Zai remained standing in the middle of the academy's field as she listens to the distant sound of footsteps. Her eyes remained closed as her hair softly swayed with the wind. Eighty.. no. She opened her eyes and saw the knights that is coming to her direction. The side of her lips lifted. A hundred.

The knights immediately surrounded her. Nanatili siyang nakatayo roon at diretso ang tingin habang hawak ang kaniyang espada sa gilid. All eyes are glaring at her, also gritting their teeth. Ngunit hindi ito binigyang pansin ng dalaga at pinagmasdan lamang ang lalaking nakatitig rin sa kaniya. She glanced at the badge on his chest. A colonel.

"Zaivrin Hevrion," Finlan's deep voice showed his authority, "You're aware of your crime and punishment, are you not?"

Zai answered, "I'm aware of what I did but colonel," she faked a smile, "You haven't been given an order to execute me, correct? You're moving on your own accord, without any support from the government."

Finlan answered, "Don't worry. On the way here, I have received permission from Mr. Arnock, the head of the council. You must be sentenced to death," his gaze sharpened, "And it seems you won't hand your head over to us on your own."

Zai smirked, "Who would?"

Finlan clenched his teeth, "You sense no guilt at all. Do you know how many perished with your stupidity?"

"And no f*ck was given," Zai retorted that made Finlan furrow his forehead. Her smirk didn't disappear, "Let me ask you, colonel. Can you really see this world's flaws?"

Finlan was confused. Zai chuckled with his reaction, "Not at all, I see. You're no good," Zai slowly raised her sword at dahil do'n ay mas lalong naging alerto ang mga kawal na nakapalibot sa kaniya. Itinututok niya ang kaniyang espada sa direksyon ng lalaki, "I was kind enough to fix this boring world. I served as your reminder," her eyes widened as her smirk gets wider, "I'll remind you that the human species are weak. You're nothing but animals too. Have you seen the students that this academy is so proud of? They're trash, aren't they? Running around, forgetting their responsibilities, and evacuating along with the citizens because they think that they're still young, it is still not their duty. They're unworthy of badges, just like the alumni who managed to graduate even though they're just some third-rate extras."

Ang mga nakarinig nito ay humigpit ang kapit sa hawak nilang mga sandata. One mumbled, "Don't underestimate us."

"Repeat it," he jerked up when the girl suddenly spoke to him without looking at his direction. Zai's sharp eyes gave him a sideways glance, "Repeat it, I said." ngunit hindi na nakapagsalita ang kawal habang ang kaniyang mga kamay ay bahagyang nanginginig. Zai looked back at Finlan, "See? You all don't know how to filter out the trashes."

Zai thrust her sword into the ground. "Can you tell me, colonel? Why are the students so useless?" it wasn't a question that really needed an answer from him. Zai's cold eyes stared into his eyes, "It's because they don't know what 'terror' actually means," she smirked, "That's why I'm showing it to the next generation. They shouldn't copy their useless seniors', correct? I'm showing them what will happen if you are weak. Those corpses should be grateful that they finally did something good, serving as examples that is," she scoffed. The knights gritted their teeth in anger and loathe.

Her cold expression eventually returned and she tapped her finger on the bottom of her sword's hilt. "You old ones should also learn how to discipline the younger ones. Look at what happened to them, they look like some spoiled brats who only wants to enter this prestigious school for fame and credits. Dreaming for a handsome prince to bump into in the hallway and showing off their money just to boast. This academy is not producing some well-educated knights, its producing garbages. I advice you demolish this worthless school as well."

Zai smirked, "None of you deserve those badges you're wearing," she pulled out a dagger from the strap on her thigh then she held it in front of her face, "Let me show you. What a high quality is.."

The knights gritted their teeth in irritation. Sumigaw ang mga ito at sabay-sabay na umatake sa dalaga. Finlan's eyes widened, "Wait!" ngunit huli na noong bigla na lamang tumalsik ang mga ito. A strong force came from Zai's spot, causing for their bodies to flew.

