Melanthius strolled down the school corridor, tugging at his tie with a sigh. “This is exactly why I hate getting serious—everything turns gloomy, and the whole vibe gets ruined,” he muttered, his voice laced with irritation. As he passed by, he noticed more students sniffling and wiping their tears, clearly still moved by his story.

“Seriously? It was ages ago,” he groaned, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t even remember what Althara looked like anymore. The only thing I do remember is that she stole my last name!” He threw his hands up in mock exasperation before continuing down the hallway.

As Mel continued down the hallway, his ears caught snippets of a conversation between two freshmen huddled near their lockers.

“Hey, did you hear? That girl Anita Peak is dating that senior now,” one of them whispered with a giggle.

“Ugh, that’s so gross! Isn’t she, like, a freshman?” the other replied, stifling a laugh.

Mel’s eyebrows furrowed at their words, and before he could stop himself, he turned toward them. “What did you just say?” he asked, his tone sharper than intended, his presence towering over them like a storm cloud.

The two freshmen froze, their giggles dying instantly as they looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Never mind, sorry,” Mel muttered, quickly waving them off as he turned and walked away.

His thoughts churned as he continued down the hallway. It wasn’t exactly uncommon for seniors to prey on freshmen—it was an unspoken issue that lingered in the background of the school. Nobody stepped in because, technically, they were both students, but it didn’t make it any less disgusting. Seniors knew how naive and impressionable freshmen could be, and they used that to their advantage instead of pursuing someone their own age.

And so, unbeknownst to him, this marked the beginning of what would come to be known as the “Dirty Senior Arc.”

In the bustling cafeteria, Mel sat among his friends, but his attention kept straying to Anita, who sat perched on a senior’s lap, laughing along with a group of upperclassmen. His gaze lingered a moment too long. "If you take a picture, it’ll last longer," Rue teased, leaning in to whisper mockingly into his ear.

Mel blinked and quickly turned away, shaking his head. "Sorry, was I staring?"

"Uh, yeah. Definitely," Lance said with a smirk, crossing his arms. "That guy she’s with? That’s a red card senior. Pretty sure they call him the hottest guy in school or something. His name’s... Henry Angelo, I think." Mel gave a thoughtful nod, his brow furrowing slightly.

"It is kind of weird, though," Arid chimed in, absently running a thumb over the faint scars on his knuckles. Mel leaned closer, concerned. "Wait—are they still making you punch glass in therapy? I can talk to them if it’s not helping," he offered earnestly.

Arid rolled his eyes and shoved Mel’s face away, grumbling, "Don’t bother." Meanwhile, Elowen sat quietly, idly picking at her food but not eating a bite. "How come you’re not eating?" Clyde asked, leaning over to feel her forehead. "Are you feeling sick or something?" She shook her head and sighed, pushing her plate away. "No, Mel ruined my appetite with that story earlier."

Mel glanced back, unable to stop himself, and this time, Henry caught him staring. The senior smirked, leaning down to whisper something into Anita’s ear. Whatever he said made her giggle softly, and then, to Mel’s discomfort, the two locked lips in a slow, exaggerated kiss, as if putting on a show.

“I think I’m gonna go talk to them,” Mel said, scooting his chair back and standing up.

“Need backup?” Sera offered, but before Mel could respond, Caius and Lumi were already on their feet.

Mel considered for a moment and nodded. “Caius only. He doesn’t talk. You two might escalate things.”

With that, Mel and Caius made their way to the senior table, weaving through the chaotic bustle of students. As they approached, the chatter at the senior table quieted, and Henry looked up with a smug grin.

“Well, well, Melanthius. Can I get an autograph?” Henry asked mockingly, earning a round of laughter from his group.

Mel ignored the taunts and turned his attention to Anita. “Anita, you want to hang out later?” he asked directly.

Anita rested her chin in her hand, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Hmm, nah. Henry’s coming over to my place later,” she said casually. Henry, as if to drive the point home, leaned in and planted a string of kisses along her collarbone.

Mel’s expression hardened, his brow furrowing as Henry met his glare with an infuriating smirk. “What’s that?” Henry asked, pointing to Mel’s shirt. Instinctively, Mel glanced down—only for Henry to flick his nose up with a finger.

Mel recoiled, clutching his nose as the seniors erupted into laughter. One of them slapped Mel’s back, chuckling. “Damn, Henry. He’s staring daggers at you now.”

Henry leaned back in his chair, grinning. “Guess the kid’s got a temper. You gonna cry, Melanthius?”

