Someone is Jealous?

"Have I seen him before?" Alexander muttered to himself, a frown etching across his brow. He pondered over the nagging sense of familiarity he felt towards the man standing a few feet away.

As he delved deeper into his memories, the vivid recollection of yesterday's brutal fight surged back to the forefront of his mind. In that moment of clarity, he realized that this was Eli, the very individual he had been fervently searching for.

Meanwhile, Eli's thoughts raced, 'Isn't that him?' The memory of how tirelessly he had searched for this particular brat who had hurt Marie was still fresh.

Now, standing face to face with him, he felt a whirlwind of emotions that he struggled to suppress.

As Eli made a move to leave, attempting to shake off the unwanted thoughts clouding his mind, Alexander swiftly caught his hand. With a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, Alexander said, "I would like some alone time."

".... If you want to be alone, go over there," Eli replied curtly, pointing towards an empty corner of the room.

Veins throbbed on Alexander's forehead, his frustration barely contained. "With you.... Mr. Eli," he insisted through gritted teeth.

"Alex, what are you doing?" Marie interjected, her face a mask of confusion and irritation as she watched Alexander interrupt her conversation.

"Nothing, just a simple talk with the man who topped the exam yesterday," Alexander replied nonchalantly, though his eyes were sharp as he pulled Eli towards the corner.

"Now then, I'd like to know what you got from the gift you received yesterday," Alexander inquired directly, his tone leaving no room for evasion.

"Gift? No, I didn't receive anything," Eli said, shaking his head.

His mind raced with only one question, 'Does he really not know who I am?' he wondered, eyeing Alexander cautiously.

Alexander's lips twitched with barely concealed irritation. He could tell Eli was withholding information. Taking in Eli's attire, Alexander thought disdainfully, 'Just a country bumpkin. If I threw a few coins his way, he'd be wagging his tail just like the others.'

"Come on, man. I just want to know what you got. If you want," Alexander began, rubbing his hands together in a mock display of eagerness, "I will give it to you," he added, letting his gaze travel slowly over Eli.

".... Is that so?"

"Yes," Alexander smirked, 'See? Everyone's a beggar for money,' he thought triumphantly.

However,

"But I don't have the gift," Eli said firmly, stepping back. He felt a surge of anger and knew he might punch Alexander if he stayed any longer.

"YOU F--" Alexander bit back his curse as everyone's eyes turned towards him. Forcing a smile, he said, "He's a great guy... for a soulless," as his body emitted the MC's Holo.

Those nearby frowned at Eli, but he simply shrugged and waited inside the stadium for further instructions.

Marie, wanting to speak to him, was interrupted when,

"Eli!" A fox girl in disguise appeared, making Marie's lips twitch in irritation.

"Cake!" Eli greeted her warmly, waving. Amber blushed deeply, sneering at him like a playful fox before retorting, "My name is Amber, you idiot!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Eli smiled and patted her on the head before asking, "Did you pass?"

Though Amber rolled her eyes at his affectionate gesture, she replied with a proud smirk, "Of course, who do you think I am?"

"A cute fox," Eli responded, grinning.

Hearing that, Amber's face turned a deeper shade of red, and she sneered, "Pervert!!"

"Ahem," a voice interrupted.

Amber turned to see Marie glaring at her, "What?" she snapped.

"... Nothing," Marie replied, annoyed, then turned her attention back to Eli, "Ash, just listen to me. If we talk, everything will--"

"Ash? Who? His name is Eli," Amber cut in, frowning at Marie for pestering Eli, who now looked thoroughly annoyed.

Marie shot a withering glare at Amber, who simply snorted and said, "Let's go, Eli. The examiners are about to arrive." Eli followed Amber without hesitation.

"H-Hey!!" Marie shouted, but Eli didn't spare her a glance. She bit her lip in frustration, seeing Amber clinging to Eli's arm so closely.

Alexander, observing the scene, was stunned to see Amber hanging onto Eli and even more shocked when he heard Marie call him Ash,

'Fuck! Isn't that bastard supposed to be dead? Why is he still alive? and He stole the fox!' Alexander's mind reeled, struggling to make sense of the situation, especially when he saw the sadness on Marie's face, 'Fuck! She's still into him!'

'I need to kill him! I cannot allow him to enter the Academy,' Alexander thought darkly, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint.

Finally, the trio of examiners appeared before everyone.

Falcone stepped forward and announced, "Those who passed will receive classroom details, dorm assignments, clothes, and all other necessary information," motioning towards a small camp set up near the stadium.

Everyone nodded and was about to move when,

"We cannot believe you let a soulless pass the exam!" Someone shouted from the crowd.... It was, of course, Alexander, utilizing his protagonist halo to incite the crowd.

Those near Alexander, influenced by his charisma, joined in the shouting.

"Yeah, you guys passed a soulless!"

"How could a soulless pass the exam while I didn't?"

"You must be favouring a soulless!"

The trio's faces turned grim.

They had anticipated this reaction, but the Headmaster had insisted they accept the soulless. Though they had been initially opposed, they complied with the Headmaster's directive. As the participants' shouts grew louder, the trio chuckled inwardly, as if they had been waiting for this exact moment.

Alexander sneered, pleased with the chaos he had sown, while Amber and Marie frowned in concern.

The Headmaster would now have to address the issue directly. Just as they were about to call him,

"Silence!" Rock's authoritative voice cut through the noise. His command was enough to restore order instantly.

The trio of examiners clicked their tongues in annoyance.

Rock ignored their irritation and addressed the participants. "Are you questioning the selection process of the prestigious Nexus Academy? If so, why don't we re-examine everyone who passed the first round?"

Hearing this, most people's eyes widened in surprise and fear. Those who had passed quickly moved to collect their details as they knew who they entered, while the failed participants continued to cause a commotion.

Rock ordered the guards to remove the troublemakers.

Alexander gritted his teeth, seeing his plans unravel. Realizing he would need to handle the situation himself, he plotted his next move.

Rock then called Eli into a separate room and said, "You are not attending the Academy."

"... What?"