...
A few minutes later... Nayun and Theo accompanied the instructor to his office.
Instructor Park's office was a study in contrast. Furnished with old, dark wood pieces that exuded tradition and permanence, it also housed the most advanced technology available, holographic screens and state-of-the-art security systems discreetly integrated into the classic environment.
It was a space that communicated power and authority without ostentation, just like its occupant.
He sat behind his massive desk, observing Theo and Nayun, who sat side by side.
"So."
The instructor began, his voice surprisingly soft for what had been displayed moments ago.
"We had a rather disruptive incident this morning."
He flicked through a tablet in front of him, where images of the destroyed classroom and preliminary reports had already been compiled with impressive efficiency.
"Shin Jonghak is in the infirmary. Mild concussion, a fractured jaw, three cracked ribs, and various bruises. Nothing permanent or life-threatening, but certainly significant."
His eyes lifted, meeting Theo's.
"Cadet Sagan, are you aware of the gravity of what happened?"
Theo held his gaze without hesitation.
"Yes, Instructor."
"And yet, you chose to respond to a threat with potentially lethal force."
"No, Instructor."
Theo replied calmly.
"I used the minimum force necessary to neutralize the threat. If I had wanted to cause permanent damage, we would be having a very different conversation right now."
The director studied Theo for a long moment, evaluating the response.
"The witness reports and the footage confirm your version and that of Cadet Chae."
He finally said.
"Shin Jonghak attempted to assault Cadet Chae from behind, you intervened, and he then directed his aggression toward you."
He paused, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
"What the reports don't explain is why an exemplary cadet like Shin Jonghak, with no history of such violent behavior, would suddenly decide to attack two classmates."
Nayun shifted in her chair, her discomfort visible in her posture.
"I can answer that, Instructor."
She said, her voice firm despite the evident tension.
"Jonghak... he has been showing obsessive behavior toward me for some time... When I made it clear that I had no romantic interest in him and that I was in a relationship with Theo, he didn't take it well."
The director nodded slowly.
"And today?"
"He was very different..."
Nayun continued.
"He looked like he hadn't slept in days. He was agitated. He mentioned Theo's parents, said things about them being demons, said things as if he expected me to agree... When I rejected his accusations and tried to walk away, he lost control."
The instructor exchanged a quick glance with Nayun before turning his attention back to Theo.
"Cadet Sagan, I am aware of the information leak about your family that recently occurred. Do you believe Shin Jonghak has any connection to it?"
Theo considered the question for a moment.
"It's a possibility, Instructor. After all, it's quite a coincidence that he would show up on the very day that such news was published."
It was a lie. Theo no longer had suspicions, but certainty.
While fighting with Jonghak, Theo had used
"I see."
The instructor leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced on the desk.
"Well, regardless of his motivations, Shin Jonghak's actions today were unacceptable. Attempted assault against a fellow cadet, followed by an uncontrolled attack that resulted in significant damage to Cube's property. Not to mention breaking the rule of never using magical powers within Cube's teaching facilities..."
He paused, his gaze hardening.
"Shin Jonghak is suspended indefinitely, pending a formal disciplinary hearing that will determine if he will be permanently expelled. Furthermore, his family will be held responsible for the material damages caused."
Nayun and Theo remained silent, absorbing the information.
"As for you two."
The instructor continued.
"Although the extenuating circumstances are considerable, I cannot completely ignore the fact that there was a disproportionate response that resulted in injuries and property damage."
He looked directly at Theo.
"Cadet Sagan, you demonstrated remarkable control by not causing permanent injuries, but you still exceeded what was necessary to neutralize the threat. You will have a 5-point reduction in your overall grade."
Theo nodded once, accepting the punishment without protest.
"Cadet Chae."
The director turned to Nayun.
"Although you were the initial victim, your decision to turn your back on a clearly unstable classmate contributed to the escalation of the situation. A 2-point reduction in your overall grade."
Nayun opened her mouth as if to protest, but then thought better of it and just nodded.
"There is one more thing."
The instructor added, his tone softening slightly.
"Cube does not tolerate harassment... If either of you has experienced anything similar in the past, or should you experience it in the future, I expect you to report it to an instructor immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, Instructor Park."
They both responded in unison. The instructor studied them for another moment before nodding, seemingly satisfied.
"Very well. You are dismissed."
As they stood up to leave, the director added:
"Cadet Sagan, a moment, please."
Nayun cast a worried look at Theo before heading out of the room. When the door closed, the instructor spoke.
"Theo."
He said, dropping the formal tone.
"The next time someone attacks Cadet Chae or someone close to you, I would appreciate it if there were a little less destruction, okay?"
For a brief moment, something that could be interpreted as a ghost of a smile passed Theo's lips.
'Oh! Is Instructor Park one of those who isn't a big fan of Shin Jonghak?'
"I'll do my best to avoid it, Instructor."
The door closed behind him. Instructor Park leaned back in his chair, contemplating the situation. After a few moments, he touched a button on his desk.
"Instructor Kim Soohyuk, please schedule a meeting with the Security Council. We have an urgent matter to discuss."
Outside the office, Theo found not only Nayun but the entire group waiting for him: Yeonha, Hajin, Suho, and Hazuki, all with expressions that ranged from concern to curiosity.
"So?"
Yeonha was the first to ask.
"What was the verdict?"
"Minus five points for me."
