"I'm sorry," he said gently.
The irritation in Clover vanished instantly.
Not because of the apology—
But because of him.
He was… breathtaking.
For a moment, Clover forgot how to think. Her mind went blank. Her tongue refused to move.
He reached out, lightly touching her shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"I… I'm fine," she managed.
"That's good." He smiled softly and turned to leave.
Clover stood frozen, watching him walk away, her thoughts still trapped somewhere far from reality.
He was nothing like Gorge.
Not even close.
Then—
He stopped.
Turned.
Walked back to her.
"Do you know where the administrative block is?" he asked.
"Huh?"
A soft chuckle escaped him. "I'm a transfer student. I'm kind of lost."
Her heart skipped.
A handsome transfer student… asking her for help?
"I'll take you there," she said quickly.
"You can just direct me. I don't want to waste your time."
"It's fine," Clover insisted. "I'm not busy."
A lie.
But nothing mattered more in that moment.
They walked together.
Clover tried to speak.
He listened.
And responded.
Warmly.
Naturally.
A few times, he smiled at something she said.
Each smile felt like a victory.
They reached the building.
"Thank you," he said. "I'm Dave. Class A."
"I'm Clover. Class D."
She waited.
For the laugh.
For the usual reaction.
It never came.
Instead—
"Nice to meet you, Clover."
Her heart fluttered.
They parted ways.
When Clover met Jane later, she was ready to complain.
But the moment she mentioned Dave—
Jane lit up.
Then suddenly—
Her expression changed.
"What's wrong?" Clover asked.
"About Gorge…"
"Don't worry," Clover cut in. "I'm over him. Completely."
Jane studied her for a moment—
Then nodded.
They moved on.
Laughter returned.
Until Jane's boyfriend arrived.
After saying goodbye, Clover headed home.
That evening, everyone noticed the change.
She was smiling.
After dinner, she rushed to her room and dropped onto her bed.
Dave's face replayed in her mind.
Again.
And again.
Sleep came slowly.
And when it did—
The dream returned.
A woman stood tall.
Radiant.
Powerful.
Her presence alone bent the air around her.
Before her knelt another woman.
Broken.
Bound.
"Lylithrix," the white-haired woman's voice echoed like thunder. "You have slaughtered innocent souls. You have spread evil across the earth."
The air trembled.
"You are guilty."
She raised her hand.
Dark chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around Lylithrix.
Dragging him down.
Into endless darkness.
The scream that followed—
Pierced through Clover's soul.
Clover shot awake.
Gasping.
Her heart slammed violently against her chest.
Too fast.
Too real.
She pressed a hand against her chest, breathing hard.
Why was it happening again?
And this time—
It felt different.
Closer.
As if she wasn't just watching.
As if she was… there.
Morning came.
Clover forced herself out of bed.
Her thoughts drifted to Dave.
A small smile formed as she stepped into the bathroom.
Later, she walked to school with Helen.
The silence between them was thick.
"So… how's class?" Clover asked.
Helen glanced at her, surprised. "It's okay."
"You can go ahead," Clover said.
Helen nodded and walked on.
Clover watched her leave.
Helen wasn't a bad person.
So why did jealousy always find its way into her heart?
That afternoon, Clover wandered along the walkway.
"Clover!"
She turned.
Dave.
Her heart jumped.
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said.
A lie.
She had been hoping.
"Me too," he replied with a grin.
"So… what are you doing here?"
"I was just taking a stroll," she said quickly.
"People do that here?" he teased.
"Of course," she said. "I love strolling."
He laughed.
"I just finished my lectures. We can talk for a while."
Her heart raced.
"You're fun to be around," he added.
Before she could respond—
"Isn't that Mr. Grump?"
Gorge.
Recheal stood beside him.
"That's her," Recheal confirmed.
Gorge stepped forward, eyes mocking.
"He probably doesn't know who you are," he said, glancing at Dave.
Recheal smirked. "Found yourself another one already? Can't stay without a man?"
"She probably can't," Gorge added coldly. "She's that kind of girl."
They walked past, laughing.
The sound lingered.
Clover's stomach dropped.
Her head lowered.
She wished the ground would swallow her whole.
Dave looked at her.
"Is that also your name?" he asked gently.
Shame burned through her.
Without a word, she turned and ran.
Leaving him behind.
Confused.
______________________________________
_____________________
That night—
Deep within the Abyss—
A man stood tall.
Darkness bent around him.
An army of demons knelt at his feet.
"Gather them," he said calmly. "We will invade the human world."
His voice echoed with power.
"It will be ours."
A demon stepped forward cautiously. "Master… the Book of Evil has been found."
His eyes sharpened.
"Where is it?"
"We… haven't secured it yet."
Silence.
Then—
A flick of his finger.
The demon slammed violently to the ground.
The others bowed lower.
"Bring it to me," Lylithrix said coldly. "Kill anyone who stands in your way."
His command was absolute.
____________________________________
____________________
Elsewhere—
Dylan stood before an empty throne.
The air around him was cold.
Heavy.
"Lylithrix has awakened," someone said.
Dylan's crimson-brown eyes darkened.
Thousands of years ago, the witch queen had sealed that monster.
But her soul had been lost.
Now—
The Book had resurfaced.
Which meant—
Ellen soul is alife.
Dylan made his decision.
He would find the book.
And—
He would find the girl who carried the lost soul.
________________________________________
___________________
Days passed.
Clover have been avoiding Dave.
Until—
She was called for an academic defense.
When she entered—
She froze.
Dave was there.
Watching.
Her teacher's nephew.
Her mind went blank.
Her words vanished.
She failed.
"Clover!"
Dave caught up to her outside.
"I'm sorry," he said. "Please don't avoid me. I'll talk to my uncle—you'll get another chance."
She tried to stay upset.
Failed.
"Fine," she said. "But you owe me lunch."
He agreed instantly.
After a pause, she asked, "Why did you transfer?"
He hesitated. "It wasn't… a good place for me."
She didn't press further.
"What about your girlfriend?"
A pause.
"We broke up."
Clover tried to hide her reaction.
"Who breaks up with someone like you?" she muttered.
He smiled faintly.
"I guess it's not just about looks."
For a moment—
She saw something in his eyes.
Pain.
That night, they exchanged contacts.
Clover went home smiling.
She barely slept.
The next day—
On her way home—
Something blocked her path.
Clover froze.
A creature stood before her.
Its skin was torn.
Burnt.
Its eyes glowed unnaturally.
Another stepped out behind it.
Her heart dropped.
She screamed.
And ran.
Her legs felt weak.
Her breath uneven.
But she didn't stop.
They were faster.
Closer.
Too close—
One leapt toward her—
And—
A flash.
Blinding.
A figure appeared between her and the monster.
Dressed in white.
He moved.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
In seconds—
The creatures lay on the ground.
Destroyed.
Dark blood stained the earth.
Clover stood frozen.
Trembling.
Her vision blurred.
And just before everything went black—
She saw his face.
And realized—
The one who saved her…
Was her enemy.