"You bastard!" he roared, voice cracking with rage. Spit flew from his mouth. "You fucking bastard!"
Ken let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
Relief flooded through him, so intense it almost made him dizzy. His shoulders sagged slightly, tension bleeding out of his body as a faint, incredulous smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Jelo hadn’t betrayed Atlas.
He had been playing along the entire ti.
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