The Cursed: Legend of Neil

Episode One-Part VII: Enough!(I)

Delia watched blankly, her face calm as ever, though the faintest shift in her tone betrayed something deeper.

"Why would he risk his life for him?" she whispered under her breath, more to herself than to anyone in the room.

Even Professor Hiro, who had seen countless battles and many gifted students throughout the years, found himself pausing in disbelief. His brows furrowed, his lips curling into a half-smile as he leaned slightly forward, watching Neil closely.

"It's been a while since I have last seen this kind of selfless act," Hiro murmured softly. From his vantage point above, he studied Neil as if he were reading an old script being played out again. "Neil Randolf… you will be a bright student."

On the floor, Sandy’s body quivered as he held Neil in his arms. His grip was tight, trembling not just from exhaustion but from shock. He couldn’t shake the sight of the snow shurikens still embedded in Neil’s back, blood slowly staining his shirt. Rage boiled up inside him, sharp and uncontrollable. His chest heaved, and with a yell that shook the hall, his body erupted with power. A sphere of lightning blasted outward, wild and raw, spreading faster than even Delia could anticipate.

Too fast.

Delia’s eyes widened for the briefest second. "ICE WALLS," she whispered, her voice as steady as ever.

From the ground, walls of ice rose high, glistening, jagged, like crystal towers springing up in desperation. Yet even they couldn’t withstand the violent surge of Sandy’s lightning sphere. The walls cracked almost instantly, breaking apart into frozen shards before the current ripped through them. The force slammed into Delia, shoving her backward across the floor.

Then silence.

Only the faint buzz of electricity still lingered in the air, and the shallow sound of Neil’s breathing. Sandy stayed crouched, his arms locked firmly around Neil, refusing to let him fall. His lips trembled as he finally spoke.

"Why didn’t you warn me?" His voice cracked, heavy with guilt.

Neil’s reply was faint, almost drowned out by the ringing in Sandy’s ears. "Because you never listened."

Sandy forced a bitter laugh, his eyes tightening as he shifted Neil’s weight and lifted him more securely by crossing his arm over his shoulder. "Well, you should know by now… I’m stubborn when it comes to fighting."

They were about to leave the ruined hall when movement drew Neil’s attention. Delia was standing again. Her expression remained blank, but her eyes—those pale blue eyes—now shimmered with something fierce, something close to anger. She began to peel the gloves off her hands, and with every movement, the temperature in the room dropped.

Her transformation was immediate. Her eyes turned brighter, glowing like frozen sapphires. Her once-dark hair now shimmered into an icy blue, each strand glittering under the fractured lights of the hall. Frost spread uncontrollably from her body, crawling over the ground, the walls, even the broken pillars, consuming everything it touched. The air itself bit at the skin, sharp and merciless. The gloves had been restraining her true strength all along.

Neil’s heart sank. He groaned, glancing toward Sandy, only to realize Sandy was already moving. Something about him had shifted too. His eyes had turned silvery-white, gleaming like the full moon. Lightning armor now coated his body, crackling around his arms and shoulders. The air trembled between them as both stared at each other, two forces of nature colliding with nothing but their wills.

Like two hungry dogs about to fight over the same piece of meat.

Neil gritted his teeth, dragging his battered body across the floor until he reached Jade, who still hadn’t regained her strength fully. He gently lifted her up, helping her lean against the wall.

"Are you here to finish me off?" Jade asked weakly, her voice trembling with fear and exhaustion.

"Nope," Neil answered calmly, easing her into a sitting position before lowering himself beside her. His body screamed in protest, but he ignored it.

"Just want to let you know I have nothing against you," he continued, his tone soft but firm. "Besides… we’re classmates after all. It was supposed to be a spar. But now… I don’t even know what to call this."

"Aura farming?" Jade let out a shaky laugh despite her pain.

Neil couldn’t help but smile at her words. And in that small smile, Jade felt something stir within her chest. A warmth that had nothing to do with fire or lightning. A soft tingle spread across her cheeks, and she pressed her lips together, flustered.

"He is cute," she thought, her heart fluttering unexpectedly. "I didn’t know it was even more than that."

Across the hall, Sandy bolted toward Delia with raw determination. This time, Delia didn’t stand still. She moved too, leaping into the air, her icy hair trailing behind her like a comet. Both of them had made up their minds—their next clash would be the end.

But just as their powers were about to collide—

"That’s enough for now," Professor Hiro’s voice boomed.

He stepped forward, placing himself directly between them. Despite the overwhelming powers crashing around him, he didn’t flinch. He didn’t even raise his guard. Yet there was an awkward tension in the sight—one man, standing between two forces that could tear the academy down.

Neither Sandy nor Delia slowed. Both still lunged forward, fists cocked, powers raging. Hiro’s eyes narrowed, and suddenly, an invisible sphere of energy erupted from him.

The entire room shifted.

Delia’s ice storm vanished in an instant, her transformation unraveling like it had never existed. Sandy’s lightning god mode dissolved, his armor flickering out of sight, leaving only his ragged breath. Even Neil blinked in disbelief as the pain in his head dulled sharply, the torment in his body fading like a dream.

"Now that’s strange," Neil whispered, rubbing his temple.

"That’s Professor Hiro’s powers," Jade explained softly.

Neil turned sharply to her. "Huh? What power is that?"

"I myself haven’t figured it out yet," Jade admitted, her face serious. "Each time he does it, it neutralizes the powers of any gifted around him, making them… human. Just like that."

"I see…" Neil muttered, a chill crawling down his spine. "No wonder."

"No wonder what?" Jade asked, raising a brow.

"Huh? Oh—nothing," Neil replied quickly, avoiding her gaze.

Still, his thoughts raced. Did he neutralize my gift just now? That’s… a powerful ability. This school really is filled with monsters. No wonder Dad agreed when Aunt recommended it. This school is bad ass.

Professor Hiro caught both fists mid-air effortlessly, pushing them aside before placing a firm hand on each of their shoulders. He pushed them apart like stubborn children. Both landed on their feet, panting hard, glaring at each other in silence. Hiro studied Sandy first, then Delia. Finally, he turned fully toward Delia, giving her a look no one else could decipher.