I had a feeling this was going to end badly, but I couldn't help myself.

"Hey!" I called, my feet carrying me past the crowd of students. "Caroline!"

The girl didn't slow, continuing her stride down the courtyard.

"Kong Jia Luo, was it?"

The girl paused and spun on her heels, fixing me with an angry glare.

"You do not have the right to use that name with me," she said in an icy cold voice. Her eyes narrowed and she gave me a cold look of contempt. "What do you want, commoner? I'm in a foul mood, so if you have a complaint or a grievance, make it quick."

I clenched my fist. I didn't know any magic, and I knew she could probably end me in a single punch, but the anger that had built up in me was making me reckless. Making my blood boil.

I'd seen some pretty awful shit recently. But the way Caroline had gone about things, and how she'd just left the scene of the fight so casually... I couldn't just ignore it. Couldn't let it go.

"You should be ashamed of yourself. I know... I know that puppet show you just put on wasn't real."

A slight flinch. Almost imperceptible, but her eyes widened ever so slightly.

Caroline glowered, but she seemed to relax slightly.

I wasn't sure about what actually went down, and I didn't want to change the results. But the sight of Natasha lying there beaten and broken... I had a strong feeling about what'd really happened. And couldn't just stand there and watch. I couldn't stand by and just let this girl walk away.

"I don't know what your deal is. I don't care. What you just did... What the fuck is wrong with you?! What were you trying to prove back there?!"

Her gaze narrowed and her jaw clenched. I could feel the anger and hatred rolling off of her in waves.

"I have no idea what you mean. Now leave me alone before I decide my generosity of ignoring your existence is running low."

I scowled and I could see her eyes narrow. "I can't prove it, but I saw the end results. You were a fucking monster," I spat.

"Monster?" she scoffed. "How presumptuous of a filthy little peasant like you to speak of things beyond his ken."

"You don't get to act all high and mighty when you did that to another human being! You didn't have to step in to duel on behalf of de Mornay!"

"Another human being?" Caroline sneered. "Don't be naive. She's hardly that. She's a traitor and a disgrace to our good graces. A lowlife scum that sold out our clan because she thought... she thought."

Her face darkened as her voice became low and threatening.

She seemed to almost shrink into herself as she took a deep, shuddering breath. I saw a flash of emotion cross her features as her eyes narrowed and she gritted her teeth. The air around us seemed to drop by several degrees as her composure came back.

"Regardless. If that is what you wanted, our discussion is over. Leave."

"I don't get it," I said, stepping forward. "Why did you do that to her? She's done nothing but wish to reconcile, Caroline! And you-"

"ENOUGH!"

I stopped in my tracks as a blast of pressure slammed into me, knocking me off my feet.

The ground beneath her cracked, and I saw Caroline's hand glowing with a bright purple light.

"You dare presume to know even the slightest thing about her? About me?! A pathetic peasant like yourself?! Know your place!"

The air crackled and sparked with magic. Caroline's eyes were cold as she glared down at me, her gaze locked onto mine, and I felt a cold sweat run down the back of my neck. Her right hand was still glowing and she clenched her fist, as the aura around her pulsed.

She looked... terrifying.

"You don't understand the gravity of your own actions," Caroline said. "But I'll tell you. You have insulted the dignity and pride of my clan and my family. And you have done it without even the faintest understanding of what you are doing. And you do it again and again."

Her voice was low and calm, and she seemed to tower above me as I stood there.

"I do not know how much longer I will be able to contain my anger. I have let my emotions and my feelings get the best of me, and I will admit to some... pettiness on my part in accepting that duel," Caroline admitted, before taking a step forward. She clenched her fists, her expression growing serious. "But I have done nothing to you personally, peasant. I have been the model of a lady and the daughter of a noble house, and yet you continue to provoke me with your insolence. That was personal. Between us. And it will not occur again."

"Provoke you?! You beat her within an inch of her life!" I shouted.

"Yes. We dueled. It's what we do. The clans and houses, the warriors of this world. Survival against the Aberrations cares not for petty grievances. And we have to fight to survive, and to fight we need power, which requires training. We duel to test our skills. To grow. To resolve differences. To become stronger. And the results are a consequence of our efforts. But a peasant like you from a world that has enjoyed a century of relative peace would not understand."

