Han's breathing was uneven.
His body—
Wounded.
Fighting against the weight of the battlefield.
Even then—
He stood.
Barely.
Blood marked the ground beneath him.
But he didn't fall.
His eyes—
Still sharp.
Still defiant.
Li Xian stood still.
Frozen.
Watching.
His chest tightened with every second.
Because he knew—
If nothing changed—
Han would die.
And then—
Li Xian moved.
Not toward Han.
Not toward his father.
But forward—
Into the space between them.
His voice cut through the air.
"…Father."
Everything paused.
"…Don't you think…"
His tone shifted.
Not desperate.
Not emotional.
But—
Cold.
Controlled.
"…this is a little boring?"
Silence.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Li Xian smiled slightly.
But it wasn't warm.
"…He's not worthy of such an easy death."
A soft chuckle escaped him.
"…Not like this."
His father watched him carefully.
Studying.
And Li Xian continued—
"…He is the best enemy I've faced in this academy."
His voice carried—
Something dangerous.
Something convincing.
"…And I don't want to see this kind of ending for him."
A pause.
Then—
"…Tomorrow…"
His eyes flickered briefly.
"…is the kingdom's hunting event."
A quiet breath.
"…How about this time…"
"…we announce a prize for his head?"
The words landed clean.
Calculated.
Perfect.
"…A proper hunt…"
"…for a proper enemy."
Silence.
And then—
Li Xian added one more thing.
"…I want him alive."
"…for now."
Behind the Words
Han's eyes were open.
Fully.
Watching.
Listening.
His expression—
Wasn't anger.
Wasn't rage.
It was—
Disappointment.
And pain.
"…Li Xian…"
He whispered it so softly—
That no one heard.
But his eyes said everything.
At the Same Time
Li Xian's father looked at his son.
A slow smile formed.
"…Oh?"
"…My son…"
"…you're finally learning."
He nodded slightly.
"…This is how it should be."
"…I'm proud of you."
But Li Xian didn't smile back.
Didn't react.
Didn't laugh.
Nothing.
Just—
"…As you command."
His voice was empty.
The Order
The army moved.
Immediately.
Han was surrounded.
"…Don't resist," one of them said.
Han didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But his eyes—
Never left Li Xian.
As they approached—
He saw it.
Clear.
Tears.
Held back.
Barely.
Disappointment.
Crushing.
And something else.
Something hidden.
Something that hurt more than the sword.
Han was taken.
Silently.
Without a fight anymore.
Because he understood.
Not the situation—
But Li Xian.
As Han was dragged away—
Li Xian stood still.
Not moving.
Not looking back.
But inside—
Everything was breaking.
"…I'm sorry…"
He didn't say it out loud.
But his heart did....
The academy returned to silence.
But something had changed.
Something irreversible.
Li Xian walked forward.
His expression calm.
Controlled.
Almost—
Perfect.
His father watched him.
"…Good."
"…Very good."
But Li Xian didn't respond.
Because now—
The line had been crossed.
And he knew—
There was no going back.