----Chapter 2----
Her eyes locked onto mine. Calm. Piercing.
"It's all written on your face."
Time froze.
My heart slammed in my chest. My body went rigid. My mind blanked.
How could she know?
Every flicker of shock, every tremor of confusion it was there. Written plain as day, betraying everything I felt.
"I… I also had the exact same dream as you."
My stomach twisted. That couldn't be real.
Before I could stop myself, my hands shot out and accidentally grabbed both her shoulders.
Her eyes widened, and I felt my face heat up instantly.
"Oh! I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean it"
Then, a faint chuckle cut through.
"Ufufu, doing that in broad daylight."
I whipped my head to see Keela smirking from nearby, clearly enjoying herself.
My face went red-hot. Instantly, I removed my hands from her shoulders and bowed slightly.
"S-Sorry! I really didn't mean to!"
The girl's eyes flicked toward me briefly, calm as ever, though I could swear there was the tiniest spark of amusement.
Keela, of course, just laughed louder.
"See? I told you, big bro! You're hopeless!"
"No I'm not, it's just that"
For a moment, I glanced at the girl beside me. Maybe she was actually shy and innocent, completely different from the calm, elegant mask she wore back inside the house.
Like she was playing a role that didn't quite fit her.
"Hey, slowpokes! I thought you were in a hurry for school. But instead, you're making lovey-dovey in the middle of the streets!"
"Huh!?"
We said it in unison, glaring at each other, faces red.
And then she spoke.
"I think she's right. We should hurry to school, or we're going to be late."
"Yes! You're definitely right."
Without another word, she walked ahead, catching up to Keela with ease, though her fingers twitched slightly as she adjusted her bag betraying her nervousness.
I hesitated for a moment, then blurted out again, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Wait… about the dream. What does it mean?"
She paused for just a fraction of a second and looked back at me. Her eyes were calm and sharp.
"Meet me after school," she said softly.
"I'll tell you what I know."
Then she walked on, joining Keela.
Well honestly… I think getting late once in a while isn't such a bad idea. In fact, maybe it's even better if
She whispered, crossing both arms while her eyes closed like a detective trying to solve a complicated crime.
"Yeah yeah, little miss slowpoke, look we're walking pass ahead of you now, so hurry up or we really gonna be late."
I grabbed the back of her backpack, interrupting her monologue.
"Wait, I'm not done talking"
"Well sorry, missy, but you just wanted to skip school. If that's what you were going to say, just admit it."
"Yes I mean no, of course not!"
"Look, you totally admitted it yourself."
Then, a quiet chuckle, almost a whisper, echoed behind us.
It was her. Laughing at us.
We both glared at each other, eyes narrowing, pausing like two rivals at a stalemate.
Job well done.
We both gestured at each other with a thumbs-up, one hand on our hips like we'd just achieved something important.
Then she burst out laughing, like she had been holding it in this whole time trying not to break her calm and serious image.
"By the way, I'm Hikkie. How about yours?"
She glanced at me briefly, then wiped the tears at the corners of her eyes from laughing.
"I'm… Nicaea."
Her voice was smooth, elegant, and collected, but there was a gentle warmth beneath it something almost shy.
"It's hard to talk if we don't know each other's names," I added, still keeping my hand awkwardly on the back of my head, trying to appear casual while my heart pounded like crazy.
Damn it. I've been single for ages and never experienced this kind of rom-com thing I've always watched in shoujo anime.
She gave me the faintest nod, a small smile brushing her lips. That tiny gesture so subtle, yet so human made my chest tighten even more.
As I walked, still reeling from her promise, we soon saw a bunch of other students heading toward the school gate.
Keela, on the other hand, bid her farewell after spotting a classmate she knew. Her hair was tied sideways in a playful knot, a bright red bag bouncing on her shoulder.
Then I turned my attention back to Nicaea. Silent. Poised. A little distant now, as she walked across the street with ease toward her own school.
My chest tightened. That promise after school… I couldn't get it out of my head.
And then instinct, maybe I felt a sharp gaze on my back. Like someone was watching us.
I looked around and saw nothing but a bunch of students walking behind us.
That was… weird.
And then time seemed to freeze.
But this time, it was real.
Everyone stopped moving aside from me and Nicaea.
What's happening? Even the leaves. The man riding a bicycle. The cat scratching behind its ears.
No. No, this isn't happening. It's like something out of a manga.
Then Nicaea grabbed my arm and tossed me toward a tree on the sidewalk like I was garbage.
"Blaghh!"
I hit the sidewalk hard, my butt taking most of the impact. Pain shot up my back. Okay I'm wrong. She definitely hates me.
The black chain whipped through the frozen air, striking with a violent hiss.
Sparks erupted as it slammed against Nicaea's rectangular leather school bag.
