NOVEL NEXT Chapter 54: Running (2)
The entire contingent of first-years from the Blue Dorm trailed behind Braydon, their expressions alight with curiosity. Like most teenagers faced with a brewing spectacle, none looked the least bit interested in intervening.
In fact, a few seemed all too eager to fan the flames amidst the turmoil.
"Shut his big mouth, Braydon!" a red-haired boy shouted.
"Yeah! Teach him a lesson!" another chimed in.
The jeers bolstered Braydon's swagger. He puffed out his chest, stepping closer to Michael with all the confidence of someone convinced he was untouchable. It was clear he was ready to throw punches—consequences be damned.
Typical nobles… Michael thought with muted pity.
For people of status, trouble often dissolved with a few smooth words or the jingle of coin in the right palm. Raised in that safety net, noble children grew up thinking themselves beyond reproach. So long as they didn't cross an invisible line, they could do as they pleased.
Looking at Braydon's admittedly handsome face, Michael felt an itch to deliver the punch the boy so richly deserved.
But not yet.
"Are you really going to teach me a lesson?" Michael asked evenly, refusing to yield an inch.
"Oh, I'll teach you a lesson, all right…" Braydon smirked.
He moved, winding up for a sloppy, over-telegraphed right hook that came from far too low. Michael could have sidestepped it in his sleep.
"Argh, I'm gonna be late!" a panicked voice cried out.
A blur shot past.
Michael barely registered what happened before the blur collided squarely with Braydon's side. Time seemed to slow as the noble's head snapped back, slamming into his own shoulder.
"OOOOOOF!"
Braydon crumpled to the floor with a groan, the wind knocked clean out of him.
"O-oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!" Rudy stood over him, wide-eyed and full of apparent remorse. "I was in such a hurry I didn't even see you two there!"
The apology sounded so heartfelt that even Michael—who had just watched Rudy stand idly by moments ago—almost believed him. Rudy bent down, offering a helping hand.
It was slapped away. "You… bastard…" Braydon wheezed.
"Oh, well—sorry again! But I really must be going. Can't be late to the feast," Rudy said brightly. He glanced toward the other first-years. "You all should hurry, too. Otherwise, we might miss out on the good food."
He then turned to Michael and gave the subtlest of winks before stepping—quite literally—over Braydon as though he were nothing more than an unfortunate carcass by the roadside.
Michael clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle the laugh threatening to break free. Watching the pompous noble flattened by a commoner was pure poetry.
And the part where Rudy stepped over him?
That was just the icing on the cake.
After all, how many times had Braydon stepped over others in his life? This time, it was simply… far more literal. And infinitely more satisfying.
A childish glee he hadn't felt in years bubbled up inside Michael. Without thinking, he seized Melody's hand and bolted after Rudy, who had already taken off down the glowing path.
"W-what are you doing!?" Melody squealed, startled by the sudden contact.
He didn't answer—didn't even think about answering. His focus was on the chase, the pounding of his heart, and the laughter spilling freely from his lips. In that moment, the weight of his responsibilities and ambitions fell away. There was no academy, no noble politics—just the thrill of running.
They tore through the halls, their footsteps echoing against the stone. After a few minutes, they reached a staircase where Rudy finally slowed, bending over to catch his breath. Even winded, he was grinning ear to ear.
Michael came to a stop beside him, feeling a slight tug at his arm. Turning, he found Melody doubled over, hands on her knees, gasping for air. Her normally sleek, perfectly arranged hair was in disarray, strands sticking out at odd angles. In the three years he'd known her, he had never seen her look… well, human.
"You… bastard…" she managed between gulps of air.
Michael and Rudy exchanged a look, both clearly confused. They hadn't been running particularly hard—certainly not enough to leave her winded.
Rudy broke first, bursting into laughter, his amusement infectious. Michael followed soon after, grinning despite the fiery glare aimed his way. Everything had happened so fast that he'd simply gone along with it, adrenaline still humming in his veins.
"Oh man, that was fun," Rudy said, still chuckling. He turned to Melody. "But wow… if you're that tired after a short jog, you might want to work on your fitness."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously. Without a word, she flicked her left hand, and a sudden jet of water blasted from her palm straight into Rudy's face. He didn't have a chance to dodge, spluttering as the cold splash drenched him.
"Ha… hahaha!" Rudy laughed even harder, shaking water from his hair. "Thanks, I was feeling a little parched after all that running," he said, shooting Michael a wink.
Melody blinked, momentarily thrown off by his response.
Michael couldn't help it—he doubled over, clutching his sides as laughter overtook him. Not only had he just seen his "fiancée" completely disheveled, but now she was also speechless. Both were rarities… and highly entertaining ones at that.
Unfortunately for him, his mirth was short-lived. Another jet of water shot forth—this time aimed at him. Unlike Rudy, who took it square to the face, Michael felt an icy dampness spread across his trousers.
He froze. Slowly, he looked down.
"HAHAHA! Michael pissed himself!" Rudy bellowed, pointing accusingly before collapsing into hysterics.
Melody huffed and strode past them, descending the stairs with regal precision, as though she hadn't just committed the crime. Michael could only watch her retreat, utterly dumbstruck and unable to muster a comeback.
The sound of Rudy's infectious laughter echoed through the hall, with no sign of stopping—like that of a hyena. It truly made it difficult to be angry when met with such a sound.