Zai's eyes look around at mabilis siyang nawala sa kaniyang pwesto. A knight's eyes widen as he stare below. Zai swung her dagger upwards and its tip touched the man's cheek. She then spun her body and landed a straight kick on his abdomen, dahilan para tumalsik ito at tumama ang kaniyang katawan sa mga pasugod na kawal.

Mabilis siyang tumalon pataas noong may kawal na nagwasiwas ng espada nito mula sa kaniyang likod. The man's eyes widen and he looked up but the moment he did, Zai's foot landed on his face. She bent her knee and she jumped up.

She spun her body and landed a heavy kick on a soldier's head. She hooked her foot on his neck and she twisted her waist to put all her weight on that certain foot, making his head drop on the ground in haste. Lumapag ang dalawa niyang paa sa lupa ngunit mabilis agad siyang umatake sa sundalong malapit sa kaniya.

She deflected his sword upwards and she spun her body. Making her back face his front as she stab her dagger on the side of his waist. The man yelled because of the pain but Zai ignored it and pulled her dagger out.

She moved her face to the side when a dagger came flying to her direction. She bit the dagger's hilt while it's still midair then she threw it back to the owner by letting it go and kicking it in the midst of its fall.

Dumating ang isang kawal sa kaniyang likod at ikinulong nito ang kaniyang ulo gamit ang malalaking braso nito. Zai clicked her tongue and stabbed his side, dahilan para lumuwag ang hawak nito. She hit the man's nose with the back of her head then she ducked. Dahil do'n ay sa lalaki tumama ang malaking martilyo na dapat ay tatama sa kaniyang mukha.

The man with the hammer clenched his teeth as he look down at her. Zai smirked and cut his side with the dagger she's holding. She also swept his foot off the ground, causing for him to kneel on one knee. The man squawked when Zai hit the top of his head with her elbow.

She glanced sideways and saw a scythe coming at her direction. Malakas itong winasiwas ng kawal sa kaniya but she jumped away kaya naman ay tumarak ito sa lupa. Her feet landed on the scythe's pole and she ran to the holder, she turned her body once before landing a back kick on the guy's face.

Mabilis siyang tumalon, dahil do'n ay naiwasan niya ang palakol na dapat ay tatama sa kaniya. Her body is upside down after rotating her body midair, the dagger is between her lips. She put her hand on the axe owner's head before grabbing his hair and shifting her weight. She draw her feet back before pulling her body down with it by swinging down. Her body slid between the man's legs as her hand still hold his hair. The man landed on his head at mabilis namang tumayo si Zai at kinuha ang kutsilyong nasa pagitan ng kaniyang labi upang ibato ito sa kawal na patungo sa kaniyang direksyon.

She grabbed the hilt of her sword and removed it from the ground. She immediately swung it and faced one soldier after another. Going through the spaces and slicing them as she do so.

It was a one man army. She faced them all alone with major injuries all over her body. With an unable left arm, a right hand with a hole, the side of the abdomen that is bleeding so much because of huge wounds left by a blade, and some multiple organ damages. It's unbelievable that she can still move like that without any second delayed.

Finlan clenched his jaw. The dozens of soldiers looked so helpless in front of one injured girl. It's so shameful.

"Shouldn't we do something too?!" Shane exclaimed as they stand on the rooftop. Ero brought him along with them when they saw him walking in daze. Shane's expression showed concern and fear, "She'll die if this continue!"

"Shane," Shane looked at Trois' direction when he suddenly talked, "Zai doesn't want us to interfere."

Maski sila ay nalilito. Walang sinabi si Zai sa kanilang ganitong plano. What she did was truly unexpected for them. Zai just killed thousands of lives without even raising a blade. She never gave them signs about this occurrence. Hindi nila alam kung ano ba ang tamang emosyon na dapat nilang maramdaman.

Ero glanced at Bonzo and Trois. He squinted his eyes. Those two are suspicious. He could understand that Trois can anticipate a scenario like this but Bonzo? He's not sure why the guy is acting as if he knew this would happen.

