All-around teacher at the magic academy

"Is dinner ready yet!" A man's rude voice shattered the tranquility of a dilapidated courtyard. His tone was full of impatience, clearly indicating that he was already growing impatient.

He got drunk again today with some so-called "friends." It's unclear when alcohol became an indispensable companion in his life.

He was deeply addicted and unable to extricate himself. He felt unwell if he didn't drink a few sips every day, as if something was gnawing at his bones.

"Almost there." Amy's voice came from the kitchen, flat and mechanical, as if she had grown accustomed to this routine. There was no anger or resentment in her voice, only a numb obedience.

"F***ing slow!" the man cursed angrily, the alcohol making him even more irritable. His face was flushed red from the alcohol, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Then, his thoughts seemed to drift to something that angered him, his face flushed even more, and he said through gritted teeth, "It's all because of this woman that I've become like this, it's all because of her!"

Thinking of this, the man's anger burned even brighter, and he began to consider that he must find an opportunity to vent his emotions later.

His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force. He had already envisioned the scene in his mind where he would lash out at Amy, all because he was unable to control his anger and frustration under the influence of alcohol.

Amy spent half the day busy in the kitchen, finally bringing out a simple meal. Her face didn't show much expression, only a hint of fatigue.

Seeing the man's drunken, bleary-eyed state, Amy simply stood there quietly, her eyes revealing a complex emotion.

"Such a slowpoke," the man grumbled, taking the food from Amy's hands and slamming it onto the table. His eyes were glazed, but he still spoke to Amy in a commanding tone, "Kneel down!"

After the man finished speaking, he impatiently began to unzip his pants, seemingly eager to release his pent-up desire. Amy's eyes flashed with resistance upon seeing this, but she calmly replied, "There are still dishes to serve, I'll go get them first."

"Hurry up!" the man urged, his voice filled with urgency and impatience.

“Yes, yes, yes,” Amy replied, turning and heading towards the kitchen. Her steps were heavy, each one a silent act of resistance.

Entering the kitchen, Amy saw that there was no extra food on the table, only a few empty bowls and some kitchen utensils. She looked around the shabby kitchen; the cracks in the walls, the peeling paint on the cabinets—everything looked so dilapidated.

Her gaze passed through the window and landed on the dilapidated courtyard outside, where weeds grew rampant and the place was desolate.

Amy fell into deep thought, her mind replaying the man's rude commands and her current life situation.

"Why are you taking so long to bring this!" The man's roar pierced through the kitchen door, interrupting Amy's thoughts. She looked in the direction of the sound, a resolute glint in her eyes. "Coming."

Her voice was calm, but her slightly trembling hands betrayed her inner tension.

The man, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, looked at the bowl Amy was holding. He couldn't see what was inside, only the towel underneath.

His mind wasn't on the food at all; he just wanted to satisfy his desires as quickly as possible. "Put it down now and kneel over here," he commanded, his tone full of impatience.

“Okay,” Amy replied, her voice soft but unusually firm. She carefully placed the bowl on the table. The man didn’t notice anything unusual in the bowl; his attention was completely consumed by alcohol and lust.

Seeing his impatient look, Amy's lips curled into a cold smile. She then swiftly pulled a sharp knife she used for cooking from under the towel and plunged it viciously into the man's neck. The sound of the blade cutting into skin was particularly jarring in the quiet room.

The man was stunned for a moment, seemingly unable to believe what had happened, then he reacted, and anger and pain made him want to shout.

But Amy didn't give him a chance. She pulled out the knife again and stabbed the man hard, once, twice, three times... until the man stopped moving.

The man didn't utter a single word from beginning to end; only blood gushed from his neck and mouth, gradually staining the ground red. His eyes were wide open, filled with disbelief and terror.

Amy trembled involuntarily as she looked at the man. She dropped the knife, the blade making a crisp sound on the floor.

She took two steps back, squatted down, buried her face in her hands, and burst into tears. Her tears were a mixture of fear, despair, and release; all the grievances and pain she had endured over the years poured out at that moment.

She didn't know what she would face next, but she knew that she had finally made a change, and no matter the outcome, she was no longer willing to endure this kind of life.

...

Mary's eyes silently followed Lian and Leon's departing figures, a subtle, complex emotion flashing within them. Her brow furrowed slightly, as if she were struggling with something deep within herself.

Elsa noticed the change in Melly and asked with concern, "What's wrong? You look a little off."

"It's nothing." Mary quickly composed herself, forcing a smile to try and hide her unease. "I'm just a little envious."

She knew she couldn't compare to the woman she had just seen in any way; that woman seemed to have everything, while she herself seemed so ordinary in comparison.

A pang of sorrow welled up in Meili's heart. If she hadn't met her, would she still be able to hold onto those beautiful fantasies instead of facing the stark reality she was in now?

Elsa looked at Melly, then turned to look at the two figures that had disappeared from sight, and sighed softly. She understood Melly's feelings, but didn't know how to comfort her.

"By the way, I remember that was Coach Aiden's first opening match?" Melly tried to change the subject and stop her thoughts from dwelling on that emotion.

“Yes, Teacher Aiden is the first contestant in the opening match,” Elsa replied, also relieved that Melly was able to adjust her emotions. “I just don’t know who my opponent is. In the knockout stage, the identity of the opponent is not revealed before the match begins; the contestants only know their match time.”

...

Aiden took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He knew that as the first player in the opening match, he would be taking the stage under the spotlight, which undoubtedly brought him immense pressure.

But he also knew that this pressure was also a driving force, and he had to give it his all in this atmosphere to win.

"Go for it, Teacher Aiden!" Elsa's encouraging voice came from the audience. Aiden turned around to look at her and the other students from the academy who were also looking on with anticipation.

He smiled and nodded, a warm feeling welling up inside him. He knew he had a reason not to lose, not only for his own honor, but also to live up to the expectations and trust of those who supported and trusted him.

Aiden calmed himself down again and stepped firmly onto the playing field. His steps were steady and his eyes were resolute, but when his gaze fell on his opponent standing opposite him, his heart was stirred.

The opponent's figure walked through the arena's passageway, standing out prominently under the lights. Aiden didn't know how to express his feelings at that moment.