Chapter 1
Loki’s routine made no sense. Thor had noticed it weeks ago, but now he couldn’t ignore it anymore. Day after day, his younger brother vanished after class, heading to room 203 no matter how indifferent or exasperated he seemed during the day. It was almost automatic.
Loki didn’t say much about it. He always answered with sarcasm, mocking Thor for worrying too much. "What do you think is happening there, brother? Selling my soul or something?" he had quipped last time before disappearing once again behind the classroom door.
But Thor had heard things. Rumors. Whispers in the hallways. The Grandmaster, En Dwi Gast, wasn’t like other teachers. Everyone knew that. His way of dealing with "problematic" students was far from conventional, and it didn’t surprise anyone that there were murmurs of favoritism, questionable intentions, and a level of control that felt uncomfortably personal.
Thor decided he’d had enough. That afternoon, he followed him.
Keeping a careful distance, Thor watched as Loki walked into the classroom with the same annoyed expression he always wore. Once the door clicked shut behind him, Thor edged closer, staying against the wall. The door had a small glass panel—just enough for him to peek inside without being seen.
En Dwi was perched on the edge of his desk, arms crossed and smiling in a way that seemed kind but had an undercurrent Thor couldn’t place. Loki stood in front of him, hands in his pockets and a posture that screamed resistance.
“You’re late,” En Dwi said, his voice calm, almost sweet.
“Maybe you should get used to it,” Loki shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
En Dwi chuckled softly, as if the reply was exactly what he expected. “Always so charming, aren’t you? Come closer, Loki. I don’t bite... unless asked.”
Thor’s breath caught in his throat. What kind of comment was that? Loki, however, seemed unfazed. He took a step forward but kept his distance, crossing his arms and glaring at En Dwi with disdain.
“And now what?” Loki asked. “Another speech about my wasted potential? Or are you just going to keep making weird comments until I get bored and leave?”
En Dwi shook his head, his smile unwavering. “Loki, Loki... always in such a rush. All I want is to help you relax, let that wall of yours down a little.”
He stepped closer, closing the distance. Loki didn’t back away, but his posture stiffened, something Thor could see clearly from his vantage point.
“You need to learn to trust more, you know? Not everyone’s out to get you,” En Dwi continued, his voice soft, almost a whisper. “Some of us just want to… get to know you better.”
Loki frowned but didn’t respond. En Dwi raised a hand, placing it on Loki’s shoulder with a gesture that seemed casual but lingered a beat too long.
“Relax,” he murmured, leaning in slightly. “You’re too tense. What’s got you so on edge? Your brother snooping around? Or what you might enjoy if you just let go?”
Thor’s blood boiled, but he forced himself to stay put. If he barged in now, it would end in a confrontation with no answers. He needed to know more, to understand exactly what was happening.
En Dwi lowered his hand slowly but didn’t step back. His smile remained kind, yet there was something in his eyes that made Thor want to kick the door down. Loki stood frozen, as if weighing every word, every move.
“See? It’s not so hard,” En Dwi murmured, his voice barely audible to Thor. “Just a little trust. Is that too much to ask?”
Thor clenched his fists. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold back, but he needed to be smart. This wasn’t the moment to act recklessly.
Carefully, he backed away from the door, his mind racing with questions and his chest tight with anger and worry. Whatever this was, it wasn’t normal. And whatever was happening, he wasn’t about to let it continue.