Chapter 35

The once chaotic hallway settled as students began to trickle back into the classroom, some carrying their phones, eager to record more of whatever had been happening between Athasia and Zamiel. Whispers and gasps filled the room the moment they stepped inside, their feet halting as their eyes took in the astonishing sight before them.

Athasia sat directly on Zamiel's lap, her tie loosened just enough to reveal the delicate expanse of her neck—where an unmistakable red rose-shaped mark now rested. Her hands were limp at her sides, her fingers faintly twitching as if she were caught in a daze. But what truly sent shockwaves through the classroom was her expression.

She wasn't resisting.

She wasn't struggling.

She was staring at Zamiel.

Like she was lost in him.

Zamiel, ever composed, ever dangerous, sat there completely at ease, one arm wrapped possessively around Athasia's waist as he stroked her long platinum hair between his fingers. His silver-gray eyes were locked onto hers, his lips curled into an almost lazy, satisfied smirk.

It was as if no one else existed in the room.

As if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them.

"…What the actual hell is happening?" someone finally whispered.

Then, another source of terror made itself known.

Mira.

To the horror of everyone present, she stood a few feet away, her eyes dark with rage, her entire aura screaming murderous intent.

And in her hand…

A dagger.

A real, fucking dagger.

Not a small, harmless pocket knife. Not a mere illusion of a weapon.

A wicked, sharp, gleaming dagger.

And she was glaring at Zamiel as if she was prepared to gut him open on the spot.

The tension in the air thickened dangerously.

No one dared to speak.

No one dared to move.

Some students even began inching toward the door, contemplating whether they should flee before something truly violent happened.

Zamiel, however, did not look fazed in the slightest. In fact…

He chuckled.

Deep. Amused. Utterly entertained.

Mira's grip tightened on the dagger.

"Put. Her. Down." Her voice was cold, sharp enough to cut through glass.

Zamiel raised an eyebrow, then casually looked at Athasia, as if checking whether she actually wanted to be put down. But Athasia, still in that strange daze, didn't move.

Didn't even seem to hear Mira's words.

Zamiel smirked. "No."

That was all he said.

One word.

Yet it was enough to ignite Mira's fury.

Before anyone could process what was happening, she moved—

And the dagger flashed.