They all stared at the girl who kept on fighting all those soldiers. They have a hunch on why she's doing this as they stare at Zai's eyes. Unlike usual, her eyes are more determined and serious. Zai is a reasonable person, they know that. But is taking hundreds of innocent lives necessary?

Ezio puffed on his cigarette as he sits on the edge of the slant roof of the academy's clock tower. His sharp red eyes continued watching the scene below him.

The girl's moves are random. She has a flexible body that goes along with her fighting style. She also has agility, speed, and power. Ezio chuckled, "Is she a monster? Can't believe she's still breathing. Yan really picked up one weird dog."

Many says that Ezio has a peculiar personality. Despite being a king, he's not ashamed to display his vices to anyone. He's always lax and yet he's intimidating as well. In a young age of 24, he looks like a bored old man, always wearing a lazy expression. Only thinking of cigarettes and women when he's not sitting on the throne.

"Hmm.. she has nice legs. It's a shame that she's not taking care of them at all."

Ezio Icarus is a handful. He is. But no one could really complain because he has never failed. He has done no failure despite his lax attitude. But what most of them are afraid about.. is the fact that they don't know what he's thinking.

He stood up and put his hands inside the pockets of his pants, "Now then," a small grin appeared on his lips, "It's time to wrap things up."

Rui's and Claysen's eyes winced when a blade went through the right side of Zai's chest. She punched the culprit straight in the face, causing for his body to bounce off the ground multiple times after blasting away. She didn't remove the blade because of lack of time. The soldiers didn't give her a single second to rest.

Rui clenched his hands as he bite the flesh behind his lips. He's also confused and he is indeed quite irritated because many slaves also lost their lives. It was a horrible sight for him to see. Zai did something horrible but he can't ignore the pain he's filling whenever she gets new wounds. He's still worried.

His eyes widen when another blade went through Zai's stomach. However, the girl kept on fighting. Sinbad clenched his teeth and he took a step forward but Ero held his shoulder, "Endure it."

Sinbad removed his hand. He was about to jump off the roof but Asta grabbed the back of his collar and pulled him. His back landed on the floor. Asta looked down at him, "Cool your head, your highness. Do not forget that you are still the heir of your nation. You know what would happen to those people who would interrupt a death penalty."

Nagsalita naman si Ero habang nanatili ang kaniyang tingin sa baba, "Don't make things any worse, Sinbad. You currently have no title of any sort. If you walk in there, regardless of your family name, you'll be sentenced to death as well," Ero was already gripping the hilt of his sword tightly but it tightened even more that it's beginning to tremble as he look down at the girl's state. "Bear with it."

Their eyes widen when arrows suddenly flew to the girl. It hit many spots. Her shoulders, chest, abdomen, and her thighs. She groaned and she became unable to move. Kinuha iyong oportunidad ng mga kawal at isang sibat ang lumusot mula sa likod ng dalaga. A dagger dug into her thigh and a sword at her right shoulder. Blood colored her body as she weakly stand.

The knights stopped attacking when Finlan raised his hand. Natahimik ang buong lugar habang sila'y alerto pa rin para sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari. Naging tahimik ang dalaga habang nakababa ang ulo nito.

Her grip loosened, causing for her bloody sword to thrust into the soil.

Asta silently walked pass Ero and the others. Hinayaan lamang nila ito. She jumped off the roof and the knights were startled when she created a loud thud after landing on the ground. They immediately recognized the woman. She is also one of Arnock's men.

Asta walked to the girl's place. The soldiers are making way for her. Zai slowly raised her bloody face but before she could even look at Asta with her almost lifeless eyes, a punch landed on her cheek. Her face tilted to the side because of the blow. Asta grabbed her collar and pulled her. Bahagya pang tumaas ang paa ng dalaga mula sa lupa dahil sa tangkad ng babae.

Asta's eyes narrowed in irritation but her concern also glistened, "What the f*ck are you trying to do on your own? You're just a teenage brat," she clenched her teeth, "You're quite full of yourself, aren't you?"

Asta was surprised when the girl suddenly pushed her away. They both stumbled back and even though Zai has so many weapons digging into her flesh, she never groaned nor showed any signs of pain.

