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Book 2 – Chapter 36: Operation Jisoo — Hyunjin’s Dramatic Disaster

After Han and Felix completed their missions…

Everyone thought Hyunjin would be the easiest.

⸻

They were completely wrong.

⸻

The Final Emergency Meeting

⸻

The dorm room was quiet.

Too quiet.

⸻

Felix sat on the couch.

Han was eating snacks.

⸻

Then…

The door opened dramatically.

⸻

Hyunjin walked in.

⸻

Slowly.

⸻

Very slowly.

⸻

Wearing sunglasses.

⸻

Everyone stared.

⸻

Han lowered his snack.

“What are you doing?”

⸻

Hyunjin removed the sunglasses.

⸻

“Preparing.”

⸻

“For what?”

⸻

“My greatest moment.”

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Felix blinked.

⸻

“You are asking Jisoo to the dance.”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“Not proposing.”

⸻

Hyunjin looked offended.

⸻

“I know.”

⸻

“Because you are acting like you’re proposing.”

⸻

Hyunjin ignored him.

⸻

“I need the perfect words.”

⸻

Han laughed.

⸻

“You mean a dramatic speech.”

⸻

“Exactly.”

⸻

Felix sighed.

⸻

“Oh no.”

⸻

⸻

The Speech Practice

⸻

Hyunjin stood in front of the mirror.

⸻

“Jisoo…”

⸻

He paused.

⸻

“When I first saw you—”

⸻

Han immediately stopped him.

⸻

“No.”

⸻

Hyunjin turned.

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“Too much.”

⸻

“But it’s meaningful.”

⸻

“It’s a dance invitation, not a movie ending.”

⸻

Hyunjin frowned.

⸻

“You’re ruining my art.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

⸻

“Your art is terrifying.”

⸻

Hyunjin tried again.

⸻

“Jisoo, you are the light that—”

⸻

“Stop.”

⸻

Felix covered his face.

⸻

“You can’t say ‘the light’ before asking someone to dance.”

⸻

“Why?”

⸻

“Because she might think you joined a poetry club.”

⸻

Han nodded.

⸻

“Or a drama competition.”

⸻

Hyunjin sighed.

⸻

“You two have no romance.”

⸻

⸻

Operation Begins

⸻

The next day…

Hyunjin found Jisoo in the garden.

⸻

Jisoo was sitting peacefully.

Her long blonde hair with lavender-pink tips moved softly in the breeze.

She wore a cream cardigan, a simple dress, and sneakers.

⸻

Hyunjin walked toward her.

⸻

Slowly.

⸻

Jisoo looked up.

⸻

“Why are you walking like you’re entering a stage?”

⸻

Hyunjin stopped.

⸻

“Do I do that?”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“Okay.”

⸻

He sat down.

⸻

Jisoo smiled.

⸻

“Are you okay?”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“You look nervous.”

⸻

“I am not.”

⸻

“You are.”

⸻

Hyunjin sighed.

⸻

“Why is everyone so good at noticing things?”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

⸻

⸻

The Actual Question

⸻

Hyunjin took a breath.

⸻

“Jisoo.”

⸻

She looked at him.

⸻

“I wanted to ask…”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Han’s voice appeared in his head:

“Don’t make it a movie.”

⸻

Felix’s voice:

“Don’t say ‘light.’”

⸻

Hyunjin nodded.

⸻

“Would you go to the dance with me?”

⸻

Simple.

⸻

Normal.

⸻

Jisoo blinked.

⸻

Then smiled.

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

Hyunjin froze.

⸻

“Wait.”

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“That’s it?”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

⸻

“What did you expect?”

⸻

“I don’t know.”

⸻

“You looked like you were about to give a speech.”

⸻

Hyunjin looked away.

⸻

“I prepared one.”

⸻

Jisoo smiled.

⸻

“Of course you did.”

⸻

⸻

Back at the Dorm

⸻

Hyunjin walked in.

⸻

Felix and Han looked up.

⸻

“Well?”

⸻

Hyunjin stood silently.

⸻

Then…

⸻

He dramatically fell onto the couch.

⸻

“I succeeded.”

⸻

Han laughed.

⸻

“Did you survive?”

⸻

“Barely.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

⸻

“Did you say the speech?”

⸻

Hyunjin looked offended.

⸻

“No.”

⸻

“Good.”

⸻

“Why?”

⸻

“Because it would have taken an hour.”

⸻

Hyunjin crossed his arms.

⸻

“It was beautiful.”

⸻

Han nodded.

⸻

“I’m sure it was.”

⸻

“You’re mocking me.”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Three missions.

⸻

Three successes.

⸻

Han and Rosé.

Felix and Jennie.

Hyunjin and Jisoo.

⸻

Now only one thing remained…

⸻

The college dance.

⸻

And everyone knew…

With Jennie as the DJ…

It was going to be unforgettable.
Chapter 34 – The Morning After The Chaos

The next morning…

The dorm was silent.

Too silent.

Which was always suspicious.

⸻

Jennie woke up slowly.

Her blonde hair was completely messy, with strands sticking in every direction. She stared at the ceiling for a few seconds.

Then…

She remembered.

⸻

The celebration.

The dancing.

Han’s terrible speeches.

Jisoo roasting everyone.

Felix helping her back.

⸻

She sat up.

“Oh no.”

⸻

A knock came at her door.

“Jennie?”

Felix.

She immediately froze.

“Why is Felix outside my room?”

She opened the door slightly.

⸻

Felix stood there holding a drink and a bag of breakfast.

His black hair was messy from sleeping, and he wore a black hoodie, gray sweatpants, and sneakers.

“Morning.”

Jennie stared.

“Why are you being nice?”

Felix looked confused.

“Because it’s morning?”

“Suspicious.”

He laughed.

“You think everything is suspicious.”

“Because people are suspicious.”

⸻

Felix handed her the breakfast.

“You didn’t eat much last night.”

Jennie blinked.

“You remembered that?”

“Yeah.”

She looked away.

“You’re annoying.”

“But?”

She sighed.

“…Thanks.”

⸻

Suddenly…

A loud noise came from the living room.

“NO ONE MOVE!”

Han.

Obviously.

⸻

Jennie and Felix walked out.

And stopped.

⸻

The living room was a disaster.

⸻

Han sat on the couch wearing sunglasses indoors.

His messy brown hair was somehow even messier.

“I have made an important decision.”

Lisa looked tired.

Her ash-blonde hair was tied into a ponytail, and she wore an oversized hoodie.

“What now?”

“I am never dancing again.”

Everyone stared.

Then Han stood up.

“Actually, I am dancing tonight.”

Everyone groaned.

⸻

Rosé laughed.

Her lavender hair was tied loosely, and she wore a cozy sweater.

“He’s already changed his mind.”

⸻

Jisoo walked in.

Her red hair was messy for once, and she wore a comfortable sweatshirt and jeans.

“I have one question.”

Everyone looked at her.

“Why did Han try to teach a chair how to dance?”

Silence.

⸻

Han pointed.

“The chair had potential.”

⸻

The room exploded.

Jennie laughed.

Actually laughed.

⸻

Felix looked at her.

“What?”

She looked confused.

“What?”

“You laughed.”

“So?”

“You don’t usually laugh this much.”

Jennie shrugged.

“Maybe you guys are slightly less annoying than I thought.”

⸻

Everyone gasped.

⸻

Hyunjin entered dramatically.

His blond hair was perfectly styled despite everything, and he wore a black sweatshirt and loose pants.

“She has grown emotionally.”

Han whispered:

“Someone write this down.”

⸻

Jennie grabbed a pillow.

“Don’t make this weird.”

⸻

Later…

Everyone sat around eating breakfast.

The conversation somehow returned to last night.

⸻

Han looked at Felix.

“So.”

Felix immediately knew.

“No.”

“I haven’t even asked.”

“No.”

⸻

Han smiled.

“Did you and Jennie have a moment?”

Jennie and Felix both froze.

⸻

“No.”

“Absolutely not.”

They answered at the same time.

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Lisa smiled.

“You two are so obvious.”

Jennie crossed her arms.

“We are not.”

Felix nodded.

“Definitely not.”

⸻

Rosé looked at them.

“You literally agreed at the same time.”

Silence.

⸻

Han pointed.

“Evidence.”

⸻

Jennie looked at Felix.

“This is your fault.”

“My fault?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“You exist.”

Felix laughed.

“That is still not a reason.”

“It is a reason for you.”

⸻

Everyone laughed again.

⸻

But underneath all the teasing…

Something had changed.

Before, Jennie would have hated everyone noticing.

Before, Felix would have avoided admitting anything.

Now?

They just laughed.

Because maybe…

They didn’t need to explain it.

Maybe everyone already knew.

⸻

And the worst part?

Han definitely knew.

Which meant…

They were never going to hear the end of it.
Chapter 15 – The School Festival Disaster

The rumor was supposed to disappear.

That was the plan.

Unfortunately…

The school had other plans.

⸻

The next morning, the hallway was covered with posters.

ANNUAL SCHOOL FESTIVAL – THIS FRIDAY

Everyone was excited.

Everyone except Jennie.

⸻

Jennie walked through the hallway with her usual cool attitude.

Her long black hair with soft curtain bangs framed her face. She wore a black cropped jacket over a graphic shirt, baggy cargo pants, black-and-white sneakers, and her silver headphones around her neck.

She looked at the festival posters.

“No.”

⸻

Lisa looked confused.

Her long ash-blonde hair with bangs framed her face, and she wore a black bomber jacket, cargo pants, and colorful sneakers.

“No what?”

“No festival.”

Lisa blinked.

“It’s one of the biggest events of the year.”

“Exactly.”

“So?”

“So everyone will be annoying.”

⸻

Han walked over.

His messy brown hair was sticking up, and he wore an oversized green hoodie, black jeans, and white sneakers.

“Correction.”

Everyone looked at him.

“Everyone will be annoying except me.”

Jennie stared.

“Especially you.”

Han looked offended.

“Wow.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

Her long lavender hair fell over her shoulders, and she wore an oversized cardigan, ripped jeans, and white boots.

“You know you’ll have fun.”

“No.”

“You always say no.”

“And I’m always right.”

⸻

Jisoo smiled.

Her long dark red hair rested neatly over one shoulder. She wore a cream sweater, black pants, and ankle boots.

“You’re going to participate.”

Jennie looked shocked.

“Why does everyone think that?”

“Because we know you.”

⸻

Then Felix walked in.

His soft black hair was slightly messy, and he wore his black varsity jacket, white T-shirt, black athletic pants, and basketball sneakers.

He looked at the poster.

“Festival?”

Jennie immediately pointed.

“No.”

Felix smiled.

“You didn’t even let me speak.”

“I know what you’re going to say.”

“What?”

“You’re going to say basketball.”

Felix paused.

“…I was.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Later that day, the teacher announced the festival assignments.

“Every group will prepare an activity.”

The class became excited.

Then the teacher read:

“Jennie and Felix will lead the main stage performance.”

Silence.

⸻

Jennie:

“No.”

Felix:

“Wait, what?”

⸻

Han immediately started laughing.

“Oh, this is perfect.”

Lisa smiled.

“The universe is forcing them.”

⸻

Felix looked at Jennie.

“So…”

“No.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

“I know.”

“You’re impossible.”

“And you’re too confident.”

⸻

The problem was…

They were actually a great team.

Felix handled the crowd.

Jennie handled the music.

Together…

They made the entire performance idea better than anyone expected.

⸻

After school, they stayed behind to practice.

The gym was empty.

Jennie connected her DJ equipment.

Felix practiced his part.

For once…

They weren’t fighting.

⸻

Felix looked over.

“You know…”

“What?”

“You’re really good at this.”

Jennie looked suspicious.

“Are you complimenting me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s true.”

She looked away.

“That’s weird.”

“You don’t like compliments?”

“I don’t know what to do with them.”

Felix laughed.

“That explains a lot.”

⸻

Jennie smiled.

Then immediately pointed at him.

“Don’t get comfortable.”

“There she is.”

⸻

From outside the gym door…

Han, Lisa, Rosé, Jisoo, and Hyunjin were watching.

Han whispered:

“They’re literally acting like a couple.”

Lisa smiled.

“But they’ll deny it.”

Hyunjin placed a hand over his heart.

“The slow burn continues.”

Jisoo sighed.

“It’s a school festival, not a drama.”

⸻

Inside…

Jennie and Felix continued practicing.

Still teasing.

Still competing.

Still pretending they didn’t care.

But everyone else knew…

The festival wasn’t going to be the only thing happening that week.
CHAPTER: “ANNOUNCEMENT DAY / THE TOUR RETURNS”
⸻

The morning started like any other—

until it didn’t.

⸻

BLACKPINK were gathered in the living room.

Not for rehearsal.

Not for casual planning.

But for something bigger.

⸻

Jisoo stood first, holding a printed schedule in both hands. Her long dark hair was softly styled, and she wore a calm ivory blouse with tailored trousers.

Her expression was steady—but there was excitement underneath it.

⸻

Jennie leaned forward immediately.

“Don’t tell me…”

⸻

Jisoo nodded.

“It’s official.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Rosé covered her mouth slightly, blonde hair falling over her shoulders as she smiled.

“…We’re going on tour?”

⸻

Jisoo smiled back.

“Yes.”

⸻

The room shifted instantly.

⸻

Jennie stood up.

“International?”

⸻

“International,” Jisoo confirmed.

⸻

Lisa hadn’t spoken yet.

⸻

Lisa sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at the schedule in Jisoo’s hand.

Her brown hair was tied loosely, casual home clothes replacing stage outfits for now.

Her expression slowly changed—

from surprise…

to recognition…

to something softer.

⸻

“…It’s been a while,” she said quietly.

⸻

Jennie pointed at her.

“That tone means you’re already thinking about choreography.”

⸻

Lisa blinked.

“…No.”

Pause.

“…Maybe.”

⸻

Rosé laughed softly.

“That’s a yes.”

⸻

⸻

Jisoo sat down beside them.

“This tour isn’t just performances,” she said gently. “It’s a full journey again.”

⸻

Jennie smiled.

“So basically… chaos with a schedule.”

⸻

“Exactly,” Jisoo replied.

⸻

⸻

Lisa finally looked up fully.

Her eyes had changed slightly.

Not tired.

Not overwhelmed.