Her eyes flashed and I felt my heart skip a beat. Her expression grew grim, and she looked down at me like I was a worm, a parasite.

"I conceded, did I not? I gave her what she wanted and declared her the victor. She will heal and return, stronger than ever. That is how duels are supposed to go. And yet you continue to provoke me. You continue to insult me, to mock me."

I gritted my teeth, anger boiling over as I met her cold, unfeeling eyes. I stood up, standing directly in front of her to meet them head on.

"She's only told me a bit about your relationship. But she told me enough... she truly loves you like family."

Caroline slapped me, hard.

Her strike was so fast, so unexpected, I barely registered the impact before I felt a wave of pain wash over me, and a ringing sound in my ears.

I glared at her, wiping blood from my split lip.

I could feel the rage boiling inside of me. It was like a hot coal in the center of my chest. I could taste copper in my mouth and my hands shook.

"Listen, Caroline."

She slapped me again. This time I was ready and blocked the blow, grabbing onto her wrist with a snarl

"Look here—"

My vision went black for a moment.

The sound of rushing air and ringing filled my ears, but I couldn't tell where it was coming from.

I couldn't see anything, but I felt the air moving around me and the ground shaking.

And then I felt a sharp pain in the side of my head. And another. And another.

It was like I had been hit by a train. The ground disappeared beneath me, and I was sent tumbling through the air, my body limp. My limbs flailed as I tumbled across the grass. I was vaguely aware of something heavy slamming into my side, and then I crashed into something else.

My head was throbbing and I felt dizzy. I tried to get up, to move, but my body wasn't responding properly. My legs and arms refused to obey me. I could barely open my eyes and see what was going on.

I felt a pair of strong, rough hands grab me by my collar and haul me to my feet.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The hands released me, but my head was spinning. I was dizzy, disoriented, and my vision was blurry.

"Know your place, you worthless mongrel," a deep voice spat, which sounded familiar but my mind was too jumbled to place.

I heard a soft, feminine voice speaking, and I heard Caroline reply. "It is fine, brother... I... I was in the wrong."

She sounded... almost regretful.

My vision came into focus and I saw a pair of purple eyes staring back at me. The same color as Caroline's own eyes.

The boy's face was stern and he stared at me coldly. He wore the same uniform as the other students.

The boy's hair was a similar shade to Caroline's own, but cut short and slicked back. His jawline was sharp and chiseled and his nose was long and thin. He was massive - and if I had to guess he had at least half a foot of height on me, and probably about twice the mass. He looked to be about eighteen or nineteen and had a broad, muscular frame. His arms were thick with muscle and he was built like a quarterback of an American football team.

He raised his fist and punched me again, hard, across the jaw. My head snapped to the side and I tasted copper again as my head spun. I collapsed on the ground, groaning in pain.

"To lay hands on my sister... on the one second in line to leadership. Are you truly a mad dog with a death wish, Ikazuchi of Earth?"

I felt myself being pulled up by my hair and a hand was gripping my chin. I was staring into his purple eyes again, his face inches from mine. I saw the rage in his eyes and felt a shiver run down my spine.

"I should kill you for even daring to touch her."

I'd seen him before. Where?

...

That was right. Before I'd gone down to the robotics lab. Before the big Chaos Event.

I'd seen him trashing a row of lockers complaining about some kind of privilege.

This guy was Caroline's brother.

My eyes drifted to where Caroline was, but the hand on my jaw tightened its grip and my head was yanked upwards. "Do not dare to look at her."

"Brother, please! I was the one who struck first there. I was at fault," Caroline's voice sounded in my ear.

"Tch."

The boy released his grip on my hair and chin.

"You're lucky that my sister has such a kind heart. That she's so benevolent and generous," he spat.

I felt his hand release my chin, and I was thrown back to the ground. I coughed and wheezed as my head throbbed.

He walked around me and crouched down to look me in the eye. His gaze burned into me.

"If it had been me you'd dared to touch with your filthy hands.. you would already be dead," he hissed.

