OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 518: A Girl's Revenge



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A Few Hours Later

I stood outside his door, my heart hammering in my chest.

I didn't know why I was so nervous; it was just him.

Emir.

The man who seemed to live to make my life harder.

I clenched my fists, feeling my nails dig into my palms.

I wouldn't let him see me like this.

Not after the way he'd messed with my test score just to spite me.

Yeah, that was right, I didn't say anything back in the class, but I knew that he played with my

score.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have ranked so low... I'm sure of it.

Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand and knocked, but then, before I could say anything, the door quickly slid open.

Emir, sat behind his desk, looked up, just briefly, and I saw that usual look on his face-the one that didn't care about anything or anyone.

He didn't even look surprised to see me, like he knew I was coming.

Of course, he'd know.

He'd probably been waiting for me to storm in, all smug because he'd gotten under my skin. "Why did you do it?"

I started, voice louder than I meant it to be, but I didn't care.

"Why'd you give such a low rank? I deserve to be among the top ten at least."

He didn't answer, just kept looking at me with that blank face of his, like he had all the time in the world.

I took a step closer, narrowing my eyes.

"You know what? I get it. You wanted to make me quit, didn't you? Stop trying. That's why you did it. You just want me to give up and go home so you can sit back and say, 'Oh look, she couldn't handle it.' But guess what?"

I leaned over his desk, pointing a finger at him.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to show you that I can handle it. I'll show you who's stronger here, and it's not you."

""

Silence.

He didn't say a word.

He didn't move.

He just sat there, staring at me like I was some nuisance that interrupted his day, a bug that aimlessly flew around him.

I was ready for him to say something, anything, to defend himself, explain why he'd been so cruel, or to attack me like he usually did.

But when he finally spoke, it wasn't what I expected. Not at all.

"A... pathetic sight you are."

I blinked, taken aback.

"Excuse me?"

His voice was as cold as ice, his tone mocking, like he wasn't even talking to me but at me, cutting me down with every word.

"Being cold is a basic skill of a Celestial, yet look at you."

His gaze was sharp and almost... disappointed.

"You're not able to keep your composure... You're still shackled by your childish ways."

I felt my blood boil. How dare he talk to me like this?

"...Even if someone provokes you."

He continued, his voice rising slightly, almost as if he was frustrated.

"Even if they threaten you. Even if they turn your world upside down..."

Emir leaned forward, took off his shades, and set them down between us.

"Even if your enemy is right in front of you."

His words hung in the air, slicing through whatever anger I thought I had, as did his inky eyes, making me feel a familiar dread.

He wasn't just talking about my rank anymore; he was talking about something deeper, something that made my stomach twist.

"You have to learn the cold. Embrace it. That's how a true Celestial 'acts,' especially in your case."

My face burned with embarrassment, but I kept my chin up, refusing to let him see how much his words cut.

"Pathetic. You will never grow at this rate. Never."

I felt my hands tremble, rage burning inside me, and his words kept hitting like punches to

the gut.

"No."

His eyes, already holes of black, somehow darkened even further, digging into mine.

"No, you won't improve; you won't even be able to stand up straight."

"You-!"

I wanted to scream at him, to make him stop, but I couldn't find the words.

It was like he was seeing through me, breaking me down with every sentence.

"Think of the reason... Think all of this over, and then..."

He paused, his gaze softening just for a moment.

"I might not be so disappointed."

Disappointed? He was disappointed in me?

Something just... snapped.

"What the hell do you know?"

And I shouted.

"You think I'm weak because I can't act like some heartless machine? My whole world was turned upside down after my father's death! Before that, I was just some girl who didn't need

to train like this, who didn't need to exhaust herself with things she never even asked for! I... I

can't be like you!"

Emir didn't flinch.

He just kept looking at me with that same cold expression, as if everything I was saying didn't

matter.

"Do you even feel bad for what you did?"

I asked, my voice wavering.

"For what you put him-me through?"

Finally, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes, something almost like regret.

But his words shattered whatever hope I had.

"No, well, I did feel bad though... when he started crying like a little bitch. Yeah, that's when I

felt bad."

Ah... this bastard.

I tried to keep it together, but the hurt was too much.

I felt my knees wobble, and before I knew it, tears blurred my vision.

I choked out a sob, biting my lip to keep from breaking down completely.

He watched me for a second, then slid a napkin across the desk toward me.

"Get out."

I grabbed the napkin, but I didn't leave.

I stayed there, my shoulders shaking, not caring anymore about hiding how hurt I was.

I stayed because I needed answers. I stayed because I couldn't walk away without knowing.

"If you hate me so much, then why?"

I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Why are you sponsoring me?"@@novelbin@@

For the first time, I saw something in his eyes, a hint of surprise.

He hadn't expected me to figure it out.

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"

I asked, anger replacing my sadness.

"You might think I'm stupid, but I'm not that stupid. I'm not that stupid!"

He just stared at me, and I felt my heart pounding, words spilling out before I could stop

them.

"I mean, who would sponsor a nobody like me? No one would, I know that. I always thought it might be you, but now I know. I'm sure it's you. But why?... Why?"

The last word came out like a plea, like I was begging him to give me something, anything to

hold onto.

But he just watched me, that cold mask never changing.

"Is it because of your guilt?"

I spat, the anger boiling over.

"Is that it? Then stop! I don't need your damn feelings!"

With that, I threw the napkin back onto his desk, a symbol of everything he'd put me through,

and I stormed out, slamming the door behind me.

But as I left, as the anger slowly faded, a feeling of emptiness settled in.

I felt like I'd lost something, something I couldn't get back.

I didn't even notice Sofia standing there in the hallway, watching me with wide eyes.

I didn't care. I just needed to get away. Away from him, from everything.

But, deep down, I knew... I couldn't run forever.