The school bell finally rang.
It echoed across the entire campus, signaling that the day had officially ended.
Students slowly began leaving their classrooms.
Groups formed in the hallways as everyone walked outside the school building.
Alex and Darex were among the last to leave.
Both of them were still thinking about everything their teacher had told them.
At first, they had been angry.
But slowly that anger turned into something else.
Understanding.
Alex sighed.
"So no matter how great we become… even if we become the best scientists in the world…"
"If we're not warriors… we'll always remain stepping stones."
He remembered the boy their teacher had mentioned earlier.
The student who had been running to school that morning.
The one who accidentally collided with a warrior.
A single punch had shattered his body.
Darex clenched his fists.
But then he remembered the teacher's words.
"Not every warrior is bad."
"Many warriors live among common people."
"Most of the time you only know them as soldiers or protectors."
"People respect them… and they deserve that respect."
"But there are always a few who let power control their minds."
"Those warriors think they stand at the top of the world."
"But the truth is…"
"The government can easily control them."
Alex suddenly spoke.
"But sir… what was that boy's fault?"
The teacher had looked at him carefully before answering.
"Let me ask you something, Alex."
"When you were younger, did seniors ever bully you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Does that mean every senior is bad?"
Alex shook his head.
"No."
"Usually only two or three people do that."
"Exactly."
"In a class of thirty students, maybe two or four are bullies."
"But the remaining twenty-six help you."
"They guide you… teach you… and help you grow."
"It's the same with warriors."
"Most of them protect people."
"But a small number let power corrupt their thinking."
"And those warriors… are dangerous."
He paused for a moment.
"But their numbers are small."
"Like taking a bucket of water from a vast ocean."
"If that bucket is dirty, it doesn't mean the whole ocean is dirty."
The teacher then looked at the class seriously.
"So if any of you want to become warriors…"
"You may submit the application form."
"If you apply today…"
"You might become a warrior tomorrow."
"But remember something important."
"Your parents may not support this decision."
"And you can still choose to live a normal life."
"Both paths exist."
Soon after that, the class was dismissed.
Outside the school building, Alex and Darex walked slowly toward the main gate.
Darex stretched his arms.
"So… what have you decided?"
"I'm becoming a warrior."
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Of course."
"What about you?"
Alex smiled slightly.
"Well…"
"If Iris confesses today… or if I confess to her…"
"I think I'll become a weapon designer."
Darex blinked.
"A weapon designer?"
"Yeah."
"I could design weapons for the army."
"That's also a good career."
Darex laughed.
"True… there's a lot of money in that too."
But then he suddenly looked at Alex seriously.
"Although… I don't think your life will be that simple."
Alex frowned.
"Are you trying to curse me?"
"No."
"I'm just saying something obvious."
"Has Iris ever said 'I love you' to you?"
"…No."
"Has she ever given you expensive gifts and said you're the best person in her life?"
"No."
"Has she ever clearly shown she loves you?"
"…No."
Darex crossed his arms.
"Then why are you so sure she loves you?"
Alex looked annoyed.
"Why are you trying to break my motivation?"
"I'm not breaking it."
"I'm just saying maybe she sees you as a friend."
"You've known each other since middle school, right?"
"Seven or eight years?"
Alex sighed.
"Yeah… around that."
"So maybe you love her…"
"But she only sees you as a friend."
Alex stopped walking.
"Then why does she always stay around me?"
"Why does she keep talking to me?"
"I'm sure she loves me."
Darex laughed.
"Alright, alright."
"You're sure."
"No problem."
"But if your heart gets broken today…"
"I'll bring you a bottle of alcohol."
"We're legally eighteen now."
Alex smirked.
"And our parents will beat us the moment they find out."
Darex groaned.
"Why do you always ruin the mood?"
When they reached the school grounds, something strange caught their attention.
Nobody was leaving.
Hundreds of students were standing in the central field.
All of them were waiting.
One junior student whispered to his friend.
"Why are we all standing here?"
"You don't know?"
"Today two seniors are going to confess."
"Who?"
"Iris and Alex."
The junior's eyes widened.
"Seriously?"
"Iris senior is extremely beautiful."
A group of girls nearby interrupted.
"And Alex senior is also extremely handsome."
The crowd slowly grew louder with excitement.
Everyone was waiting for the moment.
Alex and Darex looked at each other awkwardly.
"Why does it feel like the whole school is watching us?" Darex whispered.
Before Alex could answer—
A flying vehicle suddenly appeared in the sky above the school.
It slowly descended and landed near the entrance gate.
The door of the vehicle opened.
And a man stepped out.