Focused again.

⸻

“…We’ll need to prepare everything,” she said.

⸻

Jennie grinned.

“There she is.”

⸻

Rosé nodded.

“I’ve missed that energy.”

⸻

⸻

From the hallway, small footsteps paused.

Noah and Ari stood there, listening.

⸻

Ari tilted her head slightly.

“…Tour means you’ll be gone a lot.”

⸻

Lisa turned toward them.

“…Yeah.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Noah crossed his arms.

“So it’s going to be just us at home more.”

⸻

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

“That sounded suspiciously like a complaint.”

⸻

Noah shrugged.

“I’m observing.”

⸻

⸻

Lisa stood up and walked toward them.

Kneeling slightly to their level.

“…We’ll still be here,” she said. “Just busy.”

⸻

Ari nodded slowly.

“I get it.”

⸻

But her voice was thoughtful.

Like she understood both sides of “busy” now.

⸻

⸻

Jennie clapped once.

“Okay. Tour mindset starts today.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

“I’m excited.”

⸻

Jisoo nodded calmly.

“Then let’s prepare properly.”

⸻

Lisa stood again.

Her focus fully back now.

“…Let’s do it right.”

⸻

⸻

And just like that—

the house shifted again.

From everyday life…

to something larger.

⸻

Because tours didn’t just move cities.

They changed time.

And everyone inside that house was about to feel it again.
CHAPTER: “STRAY KIDS / END OF REHEARSAL DAY”

⸻

The studio lights dimmed slowly as the rehearsal finally wrapped up.

Music faded out. The echo of beats still lingered in the wooden floor, like it didn’t want to leave yet.

Water bottles were scattered. Towels draped over shoulders. Sneakers squeaked lightly as everyone shifted out of performance mode.

⸻

Bang Chan stood near the control panel, checking the final notes on the session. His expression was calm but focused, already thinking ahead to the next schedule.

“Good work today,” he said simply.

⸻

Lee Know stretched lightly near the mirror, adjusting his jacket.

“Could’ve been cleaner on the second run,” he added, half-joking.

⸻

Changbin wiped sweat from his forehead, grinning.

“Still better than yesterday.”

⸻

Hyunjin leaned against the wall, hair slightly damp, catching his breath.

“It’s getting there.”

⸻

Han was scrolling through his notes, already humming a melody.

“I think we should adjust the bridge again.”

⸻

Felix sat on the floor, smiling softly as he tied his shoes.

“Energy felt good though.”

⸻

Seungmin picked up his water bottle, glancing at everyone.

“We’re getting too chaotic in the chorus.”

⸻

I.N stood slightly apart, hoodie loose, dark hair falling over his forehead. He nodded quietly as he listened to the group talk.

“It’s improving,” he said softly. “We just need one more clean run.”

⸻

Stray Kids naturally drifted together as they always did—voices overlapping, ideas bouncing, teasing mixed with focus.

Bang Chan clapped once.

“Alright. Wrap it up. Rest tonight. We go again tomorrow.”

⸻

Groans, laughs, agreement.

⸻

Felix stood up.

“I’m starving.”

⸻

Changbin immediately pointed.

“You’re always starving.”

⸻

Hyunjin smiled.

“That’s his talent.”

⸻

Han laughed.

“It’s consistent at least.”

⸻

Seungmin shook his head.

“Let’s just go.”

⸻

Lee Know adjusted his bag.

“Finally.”

⸻

I.N checked his phone as they started heading out.

A message from Lisa still sat at the top.

“Done for today?”

He smiled slightly and replied:

“Just finished. Heading home.”

⸻

Bang Chan glanced over.

“Someone waiting?”

⸻

I.N didn’t look up.

“Yeah.”

⸻

Chan nodded knowingly.

“Good.”

⸻

⸻

The group stepped out into the night together.

Cool air. City lights. Another day completed.

Stray Kids moved like one unit even off stage—laughter returning as they walked, tired but satisfied.

⸻

And behind them—

the studio doors closed.

Not an ending.

Just a pause before the next beginning.

⸻

End of Chapter.
Chapter 1 – The Worst First Impression

The first bell hadn’t even rung, but the school was already buzzing with students.

Everyone had heard of the school’s two biggest stars.

Not because they were friends.

Because they couldn’t stand each other.

⸻

Jennie

Jennie walked through the hallway with effortless confidence. Her long, silky black hair, styled with soft curtain bangs like her iconic “Ice Cream” and “How You Like That” looks, flowed neatly over her shoulders. Her expression was calm and unreadable, making her seem intimidating without even trying.

She wore an oversized charcoal-gray hoodie over loose black cargo jeans with silver chains hanging from the pockets. Black-and-white high-top sneakers completed her outfit, while large silver headphones rested around her neck. A small silver ring decorated one finger, and her black backpack was covered with tiny music pins.

Everyone knew Jennie.

She was the school’s legendary DJ.

She made incredible remixes for pep rallies, dances, and school events.

She was also famous for roasting people with perfectly timed one-liners.

Most students were too scared to argue with her.

⸻

Felix

Outside the gym, Felix dribbled a basketball across the court.

His soft black hair was slightly messy after early morning practice, falling naturally over his forehead. He had warm brown eyes and an easy smile that made almost everyone like him instantly.

He wore a white athletic T-shirt underneath a black-and-red varsity jacket, relaxed black athletic pants, white crew socks, and spotless white basketball sneakers.

He was captain of the basketball team and one of the most popular students in school.

Girls constantly tried to talk to him.

He still didn’t understand why.

⸻

Jisoo

Walking toward class with a stack of neatly organized books was Jisoo.

Her long dark red hair shimmered under the hallway lights, perfectly brushed and tucked behind one ear. She carried herself with quiet confidence and always looked elegant.

She wore a cream-colored knit sweater, a black pleated skirt over black tights, and polished ankle boots. Small pearl earrings and a delicate silver necklace completed her look.

She was kind, responsible, and somehow always ended up cleaning up everyone else’s chaos.

⸻

Rosé

Music drifted from the auditorium where Rosé was helping set up sound equipment.

Her long lavender hair was loose with gentle waves flowing down her back. She had a relaxed smile that instantly made people feel comfortable.

She wore an oversized lavender cardigan over a simple white T-shirt, ripped light-blue jeans, and chunky white boots. Around one wrist were colorful friendship bracelets she had made herself.

She loved music almost as much as Jennie did.

⸻

Lisa

Standing beside Rosé was Lisa.

Her long ash-blonde hair with straight bangs framed her bright smile perfectly. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, usually because she was about to cause some harmless trouble.

She wore an oversized black bomber jacket, a bright graphic T-shirt, loose cargo pants, and colorful sneakers covered with tiny paint splatter designs.

Lisa loved dancing, laughing, and making every situation ten times more chaotic.

⸻

Han

Han hurried through the hallway carrying way too many notebooks.

His soft brown hair looked like he had forgotten to brush it after waking up, giving him a permanently messy look.

He wore a green hoodie under a denim jacket, dark jeans, and comfortable sneakers.

He talked nonstop, laughed at nearly everything, and somehow always knew the latest school gossip before anyone else.

⸻

Hyunjin

Leaning against a classroom doorway was Hyunjin.

His long blond hair was perfectly styled, making him look like he had stepped straight out of a fashion magazine.

He wore an oversized cream sweater, black wide-leg trousers, layered silver necklaces, and clean designer sneakers.

He was artistic, dramatic, and believed every ordinary moment deserved movie-level slow motion.

⸻

The first bell echoed through the school.

Jennie adjusted the headphones around her neck.

Felix bounced his basketball one last time.

Neither of them knew it yet…

But before the day was over, they would already be arguing.
Book 2 – Chapter 34: Operation Rose — Han’s Impossible Mission

The college dance was only hours away.

The outfits were ready.

The decorations were done.

The music was prepared.

⸻

But three boys had one huge problem.

⸻

They needed to ask three girls.

⸻

Operation One:

Han → Rosé

⸻

And Han was completely failing.

⸻

The Boys’ Emergency Meeting

⸻

The dorm room looked like a war room.

⸻

Han sat on the bed staring at his phone.

His black hair fading into blue at the ends was slightly messy from stress.

He wore a blue jacket, black jeans, and sneakers.

⸻

Felix looked at him.

His blonde hair was styled neatly, and he wore a black shirt with dark pants.

⸻

“You’ve been staring at the same message for twenty minutes.”

⸻

Han looked up.

“I’m creating the perfect message.”

⸻

Hyunjin walked in.

His red-tipped hair was perfectly styled, and he wore a black jacket.

⸻

“What have you written?”

⸻

Han showed them.

⸻

“Hey Rosé, would you like to attend the dance with me?”

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Felix blinked.

⸻

“That’s it?”

⸻

Han looked offended.

“Yes.”

⸻

Hyunjin nodded.

⸻

“Honestly…”

⸻

Han smiled.

⸻

“See? Good.”

⸻

“…It’s so normal that it’s suspicious.”

⸻

Han’s smile disappeared.

⸻

“What does that mean?”

⸻

“It means you.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

⸻

“You wrote a normal sentence and somehow made it weird.”

⸻

Han sighed.

⸻

“Helpful. Both of you are incredibly helpful.”

⸻

Operation Begins

⸻

Han walked into the practice room.

⸻

Rosé was there.

⸻

Her short blonde Apatapate-inspired hair was styled beautifully, and she wore a casual outfit with a denim jacket, a simple top, and jeans.

She was organizing music.

⸻

Han froze.

⸻

Immediately forgot his plan.

⸻

Rosé looked up.

⸻

“Han?”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“Why are you standing there like you forgot how doors work?”

⸻

Han blinked.

⸻

“I was…”

⸻

Thinking.

⸻

Rosé smiled.

⸻

“That’s dangerous.”

⸻

Han laughed nervously.

⸻

“Very funny.”

⸻

He took a breath.

⸻

“Rosé, I wanted to ask—”

⸻

Suddenly…

A speaker behind him made a loud noise.

⸻

Han jumped.

⸻

Rosé stared.

⸻

“Are you okay?”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“You looked scared.”

⸻

“I was attacked by technology.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

⸻

“Technology attacked you?”

⸻

“It was unexpected.”

⸻

The Actual Question

⸻

Han tried again.

⸻

“Rosé.”

⸻

She looked at him.

⸻

“Would you…”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Han’s brain stopped.

⸻

“…help me choose a jacket?”

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Rosé blinked.

⸻

“A jacket?”

⸻

Han immediately regretted everything.

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“That was your big question?”

⸻

“No.”

⸻

“Good.”

⸻

Han covered his face.

⸻

“That was terrible.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

⸻

“Very.”

⸻

He smiled.

⸻

Then finally…

⸻

“Would you go to the dance with me?”

⸻

Quiet.

⸻

Rosé looked surprised.

⸻

Then smiled.

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

Han froze.

⸻

“Wait.”

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“You said yes?”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“I didn’t expect that.”

⸻

“Why?”

⸻

“Because I spent three hours preparing and still almost asked about jackets.”

⸻

Rosé laughed harder.

⸻

“You almost invited me to a fashion consultation.”

⸻

“Exactly.”

⸻

⸻

The Celebration

⸻

Han ran back to the dorm.

⸻

Felix looked up.

⸻

“Well?”

⸻

Han dramatically fell onto the couch.

⸻

“Mission complete.”

⸻

Hyunjin clapped slowly.

⸻

“Congratulations.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

⸻

“She said yes?”

⸻

Han nodded proudly.

⸻

Then immediately added:

⸻

“After I almost ruined everything.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

⸻

“That’s very Han.”

⸻

Han pointed.

⸻

“Now it’s your turn.”

⸻

Felix froze.

⸻

Because tomorrow…

⸻

Operation Two:

Felix → Jennie

⸻

And everyone knew…

⸻

That was going to be much harder.
Book 2 – Chapter 5: The First College Challenge

The first day of college was supposed to be normal.

Keyword:

Supposed to.

⸻

After the whole “Felix’s definitely-not-girlfriend” drama, everyone walked toward their classes.

⸻

Jennie walked ahead of everyone.

Her sleek dark bob moved with every step, and her black jacket, silver accessories, baggy jeans, and boots made her look like she belonged on a magazine cover instead of a college campus.

⸻

Lisa looked at her.

“Okay, I have to admit.”

Jennie looked back.

“What?”

“Your entrance was dramatic.”

“I walked.”

“You walked like the hallway belonged to you.”

Jennie shrugged.

“Maybe it did.”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

Her long blonde hair with lavender-pink ends moved as she walked.

“She hasn’t changed.”

Rosé smiled.

Her black hair fell over her shoulders.

“She just got more confident.”

⸻

Behind them…

Felix was quiet.

Very quiet.

⸻

Han noticed immediately.

His black hair with blue tips fell over his forehead as he looked at Felix.

“You’re thinking.”

Felix looked at him.

“No I’m not.”

“You are.”

“No.”

“You have your thinking face.”

“I have a face.”

“Exactly.”

⸻

Hyunjin walked beside them, his red-tipped hair catching the sunlight.

“He is thinking about Jennie.”

Felix stopped.

“What?”

Everyone looked at him.

⸻

Felix sighed.

“She just surprised me, okay?”

Han smiled.

“Because she looks different?”

“Yes.”

“Because she’s more confident?”

“Maybe.”

“Because she roasted someone in less than five minutes?”

Felix paused.

“…Also yes.”

⸻

Hyunjin nodded.

“An iconic return.”

⸻

Meanwhile…

Jennie had already found her classroom.

⸻

She sat down and opened her laptop.

New college.

New classes.

New challenges.

⸻

Then the professor walked in.

“Before we begin, I have an announcement.”

Everyone looked up.

⸻

“This semester, we will have a major creative competition.”

⸻

Jennie’s eyes immediately lit up.

⸻

“The winning team will perform at the biggest college showcase of the year.”

⸻

Lisa looked at Jennie.

“Oh no.”

Jennie smiled.

“What?”

“Your DJ face.”

“What about it?”

“It means you are about to become terrifying.”

⸻

The professor continued.

“You will work in teams.”

⸻

Jennie froze.

No.

Please no.

⸻

The teams appeared on the screen.

⸻

Team One: Jennie, Felix, Lisa, Han, Rosé, Jisoo, Hyunjin.

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Jennie stared.

Felix stared.

Everyone stared.

