"What's wrong? Lost your tongue?" the brute sneered, stepping closer.
Kaiser said nothing. His face was calm, cold even — but inside, his heart pounded so hard it echoed in his ears. He wasn't scared of fighting… he was scared of dying again.
The hallway buzzed with whispers as students began to gather around them.
"What's going on? Why's Kron picking a fight with Divah's little brother?"
"I dunno, man. Kron's always looking for trouble."
"Someone should teach that idiot a lesson."
"Yeah, he doesn't know who he's dealing with. The Ice Goddess's brother? He's doomed!"
Kaiser kept his expression unreadable, his eyes locked on Kron. Inside, though, he was screaming.
Why is everyone just standing there? Can't someone stop this psycho before I get flattened?
He forced a sigh, pretending to be unimpressed.
Kron cracked his knuckles, his grin growing wider. "So? You gonna stand there all day, or are we doing this?"
Kaiser looked around desperately for an escape, but the students had formed a loose circle around them.
Great. A live audience. Just what I needed.
Then, from the corner of his eye, he saw a tall figure walking toward them from the far end of the hallway — an older man in a white coat with golden embroidery, his steps slow but heavy with authority.
The Director.
Relief washed over Kaiser like sunlight breaking through clouds.
Finally! I'm saved.
He straightened his posture, hiding his panic behind a smirk. "You know," he said calmly, raising one finger and pointing at Kron, "there's always people like you wherever I go. Big talk, small brain. Let me give you a lesson."
The entire corridor went silent.
Kron's confident grin faltered. "What did you just say?"
Students gasped.
"He's provoking him!"
"He's gonna use his power!"
"Oh, this is gonna be good!"
Kaiser raised his hand slightly, letting a faint spark of heat shimmer between his fingers — just enough to look dangerous. In truth, he was bluffing; if he tried to use his power for real, he'd probably burn his own hand off.
Kron flinched back a little, sweat forming at his temple. "You little—"
And then the Director's voice thundered down the hall.
"What is going on here?"
Every head turned. The tension evaporated instantly. Kron froze, his bravado melting faster than snow under sunlight.
The crowd parted as the Director approached, his calm, piercing gaze sweeping over them. "Is this how Solara students welcome new arrivals?" he asked softly — too softly. That tone carried more danger than a scream.
Kaiser quickly lowered his hand and bowed slightly. "Ah, Director! We were just... exchanging greetings."
Kron shot him a deadly glare, but didn't dare say a word.
"Greetings?" The Director raised an eyebrow. "It looked more like a duel."
"Misunderstanding!" Kaiser said quickly, flashing an awkward grin. "He was just showing me... the hallway."
The Director turned his gaze toward Kron. "Is that true?"
Kron's jaw tightened. He wanted to argue, but one glance at the Director's eyes and he knew better. "Yes, sir," he said stiffly. "Just... showing him around."
"Good." The Director folded his arms. "Then you may continue showing him around — somewhere far from my hallway."
"Yes, sir." Kron clenched his fists but turned and began walking away, his pride visibly bruised.
As the crowd began to disperse, Kaiser exhaled in relief. "That was close," he muttered under his breath.
Kron stopped for a brief moment at the end of the hall and looked back, his expression dark.
"This isn't over," he said coldly. "Enjoy your protection while it lasts, little brother."
Kaiser smiled faintly. "Sure thing, big guy. I'll send you flowers when you lose."
Kron growled and stormed off.
Kaiser stood there for a moment longer, letting out a long sigh of relief once he was gone. His heart was still racing, but he managed a smirk.
"Guess acting cool really does save lives," he whispered to himself.
Kaiser was just about to leave, suitcase in hand, when a sharp voice cut through the hallway.
"Hey! You—impostor!"
He turned around, startled. "Huh? Me?"
"Yes, you, bastard!"
A tall young man stood at the other end of the hall, glaring at him with icy blue eyes. His silver hair shimmered under the light—exactly like Divah's.
The crowd that had started to disperse moments ago stopped again, murmuring with renewed curiosity.
"Wait… he looks just like Divah!"
"Is that her brother?"
"What's going on now?"
Kaiser blinked. Oh no. Another one?
"Since when," the stranger said coldly, walking closer, "since when is my sister your sister?"
"Your sister?" Kaiser repeated, feigning confusion. "Oh, right! I think… since forever? My memory's a bit fuzzy, it's been a long time."
The students gasped. The silver-haired boy's eyebrow twitched.
"Don't play dumb with me," the young man snapped. "I'm Norvin Lawson, Divah's actual brother*. You think I don't know when someone's using her name for attention?"
The hallway filled again with whispers.
"Oh damn, the real brother showed up!"
"This is bad for the new guy…"
"Kaiser's gonna get destroyed."
Kaiser forced a smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, alright, let's calm down, brother of my sister who's not my sister—"
"Stop joking!" Norvin barked, his aura flaring with cold energy. Frost crept across the marble floor at his feet. A visible chill filled the air.
Kaiser instantly raised both hands. "Whoa, hey, easy! You trying to freeze me for a misunderstanding?"
The students leaned in, waiting for drama. Kaiser sighed and took a step forward.
"Listen," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "I never said Divah was my sister by blood. I just call her big sis because she's taken care of me these past few days. That's it."
He crossed his arms and added with a sharp look, "And honestly, if I were pretending, do you really think I'd pick her? She wakes me up by throwing ice water at my face."
A wave of laughter spread through the students.
Even Norvin hesitated for a second, clearly thrown off by the honesty. The crowd began whispering again—but this time, in Kaiser's favor.
"He's got a point."
"Yeah, Divah would do that."
"Guess it was just a misunderstanding."
"And he's still alive after that? Respect."
Kaiser smirked faintly. Finally, logic wins for once.
Norvin frowned, the frost on the floor slowly melting away. "Tch… fine. But stay away from my sister. Got it?"
"Yeah, yeah," Kaiser said, waving dismissively. "I have zero plans of joining your family drama, trust me."
Norvin glared one last time before turning around and walking away, his coat fluttering behind him like a banner of pride. The tension faded, replaced by soft murmurs and laughter.
"Man, that guy's got guts," one student said.
"He just talked back to Norvin Lawson and lived."
"Maybe he is a Saint after all."
Kaiser rolled his eyes and started walking again, desperate to escape the circus his life had become.
After wandering through the academy's long hallways, he finally found a door with a shiny metal plate that read Room 51.
"Please tell me this is it," he muttered, sliding the card key through the reader. The door clicked open.
He stepped inside.
The room was bright and surprisingly large, but the first thing he noticed was the three beds lined up neatly along the walls.
"Wait," he said aloud. "Three beds? Oh no. Don't tell me—"
He sighed heavily, dragging his suitcase toward the nearest bed. "—it's a shared room. Of course. Because peace and privacy are apparently forbidden in my life."
He glanced around. Two of the beds were already claimed—one covered in a pile of clothes, the other neatly arranged with a book resting on the pillow.
Kaiser dropped his bag beside the third bed and sat down.
"Well," he muttered, staring at the ceiling, "time to meet my new nightmares. I mean, roommates."
Somewhere down the hall, he could already hear voices approaching—loud, chaotic, and getting closer.
He groaned. "Please… let them be normal."