Her gray eyes glanced sideways, at the clock tower where she has been sensing his presence. Her eyes sharpened as a small smirk appear on her lips. What a cunning man he is.

She gazed back at the soldiers that are still surrounding her and she grinned. Her eyes are wincing, just to keep herself awake for a few more seconds. Her breathing is getting deeper and deeper. Her eyesight is too blurry for her to see their expression but she can sense their fear just by reading the atmosphere.

Rui's and Claysen's eyes showed concern when Zai glanced at their direction for a moment. She then slowly shifted her gaze to Shane's spot. Shane's eyes widen when Zai gave him a meaningful look. A small smile appeared on her lips before she lowered her gaze again. Shane pursed his lips and he clenched his both hands. Alright... I understand, Zai.

Zai smirked as she grab her sword and removed it from the ground. The soldiers took their stance and pointed their weapons at her without sparing a second. Zai slowly lifted the sword while she's holding it like an ice pick. "You will never forget.." her eyes widen in thrill then she thrust the sword's blade into the soil in front of her, in the middle of the academy's field, ".. my existence."

Zai's head hanged down after she said those words. Her hand is still holding the sword's hilt while she's kneeling in front of it. Naging tahimik ang buong lugar. Tanging paggalaw lamang ng mga dahon ang nagpupuna sa katahimikang bumabalot sa paligid. Asta's eyes winced and she pursed her lips. Ero and the others remained quiet as they look below.

The soldiers eased up when Zai didn't move an inch for a few minutes. Finlan stared at the girl. The way it ended was somewhat calming. All throughout the fight, she has never showed any killing intent at all. She never brought out her hundred percent. He looked around and he squinted his eyes. No one died.

He returned his gaze to Zai. Just what did she intend to do?

"Oi, oi. Don't just stand around like some idiots," the knights' eyes widen when they heard a familiar voice. Tumingin sila sa isang direksyon at nakita ang isang lalaking may pilak na buhok na naglalakad patungo sa kanila habang ang mga kamay nito ay nasa loob ng kaniyang mga bulsa. He smirked as he remove the cigarette from his lips with his fingers, "She'll die if you won't do something. That would be a waste."

Finlan bowed his head, "Yes, but Sire, she has been sentenced to death for killi--"

"Can't you understand me, colonel?" Finlan's eyes widen and he straightened his back when Ezio's voice has a hint of amusement. Ezio shook his head as he click his tongue multiple times, "You don't know how to take an opportunity, do you?"

Finlan stuttered, "W-What do you mean, Sir?"

Ezio slyly smiled and he pointed at Zai with his cig, "That girl," his mischievous gaze darted to him, "She can be a national weapon."

Asta's and the others' eyes widen with what they heard. Walang pagdadalawang-isip ay iniluhod nila ang kanilang isang tuhod sa harapan ng hari. The soldiers were startled with their sudden appearance. Seryoso ang ekspresyong suot ng mga ito habang sila'y nakatingin sa lupa at ang kanilang kanang kamao ay nakalapat din dito.

Ero spoke first, "With all due respect, your highness. Please change your decision."

Ezio hummed, "Why would I do that?" he puffed on his cigarette.

They couldn't answer. Wala silang masagot dito. Hindi nila pwedeng idahilan ang binuong alyansa ni Zai sa iba't ibang bansa para sa labanang ito. Wala silang masabing magandang dahilan. Isang kriminal si Zai at pinatunayan niya 'yon sa ginawa nitong malaking kasalanan sa buong bansa.

Wala silang karapatang sumbatan ang hari sa desisyong nais niyang gawin. Ezio chuckled and he crouched down. Ang isang braso nito ay nakapatong sa kaniyang tuhod habang ang isa niyang siko ay nakatungkod sa kabila.

"Hey," he called. They didn't lift their gazes. Ezio tilted his head and he whispered with a sly smile, "You think she didn't predict this to happen? She knows, y'know."

Nanlaki ang kanilang mga mata sa narinig at kanilang itinaas ang kanilang tingin. Ezio smiled, "You'll all be in my care from now on."