Chapitre 17: More Problems

"…And here we are…" I heard her say, but before she could move forward, I tugged back, stopping her.

"I can't go in there," I said firmly, knowing full well this was the high-rankers' cafeteria.

The cafeteria was divided into two sections.

The upper floor was reserved for high-rankers, a luxurious space filled with high-class amenities and privileges. In contrast, the lower floor was a watered-down version for low-rankers—plain, utilitarian, and devoid of extravagance.

There were two reasons for this segregation.

The first was to prevent conflicts between rankers. A fight between two high-rankers carried far less risk than a high-ranker and a low-ranker clashing. The latter could easily result in the low-ranker being killed before authorities could intervene.

The second—and perhaps more pressing—reason was the cost. A single meal in the high-rankers' cafeteria cost a low-ranker's entire two weeks' worth of points.

No low-ranker dared step foot in there.

But for me, avoiding this place had a different reason altogether.

"Why can't we go in?" she asked, tilting her head in curiosity. She could've dragged me in easily if she wanted to, but for some reason, she paused to hear me out.

"I'd prefer if we head to the lower floor," I said, locking eyes with her.

[Why are you trying to run away?]

'Do you even have to ask?'

[Wait... you don't mean you're running away from—]

'Yeah. Eloisa.'

Knowing how unpredictably crazy this girl is, there was no telling how she'd behave in there. Worse, given how unstable Eloisa could be, she might literally try to kill me if this psycho decided to act all lovey-dovey with me.

[Oh... well, that's an issue. But you could always accept my blessing.]

'Fat chance.'

"Why?" she pressed again, her gaze unwavering.

"I just prefer to eat in peace," I said. It wasn't a lie. This place was full of nobles who knew me—people who would take any chance to make my life hell.

There was also Eloisa's twin brother, Ethan.

The guy was itching for a reason to kill me, and walking in here with her on my arm would be like handing him a sword and saying, 'Have at it.'

"Are you afraid of these weaklings? Listen, no one in there can compete with me," she said, her piercing gaze searching mine. I met her eyes silently, not saying a thing.

"Just let me go," I said, with a sigh.

"No, I can protect you," she smiled.

"I don't need it," I said, looking at her squarely.

"You know you do, don't deny it." Her voice softened as she suddenly cradled my face in her hands.

Her movements were so smooth that I didn't even register them until it was too late. Or maybe I was just too entranced by her peach-colored eyes to notice.

"You see," she said seriously, her voice firm yet gentle. "As long as I'm here, no one can lay a finger on you."

I frowned, squinting at her. "Why are you doing this?" I asked.

At this point, I couldn't hold back anymore. I had to know. Why was she doing this?

Was it some elaborate ploy to hurt me?

Was she trying to get back at me for what I'd done to her in the past?

Maybe she wanted to make me fall for her, only to break me.

[Honestly... that kind of makes sense.]

"I like you. That's all there is to it," she said with a smile, before pulling me forward again.

It seemed I was right after all.

She was planning something.

Sigh.

I needed to figure out her game before I got too entangled in it.

By now, we were already garnering attention.

"Isn't that the fool who fell asleep in class? He's a low ranker, right?" someone murmured behind us.

"Yeah. What's he doing here? And with her of all people?"

I expected the whispers. Hell, I'd already resigned myself to them.

'Damn it,' I thought, trying to free my hand from her grip.

But it was a fool's errand.

"Hey!" a voice called out.

I turned to see a young man flanked by two others. He had his tracksuit unzipped, revealing a crisp white shirt beneath—a classic delinquent vibe.

"What do you think you're—" he began, a scowl twisting his face.

-BAM!

Holy shit, she's fast!

One moment, he was yelling at me. The next, he was at the far end of the hallway, unconscious.

I had no idea what she'd done, but if I had to guess...

It was her telekinesis, amplified by her bloodline's gravity ability.

Yeah. I've said it before. The girl's just broken.

I turned to the other two, who were trembling visibly.

"Let me make this clear," she said coldly, her tone cutting through the air like a blade. "Try that again, and you'll be unconscious permanently."

Her eyes were colder than I'd ever seen. For the first time, I realized just how powerless I was against her.

"Now," she said, watching the boys scramble to help their fallen comrade, "let's go."

Her cheeky smile returned in an instant, and I realized one glaring fact: as long as she remained more powerful than me, escaping her was a pipe dream.

But I wasn't the only one shocked. Everyone who'd witnessed the scene was whispering.

Crap.

Rumors were definitely going to spread, and my enemies would grow.

Sigh.

Reluctantly, I stepped into the cafeteria.

All eyes turned to us, but I maintained my indifferent expression like the professional I was.

Well, until I spotted Elena.

She stared at me intently for a moment... and then looked away.

'I really hope I survive until the grading exams at this rate,' I thought grimly.

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