⸻

Han immediately laughed.

“THE SCHOOL IS STILL TRYING TO FORCE YOU TWO TOGETHER.”

⸻

Jennie pointed at him.

“Stop talking.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s funny.”

⸻

Felix looked at Jennie.

“So…”

“So.”

“Looks like we’re working together again.”

⸻

Jennie sighed.

“Of course.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

“You missed me.”

“No.”

“You answered too fast.”

“Because the answer was obvious.”

⸻

The whole group laughed.

⸻

After class, they met in the library.

⸻

The assignment was simple:

Create something that represents who they were.

⸻

Everyone had ideas.

Lisa wanted fashion.

Rosé wanted music.

Jisoo wanted visuals.

Han wanted something “legendary.”

Nobody knew what that meant.

⸻

Hyunjin wrote down:

“An artistic experience.”

Everyone stared.

⸻

Jennie looked at Felix.

“Translate.”

Felix laughed.

“He means something dramatic.”

Hyunjin nodded.

“Exactly.”

⸻

Then everyone looked at Jennie.

“What about you?”

⸻

Jennie thought.

A year ago…

She would have said she didn’t care.

But now?

She smiled.

⸻

“Music.”

⸻

Felix looked at her.

“You already knew that.”

“Yeah.”

“Then why did you think so long?”

Jennie shrugged.

“Because this time…”

She looked around at everyone.

“I don’t want it to just be my thing.”

⸻

Everyone smiled.

⸻

Felix noticed.

The old Jennie was still there.

The roast queen.

The DJ.

The girl who never backed down.

But now…

She let people in.

⸻

Han suddenly ruined the moment.

“So basically we’re making a masterpiece.”

Jennie looked at him.

“Don’t say masterpiece.”

“Why?”

“Because now you think you’re an artist.”

“I am.”

“You are a problem.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

And as they started planning their first college project…

Nobody noticed the competition poster hanging outside the room.

⸻

COLLEGE SHOWCASE CHALLENGE

WINNER GETS A CHANCE TO PERFORM ON THE MAIN STAGE.

⸻

Jennie looked at it.

A spark appeared in her eyes.

⸻

The DJ queen was back.

And this time…

She had a whole team behind her.
# THE NULL SOVEREIGN

## CHAPTER 1 — THE SILENT PILLAR

### SEQUENCE 01 — THE AWAKENING PLAZA

**PANEL 01 — EXTREME WIDE**

The **Awakening Plaza of Asterion** stretches across the page.

Thousands upon thousands of people fill the marble square.

White-and-gold marble reflects the morning sun.

At the eastern edge rises the enormous **Royal Palace**, its towers and golden spires piercing the sky.

At the center stands the **Divine Pillar**.

Thirty feet of living crystal.

Its interior pulses with rivers of System energy.

Blue.

Gold.

White.

Blue again.

**CAPTION:**

*Every sixteen-year-old in the Kingdom of Asterion undergoes the Awakening.*

---

**PANEL 02 — WIDE**

The crowd is divided.

Nobles stand behind velvet ropes guarded by Silver-rank soldiers.

Commoners occupy the rest of the plaza.

Parents hold their children's shoulders.

Guild representatives watch eagerly.

Merchants whisper.

Priests stand beneath the palace balconies.

Everyone is waiting.

---

**PANEL 03 — MEDIUM**

Kael Veyron stands alone among the crowd.

Seventeen.

Thin.

Plain.

His borrowed clothes hang loosely from his shoulders.

The sleeves are slightly too short.

He pulls one down.

It rolls back up.

He pulls it again.

**CAPTION:**

*Kael Veyron had no family waiting for him.*

---

**PANEL 04 — CLOSE-UP**

Kael's fingers nervously pinch the sleeve.

His knuckles are slightly pale.

**CAPTION:**

*No father.*

*No mother.*

*No name worth celebrating.*

---

**PANEL 05 — CLOSE-UP**

Kael looks toward the Divine Pillar.

His expression is uneasy.

The enormous crystal reflects in his eyes.

**CAPTION:**

*The Pillar would decide the rest of his life.*

---

### SEQUENCE 02 — PELL

**PANEL 06 — MEDIUM**

A stocky red-haired boy stands beside Kael.

Pell Harten.

His best clothes are visibly just clean work clothes.

His belt buckle is rattling from how badly he's shaking.

**PELL:**

"Stop fidgeting."

---

**PANEL 07 — TWO-SHOT**

Kael looks sideways at him.

**KAEL:**

"I'm not fidgeting."

**PELL:**

"You're pulling your sleeves."

---

**PANEL 08 — CLOSE-UP**

Kael looks down at his hand.

He releases the sleeve.

Then notices Pell trembling.

**KAEL:**

"You're shaking."

---

**PANEL 09 — CLOSE-UP — PELL**

Pell's face is completely serious.

**PELL:**

"That's different."

Beat.

**PELL:**

"That's medical."

---

**PANEL 10 — SMALL**

Kael almost smiles.

For the first time, the oppressive atmosphere around him breaks.

---

**PANEL 11 — TWO-SHOT**

**PELL:**

"What do you think you'll get?"

**KAEL:**

"Iron."

Beat.

**KAEL:**

"Maybe Bronze if I'm lucky."

---

**PANEL 12 — CLOSE-UP — PELL**

Pell looks horrified.

**PELL:**

"I just don't want Farmer."

---

**PANEL 13**

Kael looks at him completely deadpan.

**KAEL:**

"You could pull turnips very well."

---

**PANEL 14 — PELL**

**PELL:**

"Shut up."

---

### SEQUENCE 03 — THE NOBLES

**PANEL 15 — WIDE**

The noble section.

Velvet rope.

Two Silver-rank guards.

Silk.

Jewelry.

Perfect posture.

The children stand like they've rehearsed this moment their entire lives.

---

**PANEL 16 — CLOSE-UP**

A noble boy's polished boots.

Another's jeweled bracelet.

A third's expensive System-enhancement necklace.

---

**PANEL 17 — MEDIUM**

Kael watches them from the commoner section.

**CAPTION:**

*They had been preparing for this day since birth.*

---

**PANEL 18 — MEDIUM**

Elara Wenthis.

Tall.

Blonde.

Immaculate.

She stands at the front of the noble section.

Her posture is perfect.

Her expression calm.

---

**PANEL 19 — CLOSE-UP — ELARA**

Her eyes remain fixed on the Pillar.

Completely confident.

---

**PANEL 20 — KAEL**

Kael looks at her.

No envy.

No hatred.

Just distance.

**CAPTION:**

*They lived in different worlds.*

**CAPTION:**

*The Pillar was about to make that difference official.*

---

### SEQUENCE 04 — THE PRIESTESS

**PANEL 21 — FULL-WIDTH**

A bell rings.

**SFX:**

**KOOOOONG**

The entire plaza falls silent.

---

**PANEL 22 — UPWARD ANGLE**

The balcony of the Royal Palace.

High Priestess Seraphina steps forward.

White hair cascades over her shoulders.

She appears no older than thirty-five.

Her eyes are milky white.

Blind.

Perhaps.

---

**PANEL 23 — CLOSE-UP**

Seraphina's pale eyes.

Despite being blind, they seem to look directly through the entire crowd.

---

**PANEL 24 — WIDE**

Her Saint-rank aura spreads across the plaza.

No visible attack.

No violence.

Just overwhelming presence.

The crowd instinctively straightens.

---

**CAPTION:**

*The Church was present.*

*The System was watching.*

---

**PANEL 25 — CLOSE-UP**

Seraphina raises one hand.

---

**PANEL 26 — SPLASH PANEL**

The Divine Pillar suddenly erupts with light.

**SFX:**

**WHOOOOOM**

System energy races through its crystal interior.

---

### SEQUENCE 05 — THE SYSTEM

**PANEL 27 — FULL-PAGE SYSTEM OVERLAY**

A translucent System notification appears before everyone.

**SYSTEM NOTICE**

> **DIVINE SYSTEM NOTICE**
>
> **THE AWAKENING CEREMONY**
>
> **YEAR 4247**
>
> *All eligible candidates shall approach the Divine Pillar in designated order.*
>
> *The System will assign Rank, Class, and Purpose.*

---

**PANEL 28 — WIDE**

The notification disappears.

The crowd begins to move.

---

**PANEL 29 — MEDIUM**

A noble boy approaches.

Confident.

---

**PANEL 30 — CLOSE-UP**

His hand touches the Pillar.

**SFX:**

**WHUM**

Golden light surrounds him.

---

**PANEL 31 — SYSTEM PANEL**

> **CANDIDATE: ALDIS MERROW**
>
> **RANK: SILVER**
>
> **CLASS: KNIGHT**
>
> **AUTHORITY: STANDARD**

---

**PANEL 32 — CROWD**

Polite applause.

His family smiles.

---

### SEQUENCE 06 — THE AWAKENINGS

**MONTAGE**

**PANEL 33**

> **IRON — FARMER**

A boy looks disappointed.

---

**PANEL 34**

> **BRONZE — MERCHANT**

A girl bursts into tears.

Her family embraces her.

---

**PANEL 35**

> **IRON — LABORER**

Silence.

---

**PANEL 36**

A Silver awakening.

The crowd cheers.

---

**PANEL 37 — KAEL**

Kael watches.

The morning sun has climbed higher.

Sweat gathers beneath his borrowed clothes.

His hand returns to his sleeve.

---

**CAPTION:**

*Iron.*

*Bronze.*

*Silver.*

*Everyone received something.*

---

### SEQUENCE 07 — PELL HARTEN

**PANEL 38 — SYSTEM**

> **PELL HARTEN**

---

**PANEL 39 — CLOSE-UP — PELL**

His face goes white.

**PELL:**

"...No."

---

**PANEL 40**

He walks toward the Pillar.

His legs visibly shake.

---

**PANEL 41 — CLOSE-UP**

Pell places his hand against the crystal.

---

**PANEL 42**

A faint iron-grey glow.

---

**PANEL 43 — SYSTEM**

> **CANDIDATE: PELL HARTEN**
>
> **RANK: IRON**
>
> **CLASS: MERCHANT**
>
> **AUTHORITY: STANDARD**

---

**PANEL 44 — CLOSE-UP**

Pell stares.

Then his eyes fill with tears.

---

**PANEL 45**

His father screams from the crowd.

**PELL'S FATHER:**

"MERCHANT!"

---

**PANEL 46**

Pell laughs through his tears.

He turns toward Kael.

Raises both thumbs.

---

**PANEL 47 — KAEL**

Kael smiles.

A tiny nod.

---

### SEQUENCE 08 — ELARA

**PANEL 48 — WIDE**

The System calls the next name.

**SYSTEM:**

> **ELARA WENTHIS**

---

**PANEL 49 — FULL-BODY**

Elara walks toward the Pillar.

Her movements are controlled.

Elegant.

Almost ceremonial.

---

**PANEL 50 — CLOSE-UP**

Her hand touches the crystal.

---

**PANEL 51 — SPLASH**

The Pillar erupts in brilliant silver-blue light.

**SFX:**

**VRAAAAAAM**

---

**PANEL 52 — SYSTEM**

> **CANDIDATE: ELARA WENTHIS**
>
> **RANK: SILVER**
>
> **CLASS: BATTLE MAGE**
>
> **AUTHORITY: STANDARD**

---

**PANEL 53 — NOBLE SECTION**

Her family nods.

Satisfied.

Not surprised.

---

**PANEL 54 — KAEL**

Kael watches.

His expression changes.

A cold realization settles over him.

**CAPTION:**

*The Pillar had decided Elara's path before she was born.*

---

**PANEL 55**

Kael looks toward Pell.

Then toward the nobles.

**CAPTION:**

*The System was supposed to be fair.*

---

**PANEL 56 — CLOSE-UP**

Kael's eyes.

**CAPTION:**

*Everyone said it was.*

---

### SEQUENCE 09 — KAEL VEYRON

**PANEL 57 — FULL-WIDTH**

The plaza has grown hotter.

The crowd has thinned slightly.

The list is almost finished.

---

**PANEL 58 — SYSTEM**

> **KAEL VEYRON**

---

**PANEL 59 — EXTREME CLOSE-UP**

Kael's pupil contracts.

---

**PANEL 60**

His breathing becomes visible.

**SFX:**

**THUMP**

---

**PANEL 61**

His fingers curl.

**SFX:**

**THUMP**

---

**PANEL 62**

He steps forward.

---

**PANEL 63 — LONG SHOT**

Kael walks alone toward the marble stairs.

The enormous Pillar waits above him.

The crowd surrounds him.

But visually, Kael appears completely isolated.

---

**CAPTION:**

*One step.*

---

**PANEL 64**

His foot touches the first marble stair.

**CAPTION:**

*Two.*

---

**PANEL 65**

His hand trembles.

He forces it still.

---

**PANEL 66 — EXTREME WIDE**

Kael reaches the top.

The Divine Pillar towers above him.

---

### SEQUENCE 10 — THE TOUCH

**PANEL 67 — POV**

Kael looks at the crystal.

System energy moves inside it like blood through veins.

---

**PANEL 68 — CLOSE-UP**

His fingertips approach the surface.

One centimeter.

---

**PANEL 69**

Touch.

---

**PANEL 70 — EXTREME CLOSE-UP**

Kael's eyes widen.

The System enters him.

**SFX:**

**MMMMMMMM**

---

**PANEL 71 — ABSTRACT**

System energy races through his body.

His veins appear illuminated.

A lattice of information surrounds his consciousness.

**CAPTION:**

*Sorting.*

*Measuring.*

*Evaluating.*

---

**PANEL 72 — BLACK TRANSITION**

The hum stops.

---

**PANEL 73 — FULL-WIDTH**

The Divine Pillar goes completely black.

Not dark blue.

Not dim.

**BLACK.**

The sunlight around it appears swallowed.

---

**PANEL 74 — EXTREME CLOSE-UP**

Kael's hand remains against the black crystal.

His eyes reflect nothing.

---

**PANEL 75 — WIDE**

The entire plaza freezes.

No one moves.

---

**PANEL 76**

A child in the crowd stares.

His mother instinctively pulls him closer.

---

**PANEL 77**

A priest slowly rises.

---

**PANEL 78**

Seraphina's expression changes for the first time.

Her eyes widen.

---

**PANEL 79 — KAEL**

Nothing.

