Alex staggered down the alley, clutching his side as he finally caught sight of the academy gates.
"Shit…" he muttered, wiping the sweat off his brow. "That guy was built like a damn fortress."
[+1 HP]
[+1 HP]
[+1 HP]
He glanced at the system interface. Even with regeneration kicking in, the bruises still ached.
> [Stat Update: Strength +2]
"I had to use my last two stat points just to leave a dent," he grumbled, brushing his jacket over the wound. "Stone Skin, huh? Guess that's just one of many damn earth-based skills."
His stomach growled, loud and aggressive.
> [Hunger Level: 68%]
"Yeah, yeah, I know," he muttered, turning sharply toward the convenience store nearby. "Let's fix you up."
Moments later, he stepped out, chewing on a thick slab of raw steak, juice trickling slightly down his chin.
"Gotta admit," he said, swallowing hard, "I've definitely grown stronger… faster. But that bastard? Durable as hell. Felt like punching a mountain."
He thought back to the fight. The guy's defense had been unreal. His fists had landed solid hits, but without the extra strength boost, he'd have been outmatched.
"And if I'd used Crimson Claw," Alex muttered, eyes narrowing, "that fight would've been over in seconds. I could've sliced through that stone armor like a hot knife through butter…"
He paused mid-step.
The thought lingered. The rush of the fight. The scent of blood. The thrill.
Saliva pooled in his mouth.
"…But if I did that," he whispered, "his flesh, his blood… I might've lost control."
He clenched his jaw, forcing the hunger back.
"Still not ready… not yet."
His pocket vibrated.
Alex pulled out his holographic phone, eyes widening.
"Shit!" he yelped. "Class!"
He darted toward the dorm building, steak still in hand, and slid around the corner only to skid to a stop.
Right in front of his room stood the whole crew — Miranda, Zane, and Kirito — all dressed in their uniforms, arms crossed.
Miranda had her hands on her hips, glaring.
"Alex, seriously? Where the hell have you been?!"
Zane smirked, crossing his arms with that same annoying glint in his eyes.
"Lemme guess — out wrestling sewer rats? Or maybe just ditching morning drills again?"
Kirito, as always, was calm. "I saw him leaving this morning. Didn't say where he was going."
Alex raised both hands, trying to look as innocent as possible. "Guys, chill! I just—uh, morning walk. Needed to clear my head. Y'know… vibes."
Miranda rolled her eyes. "Whatever. We're gonna be late."
"Be right back!" Alex shouted, dashing into the room, grabbing his towel and uniform with lightning speed.
Minutes later, they were walking side by side toward class, the academy halls buzzing with students. Everyone chatted about progress — mana cores, new insights, how close they were to forming their first complete mana loop.
Alex stayed quiet, hands buried in his pockets.
Tch… seriously? Mana core this, mana loop that. I can't even gather mana like the rest of them. Makes me feel like a damn dropout.
He sighed, eyes glancing at his system window quietly open in the corner of his vision.
> [Ghoul Core Active]
At least I've got this. My own path. My own kind of power.
Then he stopped walking.
The others paused and looked back at him.
Alex inhaled deeply, shoulders tense.
"Guys," he said, eyes serious now. "There's something I've gotta tell you."
They looked at him, confused.
Alex clenched his fist.
"It's about Drevon."
"So," he began, "this morning… I went out for a jog."
Zane squinted at him. "You? Jog?"
"I do jog, thank you very much," Alex shot back, not missing a beat. "Anyway, that's when I noticed someone was following me. Turns out it was that Stone Skin guy from the library."
Miranda blinked. "The one you dueled with?"
"Yeah, him," Alex said, nodding. "He confronted me. Said Drevon sent him—to 'break me.'"
There was a beat of silence.
Kirito leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "You're sure he said Drevon?"
Alex nodded. "Word for word. And if he was really sent by Drevon… I think you guys might be next. Especially you, Miranda."
Miranda tensed, arms crossed. "Of course. He just won't let it go."
Zane groaned. "Seriously? Isn't it Miranda who rejected him? Why the hell is he coming for us too?"
Alex turned to him with a flat expression. "Really, Zane? Now you just sound like a jerk."
Zane smirked and shrugged. "Oi, roasting's my thing, remember? I'm just kidding. Besides, we're already a team. There's absolutely no way we're backing down now."
Miranda nodded. "Still… shouldn't we report this to one of the instructors?"
Zane waved a hand. "Yeah, good luck with that. Trust me, they're not gonna do anything to him. He's from a noble family — the Galeharts. Big name, wind ability specialists. Those noble families practically fund these academies."
Alex scowled, fists clenched. "No offense, Zane, but I'm seriously sick of this. Noble family this, noble family that. It's starting to piss me off!"
Zane didn't argue. He just looked at Alex, his own smirk fading slightly.
Kirito, as usual, stayed calm. "That's the world we live in. Definitely not fair."
Everyone went silent for a moment.
Then Kirito spoke again.
"So. Back to the real issue — what's the plan, guys?"