THIRD PERSON'S POV
"Zoé, that's enough."
Albert's glare could have pierced steel.
Around them, the others stood frozen—caught between fear and disappointment.
But Zoé didn't hear a word. Her eyes were locked onto Ivy, burning with clear intent.
The moon necklace around her neck began to glow.
Ivy's brows lifted slightly. Then she smiled—playful… but wrong.
"Aww… your moon necklace is activating," she said softly, almost teasingly. "What are you going to do? Shred me?"
She reached out, casually taking Zoé's hand and removing it from her neck.
The gesture was gentle.
Her presence wasn't.
Something shifted in the air—subtle, but enough to make the others uneasy.
Zoé didn't notice.
Blinded by rage, she stepped forward—
Only for Ivy to push her back.
Hard.
Zoé slammed into her own force field.
Pain shot through her body.
Her eyes widened.
That… wasn't supposed to hurt her.
"Go ahead," Zoé snapped through clenched teeth. "Hit me. I dare you."
A soft chuckle escaped Ivy.
"Oh, honey…" she murmured. "The things I could do to you…"
She leaned in, stopping just short of Zoé's face.
For a split second—
Her eyes flickered black.
Then gone.
No one had noticed.
No one but Zoe, who's eyes remained widened in fear she refused to acknowledge.
Ivy stepped back.
The force field vanished.
Zoé stumbled forward, collapsing slightly from the sudden loss of resistance. She didn't even register the pain.
Only confusion.
Renzo's voice cut cleanly through the tension.
"Zoé. Ivy will take your place in the first round as punishment... That's if we still go with the usual plan."
"What?!" Zoé snapped. "You can't! She provoked me!"
"It's not up for discussion," Renzo replied flatly. "To your room. Fiona—check her for injuries."
Zoé shot Ivy one last look before storming off.
Fiona hesitated, then followed, offering Ivy a small, apologetic glance.
Renzo stretched lazily.
"Alright, kids. See you in two weeks for training."
And just like that—he was gone. Again.
Albert moved immediately, stepping in front of Ivy and gently tilting her chin.
"It's fine," he muttered, inspecting her neck. "Should be gone by tomorrow."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"Why provoke her?"
"In case you haven't noticed," Ivy said lightly, "she'll be a problem if you're not careful."
George scratched the back of his head, sighing.
"Sorry about her… she's not usually this aggressive. Don't know what's gotten into her."
"Apologizing for others is not only useless but pathetic" Ivy stayed calmly, an awkward silence falling over the room.
Donald's voice cut in, breaking it.
"Where's your moon necklace?"
"In Country A, we don't use them," Ivy replied calmly. "Our energy source is… confidential."
Nathan stepped closer, watching her carefully.
"Where do you stand?"
"Somewhere," Ivy shrugged.
Donald's gaze hardened slightly, studying her like a puzzle.
"Stop that," Ivy said, frowning.
"Stop what?"
"Don't you have better things to do?"
"I do," he said calmly. "And I'm doing it. Why are you lying?"
"About what?"
"Where you stand. Are you human?"
"Yes."
"And your energy source?"
"Donald, cut it out," Lily stepped in.
"I told you—it's confidential. Go ask Renzo."
"Why would Renzo know?" Donald pressed.
"He's not from Country A. Are you related? Do you know him personally?"
"He worked for my father and agreed to guide me here," Ivy replied. "Satisfied?"
Donald didn't blink.
"Energy source."
"Confidential."
George groaned, facepalming.
The tension stretched.
Lily rolled her eyes and walked off.
"I'll find out eventually," Donald muttered.
Ivy smirked faintly.
"Good luck."
Albert dropped beside her.
"Making a new bestie now? What about me?"
"I'm not making a new bestie, idiot."
"So… no battle tomorrow?" Albert asked, glancing at George.
George shrugged.
"Guess not."
Time Skip – One Week Later
.
.
.
The field buzzed with energy.
Students rushed to their assigned areas as seniors and juniors gathered for specialization.
George and his team took their place at the front. The crowd parted for them effortlessly—attention following their every move.
Zoé stood stiffly, expression unreadable.
George and Donald spoke in low tones.
Albert rambled to Nathan about experiments.
Fiona lingered quietly.
Lily, on the other hand, was practically vibrating as she dragged Ivy along.
"Do you understand?" she asked eagerly.
Ivy shook her head.
Lily rolled her eyes—but kept smiling.
"So basically—because of all the… extraordinary people here," she giggled, ignoring Zoé's look, "we get personal mentors, group mentors, and general classes…"
She continued, animated as ever.
"I'll choose medicals. Military training is mandatory anyway. Personal mentors guide you, report to general mentors, then administration—blah blah evaluation, tournaments—you get it. With you on our team, we're definitely winning again!"
She paused—snacks now more important.
Ivy quietly skimmed through the student guidelines.
Nathan glanced at her.
"I think Lily forgot to mention our rival team," he said. "We either tie or win against them. They're not easy."
Ivy raised a brow slightly.
"Eight members. Leader's Sarah. Think of them as… a softer version of us. Still brutal."
Albert leaned in.
"First national battle with them?" he said.
"Still haunts me."
Lily clung to Fiona dramatically.
Ivy said nothing.
George cleared his throat.
"Focus. They're starting."
Two masked mentors stepped onto the stage, dressed in black, each carrying a box.
Ivy let out a quiet laugh.
"What is this, a play?"
"They're mentors," Albert whispered. "Outfit shows specialization."
"School started two weeks ago. Why now?" Ivy asked.
"Becaaaaauuuuse—"
Albert suddenly grabbed her cheeks, squishing them.
"They're busy. Don't need your bratty permission."
Ivy grabbed his hair instantly.
Albert yanked hers back.
They toppled—
Drawing stares.
A mentor sighed.
"Albert. Ivy. Enough."
They separated immediately, huffing as they returned to their seats.
George and the others exchanged looks.
So she could be unserious.
The mentor adjusted the mic.
"A good day to all…"