No System warmth.

No hum.

No response.

---

**PANEL 80 — SILENT PANEL**

Five seconds.

---

**PANEL 81**

Ten.

---

### SEQUENCE 11 — NULL

**PANEL 82 — FULL-PAGE SYSTEM**

A System notification appears.

But unlike the previous notifications—

**there is no color.**

No gold.

No silver.

No blue.

Only black text inside a stark white frame.

> **CANDIDATE: KAEL**
>
> **FAMILY: VEYRON**
>
> **AGE: 17**
>
> **RANK: NULL**
>
> **CLASS: NULL**
>
> **AUTHORITY: RESTRICTED**
>
> **STATUS: SEALED**

---

**PANEL 83 — EXTREME CLOSE-UP**

Kael's face.

He reads it.

Again.

And again.

---

**PANEL 84 — SINGLE WORD**

> **NULL**

---

**PANEL 85 — SILENCE**

No dialogue.

---

**PANEL 86 — CROWD**

A parent takes a step backward.

---

**PANEL 87**

Another pulls their child behind them.

---

**PANEL 88**

Nobles whisper behind gloved hands.

---

**PANEL 89**

Priests lean toward each other.

Their faces are no longer calm.

They are afraid.

---

**PANEL 90 — CLOSE-UP**

Someone in the crowd screams:

**VOICE:**

"DEFECTIVE!"

---

**PANEL 91 — CHAOS**

The word spreads.

**VOICES:**

"Defective!"

"Anomaly!"

"Broken!"

"NULL!"

---

**PANEL 92 — KAEL**

Kael stands completely motionless.

The noise becomes visually distorted around him.

---

**CAPTION:**

*Not Iron.*

*Not Bronze.*

*Not Silver.*

*Nothing.*

---

### SEQUENCE 12 — THE MESSAGE

**PANEL 93 — EXTREME CLOSE-UP**

Kael's hand against the black Pillar.

Something appears beneath his palm.

Ancient symbols.

---

**PANEL 94 — POV**

Ancient writing burns across the black crystal.

No System interface.

No notification.

Something older.

---

**PANEL 95 — CLOSE-UP — KAEL**

His expression changes.

Confusion.

Recognition.

---

**PANEL 96 — BLACK BACKGROUND**

The ancient words appear.

> **RETURN TO THE FORGE, FIRST SOVEREIGN.**

---

**PANEL 97**

Kael stares.

---

**PANEL 98**

The inscription disappears.

---

**PANEL 99 — KAEL**

**KAEL:**

"...What?"

---

### SEQUENCE 13 — CAPTURE

**PANEL 100**

Two priests seize Kael by the arms.

---

**PANEL 101 — CLOSE-UP**

Their faces.

Not disgust.

Not anger.

Fear disguised as professional composure.

---

**PRIEST:**

"Come with us."

---

**PANEL 102**

Kael looks toward the crowd.

---

**PANEL 103 — PELL**

Pell stands frozen.

His Merchant classification forgotten.

His face has gone pale.

---

**PANEL 104 — KAEL**

Kael looks at him.

---

**PANEL 105 — PELL**

Pell looks back.

Neither says anything.

---

**PANEL 106 — WIDE**

The priests drag Kael down the marble stairs.

The black Pillar remains behind him.

Still dead.

Still black.

---

### SEQUENCE 14 — BENEATH THE PALACE

**PANEL 107 — VERTICAL**

Stone stairs descend.

Kael is led deeper beneath the Royal Palace.

The bright plaza disappears above.

---

**PANEL 108**

White marble becomes grey stone.

---

**PANEL 109**

Grey stone becomes ancient masonry.

---

**PANEL 110**

The light disappears.

---

**PANEL 111 — WIDE**

A small stone room.

One bench.

One candle.

One iron door.

No windows.

---

**PANEL 112**

Kael is pushed inside.

---

**PANEL 113**

The iron door closes.

**SFX:**

**CLANG**

---

**PANEL 114 — EXTREME CLOSE-UP**

The lock turns.

**SFX:**

**CLICK**

---

**PANEL 115 — LARGE SILENT PANEL**

Kael sits alone on the bench.

Head lowered.

The candle flickers.

---

### SEQUENCE 15 — NOBODY

**PANEL 116**

Kael closes his eyes.

---

**PANEL 117**

He attempts to summon his System interface.

Nothing.

---

**PANEL 118**

Again.

Nothing.

---

**PANEL 119 — ABSTRACT**

Where there should be a System interface—

there is only black.

---

**CAPTION:**

*No rank.*

*No class.*

*No stats.*

*No skills.*

*No credits.*

*No connection.*

---

**PANEL 120 — KAEL**

His eyes open.

---

**CAPTION:**

*He was invisible to the System.*

---

**PANEL 121 — LARGE PANEL**

Kael sits alone in the candlelit room.

**CAPTION:**

*He was Nobody.*

---

### SEQUENCE 16 — THE GLOBAL NOTICE

**PANEL 122**

The door opens.

A young priest enters.

He is visibly trembling.

---

**PANEL 123**

The priest holds a glowing System tablet.

---

**PRIEST:**

"The System has issued a notice."

---

**PANEL 124**

Kael looks up.

---

**PRIEST:**

"A global notice."

---

**PANEL 125**

The priest turns the tablet around.

---

**PANEL 126 — FULL-PAGE SYSTEM PANEL**

> ⚠ **SYSTEM ALERT** ⚠
>
> **ILLEGAL EXISTENCE DETECTED**
>
> **SUBJECT:** KAEL VEYRON
>
> **CLASSIFICATION:** NULL
>
> **STATUS:** ANOMALY
>
> **EXECUTION AUTHORIZED**
>
> **ALL CITIZENS ARE ORDERED TO REPORT SIGHTINGS**
>
> **REWARD FOR CAPTURE:**
>
> **500,000 SYSTEM CREDITS**
>
> **+ RANK PROMOTION**

---

**PANEL 127 — EXTREME CLOSE-UP**

Kael's eye.

The reflection of the words **EXECUTION AUTHORIZED** burns across his pupil.

---

**PANEL 128**

The priest backs toward the door.

---

**PRIEST:**

"I'm sorry."

---

**PANEL 129**

His hand grips the door.

**PRIEST:**

"I'm so sorry."

---

**PANEL 130**

He looks at Kael.

Terror.

**PRIEST:**

"They are coming."

---

**PANEL 131**

The door closes.

---

**PANEL 132 — BLACK**

Silence.

---

**PANEL 133 — FINAL PANEL**

Above Kael, muffled through layers of stone—

**SFX:**

**BOOM**

Then—

**SCREAMING.**

Then—

**CLANG.**

Then another explosion.

Kael slowly raises his head.