"Willis! That's enough!"

Caroline's voice cut through the air like a blade.

Her brother glowered at her, his eyes narrowing.

I saw his jaw clench and his eyes harden as he glared down at her, before he turned to me.

He walked up to me and knelt down, his eyes level with my own. I saw the rage burning in them as his lips pulled back to bare his teeth.

"From this day forward you're my dog, Ikazuchi. Do you understand, little dog? You're going to be doing my every command. Every request. You're going to be my little bitch," he said with a growl, his words laced with venom and anger. I felt a chill run up my spine as his predator-like eyes drilled into me.

"I'm going to break you."

With those final words, he rose to his feet, his gaze still fixed on mine.

He then turned away, and strode over to Caroline, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Let me know if you have any further issues, and I will handle this for you. Do not let his impertinent mouth or his actions get under your skin," he said softly. "Do you understand?"

Caroline's gaze lowered as she bit her lip, and her face turned a light shade of crimson. "I... I understand."

"Then I will escort you back to your lodgings. I have to speak with Lady Huaiyi about the next phase of your training. And we will have a long discussion about your performance and the... situation," he said.

He then turned and shot me a look that could kill.

The two of them turned and left the courtyard.

And I was alone.

I felt a sudden surge of anger, of humiliation. My hands were clenched tightly at my side, my knuckles white. My teeth were grinding together, my jaw clenched so tightly it hurt.

"Ikki!" Cordelia called out.

I felt her hands on my shoulders and felt a surge of warmth run through my body.

She pulled away, and looked at my face with a worried expression.

"A-Are you okay?!"

"Fuck... Yeah. Yeah. I'll be fine. Just... let's check on Natasha," I said, standing up slowly and wincing as my side ached.

That guy had come out of nowhere and hit me like a truck. And I had a feeling he hadn't even been going that hard. If that had been a serious blow I wouldn't be alive right now. Or I would, and I would have broken my spine and I would have been paralyzed.

I stumbled as I stood up, but managed to regain my footing, ignoring the throbbing in my head, the soreness in my limbs and the sharp pain in my side.

Cordelia's eyes were full of worry and her lips trembled as she looked at my face.

"Are... Are you sure you're alright?"

She was staring directly at my cheek, her face growing more concerned. Her eyes darted to the ground, then to the bruising on my arms and my sides, before looking up at me.

I followed her gaze down to the grass.

It was stained a dark red. Blood.

I glanced down and realized I hadn't noticed the pain. That my head had been too busy pounding, and the aches of my body and the soreness in my jaw had distracted me from the sensation.

My cheek was throbbing, and my eye was swelling up.

And then I saw it.

A small, white, bloody piece of bone jutting from my swollen cheek, with the flesh around it cut and torn. Reflected off of the glass of Cordelia's glasses.

The sharp pain I'd felt when Willis punched me...

I swallowed thickly as my throat tightened, and licked around my mouth to find another lovely surprise on the other side from my 'new friend' and attacker.

I sighed.

Great.

"Well, I just hope it doesn't scar," I muttered.

"Ikki?!"

Cordelia was practically in hysterics.

"I-its f-fine," I said with a forced chuckle. I winced as I spoke.

"Ikki. T-that's—"

"Yeah," I said, refraining from touching it. "I've been through worse. Let's just get out of here before the adrenaline dump hits."

Then, I spit out a bloody tooth into my hand, before walking over to Laurel and Natasha.

I didn't know how I felt right now.

I didn't know why I did the things that I did.

I knew that what I did was stupid. I knew I should have just walked away and stayed quiet. I should have left it be and not gotten myself involved. I should have been the better person, and let things go.

I should have, and I didn't. And it got me beaten to a pulp. Again.

I looked down at my hand. My fingers were shaking, and the blood was smeared all over my palm. I couldn't tell if the tooth in my hand was cracked or not, it was covered in so much of it.

The tooth was one of the back ones, so maybe it wouldn't be as noticeable.

I pocketed the tooth and wiped my hands on my pants, ignoring the way they shook as I did.

As I made my way back over to Natasha, I heard a soft, whimpered sob coming from her direction.

