Read The Apocalypse King :: Chapter - 6

When Alice and the principal arrived at the infirmary, they found Marcos writhing in pain.

Nurse Beatrice Alcântara was futilely attempting to alleviate his suffering.

Marcos’ cronies were also injured, though none as severely as he was.

Principal Victor Machado froze at the chaotic scene.

— "W-what happened?"

— "Victor! Thank goodness you’re here. It seems they were playing around and fell down the stairs. Marcos and Pedro are seriously hurt. We need an ambulance—now!"

— "R-right..."

Alice recognized every face in that room.

These were the same boys who’d bullied Alan just the day before.

Even seeing them in critical condition, her expression remained cold.

"Fell down the stairs, huh?"

Despite the nurse’s words, Alice sensed a lie.

Still worried, she scanned the room for Alan.

— "Well, Principal... It seems you have another serious matter to handle. I’ll take my leave. We’ll talk later."

— "Huh? O-oh, yes..."

Alice excused herself and hurried through the school corridors toward Alan’s classroom.

Everyone who passed her stopped to stare.

Her beauty was hypnotic, but her reputation as a genius created an invisible barrier that kept others at bay.

Upon arrival, she discreetly peeked through the doorway, searching for Alan.

If he was here, she didn’t want to be noticed.

He’d warned her countless times not to seek him out at school.

And then—her eyes found him.

They sparkled like stars.

Alan sat by the window, lost in thought.

— "..."

Alice’s heart settled, and she finally breathed easy.

— "!?"

But upon closer observation, she noticed something different.

A heavier, more restrained aura clung to him now.

He almost seemed like another person entirely.

"I wish I could just walk over and hug you..."

Yet remembering his strict prohibition against approaching him at school, she puffed her cheeks and pouted faintly.

— "Hey... Isn’t that Alice at the door?"

— "Oh my god, it is her!"

— "What’s she doing here?"

— "I thought she was in Germany!"

Annoyed, Alice turned and stalked away, fuming at Alan.

She didn’t even notice the group of girls admiring her from afar.

Several boys also noted her presence and murmured among themselves.

— "Told you it was her..."

— "Who could she be looking for?"

— "Who’s lucky enough to make the goddess descend to us mere mortals?"

— "She’s even more stunning up close..."

Unbeknownst to her, Alice never went unnoticed.

It was rare to see her at school.

When she wasn’t traveling, she spent her days buried in studies, scarcely ever seen in the halls.

— "What are you doing here?"

A familiar voice halted her steps.

— "..."

She turned.

Her cute, sulky expression hardened instantly upon seeing who it was.

— "None of your business."

Her tone was icy.

— "Pretty rude for someone so ‘well-mannered.’"

— "What do you want, Apollo?"

He smirked, relaxed.

— "Like I said. Wondering why you’re here."

— "..."

— "If you came for that trash, just know our parents found out ab—"

— "Of course they did. You tell them everything. And to answer your question: no. I was speaking with the principal. Unless you’ve forgotten, this hallway leads to my classroom too."

— "...Don’t embarrass us by associating with that garbage. The mere thought of his existence disgusts me... I don’t get why you’re so obsessed with him."

— "Hmm..."

Alice smiled.

Something amusing crossed her mind.

— "??"

She leaned in and whispered in Apollo’s ear: "Because I don’t love him as a sister..."

His eyes bulged in disbelief.

Alice held his gaze.

He took a step back.

— "...??"

She smirked and turned away.

— "Kidding. You believe everything I say. Wow..."

— "Hey—wait!"

— "Sorry. In a bit of a hurry."

— "Alice?!"

Apollo clicked his tongue, irritated.

He loved his sister.

They were twins, after all.

In theory, they were one.

But when it came to Alan, she could drive him mad.

— "Is she insane? What kind of joke was that...?"

Alice bounded excitedly into her classroom.

She sneaked up behind a short-haired, bespectacled girl reading a book and hugged her from behind.

— "Palominha... Can you cover for me this weekend?"

— "Weekend...?"

— "Mhmm!"

Alice grinned, flashing her teeth.

— "Weekend...? You’re gonna get me in trouble with your parents again, aren’t you?"

— "Hmm... Pleeease...? I promise I’ll never ask for anything again!"

Alice pouted.

— "You’ve said that many times..."

— "This time I mean it..."

— "You’ve said that too..."

— "Pleeease...?"

She gripped her friend’s shoulders from behind and shook her.

— "This time’s important..."

— "What’re you planning this time?"

Alice pulled up a chair and sat facing Paloma.

After checking that no one was nearby, she whispered: "Alan asked me to spend the weekend with him..."

Her voice trembled with barely contained joy as she bounced in her seat.

— "You always ask me to cover for you to see your brother... Why do I even ask?"

— "But this is different! He never asks me for anything! I mean... the only thing he’s ever asked was for me to stay away after what happened with Yeda..."

Alice slammed both hands on the desk.

— "That slut! AAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Her shout drew stares, but she didn’t care.

— "..."

She crossed her arms, fuming at the memory.

— "Anyway... This is the first time Alan’s asked me to stay with him..."

Paloma raised an eyebrow, deadpan.

— "The way you talk about your brother is really sus... and weird."

— "Hmph!"

Alice turned away, pouting.

— "Whatever. What can I do? You’re the genius here. Who am I to judge..."

— "Aaaaaaah!"