Eloise Taulner kept her eyes low as she hurried past the trophy cases, her footsteps barely audible against the polished floors of Eden's Garden Academy. The swan pin in her hair felt heavier than ever. It was supposed to be a symbol of grace… but today, it felt more like a target.

She had hoped the others wouldn’t notice her. That was always her hope.

But wishes didn’t hold much weight in a place like this.

Ulysses:“Hey, Fat-lancer!” Ulysses says as he laughs

The word hit her like a slap. She stopped in her tracks. Behind her, laughter—sharp, ugly laughter—cut through the air.

Ulysses stood at the far end of the corridor: people she barely knew, but had learned to fear. Not the dangerous kind that carried knives behind smiles, but the petty kind—the ones who didn’t need a motive to be cruel.

Eloise turned, just slightly. “C-could you please not call me that Ulysses?”

Ulysses:“Why? It suits you,” he sneered. “Ultimate Fencer? More like Ultimate Fence—you’re wide enough to block half the hallway fatty!”

He lets out a nother laugh. Louder this time. Her stomach tightened.

Ulysses: “Do you even know how fencing works? I bet you couldn’t lunge without falling over.”

She tried to walk past him. Maybe if she didn’t say anything, He get bored.

But he didn’t.

Ulysses stepped in front of her, bumping his shoulder. Her Tozu Trinket clinked softly, mocking the silence.

Ulysses: “Why are you even here, huh? This place is for ultimates, not fatty crybabies.”

That one pierced deeper than the rest. Eloise’s fingers trembled at her sides. Tears prickled behind her eyes—but she refused to let them fall. She clenched her fists.

Eloise: “You don’t know me,” she said, softly.

Ulysses:“Oh? What was that?” he says mockingly, leaning in.

Eloise:“I said,” she repeated, her voice steadier now, “you don’t know me.”

He scoffed. Ulysses:“Whatever. Go fence your feelings or something.”

He walked away laughing, his words echoing long after he was gone.

Eloise stood frozen. Her breathing shallow, her heart pounding like a war drum. As tears threatened to fall.