---

**CAPTION:**

*They were already here.*

# END OF CHAPTER 1

اسوار
martial god asura-1
تلميذ البلاط الخارجي
الفصل 1 – تلميذ البلاط الخارجي
*بززز*
ليلًا. كان القمر المستدير معلقًا عاليًا وملأت النجوم السماء.
ومع ذلك, وسط نهر النجوم, وجدت تسعة أنوار ملونة واقفين بينهم وكانوا متلألئين على نحو استثنائي.
في هذا الاتجاه، كانت تسير امرأة شابة ترتدي ملابس أرجوانية. على الرغم من أن هناك ابتسامة باهتة على فمها، كانت عيناها شرسة محدقة بإحكام على السيدة.
“تظهر علامات غير طبيعية في السماء, مما يعني أن جسد إلهي سوف يظهر”
 “أوي، ما هذا السلوك؟ هل تعرف من أنا؟” سيدة كانت ترتدي ملابس رائعة كان معها صبي وأشارت وصاحت بصوت عال في شاب صغير.
على قمة المدينة الإمبراطورية في المقاطعات التسعة. وقف رجل عجوز مرتديا ملابس ذهبية, يده وراء ظهره وكان ينظر في السماء, ليلًا.
“نحن في حاجة إلى اتباع قواعد المدرسة”، قال تشو فنغ مع ابتسامة رائعة.
كان وراءه عشرات الآلاف من خبراء المدينة الإمبراطورية, كان جميعهم نصف راكعين كما لو كانوا ينتظرون أن يؤمروا.
صدت الاستجابات مثل الرعد في الأفق وتوجه عشرات آلاف الخبراء من المدينة الإمبراطورية تجاه مقاطعة أزور. وأقسموا أن يبحثوا عن الجسد الإلهي وإعطائه إلى البلاط الإمبراطوري لاستخدامه.
*بززز*
“تشو يو ستكون شاهدة. ولكن ماذا لو لم تتمكن من اجتيازه؟ “
فجأة, تكثفت الأنوار وكونت برقًا ذو تسعة ألوان. جاءت صاعقةً من فوق نهر النجوم.
ابتسم تشو فنغ فقط وتجاهله. ثم قال لتشو يو، “تشو يو، سوف اشارك في امتحان التلميذ الداخلي لهذا العام.”
في تلك اللحظة, أصبح الليل الأسود نهارا أبيض. حتى من قبل صعقة البرق, كانت الأرض تصدر صريرًا و ترتجف بشدة.
“نعم، أنت على صواب، ولكن للأسف أنه لا يريدها.” تشو تشن قام بنشر يديه وسخر.
لكن هذا البرق ذو الألوان التسعة. لحظة تصادمه مع الأرض, لم يحدث أي ضرر مرعب. بدلا من ذلك, اختفى تمامًا.
“عندما أقول أني أعطيها لك، يجب عليك أن تأخذها. أنت أخي الصغير بعد كل شيء.” كانت تشو يو منزعجة قليلا.
في نفس الوقت, غطى الليل العالم من جديد. سماء الليل المشرقة أظلمت قليلًا, كما لو تمت إزالة جوهر ما منها, وعادت الأيام إلى ما كانت عليه.
“نعم، أنت على صواب، ولكن للأسف أنه لا يريدها.” تشو تشن قام بنشر يديه وسخر.
كانت عينا الرجل العجوز مشرقة بشكل غير طبيعي وجسده متحمس ويرتجف. وأشار نحو الموقع الذي سقط فيه البرق. “ضمن حدود مقاطعة أزور، أحضروا كل الأطفال الذين ولدوا الليلة إلى المدينة الإمبراطورية”
 “يجب عليك أن ترتب لنا مكانًا للإقامة، وإلا سوف أذهب لأجد شيوخك للتفاوض.” كانت السيدة لا تستمع له ولا تهتم. حتى أنها أمسكت ملابس تشو فنغ.
“نعم سيدي!”
“تشو تشن، نحن عائلة. لماذا أنت دائما بحاجة لجعل الأمور صعبة على تشو فنغ؟” نظرت تشو يو إلى تشو تشن بانزعاج.
صدت الاستجابات مثل الرعد في الأفق وتوجه عشرات آلاف الخبراء من المدينة الإمبراطورية تجاه مقاطعة أزور. وأقسموا أن يبحثوا عن الجسد الإلهي وإعطائه إلى البلاط الإمبراطوري لاستخدامه.
 لكنها لم تتردد على الإطلاق. وسحبت الصبي وغادرت بسرعة، ومن أثار الذعر تعثرت، الذي جعلها تبدو في وضع صعب للغاية.
مر الوقت. خمس سنوات مضت في لحظة وعلى الرغم من أن الناس مازالوا يتذكرون المشهد المخيف في تلك السنة، لم يكن أحد يعرف أعمال البلاط الإمبراطوري.
عند النظر إلى تشو فنغ وهو يتصرف هكذا، تألم قلب تشو يو، “تشو فنغ، ألن تشارك مجددًا في امتحان التلميذ الداخلي لهذا العام؟ ام انك لا تزال لم تصل بعد إلى المستوى الثالث من عالم الروح؟”
ضمن حدود مقاطعة أزور في المقاطعات التسعة. بين المدارس التي لا تعد و لا تحصى، كانت مدرسة التنين اللاذوردي واحدة منهم.
“تشو يو. هذا ثمين جدا، وأنا لا يمكن أن أخذها.”تشو فنغ أعادها على عجل مرة أخرى إلى تشو يو.
اليوم، مجددًا، كان التقديم السنوي من التلاميذ لمدرسة التنين اللازوردي. وكانت هناك محيطات من الناس خارج المدرسة.
لم يكن بسبب أي شيء آخر. كان لمجرد أن الشابة كانت ترتدي رداءًا أرجوانيًا، وكان ذلك علامة من علامات انها تلميذة داخلية.
في كل مرة، كان أكثر الناس انشغالًا هم تلاميذ البلاط الخارجي. وقد دفعت كل مسؤوليات القبول للمدرسة على رؤوسهم.
 ضمن حدود مقاطعة أزور في المقاطعات التسعة. بين المدارس التي لا تعد و لا تحصى، كانت مدرسة التنين اللاذوردي واحدة منهم.
تلاميذ البلاط الخارجي. هم الذين ينفذوا المهام الصعبة التي لا يشكر عليها. ليس فقط كان وضعهم هو الأدنى في المدرسة، كانوا حتى محط ازدراء من قبل الغرباء.
“نعم، أنت على صواب، ولكن للأسف أنه لا يريدها.” تشو تشن قام بنشر يديه وسخر.
والسبب بسيط جدا. لو كانوا تلاميذ البلاط الخارجي، فهذا يعني أن قدراتهم كانت فظيعة وفي حياتهم كلها، سيكون من الصعب للغاية بالنسبة لهم أن يكون لهم أي إنجازات كبيرة، ولذلك بطبيعة الحال. كان يتم احتقارهم.
والسبب بسيط جدا. لو كانوا تلاميذ البلاط الخارجي، فهذا يعني أن قدراتهم كانت فظيعة وفي حياتهم كلها، سيكون من الصعب للغاية بالنسبة لهم أن يكون لهم أي إنجازات كبيرة، ولذلك بطبيعة الحال. كان يتم احتقارهم.
“أوي، ما هذا السلوك؟ هل تعرف من أنا؟” سيدة كانت ترتدي ملابس رائعة كان معها صبي وأشارت وصاحت بصوت عال في شاب صغير.
ليلًا. كان القمر المستدير معلقًا عاليًا وملأت النجوم السماء.
“أنا آسف جدا. إن الوقت متأخر الآن، وسوف تغلق المدرسة قريبا. رجاء عودوا غدا.” كان وجه الشاب الصغير رقيقا، ولكن بين حاجبيه، كان يوجد القليل من الروح البطولية.
“تشو فنغ، هل صادفتك مشكلة ما؟” ولكن فقط في ذلك الوقت, سمع صوت عذب.
كان يدعى تشو فنغ. وكان واحدًا من عشرات الآلاف من تلاميذ البلاط الخارجي في مدرسة التنين اللازوردي.
عشبة روح القديس. كانت مثل الدواء الشافي للتدريب القتالي، وكانت ثمينة للغاية. وكانت فائدتها لا نهاية لها لأولئك الذين دخلوا عالم الروح.
على الرغم من أنه كان تلميذا في البلاط الخارجي، كان تشو فنغ مختلفًا عن كل الآخرين. لم يكن يشعر أنّه أدنى من الآخرين، ولم يقلل من نفسه. ولم يشعر بالخوف أو بالفزع عندما كان يعامل الآخرين، وكان هادئا جدا.
ومع ذلك، أتمت تشو يو بالفعل امتحان التلميذ الداخلي منذ ثلاث سنوات، وأصبحت تلميذة داخلية. وهي الآن في المستوى الرابع من عالم الروح.
“العودة غدا… هل تعتقد أنني حمقاء؟ نحن في الجبال! أين تريدنا أن ننام؟”
“تشو فنغ، هل صادفتك مشكلة ما؟” ولكن فقط في ذلك الوقت, سمع صوت عذب.
“يجب عليك أن ترتب لنا مكانًا للإقامة، وإلا سوف أذهب لأجد شيوخك للتفاوض.” كانت السيدة لا تستمع له ولا تهتم. حتى أنها أمسكت ملابس تشو فنغ.
بعد أن قال ذلك، قام تشو فنغ بإغلاق عينيه، أغلق على عشبة روح القديس بكلتا كفيه وقام بفعل ختم غريب.
“تشو فنغ، هل صادفتك مشكلة ما؟” ولكن فقط في ذلك الوقت, سمع صوت عذب.
كانت تشو يو منحت واحدة من قبل العائلة, لكنها لم تستخدمها وأعطتها لتشو فنغ. إنها حقًا أثرت في تشو فنغ, لذلك لم يستطع أن يقبلها.
في هذا الاتجاه، كانت تسير امرأة شابة ترتدي ملابس أرجوانية. على الرغم من أن هناك ابتسامة باهتة على فمها، كانت عيناها شرسة محدقة بإحكام على السيدة.
“لكن تشو فنغ لم يكثف الطاقة الروحية بعد, لذلك عشبة روح القديس هذه أكثر أهمية له.” وضعت تشو يو عشبة روح القديس بقوة في أيدي تشو فنغ.
حين شاهدت الشابة، لون وجه السيدة تغير على الفور وظهرت ملامح توحي بالخوف.
 في نفس الوقت, غطى الليل العالم من جديد. سماء الليل المشرقة أظلمت قليلًا, كما لو تمت إزالة جوهر ما منها, وعادت الأيام إلى ما كانت عليه.
لم يكن بسبب أي شيء آخر. كان لمجرد أن الشابة كانت ترتدي رداءًا أرجوانيًا، وكان ذلك علامة من علامات انها تلميذة داخلية.
 لكنها لم تتردد على الإطلاق. وسحبت الصبي وغادرت بسرعة، ومن أثار الذعر تعثرت، الذي جعلها تبدو في وضع صعب للغاية.
لعنت السيدة سرًا. كانت تظن أنها يمكن أن تستخدم مكانتها لجعل الأمور صعبة على الشاب.
حين شاهدت الشابة، لون وجه السيدة تغير على الفور وظهرت ملامح توحي بالخوف.
من كان يظن أن الشاب العادي أمامها كان له دعم تلميذ داخلي؟ كان البلاط الداخلي كيان لا يمكن أن يسيء له.
“لا شيء لا شيء، كنت أستفسر عن بعض الأشياء منه.” أوضحت السيدة وهي تبتسم.
“تشو يو ستكون شاهدة. ولكن ماذا لو لم تتمكن من اجتيازه؟ “
حدقت الشابة في وجهها وقالت كلمة واحدة فقط، “انصرفي.”
اليوم، مجددًا، كان التقديم السنوي من التلاميذ لمدرسة التنين اللازوردي. وكانت هناك محيطات من الناس خارج المدرسة.
في تلك اللحظة، جسم السيدة كان لا يسعه إلا أن يرتعش وأصبح وجهها رماديًا.
لم يكن بسبب أي شيء آخر. كان لمجرد أن الشابة كانت ترتدي رداءًا أرجوانيًا، وكان ذلك علامة من علامات انها تلميذة داخلية.
لكنها لم تتردد على الإطلاق. وسحبت الصبي وغادرت بسرعة، ومن أثار الذعر تعثرت، الذي جعلها تبدو في وضع صعب للغاية.
على الرغم من أنه كان تلميذا في البلاط الخارجي، كان تشو فنغ مختلفًا عن كل الآخرين. لم يكن يشعر أنّه أدنى من الآخرين، ولم يقلل من نفسه. ولم يشعر بالخوف أو بالفزع عندما كان يعامل الآخرين، وكان هادئا جدا.
في رؤية ذلك، تشو فنغ هز بلا حول ولا قوة رأسه وقال بأدب إلى الأنثى الشابة القادمة له: “شكرا جزيلا تشو يو.”
من ناحية أخرى، ابتسم تشو تشن. كان حقا سعيدة. على الرغم من أنه لم يحصل على عشبة روح القديس الخاصة بتشو يو، كان يعلم أن هذا العام، عشبة روح القديس الخاص بتشو فنغ ستكون بالتأكيد له.
“لا حاجة لان تكون مهذبا للغاية هكذا، ألسنا عائلة؟” كانت تشو يو مستاءةً قليلا.
 “يجب عليك أن ترتب لنا مكانًا للإقامة، وإلا سوف أذهب لأجد شيوخك للتفاوض.” كانت السيدة لا تستمع له ولا تهتم. حتى أنها أمسكت ملابس تشو فنغ.
كانت محقة. انهم في الواقع عائلة. جاءوا من عائلة واحدة، عائلة تشو.
عند رؤية ذلك, أخذت تشو يو حقيبة من خصرها ووضعتها في يد تشو فنغ, “اصقل هذه. فربما تساعدك على الاختراق الى المستوى الثالث”
كانت تشو يو بنت عم تشو فنغ، من خط دم شقيق والد تشو فنغ وكانت أكبر من تشو فنغ بسنة واحدة.
عند رؤية ذلك, أخذت تشو يو حقيبة من خصرها ووضعتها في يد تشو فنغ, “اصقل هذه. فربما تساعدك على الاختراق الى المستوى الثالث”
ومع ذلك، أتمت تشو يو بالفعل امتحان التلميذ الداخلي منذ ثلاث سنوات، وأصبحت تلميذة داخلية. وهي الآن في المستوى الرابع من عالم الروح.
 فتح تشو فنغ الحقيبة وعلى الفور، ,انبعثت طاقة روحية قوية منها. كانت بداخلها عشبة روح القديس كانت مشرقة ومتلألئة وشفافة.
“نحن في حاجة إلى اتباع قواعد المدرسة”، قال تشو فنغ مع ابتسامة رائعة.
عند رؤية ذلك, أخذت تشو يو حقيبة من خصرها ووضعتها في يد تشو فنغ, “اصقل هذه. فربما تساعدك على الاختراق الى المستوى الثالث”
عند النظر إلى تشو فنغ وهو يتصرف هكذا، تألم قلب تشو يو، “تشو فنغ، ألن تشارك مجددًا في امتحان التلميذ الداخلي لهذا العام؟ ام انك لا تزال لم تصل بعد إلى المستوى الثالث من عالم الروح؟”
كانت عينا الرجل العجوز مشرقة بشكل غير طبيعي وجسده متحمس ويرتجف. وأشار نحو الموقع الذي سقط فيه البرق. “ضمن حدود مقاطعة أزور، أحضروا كل الأطفال الذين ولدوا الليلة إلى المدينة الإمبراطورية”
لم يقم تشو فنغ بالرد وظلت ابتسامة باهتة معلقة على وجهه. لا أحد يعرف ما الذي كان يفكر فيه.
لكن هذا البرق ذو الألوان التسعة. لحظة تصادمه مع الأرض, لم يحدث أي ضرر مرعب. بدلا من ذلك, اختفى تمامًا.
عند رؤية ذلك, أخذت تشو يو حقيبة من خصرها ووضعتها في يد تشو فنغ, “اصقل هذه. فربما تساعدك على الاختراق الى المستوى الثالث”
“العودة غدا… هل تعتقد أنني حمقاء؟ نحن في الجبال! أين تريدنا أن ننام؟”
فتح تشو فنغ الحقيبة وعلى الفور، ,انبعثت طاقة روحية قوية منها. كانت بداخلها عشبة روح القديس كانت مشرقة ومتلألئة وشفافة.
لم يكن بسبب أي شيء آخر. كان لمجرد أن الشابة كانت ترتدي رداءًا أرجوانيًا، وكان ذلك علامة من علامات انها تلميذة داخلية.
“تشو يو. هذا ثمين جدا، وأنا لا يمكن أن أخذها.”تشو فنغ أعادها على عجل مرة أخرى إلى تشو يو.
 مم، حسنا.” عند رؤية أن تشو فنغ قبلها، كانت تشو يو بالفعل سعيدة، لذلك أجابت فقط عشوائيا ولم تهتم ما إذا كان تشو فنغ سيعيدها مرة أخرى أم لا.
عشبة روح القديس. كانت مثل الدواء الشافي للتدريب القتالي، وكانت ثمينة للغاية. وكانت فائدتها لا نهاية لها لأولئك الذين دخلوا عالم الروح.
حدقت الشابة في وجهها وقالت كلمة واحدة فقط، “انصرفي.”
لزيادة سرعة التدريب، تقوم أسرة تشو بمنح عشبة روح القديس واحدة لأفراد أسرة تشو كل عام.
من كان يظن أن الشاب العادي أمامها كان له دعم تلميذ داخلي؟ كان البلاط الداخلي كيان لا يمكن أن يسيء له.
كانت تشو يو منحت واحدة من قبل العائلة, لكنها لم تستخدمها وأعطتها لتشو فنغ. إنها حقًا أثرت في تشو فنغ, لذلك لم يستطع أن يقبلها.
“همف، أنت؟ إذا كنت تستطيع اجتياز امتحان التلميذ الداخلي، سأعطيك عشبة روح القديس خاصتي لهذا العام لك. “نظر تشو تشن إلى تشو فنغ بازدراء.
“عندما أقول أني أعطيها لك، يجب عليك أن تأخذها. أنت أخي الصغير بعد كل شيء.” كانت تشو يو منزعجة قليلا.
“لا شيء لا شيء، كنت أستفسر عن بعض الأشياء منه.” أوضحت السيدة وهي تبتسم.
“أوه؟ متى كنتِ سخية هكذا حتى أنك بدأت تعطي عشبة روح القديس إلى الناس؟”
“عائلة؟ تشو يو، يجب أن تعرفي أن تشو فنغ هذا ليس جزءا من عائلة تشو.”
“انظري، أنا أخوك الصغير كذلك، ومن قبيل الصدفة، سوف أكون قريبًا في المستوى الرابع من عالم الروح. ماذا عن تعطي عشبة روح القديس لي؟”
تشو يو ستكون شاهدة. ولكن ماذا لو لم تتمكن من اجتيازه؟ “
ظهر شاب في نفس سن تشو فنغ وكان يرتدي أيضًا ملابس تلاميذ البلاط الداخلي.
في تلك اللحظة, أصبح الليل الأسود نهارا أبيض. حتى من قبل صعقة البرق, كانت الأرض تصدر صريرًا و ترتجف بشدة.
“نعم سيدي!”
وكان يدعى تشو تشن وكان أيضا من عائلة تشو. قبل خمس سنوات،قام بدخول مدرسة التنين اللازوردي في نفس الوقت مثل تشو فنغ. مع ذلك، أصبح تلميذًا داخليًا منذ سنتين.
في عائلة تشو برمتها، من يحبه؟ أنت فقط تعامليه بشكل جيد حتى أنك تعطيه عشبة روح القديس خاصتك له لكي يستخدمها.” تشو تشن لم يفهم حقًا.
“تشو تشن، لقد عبرت بالفعل المستوى الثالث من عالم الروح وكثفت الطاقة الروحية بنجاح. حتى لو لم يكن لديك عشبة روح القديس يمكنك الترقي بسرعة.”
من ناحية أخرى، ابتسم تشو تشن. كان حقا سعيدة. على الرغم من أنه لم يحصل على عشبة روح القديس الخاصة بتشو يو، كان يعلم أن هذا العام، عشبة روح القديس الخاص بتشو فنغ ستكون بالتأكيد له.
“لكن تشو فنغ لم يكثف الطاقة الروحية بعد, لذلك عشبة روح القديس هذه أكثر أهمية له.” وضعت تشو يو عشبة روح القديس بقوة في أيدي تشو فنغ.
كانت محقة. انهم في الواقع عائلة. جاءوا من عائلة واحدة، عائلة تشو.
“نعم، أنت على صواب، ولكن للأسف أنه لا يريدها.” تشو تشن قام بنشر يديه وسخر.
من قال أني لا أريدها؟ “ولكن بعد ذلك، تشو فنغ ابتسم بخفة وضع عشبة روح القديس في جيبه قبل أن يقول،” تشو يو، سوف أقترض عشبة روح القديس هذه.وسوف أعيدها مرة أخرى اثنتين في وقت لاحق.”
“همف، أنت؟ إذا كنت تستطيع اجتياز امتحان التلميذ الداخلي، سأعطيك عشبة روح القديس خاصتي لهذا العام لك. “نظر تشو تشن إلى تشو فنغ بازدراء.
“مم، حسنا.” عند رؤية أن تشو فنغ قبلها، كانت تشو يو بالفعل سعيدة، لذلك أجابت فقط عشوائيا ولم تهتم ما إذا كان تشو فنغ سيعيدها مرة أخرى أم لا.
صدت الاستجابات مثل الرعد في الأفق وتوجه عشرات آلاف الخبراء من المدينة الإمبراطورية تجاه مقاطعة أزور. وأقسموا أن يبحثوا عن الجسد الإلهي وإعطائه إلى البلاط الإمبراطوري لاستخدامه.
“إذا كنت ستأخذها فلماذا اعدتها في المقام الاول؟ إن اعطائك عشبة روح القديس هذه لتستخدمها هو اهدار.” كان على وجه تشو تشن نظرة قبيحة جدًا.
“أنا آسف جدا. إن الوقت متأخر الآن، وسوف تغلق المدرسة قريبا. رجاء عودوا غدا.” كان وجه الشاب الصغير رقيقا، ولكن بين حاجبيه، كان يوجد القليل من الروح البطولية.
ابتسم تشو فنغ فقط وتجاهله. ثم قال لتشو يو، “تشو يو، سوف اشارك في امتحان التلميذ الداخلي لهذا العام.”
“أنت غبي حقا.” كانت تشو يو غاضبة قليلا وبعد التحديق في وجهه لحظة واحدة، سارت بعيدا.
“همف، أنت؟ إذا كنت تستطيع اجتياز امتحان التلميذ الداخلي، سأعطيك عشبة روح القديس خاصتي لهذا العام لك. “نظر تشو تشن إلى تشو فنغ بازدراء.
“هل هذا صحيح؟” لم يصدق تشو فنغ ذلك.
 ضمن حدود مقاطعة أزور في المقاطعات التسعة. بين المدارس التي لا تعد و لا تحصى، كانت مدرسة التنين اللاذوردي واحدة منهم.
“تشو يو ستكون شاهدة. ولكن ماذا لو لم تتمكن من اجتيازه؟ “
بعد أن قال ذلك، قام تشو فنغ بإغلاق عينيه، أغلق على عشبة روح القديس بكلتا كفيه وقام بفعل ختم غريب.
“إذا عشبة روح القديس التي سأحصل عليها هذا العام سوف تكون ملكا لك.” تاركًا تلك الجملة وراءه، واصل تشو فنغ رمي نفسه في أعمال تلاميذ البلاط الخارجي.
حدقت الشابة في وجهها وقالت كلمة واحدة فقط، “انصرفي.”
“تشو تشن، نحن عائلة. لماذا أنت دائما بحاجة لجعل الأمور صعبة على تشو فنغ؟” نظرت تشو يو إلى تشو تشن بانزعاج.
عند النظر إلى تشو فنغ وهو يتصرف هكذا، تألم قلب تشو يو، “تشو فنغ، ألن تشارك مجددًا في امتحان التلميذ الداخلي لهذا العام؟ ام انك لا تزال لم تصل بعد إلى المستوى الثالث من عالم الروح؟”
“عائلة؟ تشو يو، يجب أن تعرفي أن تشو فنغ هذا ليس جزءا من عائلة تشو.”
في تلك اللحظة، جسم السيدة كان لا يسعه إلا أن يرتعش وأصبح وجهها رماديًا.
“بعد دخول المدرسة لمدة خمس سنوات، لا يزال لم يجتز امتحان التلميذ الداخلي. هو عار على عائلة تشو.”
على قمة المدينة الإمبراطورية في المقاطعات التسعة. وقف رجل عجوز مرتديا ملابس ذهبية, يده وراء ظهره وكان ينظر في السماء, ليلًا.
“في عائلة تشو برمتها، من يحبه؟ أنت فقط تعامليه بشكل جيد حتى أنك تعطيه عشبة روح القديس خاصتك له لكي يستخدمها.” تشو تشن لم يفهم حقًا.
في هذا الاتجاه، كانت تسير امرأة شابة ترتدي ملابس أرجوانية. على الرغم من أن هناك ابتسامة باهتة على فمها، كانت عيناها شرسة محدقة بإحكام على السيدة.
“أنت غبي حقا.” كانت تشو يو غاضبة قليلا وبعد التحديق في وجهه لحظة واحدة، سارت بعيدا.
في هذا الاتجاه، كانت تسير امرأة شابة ترتدي ملابس أرجوانية. على الرغم من أن هناك ابتسامة باهتة على فمها، كانت عيناها شرسة محدقة بإحكام على السيدة.
من ناحية أخرى، ابتسم تشو تشن. كان حقا سعيدة. على الرغم من أنه لم يحصل على عشبة روح القديس الخاصة بتشو يو، كان يعلم أن هذا العام، عشبة روح القديس الخاص بتشو فنغ ستكون بالتأكيد له.
كانت عينا الرجل العجوز مشرقة بشكل غير طبيعي وجسده متحمس ويرتجف. وأشار نحو الموقع الذي سقط فيه البرق. “ضمن حدود مقاطعة أزور، أحضروا كل الأطفال الذين ولدوا الليلة إلى المدينة الإمبراطورية”
في الليل، في منطقة الراحة الخاصة بتلاميذ البلاط الخارجي. كان الظلام دامسًا.
بعد كونهم مشغولين طوال اليوم، كان الجميع متعبين جدا وناموا في وقت مبكر جدا. فقط غرفة تشو فنغ لا تزال مضيئة.
من قال أني لا أريدها؟ “ولكن بعد ذلك، تشو فنغ ابتسم بخفة وضع عشبة روح القديس في جيبه قبل أن يقول،” تشو يو، سوف أقترض عشبة روح القديس هذه.وسوف أعيدها مرة أخرى اثنتين في وقت لاحق.”
كان يجلس في الجزء الأمامي من السرير، وأخرج عشبة روح القديس الذي أعطتها له تشو يو وتمتم: “آمل أن تكون عشبة روح القديس هذه قادرة على أن تجعلكي كاملة.”
وكان يدعى تشو تشن وكان أيضا من عائلة تشو. قبل خمس سنوات،قام بدخول مدرسة التنين اللازوردي في نفس الوقت مثل تشو فنغ. مع ذلك، أصبح تلميذًا داخليًا منذ سنتين.
بعد أن قال ذلك، قام تشو فنغ بإغلاق عينيه، أغلق على عشبة روح القديس بكلتا كفيه وقام بفعل ختم غريب.
“نحن في حاجة إلى اتباع قواعد المدرسة”، قال تشو فنغ مع ابتسامة رائعة.
في تلك اللحظة، بدأت الطاقة الروحية داخل عشبة روح القديس بدخول جسم تشو فنغ من خلال كفه وتركزت في مركز قوته.
في كل مرة، كان أكثر الناس انشغالًا هم تلاميذ البلاط الخارجي. وقد دفعت كل مسؤوليات القبول للمدرسة على رؤوسهم.
في نفس الوقت، جاءت أصوات مضغ من مركز قوة تشو فنغ كما لو أن شيئا كان يأكل وجبة.
لعنت السيدة سرًا. كانت تظن أنها يمكن أن تستخدم مكانتها لجعل الأمور صعبة على الشاب.
إذا تطلعت من خلال جلده، سوف تكتشف أن في الجزء العميق من مركز طاقة تشو فنغ، توجد كتلة من البرق هناك.
في كل مرة، كان أكثر الناس انشغالًا هم تلاميذ البلاط الخارجي. وقد دفعت كل مسؤوليات القبول للمدرسة على رؤوسهم.
كتلة البرق تلك كان لها تسع ألوان وكان كل لون مثل وحش عملاق من البرق. وأصدرت هالة مرعبة من الطاقة لا تنتمي لهذا العالم.
لزيادة سرعة التدريب، تقوم أسرة تشو بمنح عشبة روح القديس واحدة لأفراد أسرة تشو كل عام.
“إذا عشبة روح القديس التي سأحصل عليها هذا العام سوف تكون ملكا لك.” تاركًا تلك الجملة وراءه، واصل تشو فنغ رمي نفسه في أعمال تلاميذ البلاط الخارجي.
--------------------
“أوي، ما هذا السلوك؟ هل تعرف من أنا؟” سيدة كانت ترتدي ملابس رائعة كان معها صبي وأشارت وصاحت بصوت عال في شاب صغير.

