[ Nora ]

Geoffrey walked through the crowd, his arm tightly held by Nora. 

The disapproval on everyone's face as they looked at him being walked out would've been unnerving for most.

Something that probably contributed to everyone's disappointment was the lack of reaction on Geoffrey's face.

He knew what sort of expression should use in such a situation, but it felt too tiring to even pretend to be remorseful.

They arrived outside, the night sky above them featuring a few stars. The gentle breeze was refreshing, even a bit too cold to his liking, but still pleasant.

They were going toward the school, something that didn't surprise Geoffrey as he didn't think Natsu ever left that disciplinary committee room.

"Walk."

Nora was quite aggressive with how she moved him forward, still tightly grabbing his arm.

"I was already walking."

"Do it faster."

Eh.

Geoffrey was already matching her pace. She was simply frustrated with him, and since their relationship already wasn't that great from the start, what just happened cemented where she stood about him.

"I saw her neck. You're worse than you seem. Your own classmate?"

"It's more complicated than that."

"More complicated? You were tightening your grip. You weren't just holding her there. Even after she passed out, you didn't loosen your hold, only when we all arrived that you did."

"The way you recall the events is as-if you weren't even there. She was still fighting back the moment I let her go, which means she hadn't passed out yet. What were you doing? Why did nobody help her? Is that all the disciplinary committee is capable of, standing aside and watching?"

Really?

He could've easily dodged it, but it most likely would've created more problems than it solved.

Quickly acting on her anger, she shoved him aside and described a wide arc for what looked like a slap at first, which turned into a closed fist mid-way.

Her punch landed right on his cheek, and while she didn't look like she packed a punch, she truly did. 

It sent Geoffrey to the ground, a pulsating pain coming from his face.

How strong is she?

He got on his elbows and knees, about to get back up, when her foot hit him in the middle of his chest. 

He fell to his side, laying on the stone path with more pain coming from his abdomen.

Another kick came, then another, then another.

She must've broken a few ribs. Geoffrey could feel them crack as she randomly hit him.

Geoffrey's mind was a palace. 

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. 

I will not fight back. I will not fight back.

Yet the kicks kept coming, each of them anchoring more emotions inside him than he'd like. Emotions he worked hard at burying.

Pain was only going to last a short moment. This injustice is just what life is. 

It doesn't even hurt that much.

After a few more hits she took a step back, admiring Geoffrey, proud of her work.

She chuckled, then took a step forward and laid her foot on top of Geoffrey's head, slightly pushing it into the ground.

"So. The big man who enjoys hurting woman can't fight back? What's wrong? You're pathetic."

She pressured his head further, applying more weight to it.

"You're so weak. No wonder you have no friends, you're so inconsequential. You'll never survive the trials, and I'll rejoice when that happens. Maybe I should send you to hell right now, give your class a better chance at winning."

She slightly bent forward to look at Geoffrey's face, then got back up and pushed even harder.

"Hah! You're still expressionless! You're a freak! Nobody will miss you. I'll—"

She couldn't finish her sentence.

Levi was standing on top of him, the same firearm he summoned earlier was in his hand, its barrel deep inside her mouth, making her gag.

She took several steps backward, while he matched those steps, the barrel remaining in her mouth as he pulled the hammer back with his thumb, then resting his index on the trigger.

Her eyes were wide circles, her eyebrows reaching for her hairline as sweat could be seen forming on her forehead despite the cold breeze.

"Maybe I should pull the trigger. What do you think, Geoffrey?" he asked, turning his head sideways.

Geoffrey slowly got up.

It was clear some bones had been broken. Standing wasn't too bad. His legs were in almost perfect shape, but his ribs did give him a hard time.

"I could pull it right now, if you asked me to," said Levi.

Geoffrey looked at Levi and Nora, then behind him.

There wasn't anyone around.

All that could be heard was Nora's muffled voiced, trying to say 'no' despite the barrel in her mouth.

"So? Should I do it?" asked Levi again, looking straight at Nora.

Geoffrey took a few steps forward.

"Kenna was following us. It's a girl on the committee that can teleport people around. She's the one who transported Leo to the infirmary. She left the moment you arrived," said Geoffrey.

"Hmm," he said, pressing the gun even more. "I guess it's now or never, if we want to get rid of her."

Nora loudly said no, while shaking her head.

She was crying, gagging even more on the gun as she stood there.

"Stop moving, I might pull the trigger by mistake," said Levi.

In the blink of an eye, Kenna appeared further behind, accompanied by Natsu. 

After leaving Natsu there, she then disappeared again.

"Ehhh," he voiced while walking forward, hands in his pockets.

"I suggest you stay there," said Levi.

Natsu stopped walking, and stood there while analyzing the situation.

"What's your endgame here? You'll kill her? Then what?" asked Natsu.

After he spoke, another committee member appeared with Kenna. She then disappeared instantly again.

Little by little, she brought around a dozen members, who all stood beside Natsu.

One of them took a step forward, Levi materializing through small clouds another handgun, and pointing it toward the group that just appeared.

Every committee member took a step back, Natsu being the only one who remained in place.

"A gun?" "He can create weapons?" "If only we had someone like him in the committee..."

The whispers among the members had grown in shock, and awe of what they witnessed.

Levi pulled the hammer on the second gun he held toward them.

On the other side, everyone had raised their hands in a protective manner, beside Natsu.