Theo answered simply.
"Nayun got minus two."
"Is that all?"
Hajin seemed surprised.
"After what you did to the classroom?"
"And to Jonghak."
Suho added, though his tone suggested he didn't entirely disapprove.
"Jonghak is suspended indefinitely..."
Nayun explained.
"He'll probably be gone for a long time."
A contemplative silence fell over the group as they absorbed the information.
Hazuki finally said.
"H-he deserved it. Trying to attack someone from behind is despicable."
Nayun, noticing the subtle shift in her tone, slid her hand into his, intertwining their fingers in a silent gesture of support.
"Well."
Suho said, breaking the moment with a slight smile.
"Since the first four classes have been canceled, what do you say we go to the cafeteria for a drink?"
Theo agreed at once.
"That's fine with me... Do you guys want to go too?"
Nayun also accepted.
"Let's go."
Yoo Yeonha as well.
"Yes, it's better than going back to the dorm."
Even Hajin, who had been quiet until now, thought it was a good idea.
As the group began to move down the hall, discussing random things, Theo felt Nayun squeeze his hand gently.
"You know..."
She murmured, just enough for him to hear.
"As much as I hate to admit it, it was kind of amazing to see you defend me like that."
A tiny, almost imperceptible smile touched Theo's lips.
"Just a little?"
Her genuinely light laughter echoed down the hall, dissipating the last traces of the morning's tension.
Leaving the teaching complex, Theo and those with him walked along the park sidewalk, chatting among themselves.
Passing by an area with large palm trees, Nayun, at his side, nudged him and subtly nodded her head in a certain direction, and Theo followed her gaze.
Under the shade of a tree over ten meters tall, near the path that led to the cafeteria, a solitary figure stood out. Seated on a wooden bench, with her legs elegantly crossed and her eyes turned toward the cloudy sky, Rachel Elizabeth Louise seemed completely oblivious to the world around her.
She wasn't wearing the traditional uniform, but a subtly more refined combination, still within Cube's guidelines but with an undeniable touch of nobility. Her blonde hair was tied in a low bun, and a gentle breeze danced around her, playing with loose strands as if even the wind were afraid to touch her directly.
Theo stopped for an instant. He looked at Nayun, who raised her eyebrows with an almost provocative smile.
"Go on, invite her to come with us."
"Heh\! That's why I love you..."
Taking everyone around by surprise, Theo held Nayun's face with both hands and kissed her on the lips.
"Tsk!"
Yeonha clicked her tongue with a pang of envy upon seeing the shameless scene.
"T-that's..."
Hazuki covered her eyes in embarrassment.
Suho and Hajin both felt like outsiders, not knowing what to do.
"I love you too, you scoundrel."
Nayun smiled sweetly as she looked at him.
"...Eh!? Is Theo going to ask Rachel to come with us?"
Yeonha, after her brief moment of envy, asked Nayun when she noticed Theo walking towards Rachel.
"Huh? Yes, he's going to see if she wants to come too."
Nayun said calmly.
But Hajin and Suho, who heard those words, shook their heads, as if it were a futile effort...
"...She hardly talks to anyone in class."
No, in fact, she rarely interacted with anyone other than the instructors and people from her team and country.
"Who knows... Maybe Theo can."
Hazuki commented; she didn't have much to say about Rachel, as the two had never interacted.
Hajin, who hadn't said anything, mentally agreed with Suho.
He, as the one who created her, knew very well what kind of personality that princess had, so even if Theo was a reader of his Novel, he strongly disbelieved that Rachel would agree to go with them.
After all, everyone there knew that many cadets had already tried to approach her, but all were repelled with unparalleled coldness on her part.
But there was something that no one there knew.
It was that Theo had already spoken with Rachel.
Not at public events, nor in Cube's social circles, but in banal moments that had almost no meaning.
Were they brief exchanges of words? Yes, they were.
However, even the most futile moments tend to leave marks on the history of the world.
As he got closer, Theo slowed his pace, not wanting to be abrupt, and greeted her.
"Hello, Rachel. Good morning."
She didn't turn immediately. Only when he was a few steps away did she slowly lift her gaze, staring at him intently.
"Theo... Good morning."
Her voice was low, polite, but without warmth.
"Did something happen?"
Hearing her speak that way, Theo felt that maybe she wouldn't accept.
'Hah! I'm already here anyway, might as well get it over with.'
"Not exactly."
He replied, with a slight smile.
"We're going to the cafeteria..."
Theo pointed to the others a few meters away on the other side.
"Me and the others. We thought maybe you'd like to come along."
"Me!?"
Rachel blinked once. The silence that followed seemed to stretch for longer than it actually did. She stared at him as if trying to decipher his intentions, not out of suspicion, but out of habit. As if she wasn't used to simple invitations. As if words like friendship or companionship had ceased to mean anything real to her.
"Uh-huh. If you don't want to go, that's fine."
Rachel stared at him again and seemed to consider something in silence.
After looking ahead for a moment and realizing she would have nothing to do until after lunch, since even the General Training Field would be occupied by another class, Rachel agreed as she stood up.
"Yes. I accept to go as well."
With her moving to his side, Theo walked back to the others, where some were looking at him, not believing what he had just done.
"Let's go. It's going to be a long day..."
Note: "End of the first Arc, now we will start the story for real... I hope to have each and every one of you with me in this new Arc."
...