But Sol isn't deterred. With a grin that's more like a snarl, he takes a step closer. "You think you're special because you got a fancy weapon and a meeting with the king?" he sneers. "You're just a dirty other realm transvestite. You don't belong here."

Before Si-Woo can react, Sol's hand shoots out with incredible speed and slaps him across the ear. "Whack!!" The impact sends a sharp pain shooting through his head, and he stumbles backward, dropping his lunch. The sound echoes across the rooftop.

Si-Woo's vision blurs as the ringing in his ear becomes a deafening crescendo, drowning out the world around him. He clutches his head, knees buckling as the ground seems to tilt and sway beneath him. For a moment, he's lost in a sea of white noise, unable to hear or think.

And then, as if from a great distance, he feels strong hands gripping his pink hair, wrenching his head back. He opens his eyes to find Sol leering down at him, his grip like iron. "I think we're going to have fun every day, Si-Woo," Sol says, his voice a sadistic purr. "You and me, we're going to get to know each other really well."

The air around Si-Woo seems to crackle with tension, and then—faster than he can comprehend—everything changes. A flash of movement, a blur of color, and suddenly Sol is no longer looming over him but flying through the air. He hits the ground hard, the wind knocked out of him.

Mai stands where Sol once was, her eyes ablaze with fury, her body poised for another attack. Her fists are clenched at her sides, and her silver hair whips around her face as she breathes heavily. "What do you think you're doing?" she demands, her voice tight with anger.

Sol's friends shake off their astonishment. "Mai, the so-called 'best martial artist' of our Academy," taunts one of Sol's henchmen, malice sparkling in their eyes as they encircle her. Yet, Mai remains undaunted. She moves with the elegance of a dancer, her movements deliberate and exact. Exhibiting a speed that borders on the supernatural, she delivers a rapid succession of strikes, her fists meeting skin and bone. The boys recoil, their earlier smirks giving way to expressions of shock and agony.

One by one, they fall, their taunts turning to cries of agony. The sound of bones breaking and bodies hitting the ground fills the air. The wind whispers through the rooftop garden, carrying with it the scent of bruised leaves and the faint scent of coppery blood.

Mai's fists are a blur of pink, each punch and kick a silent testament to her rage. Her eyes never leave Sol's, her gaze a promise of more pain to come. She's a force of nature, a tempest in a schoolyard. And as she moves, the very air seems to bend to her will, as if the very fabric of the world itself knows she's not to be trifled with.

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But as quickly as it started, it's over. Sol's friends are down, nursing bruises and cracked bones. They'll think twice before messing with Si-Woo again. Or so she hopes.

"Are you okay?" Mai asks, extending a hand to help Si-Woo up, but he's already on his feet, his face a blend of embarrassment and anger. "Thank you," he says, his voice strained, "but never fight my battles for me."

Mai's eyes flash with surprise and a hint of annoyance. "I wasn't fighting for you," she retorts, her voice icy. "I was fighting because he was an idiot who needed to be taught a lesson. Besides, you're the one who can't even stand up to a bully."

Si-Woo's face reddens at the accusation, and he opens his mouth to protest, but no words come out. He knows she's right. Since their arrival in Ondur, he's been trying to avoid conflict, blend in, and keep a low profile.

He nods stiffly and turns to leave, his pride bruised more than his body. "You're right," he says, his voice barely above a whisper. "I should go."

Mai calls after him, but he doesn't stop. "Si-Woo, wait!" she yells, but he's already gone, disappearing into the sea of students like a ghost. She watches him go, a mix of frustration and concern warring within her.

Sol, who had been lying on the ground, groaning, sat up with a mischievous grin on his face, his eyes glinting with malice. He watched Si-Woo leave before turning to his friends, who were slowly picking themselves up. "Looks like our little friend has lost his protector," he said, his voice filled with mock amusement.

Mai's eyes narrowed as she looked from Sol to the retreating figure of Si-Woo. She knew that she had to do something to mend the rift she had just created. With a sigh, she turned to leave as well, knowing that she had to find Si-Woo before the end of the day.

The corridors of Young Academy were hauntingly silent following the turmoil on the rooftop. Si-Woo's footsteps resonated in the hallway, each one seeming more burdensome than before. The magnificence of the school's design escaped his notice as he made his way back to class, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Ahead, the nurse's office glowed with a gentle light, promising safety and sanctuary, yet he hesitated. "You're weak, you're a nuisance to others," Jung-Ho's words reverberated in his consciousness.

As Si-Woo approached the office, his heart hammered in his chest. The need to avoid any further trouble was palpable. He tried to creep past, hoping Nurse Lila wouldn't notice him.

"Si-Woo!" Nurse Lila's voice echoed through the hallway, cutting through the silence like a knife. He froze, his hand hovering over the doorknob of his classroom. Slowly, he turned to face her, expecting the worst.

Her expression was a mix of concern and annoyance. "In my office," she barked, pointing to the room behind her. "Now!!."

With a heavy heart, Si-Woo followed her, the whispers of the students behind him a fading buzz. Inside, the room smelled faintly of lavender and antiseptic.