After Confrontation

Noah's heart was still racing as he entered the school gates the following morning.

The fight with Adrian Black last night wasn't something he could just forget.

It wasn't a fight.

It was a warning.

Adrian wasn't normal.

The system had labeled him as a threat.

And the way he fought—his speed, accuracy, and intimidating aura—it wasn't something an average high school student should have.

Noah's grip on his bag strap tightened.

Who the heck is Adrian Black?

More to the point—

Why was he interested in me?

> [System Notification: New Objective - Discover Adrian Black's Real Identity.]

Tch.

The system wasn't about to let him ignore this.

---

Whispers in the Hallways

Noah had no sooner entered the main hallway when he sensed it.

The glares.

The quiet whispers.

It was as if the whole school had been waiting for him to show up.

".That's him."

".The guy who beat Ryan Miller."

".Did you see how violent that fight was?"

".He's the strongest now."

Noah had figured he would get some notice after his win at the tournament, but this?

This was a different level.

Strangers stepped out of the way when he passed by, like they did not want to be too close.

Some regarded him with admiration.

Others with fear.

Noah didn't notice. He did not care to be the "strongest." He had greater issues.

Such as Adrian Black.

And Xander.

---

A Conversation

Noah was about to enter his classroom when a voice called out behind him.

"Well done, Noah. As expected from you."

Noah halted.

That voice—

He turned his head slightly.

Xander.

Noah squinted.

Xander was powerful.

Too powerful to have assisted Noah with training without a motive.

Noah had been pondering it ever since the tournament.

Why would Xander assist him?

What did he stand to gain from it?

And more importantly—

What was he seeking?

Noah didn't reply immediately.

Instead, he examined Xander closely.

His face was serene, as ever.

But there was something in his eyes—

A glimmer of amusement.

Or curiosity?

"Why did you do it?" Noah asked at last.

Xander grinned. "Do I have to have a reason?"

"Yes."

Xander laughed. "You're perceptive. But it's too early to say."

Noah's scowl grew darker.

So he wasn't denying it.

Xander did have a reason.

He just wasn't sharing it with Noah yet.

"I'll tell you this much," Xander went on, his voice dropping. "Ryan wasn't the true enemy you had to beat."

Noah's breath caught.

"What do you mean?"

Xander didn't respond.

He just turned and left, leaving Noah there with more questions than he'd had before.

Tch.

Damn it.

Something was happening.

Something much bigger.

And Noah had just walked into it.

---

The Meeting

Lunchtime.

Noah wasn't in the mood to sit in the cafeteria with the rest of the school.

Instead, he headed to the old library.

A quiet space. A space where no one actually went.

Except—

He wasn't alone.

A figure sat at the far end, reading through a book.

Adrian Black.

Of course.

Noah gritted his jaw.

He had a decision.

He could leave. Pretend nothing had happened and ignore Adrian.

Or—

He could confront him.

Tch.

There wasn't actually a choice.

Noah strode over, pulling out a chair and sitting opposite Adrian without speaking.

Adrian smirked. "You don't waste time, do you?"

Noah didn't answer.

Instead, he put his hands on the table and leaned forward slightly.

"What do you want from me?"

Adrian put down his book, his keen eyes regarding Noah with interest.

"I already said," he said. "I wanted to know if you were worth my time."

Noah scowled. "And?"

Adrian laughed. "I wasn't disappointed."

A beat of silence hung between them.

Then Adrian's face changed.

"You're tough, Noah," he said. "But toughness isn't going to be enough."

Noah's fingers moved involuntarily.

He knew that.

But to hear Adrian say it—

It felt like a threat.

Or a warning.

Noah let out a breath. "Are you going to fight me again?"

Adrian smiled. "Eventually."

Tch.

Figures.

But then—

Adrian spoke next words made Noah's blood freeze.

"But first, you might want to watch your friends."

Noah's gaze narrowed at him.

"What do you mean?"

Adrian's smirk grew even bigger.

"The game is just beginning."

Then, like that—

He got up and left.

Leaving Noah with more questions than answers.

---

A Dark Cloud

Noah sat there for a long while.

Adrian's words ringing in his ears.

> The real game hasn't started yet.

Something was arriving.

Something big.

And if Adrian's threat was genuine—

It wasn't just Noah who was at risk.

His friends were, as well.

His fists curled up.

Whatever it was…

He would be prepared.

No matter what.

---