The classroom was filled with the usual dull hum of students barely paying attention. Chloe sat with her friends, doodling in her notebook, while their English teacher, Mr. Harrison—a thin, spectacled man with a voice that could either soothe or bore you to sleep—read from their lesson.

  "There are times in life when we cannot figure everything out," he recited, his voice slow and deliberate. "But we must keep faith, trust the journey, and follow our hearts where they lead. Answers come when they are meant to."

  Chloe’s ears perked up. Well, that sounds way too relevant to my current situation, she thought, side-eyeing Mr. Harrison suspiciously. Did teachers just know when students were confused about life? Or was this some kind of educational witchcraft? Before she could think too hard about it, the lunch bell rang, snapping her out of her thoughts.

  “YES! Freedom!” Jake cheered, dramatically throwing his book into his bag.

  Chloe laughed as they all made their way to the cafeteria. As always, her grandmother had packed her an amazing meal—warm rice, sushi, and a fresh salad. Chloe took a bite, savoring the homey taste. “Man, my grandma’s food could probably fix world peace,” she sighed happily.

  “Or at least my stomach,” Ryan added, sneakily trying to steal a piece of sushi, only for Chloe to smack his hand away.

  They laughed, joking about the weirdest things—like whether teachers had secret lives outside of school (impossible, obviously), or if Jake’s oddly shaped sandwich was actually a government experiment (still under investigation).

  But the light mood shifted the moment they started heading back to class.

  Near the school entrance, a group of students stood frozen. Chloe’s stomach dropped when she saw them—the bullies from yesterday. Only now, they had brought reinforcements. The leader, a tall, scruffy-looking guy, was holding some poor kid by the collar, demanding to know Chloe’s class. The terrified student barely managed to stammer out the answer before being shoved aside.

  Chloe stiffened. Oh no. No, no, no. I do NOT have the energy for this today. She wasn’t looking for another street-fighter moment, especially not when she felt a little feverish. Her body tensed as they turned their heads, locking their gaze onto her from across the courtyard.

  Her heartbeat quickened. I need to run. Or hide. Or pretend to be invisible. Can humans turn into trees?

  Before she could act, it happened.

  A blur shot past her—moving so fast, she barely registered it until she heard a loud THWACK followed by multiple WHAM! BAM! POW! sounds, straight out of a comic book.

  The next thing she saw was a complete massacre.

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  One guy was sent flying into a bush, another was knocked down so fast he didn’t even have time to react. The leader barely managed to lift his hands before a well-placed kick sent him sprawling onto the pavement. Their new recruits tried to help, but it was useless—each one fell faster than the last, clutching their bruises and groaning in agony.

  And standing there, in all his glorious presence, was him.

  His skin was flawlessly fair, his eyes a deep, striking shade of red. His hair was golden—almost glowing under the sunlight—and his body was well-built, masculine, tall of 6'1 like he had just walked out of a fantasy novel.

  The entire schoolyard went silent.

  And then… the girls lost it.

  "Oh my gosh, who is he?!"

  "He’s like a PRINCE!"

  "I think I’m in love!"

  "DIBS!"

  He turned to the bullies, his voice low and commanding. “Don’t ever show your faces here again.”

  Terrified, they scrambled up and ran like their lives depended on it. (Which, considering how hard he just hit them, was probably the case.)

  Then, his gaze shifted—to her. Chloe gulped.

  “Are you okay?” His voice was deep, smooth, and unfairly attractive.

  Chloe opened her mouth to respond—except she didn’t get the chance. Her friends dragged her away so fast, her feet barely touched the ground.

  They pulled her into a corner, surrounding her like bodyguards.

  “OH. MY. GOD.” Emma practically screamed in a whisper. “YOU DIDN’T TELL US HE WAS YOUR MASTER!!”

  Chloe blinked. “Wait, what—?”

  “Oh, come ON, don’t play dumb!” Lily shook her by the shoulders. “You said a schoolmate taught you! And then this godly being shows up, kicking butt like it’s a movie scene?! HE’S OBVIOUSLY YOUR SECRET TRAINER!”

  Ryan had stars in his eyes. “Dude, I’d let him train me. I want to be that cool.”

  Chloe’s brain went blank. She could practically hear the static in her head. Oh no. I messed up. I MESSED UP SO BAD.

  Her friends stared at her, waiting. She scratched her head, desperately thinking. Okay, okay, damage control. What do I do? Admit the truth? No, no, that’s worse! Wait… maybe…

  She put on the most unconvincing grin of her life. “Uh… y-yeah! That’s him! Hehe… hehe…!”

  Silence.

  Then—

  “AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!”

  They exploded with excitement, jumping up and down, convinced that Chloe had been trained by the world’s most attractive martial artist. Meanwhile, Chloe stood there, internally screaming.

  I have ruined my own life.

  Panicking, Chloe took the only logical step—she ran. Like, full-speed, Olympic sprinting away from the disaster she just created.

  Ducking behind a school building, she caught her breath, only to realize she wasn’t alone. The golden-haired boy stood there, arms crossed, watching her with an amused smirk.

  “What’s your name?” she blurted out.

  “Clodan.”

  “Okay, Clodan, listen—I need your help. Please, do me a favor, and I’ll do anything in return.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what exactly is this favor?”

  “Just… pretend to be my master who taught me martial arts. Just in front of my friends! Please!” She looked up at him with her best puppy-dog eyes.

  Clodan was silent for a moment, then smirked knowingly. “I see… so you want to deceive your friends?”

  Chloe gulped. “…Yes.”

  He sighed, shaking his head, but there was amusement in his eyes. “Alright, I’ll play along.”

  Chloe exhaled in relief—until he added with a sly smile, “But you owe me a big favor.”

  Chloe narrowed her eyes. “How big are we talking?”

  Clodan leaned in slightly, his smirk deepening. “Oh, I don’t know… Maybe something fun. I’ll let you know when I decide.”

  Chloe groaned. “That sounds so suspicious.”

  He shrugged. “That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”

  Chloe pouted. “Ugh, fine. But if you make me do anything embarrassing, I will get my revenge.”

  Clodan chuckled. “I look forward to it.”

  Chloe sighed. What have I just gotten myself into?