It was only Alice who truly understood what had happened in that instant.

When her scythe reached Ethan's neck, her intention was never to sever his head. She was not that reckless and psychotic, nor was this some mindless outburst driven by bloodlust.

This was still a duel, and Alice was fully aware of that fact.

Her plan had been simple.

She would just make a shallow cut. Enough to draw blood, enough to make Ethan feel the blade against his throat and make him panic for a split second.

The moment he reacted, the moment his focus turned to his neck. Alice would use short teleportation again, reappearing when she one was, and using his panic to her advantage, she would knock his fence down with the base of his scythe.

But, something unexpected happened.

Just when her blade pierced just a layer of his skin. She felt an overwhelming rage bestowed upon her body, it was so rough that she was not in the position to breath.

This overwhelming presence came right from Ethan's body. It wasn't there before, Alice was sure of it, it appeared out of nowhere.

With one of her eyes opened, Alice felt an intense pain surged through her backbone.

"Gha…kek..!"

She tried to move away from the wall that she just hit, but all her efforts were wasted.

"Kek, Shit." She cursed,as she spat a mouth full of blood near her.

"The fuck was that…?"

Even though she was unable to stand at the moment, Alce simply cursed.

"Fuck.. this hurts."

Her eyes drifted ahead to where he saw Ethan, white hair, ocean blue eyes, in a shock. He just stood there, mouth opened, wide.

The instant Alice realized something was wrong, it was already too late.

This was not part of the duel.

This was not something she had calculated.

Something unexpected had intervened.

The referees, staff members, and even Sir Tyler rushed toward the scene after a few minutes.

"Cough…" Alice coughed again.

She was not unconscious.

It hurt, yes, but she could endure this much.

"Hey. Try not to close your eyes," the referee said, crouching beside her. He supported her back with one hand, slowly helping her straighten her posture.

He pulled out a small elixir bottle from his pouch and tilted it carefully, sliding the liquid into Alice's mouth.

The effect was immediate.

The shallow cuts on her body sealed shut, and the deep bruising began to fade almost instantly.

"Try standing," Tyler said.

His voice was cold. As if he were holding his anger back.

Alice gritted her teeth and pushed herself up slowly.

As she steadied herself, her eyes drifted forward.

Ethan was still standing there.

His sword lowered, his expression frozen in shock. He looked like he had no idea what had just happened either.

Alice exhaled sharply.

"Sigh… it's my fault," she said.

Everyone froze. "I was the one to blame."

Even though both of them had gone too far trying to win, Alice said it plainly, without excuses.

The surrounding students began closing in as she finally stood upright.

A few of them visibly relaxed.

Beatrix let out a small breath she did not realize she was holding. Rinna and a few others exchanged relieved looks.

"Let's take you to the infirmary," someone said.

Alice did not hear them.

She snapped her head toward Tyler instantly.

"Professor," she said. "What happened to our duel?"

Leon's eyes twitched when she saw her in this state and asking something this absurd.

'Idiot,' he thought. 'How are you standing there asking that with a straight face.'

There was no way he was saying that out loud.

Sir Tyler finally snapped. Leon saw a vein popped along Tyler's temple.

"Miss Alice Nightson."

"Yes," Alice replied immediately.

"From this point onward," Tyler continued, his voice sharp and controlled, "you are prohibited from participating in any duel without my direct permission."

"Professor—" Ethan tried to say something but Tyler didn't let him.

"You too Mr. Ethan."

The surrounding area went silent.

"As per academy rules, I am taking this action as a safety precaution. Despite prior warnings against using critical strikes in a duel, you two proceeded anyway. For that reason, both of you are disqualified from today's evaluation. I will have a talk with your homeroom teacher to retain a few of your credit points as well."

"…What the hell?" Alice snapped instantly. She took a step forward. "Hey, I already said it wasn't that serious, and—"

"Alice." Tyler's eyes narrowed.

The single word cut her off completely.

That stare… It was the kind that would make even demons hesitate.

For a second, Alice froze.

But then—

"Bahahahahahaha…"

The sound burst out of her, sharp and ugly.

"Oh, fucking hell," she laughed.

Tyler's brow twitched. "What did you just say?"

"You're all the same," Alice replied, her voice rising. "Always doing whatever suits you best. Always. Always. Always."

Her red eyes flared as they locked onto Tyler.

She was furious.

