William stood outside the cabin, waiting for Emma.

His hands were tucked into his pockets as he looked around, taking in the area quietly.

It was a bright, calm day. The kind of day that felt perfect for an outing—warm sunlight, soft breeze, open sky.

But sadly, none of them could enjoy it. They were all trapped inside this huge compound until the contest ended.

The event would last more than a week, maybe even longer. And if a student had an emergency and needed to step outside, they would be instantly disqualified without any chance to explain.

That alone was enough reason for William to avoid breaking any rule, even if he wanted to.

"Hmm?" His brows pulled together as another thought drifted into his mind—one with him at the center of it.

Ever since he left the cabin and people began walking past him, their eyes kept lingering on him. And their thoughts… he could hear too many of them.

Naturally, none of them were kind.

Negative thoughts were always louder, sharper, easier to catch. They reached him clearly, almost like whispers directly meant for him.

He wasn't sure why it worked like that. Maybe because negative emotions had more weight… maybe because hatred and annoyance came from a deeper place inside a person.

After all, you couldn't force yourself to genuinely hate someone. It always came naturally.

So yes… he was being judged and disliked by several students. And because of what happened last night, he had turned into a walking target.

Especially for Anna.

That girl… the way she glared at him earlier, it felt like she would jump at him with daggers drawn.

Well, it wasn't his fault. He warned her, yet she ignored him and insisted on ambushing him with her best spell—an illusion clone attack straight from the Golden Records of Spells.

Illusion was unique but tricky, and she made the wrong choice.

Click.

The door suddenly opened and Emma stepped out.

William lifted his hand to wave at her. "Hey—"

But the rest of his words simply died.

For some reason… her appearance completely stole his breath.

Maybe it was because she wasn't wearing her blazer.

Maybe it was the way she had braided her silver hair neatly.

Maybe it was the way the white shirt outlined her shape in a way he didn't expect.

Or maybe those velvety thighs clad in black stockings.

Or was it something else?

He couldn't tell.

All he knew was that she looked different today… a little alluring, a little more confident, and definitely beautiful.

Emma blinked at him, confused as to why he fell silent. "What?"

William cleared his throat, the tips of his ears turning a bit red. "It's… not that warm today. Isn't it weird to leave your blazer?"

Emma shrugged casually. "Maybe because I had salty food in the morning, I'm feeling a little hot. And there's no rule saying we must wear the blazer."

William nodded. Right… there wasn't.

"William?" Emma called softly, seeing him lost in his thoughts again.

He took a deep breath, then asked, "So… are we going to the ceremonial hall like this?"

Emma tilted her head. "What do you mean 'like this'? Do you not want to walk with me?"

Seeing how clueless she was, William gave up on explaining. He didn't want to sound like a conservative guy, so he simply offered her his hand. "Let's get going."

Emma, still confused but not resisting, placed her hand in his almost instinctively. The two of them then started walking toward the ceremonial hall.

Along the way, they passed several students all heading in the same direction.

William noticed something else—other girls weren't wearing blazers either.

So pointing out Emma's choice earlier really would've sounded ridiculous.

"Did you sleep well?" Emma asked suddenly, breaking him out of his thoughts.

He hadn't gone to breakfast earlier because he woke up late. Last night, he ended up training for hours in his room.

"Yeah, kind of," William muttered. "But I noticed that using too much focus during training dulled my senses a little… which is not a good thing."

"Hmm? Did you have trouble falling asleep?" Emma asked.

William shook his head. "No. Actually, I slept a little too well."

Normally, he could pick up every faint sound, every drifting thought, every shift in the room even while he slept. That was something his third teacher drilled into him.

So feeling vulnerable during sleep… it bothered him.

"Well, you can always sleep peacefully if I'm around." Emma puffed out her chest proudly.

That made William look away, troubled but secretly smiling.

Soon, they reached the ceremonial hall. The room was already buzzing with noise. Many students had gathered, chatting while enjoying a large buffet laid out for them.

"You must not have eaten anything since morning. Want me to bring you something?" Emma asked.

William shook his head and said, "Let me go. Carrying things is easier with my powers."

Emma smiled. "Then bring me something cold and sweet."

He nodded, gave her hand a small squeeze, and headed toward the buffet.

Most students were crowding near the tables, so going alone was simpler.

As he used telekinesis to serve food onto two plates, he scanned the surroundings.

And that was when he noticed it.

Several boys… staring at Emma.

Not normal staring.

Not a normal interest.

Their eyes were filled with something else entirely.

Lust was also a negative thought.

This explained why his blood was quietly boiling.

He could feel their thoughts so clearly that it made his jaw tighten.

One boy even grabbed a drink and walked straight toward her.

William's fingers twitched. He almost snapped the plate in half.

In his mind, he already imagined breaking the guy's arm—or better, his head.

But before he could stomp over there, Emma said something sharp and cold. The boy's smile faded instantly, and he spat out a word before hurrying away with a red face.

William slowly exhaled.

He forgot for a moment… Emma had been dealing with people like that long before he ever entered her life.

Emma was beautiful—maybe the most beautiful girl among all five academies.

So of course people looked at her like that.

Of course, they approached her.

But this was the first time William felt it.

Jealousy.

A deep, raw, dangerous jealousy that he never felt for Lizel or any other girl.

But Emma…

Emma made something inside him twist sharply.

Even the eyes that lingered on her made him feel like ripping them out and making them swallow their own eyeballs.

He didn't know when he became like this.

But those honest feelings scared even him.

William left the plates on the table and walked straight toward Emma.

His footsteps echoed and soon many people turned to look at him. His presence alone drew attention—sharp, firm, almost fierce.

Emma also noticed him immediately. Her eyes widened. Her heart began to pound when she saw the fire burning in his gaze.

He reached her.

Took off his blazer.

And without warning, placed it over her shoulders.

Without giving her a second to react, he grabbed the blazer by the collar and pulled her toward him.

"Will—mmm?!" Her words were swallowed as he kissed her.

The hall froze for a moment.

Some gasped.

Some clicked their tongues.

And some just stared.

In the middle of the hall, in front of everyone, kissing a girl like that… only someone like him would dare.

Emma was too stunned to even think. She didn't fight it. She didn't push him away.

Her mind went blank as she felt how passionate—how slightly angry—he was.

She didn't resist at all. She let him kiss her for as long as he wanted.

Finally, he pulled back and whispered, "Hate me all you want… but I can't tolerate others getting close to you."

Emma's face was bright red. Her brain had completely short-circuited.

The only thing she managed to say was a tiny, dazed, "Okay…"

William gave a small smile, let go of her collar, and left his blazer resting on her shoulders—hiding the completely flustered Emma underneath it.

°°°°°°°

A/N:- Sorry…if it comes out creepy but they are just like that. Easily jealous, possessive, and obsessed with each other. And it's just the beginning.

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