Its shape was perfect for a shield, and with her aura enveloping it, the bag seemed to harden sturdy enough to withstand the full force of the chain.
She braced herself, gripping it tight, and I couldn't look away. Steam rose from her body.
My otaku side was screaming inside me. Her long black hair slowly faded into white, shimmering and sparkling as if catching the sunlight.
She stood straight, calm and unyielding clad in shining silver armor and a flowing white cape. Like a holy paladin straight out of a fantasy novel… or the class job of an MMORPG game.
Her expression hardened into something awe-inspiring. My chest tightened as I took in her presence.
"Hikkie, stay behind me."
Her eyes widened as she glared at me.
"Eh?! W Wait, what?!" I stammered, shuffling back, still stunned.
The punk girl rolled her chain lazily, spinning it around with a sharp grin on her face.
"Are you both done fooling around? Now it's time for me to claim the King's head."
Her eyes burned into mine.
I swallowed hard.
Gotcha. I changed my mind.
I think it's much safer behind you.
I shuffled quickly behind Nicaea, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.
The black chains slammed back and forth against her bag, sparks flying with every impact.
The reinforced leather was too sturdy; no matter how violently the chains struck, they couldn't penetrate her defense.
The loud clang of the chain echoed around us, but she just stood firm unfazed. Every strike she blocked looked effortless, as if the attacks were nothing.
I watched closely from behind her, scanning every detail. Was she really the same girl as before?
Then, the girl with the chain halted her attacks when
A hand suddenly appeared between them, fingers splayed as if tearing reality itself.
Space split open like a zipper being pulled apart, black and red lightning crackling wildly around the rupture.
From the jagged portal, a red-hooded figure emerged.
It was so terrifying to witness that I dropped onto the ground, legs giving out.
How… how was this possible?
A red-hooded girl wearing a white bunny mask stepped out of the grotesque portal, twirling a lollipop between her lips. She wore a black shirt and choker, brown shorts over black leggings, and white boots.
In her hands gleamed a massive golden spear etched with intricate runes, pulsing with ancient power.
Sparks of black and red lightning scattered around her, illuminating the tense scene.
Nicaea's gaze stayed fixed on the girl, unblinking and sharp.
"I'm Fenriz, one of the loyal guards of King Faust of the White Crown."
Her voice was calm but firm, never wavering as she faced the red-hooded figure.
Yes, thank you for clearing that up, I thought.
But what the heck is even happening right now? This is totally absurd.
What in the world did I do to get caught up in this?!
"Looks like a lost rabbit got out of its cage."
The punk girl smirked, twirling her chain, eyes locking on us.
Then it hit her.
A sudden surge of extreme pressure pulled her down. Her knees buckled first, then her whole body collapsed, dragging her across the cement.
Face flattened against the ground, she thrashed but the invisible force held her still.
"Damn it! What did you do to me?!"
I barely had time to react before the same pressure slammed into me. My knees gave out. Arms flailed.
"Blammm"
I hit the cement hard, pain shooting through my back and chest. My face pressed against the ground.
The red-hooded girl barely moved.
She twirled her lollipop lazily, eyes sharp and piercing, watching every struggle. Her gaze was… chilling.
That look alone made my heart pound like a drum.
"Your arrogance, for a mere Pawn, makes me sick."
Her voice dripped with mockery manic, yet composed as if the whole scene was just a game for her amusement.
"If you can't even manage to stand up to a simple trial, how do you think you'll ever win against the White Knight?"
She spun her lollipop again.
"You're just a mere Pawn. Mind your place. If you really want to fight her, defeat five lower Pawns like you black or white factions. Then you'll have the right to challenge her and collect their sigils."
Huh? Pawns? Challenge? Factions?
I lay on the ground, struggling to breathe, feeling miserable. My chest ached, my head throbbed. Just looking at her made it hard to think straight.
"The True Alice Game hasn't even started.
The Black King has already awakened.
But the White King hasn't.
You'll only be given a month to look for your comrades and awaken the King's soul inside that boy's body.
As for this spear of yours, White Knight… I'll hold onto it a little longer. When the time comes, you can have it back as a reward for a duel. Stay alive. Prepare for the upcoming war."
Then, just as silently as she arrived, the red-hooded girl vanished into the crowd.
It was like she had never been there. No sparks. No crackling energy. Only the ordinary hum of the city remained.
Everything returned to normal. Leaves rustled gently, stirred by a soft breeze.
A cyclist pedaled past, tires humming against the asphalt, bell jingling.
A cat scratched its fur on the sidewalk, tail flicking lazily completely oblivious to the chaos that had just unfolded.
Students passed by, chatting and laughing, unaware.
For them, it was normal.
For me… nothing would ever be the same.