"What's your excuse this time, Shameless Kris?" Adam's voice rang out across the room, dripping with scorn as all eyes shifted to Kris and his group.
Belle felt the weight of the attention bearing down on her, her heart racing with anxiety.
The sudden shift in the room, from quiet murmurs to an intense spotlight, made her feel exposed and vulnerable.
She tried to steady her breathing, but the crowd's whispers were deafening.
Chansey, who stood by Belle's side, noticed her growing discomfort.
Gently, she placed a hand on Belle's back, her touch warm and reassuring.
"It's okay, Belle," Chansey whispered, her voice calm.
"They don't know what we've been through. Don't let them get to you."
Belle nodded, closing her eyes for a moment as she tried to calm her nerves.
She took a deep breath, willing herself to relax, to push away the noise and the judgment.
Just then, Kris approached, his usual stoic demeanor softening as he saw the distress in Belle's face.
"Are you okay, Belle?" he asked, his voice filled with quiet concern.
Belle opened her eyes and gave Kris a small, shaky smile.
"Yeah... I'll be fine. Can I hold your hand, Kris?" she whispered, her voice still uncertain.
As she asked, memories of the dark maze flooded her mind, the moment she held his hand in fear, yet somehow felt safe in his presence. That sense of security and calm was something she desperately needed again, amidst the chaos of the crowd's attention.
Kris, sensing her unease, gave her a comforting nod and extended his hand without hesitation.
He stood close, understanding that sometimes, just being there was enough to offer solace.
Belle gently took his hand, her grip tightening as her anxiety began to subside.
With Kris by her side, she felt a bit more grounded, a bit more steady, ready to face the growing tension around them.
Adam, noticing Belle and Kris holding hands, his rage flared up. He pointed at Kris furiously. "Why are you sticking close to my girl, you—!"
Before he could finish, a looming shadow cast over the crowd.
Slowly descending from above was Sir Ahmed, standing tall on the back of his massive Esper Serpent.
His presence was commanding, and the air around him seemed to chill with authority.
The crowd's murmurs died down, eyes widening as the intimidating figure landed gracefully in front of them.
"What is this chaos?" Sir Ahmed's voice boomed, sharp and laced with anger.
"There are still students going through the second stage, and yet here I find all of you causing a commotion."
His piercing gaze swept across the gathered students, landing briefly on Adam, who froze, his confidence evaporating under the weight of Sir Ahmed's presence.
The serpent coiled behind him, its eyes glowing faintly, adding to the tension in the air.
The entire crowd fell silent, the weight of Sir Ahmed's authority palpable.
A student at the back, feeling concealed among the crowd, mustered his courage and shouted, "That guy over there accused you of taking bribes from a student!"
His voice pierced through the intense atmosphere, drawing immediate attention as whispers rippled among the onlookers.
Sir Ahmed turned his gaze toward the back of the crowd, where the voice had come from. His eyes narrowed, and he reached out a hand to the student who had spoken.
Suddenly, the student felt an invisible force envelop him, and he began to levitate off the ground, his feet dangling helplessly.
Panic set in as sweat trickled down his brow, the weight of Sir Ahmed's intimidating presence pressing down on him like a boulder.
"Who said that?" Sir Ahmed's voice resonated with dominance. "Point him to me."
The student's heart raced as he struggled to catch his breath, the murmurs of the crowd fading into a tense silence.
"It's those two, Sir Ahmed," he stammered, shakily pointing a finger toward Adam and Terrence, both of whom had gone from anger to dread in an instant.
Adam's bravado began to crumble under Sir Ahmed's chilling glare.
He had heard the stories about the commanding officer's past, the tragic loss of his son during a Data Beast examination.
Instead of seeking vengeance, Sir Ahmed had chosen a path of protection, determined to ensure that no other student would suffer the same fate.
As Sir Ahmed turned his attention to Adam and Terrence, the tension escalated. The crowd watched in rapt silence, the outcome of this confrontation hanging in the balance.
Adam, feeling cornered and desperate, summoned all his courage and pointed an accusatory finger at Sir Ahmed.
"Why are you so angry? Is it because I exposed your corrupt ways?"
His voice trembled, but the defiance in his words echoed through the silence, reverberating like a challenge.
The crowd shifted, murmuring in shock at his audacity, as the tension in the air thickened.
Sir Ahmed's eyes narrowed, and an unsettling calm washed over him.
The shadows seemed to deepen around him, amplifying his imposing presence.
He landed in front of Adam, his gaze piercing through him like a sharpened blade.
"Corruption?" Sir Ahmed repeated, his voice low and deliberate.
"Where do your accusations stem from?"
"And you," Sir Ahmed continued, shifting his gaze to Terrence,
"do you agree with this student?"
"N-No, Sir Ahmed! I was just frustrated with the situation. I didn't mean any harm,"
Terrence quickly denied, his voice trembling as he pointed at Adam.
"He's the one who convinced everyone that you took a bribe!"
As Sir Ahmed's focus settled on Adam, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
The powerful aura surrounding the instructor was almost palpable, sending a shiver down Adam's spine.
The students around them nodded in agreement, their earlier doubts about Kris and his group fading away.
Adam felt increasingly isolated, his anger now mingling with fear.
"Do you have any evidence to support your claim?" Sir Ahmed asked, his tone firm.
Nervously, Adam blurted out,
"The two-hour completion was impossible! So I assumed they were bribing someone!"
Sir Ahmed glared at Adam, then raised his hand.
"Esper, show them what happened inside."
The Esper serpent, now perched on his shoulder, its eyes glowing with intensity, projected a vivid compilation of Kris's group's experience in the obstacle course.
Kris watched the scene unfold, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the sudden shift in power dynamics.
Beside him, Belle squeezed his hand tighter, drawing strength from his presence.
Gasps echoed throughout the crowd as they witnessed the projection.
They saw Kris executing impressive parkour maneuvers through the jumping course, commanding his group with undeniable charisma.
The footage continued until the group exited the obstacle course, showcasing their teamwork and skill.
The crowd buzzed with amazement, students murmuring to one another as they processed the spectacle they had just witnessed.
"Did you see that? Kris is incredible!" one student exclaimed, eyes wide with admiration.
"I had no idea someone could move like that!" another chimed in, their tone filled with awe.
Meanwhile, Adam watched in horror as the reality of the situation set in.
The color drained from his face, his expression twisting in disbelief.
"That's not Kris!" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
His heart sank as he saw the scene where Kris had Belle in his arms, carrying her like a princess.
It shattered his perception of reality.. 'but Belle likes me!'
Desperate to cling to some semblance of hope, he turned to find Kris and Belle still holding hands.
The weight of the moment crashed down on him, and he felt his consciousness slip away as the world around him faded to black.
Sir Ahmed shook his head, a mix of disappointment and resolve washing over him.
He levitated Adam, guiding him toward the exit while keeping a watchful eye on the remaining students.
"Everyone, great job," he addressed Kris's group, a hint of pride in his voice.
But his attention quickly shifted as he turned to Terrence, who was now floating helplessly beside him.
"Aah! What's going on? I didn't do anything!" Terrence panicked, wriggling in mid-air, his fear evident as he floated aimlessly.