Gray was instantly frozen into ice, even before he could comprehend what had just happened to him.
The people around, who had witnessed the bizarre scenario unfolding before their eyes, were left in stunned silence. They all gazed at Sophia with a mixture of shock and astonishment, unable to process what they had just seen.
A moment ago, Gray had been flaunting his powers, showcasing his dominance as he easily overpowered Sophia. But in the blink of an eye, he had been turned into solid ice, frozen in place.
Nobody noticed what happened. The only ones who understood were Sophia and Ravi, the latter being the only exception.
'Just as I thought, my fire is special. It burns, but turns everything into ice, devouring any kind of flames.'
Sophia stared at the frozen figure of Gray, a smug, self-satisfied smile curling at her lips.
"Why don't you laugh anymore? Can't do it. Now pay for your—"
Her voice was cut off when Ravi spoke, his tone calm and firm.
"Leave him."
Sophia, her hands still raised, ready to shatter the ice, froze at his words. She looked at Ravi, considering for a moment. Without a word, she withdrew her hands and turned to walk away, her voice carrying a quiet but chilling threat.
"You are lucky this time. If I see you again, don't expect me to spare you."
'And if you even think about insulting him, I will make your death even more painful.'
As both Sophia and Ravi walked away, a figure, his face hidden beneath a dark cloak, approached the frozen Gray. He placed a hand on the ice, his fire, a deep crimson like blood, flaring to life.
'As expected, her flames didn't freeze him. They absorbed his flames, and his flames froze him, just like mine.'
His gaze narrowed as he observed the thickening ice around Gray. Even his fire was starting to be consumed by it.
'If normal fire isn't enough, then how about something more?'
A wicked grin spread across his face as he saw Gray as nothing more than an experiment—his life or death irrelevant.
With a dark, malevolent intent, he unleashed his fire, but this time, the flames took on a bloody hue, rapidly melting the ice around Gray.
When the ice finally melted away, Gray collapsed to the ground, unconscious, and the figure nodded, satisfied.
"Take him away, fatty," he said, addressing Gray's friend, who was so petrified from seeing Gray frozen in front of him that he could barely react.
The figure gave a small smirk before walking away, disappearing into the distance.
Sophia and Ravi walked in silence toward their destination—a hotel designed specifically for students attempting to gain entry to Pis Aller Academy.
They didn't exchange a single word during the entire walk, the tension between them palpable after the incident on the streets.
'Why did he stop me from killing him?'
Sophia couldn't stop pondering the question. She had been taught by Brian that killing to protect yourself, even if it's another human, is justified. And those who use their power like animals, degenerates who harm others, do not deserve to live.
She didn't feel guilty about considering Gray's death. After all, he had been abusing his powers in a way that endangered others.
But now, Ravi's intervention stirred something inside her—she wasn't sure whether she should be grateful or confused. She wanted to ask him why he had stopped her, but she didn't pry. If he wanted her to stop, she respected his wishes.
Eventually, they arrived at their destination.
It was a towering building, the words 'Pis Aller' written in bold letters across the entrance.
Sophia and Ravi entered the hotel, showing their badges to the guards at the gate. They were allowed inside without trouble.
Once inside, the staff greeted them warmly, guiding them toward the reception.
They both followed the instructions and arrived at the reception, where a cheerful receptionist greeted them with a professional smile.
"Hello, sir and ma'am. How may I assist you?" she asked politely.
Sophia's voice was meek as she replied, showing her badge. "We would like to have a room for us tonight."
She was shy—almost embarrassed—since she was about to spend the night in the same room as Ravi.
The receptionist looked at her badge before speaking. "Here's your room key, ma'am. And the partner you'll be staying with is already inside your room." She handed Sophia the key.
"My partner?" Sophia was taken aback, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Yes, ma'am," the receptionist explained, "your partner is already inside your room."
Sophia's confusion deepened, and she asked, "Am I not staying with the person I came with?"
The receptionist chuckled lightly, but it only made Sophia feel more flustered. "Sorry, ma'am. We don't allow students of different genders to stay in the same room if they are strangers. It's considered impolite and awkward."
Sophia felt her face flush with heat, the realization hitting her all at once. She had been so focused on her task that she hadn't considered this detail. Now it seemed as though she was being thought of as trying to share a room with a guy.
'Why didn't I think of that? We could just stay in separate rooms. But why do I feel like... it would have been nice if... ahh, what are you doing, Sophia? Control yourself.'
Sophia lowered her head, avoiding the receptionist's gaze as she awkwardly took the key and turned around, not wanting to face the embarrassment.
But the receptionist noticed the redness in her cheeks, a slight smile creeping onto her face as she thought Sophia's bashfulness was cute.
She turned her attention to Ravi, who showed his badge. He seemed completely unaffected by the situation, and she handed him his key with a curious glance but didn't say anything further.
"You don't have a partner yet," the receptionist noted. "He will arrive soon. Thank you for staying at our hotel. Please enjoy your stay. Oh, and there will be an announcement in an hour with some hints about the exam. Feel free to join if you'd like."
The receptionist bowed, but Ravi didn't respond. He simply walked away, while Sophia, too embarrassed to speak, followed suit.
Only after they had walked away did Sophia lift her head, letting out a deep sigh, still flushed with embarrassment.
She hesitated before looking at Ravi and thinking,
'He doesn't seem to mind that much, but he doesn't hate me for that, right?'
She didn't want him to think of her as some sort of pervert, so she steeled herself and asked him,
"What's your room number?… 306. Mine is 509, so it should be on the fifth floor, while yours is on the third."
They took the elevator together, heading to the third floor first. Ravi moved towards his room without a backward glance, and she followed him to the fifth floor, calling out softly,
"Bye, Ravi."
Inside the elevator, the weight of the awkwardness settled heavily on her shoulders.
'I shouldn't have reacted like that. He probably thinks I'm a pervert and hates me now. Sophia, you big idiot, what have you done.'
She sighed deeply as the elevator doors opened. She stepped out and walked toward her room, her key trembling slightly in her hand.
The room inside was neatly furnished with two beds. One was perfectly made, while the other was clearly used, a green-haired girl lying on it, her face buried beneath a pillow, completely naked.
***
Thanks for reading everyone.
This the end of chapters that I had written much early on, I know it must have been difficult to read till now, I will try to edit the chapters in the future, so I apologize for the difficulty that you had.
From now on, the chapters will be new and I bet you will love that.
Thanks for your support.
Stay tuned for more...