Chapter 86

"Let me be honest with you, Emilia. Even with your skill, you can't keep charging ahead without thinking about the fallout. There are people in this world you simply can't provoke," Melina said, her voice lined with worry.She questioned whether Emilia would even take her caution to heart.

Serving as the academy's dean did not give Melina immunity. Even she knew to steer clear of those with too much influence.

Provoking the wrong person could end not just a career but a life. Regardless of how fiercely Emilia could fight, a single pair of fists stood no chance against a crowd.

It was admirable for the young to show fire, yet wisdom came in knowing when to temper it with careful thought.

Emilia replied with a respectful nod, "I hear you, Ms. Aguilar. I know you mean well."

Still, Melina doubted the lesson would sink in. Emilia's air suggested she would carry on unchanged.

Letting.out a sigh she had been holding, Melina accepted that everyone walked their own road, no matter the advice offered.

"You're free to get back to practice if you don't need anything else,"said Melina, her tone gentle but final.

"Alright." Emilia turned to leave, not sparing a glance at Emory.

A sigh slipped from Melina as she watched Emilia go. Trying to rein in Emilia's bold and brash style proved nearly impossible. By standing up to Emory, Emilia had probably made things more difficult for herself.

Wanting to pave a smoother road for Emilia, Melina gave Emory an apologetic smile. "Try not to hold her actions against her, Emory. She's young, she acts on impulse, but her potential is undeniable."

Although Emory's lips curled into a smile, her gaze flashed with something sharper-a warning hidden beneath politeness. "Ms. Aguilar, there's no problem. I know it wouldn't suit me to quarrel with someone younger.I'll let it go."

Emory would never lower herself to pick a fight with Emilia in public,but that did not mean she wouldn't settle the score in her own way.

"That's wonderful news. Let's go out and try every specialty dish in town today," said Melina with a bright laugh, doing her best to win Emory's favor and hopefully smooth things over.

···

The moment Emilia stepped out of the dean's office, curious eyes followed her.

Students milling in the hallway paused to watch, their voices dropping to urgent whispers as she walked by.

"Did you catch that fight video? She was incredible-totally ruthless. I bet she could knock me across the whole courtyard."

"That's nothing! She'd probably kick me all the way across the city. Anyone who dates her will have their hands full."

"I take back every bad thing I ever said about her. Turns out she was forced to apologize for something she didn't even do. The girl she pushed really played everyone for a fool."

Even after Emilia disappeared down the hallway, the gossip didn't fade. Faces wore a mix of admiration and wariness.

Plenty admired her skill, but nobody dared approach, not wanting to get on the bad side of someone with such a fierce edge.

People felt a strange thrill-a pull between wanting to get close and being afraid of her power.

Meanwhile, tucked away behind a corner, Violet watched Emilia slip away unharmed, her own fists balled in frustration.

How did Emilia always manage to get so lucky?

The tide had. shifted online too. Where once commenters hurled insults at Emilia, now they turned their anger on Violet.

The insults against Violet now were even more vile than those once directed at Emilia.

Afraid of being cornered or shamed at the academy, Violet had no choice but to disappear for a while and take a leave from her classes.