“العودة غدا… هل تعتقد أنني حمقاء؟ نحن في الجبال! أين تريدنا أن ننام؟”
“أوه؟ متى كنتِ سخية هكذا حتى أنك بدأت تعطي عشبة روح القديس إلى الناس؟”
Book 2 – Chapter 9: The First College Morning Disaster

The first morning in the dorms.

Everyone expected a fresh start.

A peaceful beginning.

A normal college day.

⸻

That was their first mistake.

⸻

Dorm Building A

Jennie’s alarm went off.

She opened her eyes.

Five seconds later…

She was already ready.

⸻

Her dark bob haircut was perfectly styled.

Her outfit was completely put together.

Black jacket.

Baggy jeans.

Silver accessories.

Boots.

Headphones around her neck.

⸻

Lisa slowly opened her eyes.

She stared.

“How are you already dressed?”

Jennie looked at her.

“Because some of us respect time.”

Lisa sat up.

“It’s 7:02.”

“Exactly.”

“Class is at 9.”

Jennie grabbed her bag.

“Exactly.”

⸻

Lisa looked at her.

“You are the only person who treats getting ready like a concert entrance.”

Jennie smiled.

“Because every entrance is important.”

⸻

Lisa laughed.

“Your confidence is dangerous.”

Jennie shrugged.

“Your fashion choices are dangerous. We all have problems.”

⸻

Dorm Building B

⸻

Felix woke up to chaos.

⸻

Han was standing in front of the mirror.

His black hair with blue tips was styled perfectly.

Felix stared.

“Why are you dressed like you’re going to a photoshoot?”

Han looked serious.

“Because first impressions matter.”

“It’s a lecture.”

“Exactly.”

⸻

Felix shook his head.

His blonde hair was messy, but somehow still looked perfect.

⸻

Han looked at him.

“You need help.”

Felix looked down at his outfit.

“What?”

“You look too normal.”

“That’s the point.”

“Wrong.”

⸻

Outside the dorms

Everyone met before class.

⸻

Jisoo arrived with her long blonde hair and lavender-pink ends shining in the sunlight.

Rosé walked beside her with her black hair flowing naturally.

Hyunjin arrived with his red-tipped hair styled perfectly.

⸻

Jennie looked around.

“Okay.”

Everyone looked at her.

“What?”

She pointed.

“Hyunjin looks like he’s going to a fashion interview.”

Hyunjin smiled.

“Thank you.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“I accepted it anyway.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Then Felix walked over.

⸻

Jennie looked at him.

Felix looked at her.

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Han whispered:

“Round two of awkward.”

⸻

Felix cleared his throat.

“Morning.”

Jennie nodded.

“Morning.”

⸻

Everyone waited.

⸻

Lisa whispered:

“That was the most normal conversation they’ve had.”

⸻

Jennie heard her.

“Don’t ruin it.”

⸻

They walked toward class.

⸻

Then suddenly…

A student dropped a stack of papers.

⸻

Everyone stopped to help.

Except Han.

⸻

Han looked at the papers.

Then at Jennie.

“Should I help?”

Jennie stared.

“Yes.”

Han nodded.

“Okay.”

A pause.

“But first…”

“What?”

“I need to emotionally prepare.”

⸻

Jennie looked at him.

“You need emotional preparation to pick up paper?”

Han nodded.

“These are important papers.”

“They’re on the floor.”

“Exactly. Dangerous territory.”

⸻

Jennie stared.

“Han.”

“What?”

“You are the reason warning labels exist.”

⸻

Everyone burst out laughing.

⸻

Finally they reached class.

⸻

The professor announced:

“Today, you will begin your first major college project.”

⸻

Everyone sat up.

⸻

“You will create something that represents your identity.”

⸻

Everyone started thinking.

⸻

Lisa immediately wrote fashion.

Rosé wrote music.

Jisoo wrote design.

Hyunjin wrote performance.

Han wrote something nobody could read.

⸻

Felix looked over.

“What did you write?”

Han covered it.

“Private.”

“It’s upside down.”

Han quickly flipped it.

“Now it’s private.”

⸻

Jennie shook her head.

⸻

Then the professor looked at her.

“And you?”

⸻

Jennie looked at her notebook.

Then at her DJ headphones.

⸻

She smiled.

⸻

“Music.”

⸻

Felix looked at her.

“You already knew.”

Jennie nodded.

“Yeah.”

“Then why think?”

She shrugged.

“Because this time…”

She looked at the group.

“I’m not doing it alone.”

⸻

Everyone smiled.

⸻

Then Han ruined the moment.

“So we’re basically a legendary team.”

Jennie looked at him.

“Don’t say legendary.”

“Why?”

“Because now you’ll start acting like you have a documentary.”

⸻

Han gasped.

“I would have a great documentary.”

Jennie nodded.

“Title: A Guy Who Talks Too Much.”

⸻

The class laughed.

⸻

And as they started their first college project…

Everyone realized something.

⸻

College wasn’t going to be normal.

Not with:

A savage DJ queen.

A dramatic fashion king.

A chaotic music genius.

A talented performer.

And a group that somehow always found trouble.

⸻

The semester had officially begun.
Chapter 13 – The Class Where Everyone Noticed

Monday morning.

School.

The place where everyone pretended they were focused…

But really?

Everyone was watching everyone else.

Especially Jennie and Felix.

⸻

Jennie walked into class.

Her long black hair with soft curtain bangs framed her face. She wore an oversized black hoodie, baggy cargo pants with silver chains, black-and-white sneakers, and her silver headphones hanging around her neck.

She sat down at her desk.

Then immediately noticed something.

Felix was sitting two seats away.

⸻

Felix looked up.

His soft black hair was slightly messy, and he wore a black varsity jacket over a white T-shirt, black athletic pants, and white basketball sneakers.

They stared at each other.

One second.

Two seconds.

Then both looked away.

⸻

Han noticed immediately.

His soft brown hair was messy, and he wore an oversized green hoodie, black jeans, and white sneakers.

He leaned toward Lisa.

“Something is wrong.”

Lisa smiled.

Her long ash-blonde hair with bangs framed her face, and she wore a black jacket, graphic shirt, cargo pants, and colorful sneakers.

“Something is definitely wrong.”

⸻

Rosé sat behind them.

Her long lavender hair fell over her shoulders. She wore an oversized lavender cardigan, ripped jeans, and white boots.

“They’re acting normal.”

Jisoo looked up.

Her long dark red hair was neatly styled, and she wore a cream sweater, black pants, and ankle boots.

“Which means they’re not normal.”