Caius casually stepped on Henry’s pristine shoe, and Henry immediately snapped his head down. “Hey, these are expensive, you fuck!” he barked, only for Caius to flick his nose upward in the exact same way Henry had done to Mel moments earlier.

The table erupted into a chorus of “Oooohs,” the seniors eagerly fanning the flames. Henry’s face darkened, his smirk replaced by a glare as Anita’s eyes widened. He shifted her off his lap and stood abruptly, squaring up to Mel and Caius.

“You bastard! You come over here, interrupting me and my girlfriend like this?!” Henry growled, fists clenched. Despite the tension, Mel and Caius remained calm, hands in their pockets, their gazes steady and unflinching.

Anita sprang to her feet and latched onto Henry’s arm. “It’s okay! Guys, leave Henry alone!” she shouted, her voice tinged with panic.

Mel tilted his head, his teeth gritting as his temper bubbled beneath his cool exterior. “Are you serious?” he muttered, his voice sharp with disbelief.

Ignoring him, Anita tugged on Henry’s arm, pulling him away. The two walked out together, leaving Mel and Caius standing amid the echo of mocking laughter from the senior table.

Mel and Caius made their way back to their table, sliding into their seats. Mel let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair before slumping forward to rest his head on the table. “So much for not causing a scene,” he muttered, his voice low with frustration. He absently traced patterns on the table with his finger. “Guess there’s nothing I can do about it.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. As the students flooded out of the cafeteria, Mel walked alongside Rue through the bustling hallways and out into the open air.

“You’ve got to stop obsessing over this,” Rue said, her voice firm yet tinged with understanding. She glanced at him, her sharp green eyes catching the fading sunlight. “She made her choice. There’s no point losing sleep over it.”

Mel didn’t respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The weight of her words hung in the air between them as they continued walking in silence.

Meanwhile, Henry leaned casually against a wall, his hands resting possessively on Anita’s waist. His gaze, however, was anything but relaxed—it was sharp and burning, fixed on Mel as he walked away.

Anita shifted uneasily, her eyes darting to Henry. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Keep him out of it. He wasn’t part of the deal…”

Henry’s lips curled into a sly smirk, his glare softening just enough to nod in acknowledgment. “Relax,” he murmured, his tone dripping with arrogance. “I know what I’m doing.”

Inside the castle, Rue adjusted her goggles as she focused intently on the cybernetic tech sprawled across her workbench. Sparks flew as her tools hummed to life, the rhythmic sound filling the room. Across from her, Mel stood by the window, his shoulders slumped as he gazed outside.

“Why am I still thinking about this?” he muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Anita and Henry entering Anita’s house together. He sighed deeply, the scene gnawing at him more than he wanted to admit.

Rue paused her work and glanced over at Mel, pulling her goggles up onto her forehead. She rubbed her face, a mix of irritation and amusement crossing her expression. “He’s in my room, standing there like a lovesick puppy, and he’s thinking about other girls?” she thought, tapping her foot.

Her annoyance slowly faded as she watched him sigh once more. "He’s just worried," she reasoned, shaking her head lightly to herself. "I should calm down before I say something stupid."

Rue stood up from her workbench, her thoughts shifting as she walked over to Mel. She placed her hand gently on his waist, offering a soft smile. “Wanna go for a walk?” she asked, her voice warm.

Mel glanced up at her, his eyes distant for a moment as he looked out the window. After a brief pause, he nodded, his gaze softening. "Yeah, I think I need that."

Moments later, they stepped outside into the cool evening air. The streets of Solstice City were alive with a soft, glowing energy. The lights from streetlamps cast warm, amber hues that reflected off the stone pavement, creating a peaceful, almost festival-like atmosphere. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, their delicate flames flickering in the night, while distant laughter and the hum of conversation drifted from nearby market stalls and small outdoor cafes.

The city felt alive but calm, as if the bustling crowds had given way to a quieter, more intimate side of Solstice. The stars above twinkled faintly, adding to the tranquil beauty of the night. The cool breeze brushed past them, carrying with it the scent of fresh pastries and blooming flowers from the nearby gardens.

As they walked, the streets stretched before them, bathed in soft light and shadow, with the sounds of the city providing a comforting background to their quiet companionship. Rue’s hand rested lightly on Mel’s waist, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. The world felt simpler, softer, and the weight of the day seemed to lift just a little with every step.

“Solstice City really is perfect,” Mel said, inhaling deeply and letting out a contented sigh. The crisp night air felt refreshing, carrying with it the subtle scent of the city’s vibrant life.

Rue glanced up at him, her voice soft but knowing. “You really needed this, didn’t you?” She leaned in a little closer, her body brushing against his as they walked, and Mel couldn’t help but smile, feeling the warmth of her presence.