To everyone else, it was simple. She broke the rules. She went too far. End of story.

The professor was merely following protocol and delivering her punishment.

"Tch. Bitch," someone muttered from the crowd.

Alice heard it.

She did not react. Because she was used to it.

No one ever asked what she intended to do. No one ever asked why she pushed herself earlier.

They never did.

Because it was Alice who was dueling Ethan. And she knew exactly what would work on him and what would not.

It was thrilling. She was serious about this duel. She had even looked forward to the evaluation. Even if she lost, she would not have felt frustrated, because she would have lost to someone stronger than her.

That was thrilling too.

They did not care that she never meant to hurt Ethan. That she had calculated every movement, every angle, before attempting that trick earlier.

And she would have succeeded, if only that golden light had not intervened.

Even if it had never appeared, Ethan would have remained unharmed. She trusted her own skill.

No one even stopped to think. Why would she want to kill him?

She was human too. Right?

Listen to her first, then judge her. Do not look at her like this.

Why does this keep happening to her?

Why? Why? Why?

Alice had wondered about it millions of times, ever since the very first time her own mother punished her by locking her inside a room for an entire week, without food or water.

She was five back then.

She did not remember everything clearly, not at that age, but she remembered enough. She remembered how unhappy her parents were with her. While her cousin brothers were showered with affection, she was treated like something unwanted by her own family.

If not for her grandfather, she would not be here. She would not be alive.

Alice still remembered the day her grandfather found her. The state she was in was something she never wanted to describe, all thanks to her mother. Even now, she wished he had arrived just a little earlier. She wished he had noticed the bruises her parents had tried so hard to hide.

As long as her grandfather was breathing, she carried the name Nightson.

And the moment he was gone, everything would change.

No one would want her anymore.

And if that was how it was destined to end, then so be it.

She was fine with ruining it even further for herself.

She did not want anyone either. And it was not like anyone would ever understand her anyway.

"Hey." A warm hand grabbed her wrist.

Alice jerked her face to him, as her rattled eyes looked at his golden gaze.

She purged her lips, biting it down so hard for her not to shred tears now, before she tried it for the last time on this boy. To ask her, if he was the same.

"That was not my intention." She spoke.

"Mhm," Leon said quietly. "I saw that."

Alice's breath hitched.

"…You did?" she asked.

"Yes," Leon replied without hesitation.

She swallowed. "You're sure? you not making it up."

"Yes," he repeated, cutting her off gently. "I saw it clearly."

Alice's lips parted, but no words came out.

"That timing was perfect." Leon added, his tone calm, almost casual. "Be proud. Even a Stage Six weapon master didn't notice it."

He tilted his head slightly and smiled. "Isn't that amazing?"

Alice froze.

Her mouth opened. Then closed again.

For a second, her face twisted as if she did not know what to do with what she was feeling right now.

And then—

"Pfftt—"

A sound escaped her before she could stop it.

"Hehe…" It was small.

Leon blinked.

She covered her mouth with the back of her hand, as shoulders trembling as another soft laugh slipped out.

"…I guess," she said quietly, her voice cracking just a bit, "that's one way to put it."

Her chest felt lighter.

Something she hadn't felt in a long time.

She exhaled slowly.

Maybe… she would be fine.

Fuck everyone else.

Focus on the ones who see you.

There was no need to bend anymore. No need to explain herself to people who already decided what she was.

Alice straightened.

She turned toward Sir Tyler and bowed properly.

"I'm sorry, Professor," she said. Her voice was steady now. "I accept the punishment!"

It was not a sarcasm.

"I will forfeit. And regarding the credits," she added, lifting her head, "you may deduct them as penalties. It won't change my rank much anyway. The gap below me is large."

Tyler stared at her.

She continued, "I'll be heading to the infirmary. I'm injured. Bye~!"

She bowed again.

Then, without warning, she grabbed Leon's sleeve.

"I'm taking him," she said plainly. "I can't walk properly on my own."

The surrounding staff froze.

Leon did not resist either.

Sir Tyler watched her walk away and, for a brief moment, Raizen's words echoed in his mind.

Exactly as he said. Now he understood that Raizen having this much pride made sense.

It's rare to rebel. And even rarer to rebel against will.

He said nothing.

Behind them, Ethan stepped forward.

"Professor," he said, bowing slightly, "I'll head to the infirmary as well. I accept my punishment."

With that, he followed after them.

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