⸻

The teacher walked in.

“Good morning, class.”

Everyone sat down.

“Today we will be doing partner work.”

The entire class immediately became interested.

Because everyone knew…

Partner work meant chaos.

⸻

The teacher looked at the list.

“Jennie and Felix.”

Silence.

The entire room turned.

Jennie slowly looked at Felix.

Felix slowly looked at Jennie.

“No.”

“Agreed.”

The teacher looked confused.

“You haven’t even started.”

⸻

Han whispered.

“This is going to be amazing.”

Lisa smiled.

“Or a disaster.”

“Both.”

⸻

They moved their desks together.

Felix looked at the assignment.

“Okay. Let’s just finish this.”

Jennie nodded.

“Finally, something we agree on.”

Felix smiled.

“Don’t get emotional.”

Jennie looked at him.

“You’re still annoying.”

“There she is.”

⸻

They started working.

For five minutes…

Everything was peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Then Felix wrote an answer.

Jennie looked at it.

“That is wrong.”

Felix looked offended.

“No, it’s not.”

“It is.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I read.”

The whole group gasped.

Han covered his mouth.

“She attacked his intelligence.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

“Okay, DJ girl.”

Jennie looked up.

“What?”

“You think because you can mix songs, you can solve everything?”

Jennie leaned closer.

“Better than you solving anything with a basketball.”

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Even Felix laughed.

Which surprised Jennie.

Usually he would fight back immediately.

Instead…

He just smiled.

⸻

The teacher walked by.

“Are you two arguing or working?”

Jennie and Felix answered together.

“Working.”

The teacher looked at their paper.

Then looked at them.

“Interesting way of working.”

⸻

During break, everyone surrounded them.

Han pointed.

“You two are different.”

Jennie frowned.

“How?”

“You actually enjoy arguing.”

Felix shrugged.

“We always argued.”

“Yes,” Lisa said.

“But now you smile while doing it.”

Jennie immediately looked away.

“No, I don’t.”

Felix smiled.

“Yes, you do.”

She turned.

“You are not helping.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

“I think the funniest part is that you both still think nobody notices.”

Jisoo nodded.

“Everyone notices.”

Hyunjin dramatically placed a hand over his heart.

“The enemies-to-friends transformation…”

Han sighed.

“It’s literally just homework.”

⸻

The bell rang.

Everyone returned to their seats.

Jennie packed her bag.

Felix looked over.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“Good job today.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

“Was that another compliment?”

“Maybe.”

She smiled slightly.

“You’re getting weird.”

Felix laughed.

“And you’re getting nicer.”

Jennie pointed at him.

“Don’t ruin it.”

⸻

And as they walked out of class…

Everyone knew one thing.

Jennie and Felix were still the same.

Still competitive.

Still annoying.

Still roasting each other.

But now…

There was something else there.

Something neither of them wanted to admit yet.
Chapter 11 – The Night Felix Saw The Real Jennie

It was finally night.

The city lights were glowing, the streets were busy, and for once…

Jennie wasn’t in the dorm arguing with Felix.

She was with Mina.

⸻

Jennie walked into the lounge and found Mina waiting.

Her long black hair with soft curtain bangs framed her face. She wore a black jacket over a fitted top, baggy cargo pants, and her favorite sneakers. Her silver headphones rested around her neck.

Mina smiled.

“You actually came.”

Jennie sat down.

“Don’t sound so surprised.”

“I am surprised.”

“Rude.”

“Accurate.”

Jennie rolled her eyes.

⸻

The night started normally.

They talked.

They laughed.

They caught up.

Mina ordered two giant colorful mocktails.

Jennie stared at hers.

“Why is it so big?”

Mina shrugged.

“You need something fun.”

“I have fun.”

Mina looked at her.

“You argued with Felix for twenty minutes yesterday about a pillow.”

Jennie paused.

“That pillow was important.”

Mina laughed.

⸻

As the night went on…

Jennie became less and less like the Jennie everyone knew.

The serious DJ.

The queen of roasting.

The girl who always had the perfect comeback.

Gone.

⸻

Mina stared as Jennie laughed at the menu.

“Why are you laughing?”

Jennie pointed.

“Look.”

“It’s a menu.”

“No.”

She held it closer.

“The salad has a personality.”

Mina blinked.

“…What?”

“It looks judgmental.”

Mina covered her face.

“Oh no.”

⸻

Five minutes later…

Jennie was trying to convince Mina that a tiny decoration on the table was “the world’s smallest DJ.”

Mina looked at it.

“It’s a candle.”

Jennie nodded seriously.

“Exactly.”

“How is that a DJ?”

“It has a stand.”

Mina burst out laughing.

⸻

Then suddenly…

Jennie got quiet.

Mina noticed.

The goofy smile disappeared.

“You okay?”

Jennie looked down.

“Yeah.”

But Mina knew her too well.

“Jennie.”

A pause.

“I just…”

Jennie looked at her drink.

“Everyone thinks I’m cold.”

Mina softened.

“Because you pretend you are.”

Jennie didn’t answer.

⸻

Mina sighed.

“Okay.”

She pulled out her phone.

“I’m calling someone.”

Jennie immediately looked up.

“No.”

Mina smiled.

“Yes.”

“No Felix.”

Mina raised an eyebrow.

“You said Felix before I did.”

Jennie froze.

“That doesn’t count.”

“It definitely counts.”

⸻

Mina searched her contacts.

Felix.

Call.

⸻

Back at the dorm…

Felix was sitting on the couch.

His soft black hair was messy, and he wore a black hoodie, gray sweatpants, and white sneakers.

Han was beside him eating snacks.

His soft brown hair was sticking up, and he wore an oversized hoodie with black jeans.

Felix’s phone rang.

He looked down.

“Mina?”

He answered.

“Hey.”

Mina immediately said:

“Felix, emergency.”

Felix sat up.

“What happened?”

“Your roommate has been replaced.”

Felix blinked.

“What?”

“The Jennie I know has disappeared.”

Han leaned closer.

“What is happening?”

Mina continued.

“She laughed at a menu.”

Felix paused.

“…A menu?”

“Yes.”

A pause.

“She also complimented a candle.”

Han covered his mouth.

“That sounds impossible.”

“It happened.”

⸻

Twenty minutes later…

Felix arrived.

He found Jennie sitting with Mina.

The second she saw him…

Her eyes widened.

“Felix!”

He stopped.

“Hi?”

“You came.”

Mina smiled.

“I told you he would.”

Jennie looked at Felix.

“You actually came.”

Felix nodded.

“Of course.”

She stared at him.

“Why?”

Felix looked confused.

“Because you’re my roommate.”

Jennie looked away.

“That is a very boring answer.”

Felix smiled.

“You wanted a different one?”

She immediately shook her head.

“No.”

A pause.

“…Maybe.”

⸻

On the way back…

Jennie was completely different.

She walked slowly beside Felix.

Then suddenly stopped.

“Felix.”

“Yeah?”

“You know your hair is nice?”

Felix froze.

“What?”

“Don’t make it weird.”

“I’m not.”

“You look surprised.”

“Because you never compliment me.”

Jennie nodded.

“True.”

“Then why now?”

She thought.

“Because I’m honest today.”

Felix smiled.

“Interesting.”

⸻

A few steps later…

Jennie looked at the ground.

Her smile faded.

“Do you actually think I’m mean?”

Felix stopped walking.

“What?”

“Everyone thinks I’m cold.”

Her voice became quieter.

“I joke because it’s easier.”

Felix looked at her.

For once…

He didn’t tease her.

“You know…”

“What?”

“I don’t think you’re cold.”

Jennie looked up.

“You don’t?”

“No.”

“Then what do you think?”

Felix smiled slightly.

“I think you’re someone who cares too much and doesn’t want people to know.”

⸻

Jennie went quiet.

Then her eyes watered.

“I hate that you’re right.”

Felix looked surprised.

“Jennie…”

She wiped her face quickly.

“I’m not crying.”

“I didn’t say you were.”

“Good.”

A pause.

“…Because I’m definitely not.”

Felix smiled.

“Right.”

⸻

When they reached the dorm…

Everyone was waiting.

Lisa immediately looked shocked.

“Wait.”

“Is Jennie emotional?”

Rosé smiled softly.

“She’s just having a moment.”

Jisoo nodded.

“Let her.”

Hyunjin dramatically whispered:

“The walls have fallen.”

Han nodded.

“The roast queen has been defeated.”

Jennie looked up.

“I heard that.”

Han immediately stood straight.

“She’s back.”

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Before going into her room, Jennie stopped.

She looked at Felix.

“Thanks.”

Felix smiled.

“Anytime.”

Jennie nodded.

Then quietly added:

“But don’t tell anyone I was nice.”

Felix grinned.

“Your secret is safe.”

And for the first time…

Jennie wasn’t annoyed that Felix saw the real her.

She was glad he did.
Chapter 31 – The Night Everyone Lost Their Minds

The dorm was chaos.

Absolute chaos.

And the reason?

Jennie still couldn’t decide what to wear.

⸻

She stood in front of her closet.

Her blonde hair was curled perfectly, but her outfit choices were covering half her bed.

“Why is this harder than performing in front of hundreds of people?”

⸻

The door suddenly opened.

Lisa walked in.

Her ash-blonde hair with bangs was styled perfectly, and she wore a black jacket with a sparkly top, cargo pants, and boots.

She looked around.

“Wow.”

“What?”

“You have created a clothing disaster.”

Jennie crossed her arms.

“I need help.”

Lisa smiled.

“I knew this day would come.”

⸻

Jennie held up two outfits.

“Which one?”

Lisa stared seriously.

“Hmm.”

A pause.

“Felix would like the first one.”

Jennie froze.

“How do you know?”

Lisa shrugged.

“Because Felix is a boy.”

“That explains nothing.”

⸻

Lisa picked up another outfit.

“Actually, wear this one.”

“Why?”

“Because it says mysterious DJ.”

Jennie nodded.

“Okay.”

“Wait.”

Lisa grabbed another dress.

“Actually this one says powerful.”

Jennie blinked.

“So which one?”

Lisa thought.

“Both.”

“Lisa.”

“Okay, okay. The dress.”

⸻

After another twenty minutes…

Jennie finally decided.

She wore a sleek black dress with silver details, a cropped jacket, and black boots. Her blonde hair fell in soft waves around her face, and her DJ-style accessories completed the look.

She looked confident.

Different.

⸻

When she walked downstairs…

Everyone stopped.

⸻

Han’s mouth dropped open.

His messy brown hair was sticking up, and he wore a denim jacket over a hoodie with black jeans.

“Okay.”

“What?”

“I forgot how to speak.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

“That might be the first peaceful moment you’ve ever created.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

Her lavender hair was styled softly, and she wore a pastel jacket with a black outfit.

“You look amazing.”

Jisoo nodded.

Her red hair was tied back elegantly, and she wore a stylish black outfit with boots.

“Definitely.”

⸻

Hyunjin dramatically looked up.

His blond hair was perfectly styled, and he wore a black jacket with layered accessories.

“The main character has arrived.”

Han sighed.

“Please stop.”

⸻

Then Felix walked downstairs.

His black hair was styled neatly, and he wore a black button-up shirt with a jacket, dark jeans, and sneakers.

He stopped.

Completely stopped.

⸻

Jennie noticed.

“What?”

Felix blinked.

“Nothing.”

“Felix.”

He looked away.

“You just…”

A pause.

“You look really good.”

⸻

Everyone immediately reacted.

⸻

Han pointed.

“HE FAILED.”

Felix looked confused.

“What?”

“You tried to hide the blush.”

“I wasn’t blushing.”

Lisa laughed.

“You absolutely were.”

⸻

Jennie smiled.

“Are you okay, basketball boy?”

Felix recovered.

“Yeah.”

“Because your face says otherwise.”

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Later…

The group arrived at the dance event.

Music filled the room.

Lights flashed.

Everyone was having the best time.

⸻

Jennie stepped onto the dance floor.

And Felix forgot everything else.

⸻

He had seen Jennie confident before.

On stage.

During roast battles.

During competitions.

But this was different.

She was just happy.

Laughing.

Dancing.

Not caring what anyone thought.

⸻

Felix smiled.

Han noticed.

“You are staring.”

Felix looked away.

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“I was just watching.”

“Exactly.”

⸻

Felix looked back.

And somehow…

He knew.

He was completely falling for her.

⸻

Meanwhile…

The rest of the group became a disaster.

⸻

Jisoo was trying to teach everyone a dance move.

“I am the instructor.”

Han looked confused.

“You don’t know the dance.”

“I know the spirit of the dance.”

⸻

Hyunjin joined.

“The movement represents freedom.”

Han stared.

“It’s literally just jumping.”

⸻

Rosé laughed so hard she had to sit down.

Lisa recorded everything.

“This is going to be used against all of you forever.”

⸻

Jennie walked over.

“What is happening?”

Han pointed.

“Art.”

Jennie looked at everyone.

“This is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Felix smiled.

“And you love it.”

She paused.

“…Maybe.”

⸻

At the end of the night…

Everyone was exhausted.

They arrived back at the dorm laughing.

⸻

Felix helped Jennie walk to her room because she was tired from dancing all night.

“Careful.”

“I’m fine.”

“You almost walked into the wall.”

“The wall moved.”

Felix laughed.

“The wall moved?”

“Yes.”

⸻

He opened her bedroom door.

“There.”

Jennie looked at him.

Then suddenly pointed.

“You.”

“What?”

“You are officially my assistant.”

Felix blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“Carry my trophy tomorrow.”

“No.”

“Wow.”

She shook her head dramatically.

“After all our friendship?”

Felix laughed.

“You are impossible.”

⸻

Before leaving, Felix placed her trophy safely on her desk.

Then he smiled.

“Goodnight, Jennie.”

She looked at him.

For once…

No roast.

No comeback.

Just a smile.

“Goodnight, Felix.”

⸻

He turned to leave.

Then Jennie called:

“Felix.”

He looked back.

“Yeah?”

She smirked.

“Your dancing was terrible.”

He laughed.

“There she is.”

⸻

And as he walked away smiling…

Felix realized something.

The girl who used to drive him crazy…

Was now the person he never wanted to stop being around.
Chapter 33 – The Night of Maximum Chaos

The night was supposed to be relaxing.