As they walked, Rue’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Wait,” she said suddenly, a smile creeping onto her lips. “There’s actually a small festival going on.” She took his hand and guided him toward the bustling scene ahead.

The streets opened up to a lively square, vibrant with energy. Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, and the sounds of music, laughter, and chatter filled the air. There were stands lined with delicious street food, the tempting aromas mixing with the night air. People milled about, their faces lit up with joy, some playing games while others strolled from one attraction to another.

Mel’s eyes widened in surprise, the lively atmosphere pulling him in. “This is amazing,” he murmured, caught up in the festival’s energy. Rue grinned, happy to see him unwind. They joined the crowd, feeling the city’s heartbeat at every step.

“Come one, come all! If you can beat the high score, a big surprise awaits you!” the carny announced with infectious enthusiasm, his arms wide as he gestured to the punching machine. Mel glanced at Rue, who gave him an encouraging smile.

“I think I can do it,” Mel said confidently, walking toward the machine. His fingers tingled with anticipation as he approached.

“O-oh, King Melanthius! It’s such an honor to have you here!” the carny stammered, his eyes wide in awe. Mel cracked his knuckles, ready to show off his strength.

But before he could take his swing, a voice broke through the excitement. “Let’s not blow his head up too much,” a sneering voice called out from the crowd. “He’s only strong because his father was an asshole.”

Everyone turned their heads toward Henry, who stood with Anita, his hand possessively around her waist. The crowd fell silent for a moment. Mel’s heart skipped a beat as he processed the words.

His eyes locked onto Henry’s with a flicker of surprise—and something darker. It wasn’t just the audacity of the insult, but the way it was said, as if Henry were testing him, goading him into a reaction. The insult cut deeper than he expected, but Mel quickly masked his surprise. His jaw clenched, and his fists tightened, ready for whatever would come next.

"OOOH! We’ve got a challenge brewing here, folks!" the carny shouted, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he hyped up the crowd. "Check it out—if King Melanthius beats the high score, then this guy," he pointed at Henry, "has to apologize and pay him! But if this guy beats the score, then Melanthius has to prove he’s stronger!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement as the stakes were set. Henry scoffed, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You’re on," he said with a cocky tilt of his head.

With an arrogant stride, Henry brushed past Mel, his shoulder slamming into Mel's as he made his way to the machine. The crowd watched with bated breath as Henry cracked his knuckles, gearing up for the punch. He pulled his fist back with a deliberate, confident motion before launching it into the punching machine. The impact echoed in the night air, and the machine flickered briefly before settling on a score—18/25.

The crowd erupted with cheers, but Henry didn’t even glance at them. Instead, he shot a sly smirk at Mel, clearly satisfied with his performance. "Beat that, 'King.'"

Mel let out a heavy sigh, stepping up to the machine with a determined look in his eyes. He cracked his knuckles, preparing to deliver the punch that would show Henry who was truly stronger. But just as he wound up, his gaze caught Henry in the midst of a passionate kiss with Anita. The sight of it—Henry's possessive lips on her—struck him harder than any punch ever could.

His focus shattered. Anger bubbled up in his chest as his fist came down, not with precision, but with raw emotion. The machine groaned under the force, and with a deafening crack, Mel smashed it downwards. The screen flickered and flashed a red error message: ERROR.

The crowd fell silent for a brief moment, eyes wide with shock, before the murmurs started. Mel stood there, seething, chest heaving with a mix of frustration and betrayal.

Mel's expression darkened, his jaw tight as a storm of frustration and anger boiled beneath the surface. Without a word, he fumbled through his pocket, pulling out a few crumpled bills and slapping them into the carny's hand with a sharp motion. His movements were quick, almost mechanical, as if he couldn’t get away fast enough. Without waiting for a response, he spun on his heel and bolted, the sounds of the carnival fading behind him as he disappeared into the night.

Henry, still chuckling, stepped forward to claim his prize, oblivious to the tension now thick in the air. Meanwhile, Rue, furious, grabbed Anita and slammed her against the nearest wall. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" Rue growled, towering over the freshman. Anita's eyes widened in shock as she shoved Rue back. "I can date whoever I want, whenever I want!" she shot back, her voice laced with defiance. "Are we all supposed to change just because Mel’s upset? He’s not the damn main character!"

Rue's eyes narrowed in disgust. "What the hell are you talking about?" she spat. "Out of everyone, you pick a cocky, entitled senior like him?"

Anita’s confidence wavered, and she looked down, her voice faltering. "You don’t understand... you have no idea what you’re talking about!"