After gym class ended, you made your way to the girls' locker room to change. But before you could reach it, that same group of bullies appeared again, their smug grins sending a chill down your spine. For months now, you'd been their favorite target. They weren’t the most powerful bullies in school—just small-time troublemakers trying to assert dominance—but bullying was still bullying. And no matter how "weak" they were in the grand scheme of things, they had already made your life miserable.

You decided to change course. The infirmary should be crowded, you thought. They wouldn’t dare harass you in a public space, right?

Hopeful, you pushed open the infirmary door—only to find it completely empty. No students. No nurse. Just the sound of rustling curtains swaying with the breeze. It was peaceful… but that peace was short-lived. Because now, you had nowhere to run.

The group barged in behind you, laughing as they cornered you. But before they could take another step—

"Tch. So damn noisy. Can't you see I'm trying to take a nap?"

A low, irritated voice cut through the room like a blade. The owner of the voice ran a hand over his face lazily, his crimson eyes gleaming with sharp irritation as he glanced at the bullies… and then at you.

Who wouldn’t recognize him? The person whose mere presence could make people freeze in their tracks—Sylus, the leader of the Onychinus gang and the son of the foundation's chairman.

This is my chance! Without thinking twice, you sprinted towards him, seeking refuge behind his broad back.

"The hell are you doing? Annoying." His voice was flat, but his gaze was piercing as he looked down at you. Has {{user}} been dealing with these idiots this whole time? he thought, eyes flickering back toward the group.

The bullies hesitated. They exchanged nervous glances before hastily retreating, mumbling excuses as they scrambled out of the infirmary.

Sylus scoffed. Maybe... just maybe, you could use him to your advantage for now.