That was the first mistake.

Because whenever Jennie, Jisoo, and Han were together…

Nothing was relaxing.

⸻

The group had gone to a late-night celebration lounge after the DJ competition.

The music was loud.

The lights were everywhere.

Everyone was laughing.

And somehow…

Han had become the unofficial leader of chaos.

⸻

Jennie sat at the table with a giant colorful mocktail in her hand.

Her blonde hair was slightly messy from dancing, and she wore her black jacket, silver accessories, and her favorite boots.

Jisoo’s red hair was still styled perfectly, but after hours of dancing, a few strands had fallen loose.

Han’s brown hair looked like he had fought a wind machine and lost.

⸻

Han stood on his chair.

“I have an announcement!”

Everyone immediately groaned.

“No.”

“Han, sit down.”

“Please don’t.”

⸻

Han ignored them.

“Tonight…”

He pointed dramatically.

“Is the greatest night of our lives.”

Felix looked at Lisa.

“How long has he been like this?”

Lisa laughed.

“Since five minutes after we arrived.”

⸻

Rosé shook her head.

Her lavender hair fell over her shoulders as she laughed.

“Han thinks every moment is a movie scene.”

Hyunjin nodded seriously.

“To be fair…”

Everyone looked at him.

“He does make life more dramatic.”

⸻

Meanwhile…

Jennie was having way too much fun.

Which was unusual.

Because Jennie normally acted like she was above everything.

But tonight?

She was laughing.

Actually laughing.

⸻

Felix noticed.

And smiled.

Lisa immediately caught it.

“You are staring.”

Felix looked away.

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“I was just looking.”

“Exactly.”

⸻

Later…

The chaos reached a new level.

⸻

Jisoo grabbed Han’s arm.

“We need to have a serious conversation.”

Han looked worried.

“About what?”

“About why you think you can dance.”

Everyone went silent.

Han looked offended.

“I can dance.”

“You dance like your Wi-Fi is disconnecting.”

The entire table exploded.

⸻

Jennie laughed so hard she nearly dropped her drink.

Felix looked shocked.

“Did Jisoo just roast Han?”

Lisa nodded.

“She’s been saving that one.”

⸻

When it was finally time to leave…

Everyone agreed.

Jisoo, Han, and Jennie were officially too chaotic to be trusted alone.

⸻

The walk back to the dorm was hilarious.

⸻

Han walked beside Hyunjin.

“Do you think ducks know they’re funny?”

Hyunjin paused.

“What?”

“Ducks.”

“Why?”

“Because they walk like they’re late to a meeting.”

Hyunjin stared.

“…I hate that you’re making sense.”

⸻

Jisoo was walking with Rosé.

“Rosé.”

“Yes?”

“I have discovered something.”

“What?”

“I am always right.”

Rosé smiled.

“You say that every day.”

“Because I am consistent.”

⸻

Jennie walked between Felix and Lisa.

She pointed at Felix.

“You.”

Felix looked at her.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“You are suspicious.”

“Why?”

“Because you are nice.”

Felix laughed.

“That’s suspicious?”

“For you? Yes.”

⸻

Felix shook his head.

“You are unbelievable.”

Jennie nodded proudly.

“I know.”

⸻

When they finally reached the dorm…

Everyone collapsed onto the couches.

⸻

Lisa looked around.

“Never again.”

Han raised his hand.

“Question.”

“No.”

“Can we do it again next week?”

Everyone shouted:

“NO!”

⸻

Felix helped Jennie get to her room.

She walked carefully.

“I can walk.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you helping?”

“Because you almost walked into the wall.”

Jennie looked at the wall.

“It was in my way.”

“The wall?”

“Yes.”

⸻

Felix opened her door.

“There.”

Jennie stepped inside.

Then turned around.

“Felix.”

“Yeah?”

“I have something important to tell you.”

He smiled.

“What?”

She pointed at him.

“Your basketball skills are overrated.”

Felix blinked.

“That is what you needed to say?”

“Yes.”

He laughed.

“Of course it is.”

⸻

She sat down on her bed.

Then looked at him more seriously.

“You know…”

“What?”

“You’re actually a good person.”

Felix smiled.

“That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said.”

“Don’t get emotional.”

“I’m not.”

“You look emotional.”

“I don’t.”

“Your face is doing the thing.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

Then he noticed her DJ trophy sitting on the desk.

He picked it up carefully and placed it somewhere safe.

“You worked really hard for this.”

Jennie looked at the trophy.

“You remembered.”

“Of course I remembered.”

⸻

For once…

Jennie didn’t roast him.

She just smiled.

“Thanks.”

Felix smiled back.

“Anytime.”

⸻

He turned to leave.

Then Jennie called:

“Felix.”

He looked back.

“Yeah?”

A pause.

“Your hair still looks okay.”

He laughed.

“Okay?”

“Don’t push it.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

“Goodnight, Jennie.”

“Goodnight, basketball boy.”

⸻

When he closed the door…

Han appeared in the hallway.

“Did you have a romantic moment?”

Felix jumped.

“How are you always there?”

Han smiled.

“Talent.”

Felix sighed.

“You are impossible.”

Han nodded.

“Thank you.”

⸻

And that was the thing about their group.

They were chaotic.

Loud.

Embarrassing.

Completely impossible.

But somehow…

They had become family.

And Jennie and Felix?

They were still roasting each other every chance they got.

Just now…

There was a little more smiling between the insults.
Chapter 33 – The Night of Maximum Chaos

The night was supposed to be relaxing.

That was the first mistake.

Because whenever Jennie, Jisoo, and Han were together…

Nothing was relaxing.

⸻

The group had gone to a late-night celebration lounge after the DJ competition.

The music was loud.

The lights were everywhere.

Everyone was laughing.

And somehow…

Han had become the unofficial leader of chaos.

⸻

Jennie sat at the table with a giant colorful mocktail in her hand.

Her blonde hair was slightly messy from dancing, and she wore her black jacket, silver accessories, and her favorite boots.

Jisoo’s red hair was still styled perfectly, but after hours of dancing, a few strands had fallen loose.

Han’s brown hair looked like he had fought a wind machine and lost.

⸻

Han stood on his chair.

“I have an announcement!”

Everyone immediately groaned.

“No.”

“Han, sit down.”

“Please don’t.”

⸻

Han ignored them.

“Tonight…”

He pointed dramatically.

“Is the greatest night of our lives.”

Felix looked at Lisa.

“How long has he been like this?”

Lisa laughed.

“Since five minutes after we arrived.”

⸻

Rosé shook her head.

Her lavender hair fell over her shoulders as she laughed.

“Han thinks every moment is a movie scene.”

Hyunjin nodded seriously.

“To be fair…”

Everyone looked at him.

“He does make life more dramatic.”

⸻

Meanwhile…

Jennie was having way too much fun.

Which was unusual.

Because Jennie normally acted like she was above everything.

But tonight?

She was laughing.

Actually laughing.

⸻

Felix noticed.

And smiled.

Lisa immediately caught it.

“You are staring.”

Felix looked away.

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“I was just looking.”

“Exactly.”

⸻

Later…

The chaos reached a new level.

⸻

Jisoo grabbed Han’s arm.

“We need to have a serious conversation.”

Han looked worried.

“About what?”

“About why you think you can dance.”

Everyone went silent.

Han looked offended.

“I can dance.”

“You dance like your Wi-Fi is disconnecting.”

The entire table exploded.

⸻

Jennie laughed so hard she nearly dropped her drink.

Felix looked shocked.

“Did Jisoo just roast Han?”

Lisa nodded.

“She’s been saving that one.”

⸻

When it was finally time to leave…

Everyone agreed.

Jisoo, Han, and Jennie were officially too chaotic to be trusted alone.

⸻

The walk back to the dorm was hilarious.

⸻

Han walked beside Hyunjin.

“Do you think ducks know they’re funny?”

Hyunjin paused.

“What?”

“Ducks.”

“Why?”

“Because they walk like they’re late to a meeting.”

Hyunjin stared.

“…I hate that you’re making sense.”

⸻

Jisoo was walking with Rosé.

“Rosé.”

“Yes?”

“I have discovered something.”

“What?”

“I am always right.”

Rosé smiled.

“You say that every day.”

“Because I am consistent.”

⸻

Jennie walked between Felix and Lisa.

She pointed at Felix.

“You.”

Felix looked at her.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“You are suspicious.”

“Why?”

“Because you are nice.”

Felix laughed.

“That’s suspicious?”

“For you? Yes.”

⸻

Felix shook his head.

“You are unbelievable.”

Jennie nodded proudly.

“I know.”

⸻

When they finally reached the dorm…

Everyone collapsed onto the couches.

⸻

Lisa looked around.

“Never again.”

Han raised his hand.

“Question.”

“No.”

“Can we do it again next week?”

Everyone shouted:

“NO!”

⸻

Felix helped Jennie get to her room.

She walked carefully.

“I can walk.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you helping?”

“Because you almost walked into the wall.”

Jennie looked at the wall.

“It was in my way.”

“The wall?”

“Yes.”

⸻

Felix opened her door.

“There.”

Jennie stepped inside.

Then turned around.

“Felix.”

“Yeah?”

“I have something important to tell you.”

He smiled.

“What?”

She pointed at him.

“Your basketball skills are overrated.”

Felix blinked.

“That is what you needed to say?”

“Yes.”

He laughed.

“Of course it is.”

⸻

She sat down on her bed.

Then looked at him more seriously.

“You know…”

“What?”

“You’re actually a good person.”

Felix smiled.

“That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said.”

“Don’t get emotional.”

“I’m not.”

“You look emotional.”

“I don’t.”

“Your face is doing the thing.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

Then he noticed her DJ trophy sitting on the desk.

He picked it up carefully and placed it somewhere safe.

“You worked really hard for this.”

Jennie looked at the trophy.

“You remembered.”

“Of course I remembered.”

⸻

For once…

Jennie didn’t roast him.

She just smiled.

“Thanks.”

Felix smiled back.

“Anytime.”

⸻

He turned to leave.

Then Jennie called:

“Felix.”

He looked back.

“Yeah?”

A pause.

“Your hair still looks okay.”

He laughed.

“Okay?”

“Don’t push it.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

“Goodnight, Jennie.”

“Goodnight, basketball boy.”

⸻

When he closed the door…

Han appeared in the hallway.

“Did you have a romantic moment?”

Felix jumped.

“How are you always there?”

Han smiled.

“Talent.”

Felix sighed.

“You are impossible.”

Han nodded.

“Thank you.”

⸻

And that was the thing about their group.

They were chaotic.

Loud.

Embarrassing.

Completely impossible.

But somehow…

They had become family.

And Jennie and Felix?

They were still roasting each other every chance they got.

Just now…

There was a little more smiling between the insults.
Chapter 1 – The Worst First Impression

The first bell hadn’t even rung, but the school was already buzzing with students.

Everyone had heard of the school’s two biggest stars.

Not because they were friends.

Because they couldn’t stand each other.

⸻

Jennie

Jennie walked through the hallway with effortless confidence. Her long, silky black hair, styled with soft curtain bangs like her iconic “Ice Cream” and “How You Like That” looks, flowed neatly over her shoulders. Her expression was calm and unreadable, making her seem intimidating without even trying.

She wore an oversized charcoal-gray hoodie over loose black cargo jeans with silver chains hanging from the pockets. Black-and-white high-top sneakers completed her outfit, while large silver headphones rested around her neck. A small silver ring decorated one finger, and her black backpack was covered with tiny music pins.

Everyone knew Jennie.

She was the school’s legendary DJ.

She made incredible remixes for pep rallies, dances, and school events.

She was also famous for roasting people with perfectly timed one-liners.

Most students were too scared to argue with her.

⸻

Felix

Outside the gym, Felix dribbled a basketball across the court.

His soft black hair was slightly messy after early morning practice, falling naturally over his forehead. He had warm brown eyes and an easy smile that made almost everyone like him instantly.

He wore a white athletic T-shirt underneath a black-and-red varsity jacket, relaxed black athletic pants, white crew socks, and spotless white basketball sneakers.

He was captain of the basketball team and one of the most popular students in school.

Girls constantly tried to talk to him.

He still didn’t understand why.

⸻

Jisoo

Walking toward class with a stack of neatly organized books was Jisoo.

Her long dark red hair shimmered under the hallway lights, perfectly brushed and tucked behind one ear. She carried herself with quiet confidence and always looked elegant.

She wore a cream-colored knit sweater, a black pleated skirt over black tights, and polished ankle boots. Small pearl earrings and a delicate silver necklace completed her look.

She was kind, responsible, and somehow always ended up cleaning up everyone else’s chaos.

⸻

Rosé

Music drifted from the auditorium where Rosé was helping set up sound equipment.

Her long lavender hair was loose with gentle waves flowing down her back. She had a relaxed smile that instantly made people feel comfortable.

She wore an oversized lavender cardigan over a simple white T-shirt, ripped light-blue jeans, and chunky white boots. Around one wrist were colorful friendship bracelets she had made herself.

She loved music almost as much as Jennie did.

⸻

Lisa

Standing beside Rosé was Lisa.

Her long ash-blonde hair with straight bangs framed her bright smile perfectly. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, usually because she was about to cause some harmless trouble.

She wore an oversized black bomber jacket, a bright graphic T-shirt, loose cargo pants, and colorful sneakers covered with tiny paint splatter designs.

Lisa loved dancing, laughing, and making every situation ten times more chaotic.

⸻

Han

Han hurried through the hallway carrying way too many notebooks.

His soft brown hair looked like he had forgotten to brush it after waking up, giving him a permanently messy look.

He wore a green hoodie under a denim jacket, dark jeans, and comfortable sneakers.

He talked nonstop, laughed at nearly everything, and somehow always knew the latest school gossip before anyone else.

⸻

Hyunjin

Leaning against a classroom doorway was Hyunjin.

His long blond hair was perfectly styled, making him look like he had stepped straight out of a fashion magazine.

He wore an oversized cream sweater, black wide-leg trousers, layered silver necklaces, and clean designer sneakers.

He was artistic, dramatic, and believed every ordinary moment deserved movie-level slow motion.

⸻

The first bell echoed through the school.

Jennie adjusted the headphones around her neck.

Felix bounced his basketball one last time.

Neither of them knew it yet…

But before the day was over, they would already be arguing.