The Return of the God-Slayer

radiant girl with clear eyes and a capt

ncing toward the back row where a quiet boy sat, his presence almost blending into the back

odel stepping off a magazine cover. Her long, chestnut hair shimmered under the classroom lights, and her poise gave her

as a different s

in a classroom. His hair was a bit unkempt, his uniform slightly worn at the edges. There was a kind of raw strength in the way he hel

school admired: confident, sharp-jawed, charming. With his polished appearance and easy smile, he had quic

ard the word fiancé,

tation as she shot a glare at Ryan. Her hands clenched at her sides

class, no less - dragging behind him the ridiculous engagement arranged by their families

e Lily who had always promised to keep the childhood engagement a secret. But jud

ily shot her a sec

out her tongue with a sheepis

bottle up sunlight - impossible and always a little painful. She turne

ly joke between our families when w

on, "Besides, it's not like we're living in some

zed by the noise. Not a flicker of emotion betrayed him. That calmness - that detachment - only

specific. "And if anyone wants to be my husband, it's not that simple. Either wear a

nce. She smiled proudly, as if

hy would I se

o... you mean Jake? He's clearly th

in immediately, la

hat tech company, right? He'

ld be perfec

ing to make your move?

n his seat with ease, eyes flicking to Ryan. The quiet boy was still just.

onsense are you all talking abo

"You little traitor! I'm g

into playful

ere far from the classroom gossip. His b

other had collapsed. The doctors said it was serious. Lifes

dn't have

had trained him in ancient techniques, strengthening both his mind and body. The road had been brutal - countles

master had taken care of everything. But now, standing alon

ed mone

ed into fists

Emily. There's an underground boxing match this wee

but his eyes said it

es gleaming. "Underground boxing? Like in tho

ant at first, quickly

re really d

too! We want to

you - and put in a g

dea intrigued her. Maybe it was the break from all the gossip. Maybe it was the idea o

id finally. "Let'

I'll arrange everything

ement as they began planning o

ery word. And for the first t

ound bo

ld be th

ers had never even heard of. If the matches paid well - and they usually d

He moved with purpose, like someone carrying the weight o

lone, ignoring the whisp

e what they s

ight to pr

n't just for honor -