Chapter 19: Bloodlust Beneath a Smile

The laughter hadn’t fully died down.

Some students were still giggling in corners, whispering about “glitter underwear” and “pants magic.”

Sayaka remained on the floor, dazed, sore, and more confused than anything else.

What just happened...?

She pushed herself up slowly, her hands trembling. Her hair stuck to her cheek where stew and dirt mixed in a paste of shame.

Across from her, Leira’s brother had managed to yank his pants back on. His face was flushed a deep crimson—not from embarrassment now, but from something far darker.

Rage.

“You…”

His voice cracked like a whip of fire.

“You… YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY!?”

He stomped toward her, fists clenched, mana crackling around him like dry leaves catching fire.

“You embarrass my sister. You humiliate me. You DARE to stand above your station?! I’ll roast you into ash!”

His hand lifted.

Flames surged at his fingertips, gathering into a spell circle mid-air. Fire affinity — Level 2. The flames licked hungrily toward Sayaka like they knew pain was the only language she understood.

Sayaka’s eyes widened.

She couldn’t move.

Not out of fear, but something else—something deeper.

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I… I’m not fast enough. Not strong enough.

Then—

Silence.

In the space of a blink—

Dev was gone from his table.

Disappeared. Vanished like smoke on the wind.

What—?!

Sayaka didn’t even see it.

One moment, she was staring at a ball of fire—

The next, there was a figure standing in front of her.

A black coat, fluttering like wings.

Crimson hair, unmoving.

And eyes—eyes that glowed like smoldering embers in the dark.

Dev had appeared between her and the fire, one hand raised.

And with that hand—

He caught the spell.

Bare-handed.

The entire cafeteria gasped. The flames, now compressed into a violent sphere, hovered within his palm—flickering wildly.

But it didn’t burn him.

Didn’t even warm his skin.

The fire hissed—

And then—

Fizzled. Out.

Like it was never meant to exist.

“…Impossible…” Leira’s brother muttered, stepping back. “You nullified my fire affinity? Without casting?”

Dev took one step forward.

The lights above flickered.

The shadows on the walls twisted, curling toward him like frightened vines retreating from sunlight.

Sayaka’s breath caught.

This feeling…

Pressure.

An invisible wave of raw bloodlust exploded outward like a crashing tide. Tables rattled. Dishes shattered. Several students fell to their knees, gasping for air.

Even Leira, watching from behind, covered her mouth in terror.

It wasn’t just killing intent.

It was domination. The kind that comes from knowing you’re not just stronger—you’re the storm that gods send to cleanse.

Dev'svoice came like thunder rolling over a black sea.

"Don’t. Ever. Touch this girl again… filth."

His tone wasn’t loud.

It didn’t need to be.

It struck the heart directly—like a dagger whispered into the soul.

Leira’s brother collapsed to the ground, unable to breathe. His eyes rolled back as if the weight of Dev's gaze crushed the fire out of him.

Sayaka, behind him, stared with wide eyes. Her breath shallow.

Who… is he?

Dev turned slowly to her.

The bloodlust vanished like mist burned by sunlight.

His expression was back to normal.

Calm. Cold. Beautifully terrifying.

“You alright?” he asked, voice soft now. Barely a murmur.

Sayaka opened her mouth.

No words came.

She just nodded.

Dev turned, walking back toward the window without waiting for thanks. His coat flowed behind him like a banner.

The cafeteria remained frozen.

No one dared move.

No one dared laugh.