The classroom felt smaller than usual.
The air was thick with tension, heavier than the scent of paper and chalk. Zara had been mocking them all morning, her words sharp, her grin cruel, and for the first time… Kai felt something inside him snap.
He had tried to stay calm, tried to ignore her. Axel and Leo had warned him. But every insult, every mocking glance, every word dripping with amusement pushed him closer to the edge.
"Heroes by night, nerds by day," Zara sneered again, tilting her head.
Kai's fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His heart pounded, not just from anger but from the memories of everything they had endured—the fights, the pain, the nights spent barely surviving.
"Stop it!" Kai's voice finally broke through, low and dangerous. But Zara only laughed, leaning back in her chair.
That was it.
The red glow in Kai's eyes flared faintly, just enough to make the room feel hotter, heavier. He stood up suddenly, chair scraping loudly against the floor.
"Enough!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the classroom.
Zara tilted her head, unfazed. "Or what, Kai? You gonna fight me too?"
Kai's control wavered. His body shook with restrained power, the anger threatening to erupt. He took a step forward, then another—close enough that Zara's smug smile faltered.
"You know what, Zara?" he said, his voice low but cutting, every word deliberate. "When you've been having bad times… bad days… we were always there for you. Always. And now?" He leaned in closer, his eyes glowing faint red, dangerous but contained. "When it's like we're just garbage to you… don't talk to us. Please."
Zara's smirk faltered. For the first time, she looked uncertain.
Kai's chest heaved. He wanted to hit, to let the anger out physically—but he stopped himself. He couldn't cross that line… not here, not now.
He straightened, taking a step back, trying to calm his racing heart. The glow in his eyes faded slightly, leaving only the quiet weight of his words lingering in the room.
Axel and Leo watched, silent but alert, ready if things went too far.
Zara opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated. The confidence in her eyes dimmed for a moment, replaced by something else—surprise, maybe even guilt.
Kai turned away, sitting back down heavily. His hands still trembled, but his voice had won without a single punch thrown.
The room was quiet now, the tension hanging like a shadow over every desk.
Zara didn't say another word.
Not yet.
And for Kai, that was enough.
He had drawn the line.
And this time… she knew he meant it.