Alice had never been one for making friends, but Michael made it almost too easy. Over the next few days, he was always around—whether it was offering her a seat at lunch, walking her to class, or just showing up whenever the Amazons looked like they were about to corner her again.
"So, why are you helping me?" Alice asked one day as they sat under a tree in the courtyard during lunch.
Michael grinned, his sharp blue eyes twinkling. "I told you, I don't like bullies. Besides, you're... interesting."
"Interesting how?" Alice asked, narrowing her eyes.
"You've got a spark," Michael said, leaning back against the tree trunk. "Most people around here just go along with the status quo, but you? You're not afraid to shake things up. It's refreshing."
Alice rolled her eyes. "I'm not trying to 'shake things up.' I just want to survive this place."
"Surviving is part of the game," Michael said, his tone more serious now. "And if you want to survive Blackthorn, you'll need allies."
Alice hesitated, studying him. There was something about Michael that made her feel... safe. He had an easy confidence that was comforting, but beneath it, she could sense a power that rivaled even Demian's.
"What are you?" she asked suddenly.
Michael smirked. "You're direct. I like that."
"Answer the question," Alice said, folding her arms.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "I'm a dragon."
Alice blinked, caught off guard. "A dragon? Like fire-breathing, winged, mythical creature dragon?"
"Pretty much," Michael said, his grin widening.
"That... explains a lot," Alice muttered, thinking about his calm confidence and the way he had stood up to Demian without flinching.
---
The peace didn't last long.
It was during Combat Tactics again, the same place where Alice had first tangled with Demian. She was practicing with a set of wooden daggers when she heard the familiar sound of mocking laughter.
Turning, she saw Andrea and her Amazon crew saunter into the training hall. Andrea looked none the worse for wear from their last encounter, her green eyes gleaming with malice.
"Look who it is," Andrea sneered. "The little witch who thinks she's better than everyone else."
Alice sighed, already feeling the headache forming. "What do you want, Andrea?"
"Oh, nothing," Andrea said, feigning innocence. "Just thought we'd give you another lesson in how things work around here."
Alice set down her daggers, stepping forward. "If you want another fight, I'm happy to oblige."
The Amazons laughed, but Andrea's smile faltered slightly.
"Don't get cocky," Andrea snapped. "You got lucky last time."
Alice smirked. "Let's see if luck's on my side again."
The fight that followed was even more brutal than the last. The Amazons came at Alice together this time, but she moved with a speed and precision that surprised even herself. Her fists and feet flew, each strike landing with pinpoint accuracy.
By the time she was done, Andrea and her crew were sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain.
The other students in the training hall stared in stunned silence.
"You should really learn when to quit," Alice said, brushing dust off her black tunic.
Suddenly, the temperature in the room seemed to drop. A dark presence filled the space, making everyone freeze.
Alice turned slowly to see Demian standing at the entrance, his crimson eyes blazing with fury.
"You just don't know when to stop, do you?" he said, his voice low and dangerous.
The crowd of students parted as Demian strode forward, his aura dark and suffocating.
Alice stood her ground, but her heart was pounding. She had faced Andrea and her crew without flinching, but Demian was an entirely different beast. His power filled the room, pressing down on her like a physical weight.
"You've made a big mistake," Demian said, his voice like a growl.
Alice clenched her fists, trying to steady her breathing. "I don't scare that easily."
Demian's smirk returned, but it was colder this time. "You should."
He raised his hand, dark energy crackling around his fingers. The crowd gasped, some of them stepping back in fear.
Alice tensed, every muscle in her body screaming at her to run. But just as Demian was about to strike, he froze.
His crimson eyes widened slightly, and he stepped back, his expression shifting from anger to something else—confusion? Fear?
"What are you?" he muttered, his voice barely audible.
Alice blinked, caught off guard. "What are you talking about?"
Demian's gaze locked onto her, and for a moment, the room was utterly silent. He seemed to be searching for something, as though trying to see past her façade.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his aura retreating with him.
The students erupted into whispers as soon as he was gone.
"What just happened?" someone asked.
"Did Demian... back down?"
Alice stood there, her mind racing. She looked down at her bracelet, the silver band cool against her skin.
---
Later, as she sat in the courtyard with Michael, she recounted what had happened.
"He backed off," she said, still trying to process it. "Why would he do that?"
Michael's expression was unreadable. "Because he sensed something in you. Something powerful."
Alice frowned, gripping her bracelet. "What kind of power?"
Michael hesitated, then shook his head. "I don't know yet. But whatever it is, Demian's afraid of it."
Alice looked at him, her stomach twisting with unease. "What if I don't want him to be afraid of me?"
Michael smirked, his sharp blue eyes gleaming. "Too late for that, Alice. You've already made yourself a threat."
Alice sighed, leaning back against the tree. She didn't know what kind of power Demian had sensed in her, but one thing was certain: her life at Blackthorn Academy was only going to get more complicated from here.
---