I looked at Laurel, and she looked back at me with an uncharacteristically worried expression.

"Ikazuchi, I do believe you have made an enemy or two today," Laurel said softly, looking down at the girl in her arms without looking up.

I refrained from responding to that, feeling a ache start to spread through the side of my jaw as my adrenaline subsided. It was starting to really hurt.

I knelt beside her, ignoring the blood dripping from my face and the throbbing of my cheek.

"Hey, Nat."

The slate-haired girl was still breathing, albeit shallowly.

I reached into my coat and pulled out Natasha's glasses. Thankfully, they'd come out unscathed from that encounter. They were a little bent, but I'd managed to keep them intact.

"I've got your glasses."

Her breathing slowed, and then she let out a soft moan, and she began to stir.

I sighed, feeling relief flood through me as I leaned against the tree. The pain in my jaw was becoming almost unbearable.

"Hey, Natasha, it's going to be okay, we're going to get you out of here," I said softly, my voice strained from the pain.

Natasha slowly opened her eyes, blinking a few times as her vision adjusted to the dim light of the evening. Her face was swollen, with blackened patches where Caroline had hit her.

She was still bleeding, and her eyes were unfocused.

Her gaze fell on me.

"Ikki..."

"Nat, I'm here. I'm sorry, I..."

I stopped, not sure what I was even going to say.

What do you say to someone who's just had the absolute crap beaten out of her? Especially if she's someone you've been getting close to. Especially if she just got beat down by someone she loves. Who she was desperate to get back.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open and her gaze focused on me.

Her eyes went wide with shock as her pupils dilated, and her mouth dropped open as she stared at me. She was panting heavily and I could see tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

"Oh my God! Y-Your face...!"

I shook my head. "It's fi—"

The next thing I knew, I was floating off the ground. I panicked, flailing around for a moment before noticing Laurel's hands glowing with black and white orbs in her right and left hands respectively.

"Alright. Enough of this, I'm taking both of you to the infirmary. And I will not take no for an answer," the blue-haired beauty stated, and her tone brooked no argument.

I stopped resisting as she rotated us around, forming some kind of magical stretcher underneath and around us as she began to walked up the stairs towards the nurse's office.

As we floated through the air towards the main school building, I saw a small crowd of onlookers watching from below, whispering amongst themselves. A few were pointing up at us, while others simply stared in shock and confusion.

Laurel's spell wasn't exactly the most inconspicuous thing, and it drew attention wherever she used it. Cordelia followed us from the back, glancing around anxiously.

"Well, I kept your glasses safe. For the most part. They're a bit... a little bent," I said weakly, chuckling softly despite myself as we floated through the air. Laurel's magic was surprisingly comfortable and pleasant, and the pain in my face seemed to be lessening somewhat.

"Ikki. What... what did you do? What happened to you?" Natasha asked. She looked at my face again and winced. I could tell she was trying her best to not burst into tears. "Oh no, oh no..."

"Hey, hey, hey! Relax," I said, reaching out and placing my hand on her arm. She looked down and saw the gashes Caroline left on her skin. "I gave her a piece of my mind and her brother didn't take it well."

"Her b- Willis?! Ikki!" She hissed. "Why would you—!?"

I chuckled and held my side in pain. "Well, yeah, couldn't leave you alone to just deal with her bullshit. She was... well. She wasn't being fair. But her brother, Willis, is the one that did this."

Natasha winced as her body tensed up, and she shuddered.

"He... he hit you? Oh god..."

"He did. May have blasted me with a spell or two. But it's okay," I said with a shrug, trying to downplay the pain I was feeling. "Figured I'd keep you company up there, y'know?"

"You... you really didn't have to do that," she murmured. "This is my drama, not yours."

I shrugged. "Yeah, probably not. But I couldn't just stand there and watch her walk away after I figured out she'd beaten you within an inch of your life. It's not in my nature. Even if it meant getting beat up again."

I smiled weakly and patted her on the shoulder, and she let out a soft sigh, and then looked away as she floated along.

"You really are an idiot sometimes, huh?" Natasha murmured.

"Yeah... maybe," I replied with a sigh.

End of Arc 4

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