The scene cuts to a vivid flashback from James's childhood.
Young James stood alone in the woods, gathering firewood. His small hands struggled to carry the large sticks, but his face held a determined expression. Suddenly, the air around him shifted, growing thick with tension. The sound of leaves crunching and the low growls of something approaching made James freeze.
From the shadows, a pack of wolves emerged. Their eyes glowed like embers, and their saliva dripped onto the ground, their hunger evident. The wolves circled James, their teeth bared, their bodies tense.
Young James trembled, his voice shaking with fear. "What's happening...?"
One of the wolves stepped forward, its nose sniffing the air. It eyed James hungrily, its growl sending a chill down his spine.
"Mama! Mama! Help me, please!" James cried out, tears streaming down his face, his voice desperate as the wolves closed in. He could feel the coolness of their breath on his skin, the pain of a sharp scratch on his arm as one of them lunged at him. The blood began to trickle down his hand.
"Please! Don't eat me!" James sobbed, completely paralyzed with fear.
And then, out of nowhere, a figure appeared—a young Amelia, her presence unmistakable. She stepped into the fray with a commanding air, her blue eyes glowing with a powerful aura. Without a word, she raised her hand, and the wolves were thrown back as if struck by an invisible force. Their howls filled the air as they were forced to retreat.
Amelia's expression was cold, calculating, but her eyes briefly met James's. For a split second, there was something in her gaze that softened, a fleeting moment of recognition—or perhaps compassion—but it was gone as quickly as it came. Her power was undeniable.
---
James snaps back to the present, his hand subconsciously moving to the scar on his arm. He can't shake the memory of that moment.
"I think I've met her before..." James murmurs, still unsure of the full depth of the encounter.
"Huh?" Ryu looks at him, confused. "You say something?"
James quickly shakes off the thought, forcing a smile. "No, no. It's nothing." He rubs his forehead, trying to clear his thoughts.
Ryu claps him on the back with a grin. "Let's go! It's lunch time."
As they walk down the bustling hallway, James notices the diversity of the students around him. Different races—Orcs, Goblins, Witches, Demons, Elves, and Demi-humans—cross their paths, all attending the same school. It's an overwhelming sight, and yet, James can't help but feel his thoughts drift back to Amelia. Her cold demeanor, the flash of power in her eyes... Something about her felt different. Her presence was both intimidating and strangely familiar.
---
They enter one of the many canteens, the room full of students, chatting and eating. At one table, Amelia sits alone, eating quietly, her expression as cold and unreadable as ever. James watches her from a distance, his curiosity growing, but he can't place why she's been lingering in his mind all day.
Suddenly, a loud voice breaks the silence as a guy bumps into James on purpose, knocking his tray of food out of his hands. The sound of food splattering echoes through the air.
Zephyrus—the arrogant student—glares at James, his voice dripping with disdain. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!" His eyes narrow, looking down on James as if he were a mere ant.
James, stunned, stares at the mess on the floor. "Uh, hey! You're the one who dropped my food!"
Zephyrus sneers. "So? You're weak. Not like me." He steps forward, his intimidating presence almost suffocating.
He shoves James, causing him to stagger back slightly. "I'm rank #15 in this school! You can't even stand a chance against me."
Ryu, seeing his friend pushed around, immediately steps in front of James, his stance defensive. "Hey! Who do you think you are, threatening my friend?!" He pushes Zephyrus back a little, his tone fiery.
Zephyrus, now facing Ryu, scoffs and crosses his arms. "Who do you think you are?! You're weak, Ryu!"
James, catching his breath, steps between them, trying to calm the situation. "Hey, stop!" he says firmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "It's not worth escalating. Even if it's your mistake, I'll forgive you."
Zephyrus laughs maniacally, walking away with a mocking smirk. "Weaklings." He shouts over his shoulder, his words dripping with contempt.
Ryu clenches his fists in frustration, but James places a calming hand on his shoulder. He watches as Amelia silently observes the entire exchange from her seat, her eyes never leaving James. Her face remains as cold as ever, but there's something deeper in her gaze—a longing, a sense of loss that James can't quite place.