Zeon 3

[Soler Earth and Daron Earth both received permission to enter the Elite Tower.]

Upon hearing this, Soler immediately started running, while Daron followed reluctantly.

*Zion's Perspective

As I stepped into the Elite Tower, I finally saw her. She was standing there, right in front of her room's door.

The moment my eyes landed on her, a sharp pain shot through my chest. She looked utterly exhausted—her eyes were red, dark circles shadowed them, her pale skin lacked its usual glow, and her once neatly arranged silver hair was now a disheveled mess.

She was weary, but this wouldn't last long… because I was here to help her.

"Anna, I'm here for you… I'll help you."

Upon hearing my words, Anna scowled, her expression turning irritated as she said

"Helping me? Didn't I already tell you that you can't help me?"

I could barely process her words. Since the moment I saw her, I felt an inferno igniting within me, growing stronger with each passing second.

"I've become strong… strong enough to protect you."

Her frown deepened with every word I spoke.

"Stop."

She looked at me with fiery anger, her face contorted with disgust.

"Didn't you understand? I don't need your help!"

"I don't care whether you're weak or the strongest in the class. I don't need your help!"

She let out a frustrated sigh before adding:

"I only agreed to meet you to apologize for yelling at you, but it seems I was mistaken."

With that, she turned toward her room. But after taking only three steps, her body suddenly lost all strength, and she collapsed to the ground.

As I watched her lying there, I didn't feel pity… I felt rage. The fire inside me burned even hotter.

How dare she? After everything I've done for her, how dare she abandon me?!

But I wouldn't allow it. I loved her, and I would protect her—whether she wanted me to or not.

I stepped closer to her until I stood directly over her. As I looked at her more closely, I couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty. Even in her disheveled state, exhaustion failed to mask her allure.

But when I met her eyes, filled with fear and helplessness, something inside me stirred for a brief moment… only to be swiftly swallowed by an overwhelming sensation.

I reached out and touched her skin—it was soft, like that of a newborn.

Yet, I was surprised by her reaction. Despite her fearful expression, she didn't scream.

"Well, she'll scream soon enough…"

Before I could continue, a sudden gust of wind struck my face!

And then, as if by instinct, I leaped backward—just in time to evade the sword that nearly severed my head!

I turned to where I had been standing moments ago, only to find a young man with golden hair and eyes as radiant as the sun. He stood in a heroic stance, gripping his sword firmly.

I should have been terrified—I had almost died if not for my enhanced reflexes.

But I wasn't afraid.

I was furious. Furious that he dared to interfere between me and Anna!

* Soler's Perspective

As I looked at Zion, he seemed like a rabid beast—his face twisted in fury, his eyes bearing the haunted look of someone who hadn't slept in days.

I felt nothing but disgust… and pity.

Disgust for what he had nearly done to his childhood friend.

And pity for the state he had fallen into.

Daron approached Anna, who was still lying on the ground, and asked with concern:

"Are you alright?"

She lifted her head slightly, her fear still evident in her expression.

"Be careful… he's dangerous!"

But before she could finish her warning, a strange sensation washed over me—I felt as if I had lost control over my body, and I collapsed to the ground alongside Daron!

Zion stood tall, his breathing heavy, as he stepped toward us with a crazed look in his eyes.

"How dare you two interfere between me and my beloved?!"

Daron suddenly burst into laughter.

"His beloved? This fool actually thinks she's his beloved?"

I turned to look at him in shock, but Zion's fury knew no bounds.

"And what would an idiot like you know about love?!"

At those words, Daron frowned slightly.

"And when exactly did I become an idiot?"

Zion let out a scornful laugh.

"The moment you thought you could defeat me."

Daron smirked and replied sarcastically:

"And when did I ever say I planned to defeat you myself? I only came because some fool decided to play the role of the heroic knight."

Zion was about to mock him further, enjoying his role as the dominant force—when suddenly, a gust of wind struck the back of his head!