Laughter and chatter filled the hallway as Section E returned from the meeting, but the moment they stepped inside their classroom, the world stopped.

Ava was on the floor.

Curled up, clutching her stomach, her face twisted in pain. Bruises already bloomed across her arms, and a cut on her lip dripped crimson onto the tiled floor.

For a second, there was only silence.

Then—

"Ava!" Jae was the first to move, practically sprinting to her side. He dropped to his knees, hands hovering over her, his entire body rigid with fury.

Minho knelt beside her, voice shaking. "What happened?! Who did this?!"

Ava winced, breathing ragged. "Section D... They—"

Eli clenched his fists. "Who told them to touch you?"

Kai’s eyes darkened. "Let me guess... Section A."

Lily covered her mouth, horror etched in her face. "Oh my god... Ava, we should take you to the infirmary—"

Ava tried to sit up, but Jae gently pushed her back down. "Don’t. Move."

His voice was deadly calm.

But his hands were shaking.

Ava managed a weak smile. "I’ve had worse."

Jae’s jaw clenched so hard it looked like it might shatter. "That’s not the point. They touched you."

Eli ran a hand through his hair, trying to stay calm. "Who exactly did this?"

Ava exhaled shakily. "A group of them. They caught me alone. Said Section A told them to ‘put me in my place.’"

The room went silent.

A dangerous, suffocating silence.

Then Jae stood up.

And Section E knew.

This wasn’t over.

It was just beginning.