Minh passed the day in good spirits.

  Though he was scolded by the teacher for neglecting his homework and not studying the previous lesson, he hadn’t received a bad mark.

  The teacher gave him a chance to make up for his mistakes.

  Tài was absent today.

  He needed rest to recover his mind and spirit.

  Minh decided not to disturb him, even though he longed to see his friend as soon as possible.

  It was enough to know that Tài was safe now, the burden on Minh’s shoulders had finally lifted.

  When Minh returned home from school, his mother greeted him.

  Minh smiled, already knowing who had left it.

  His mother nodded.

  His mother smiled, her voice softening.

  Minh’s mother didn’t know the truth.

  What Minh wanted to study wasn’t just to help Tài it was because his teacher had given him a second chance to review the lesson and avoid a bad grade.

  Minh didn’t want to miss that chance.

  Minh passed the day studying and learning.

  As usual, he answered calls from his classmates, helping them with their homework problems.

  His parents watched him as he spoke busily into the phone.

  His mother exclaimed.

  His father replied gently.

  His mother nodded, her face softening.

  The next morning, during school, Minh answered all the teachers’ questions with ease and earned good marks.

  His classmates had grown used to this scene, Minh was now a diligent, open-minded student, no longer the cold boy he used to be.

  In just a short time, he had made many friends.

  Yet not everyone liked him.

  It wasn’t hatred, and it wasn’t his fault, some students simply grew jealous of Minh’s sudden popularity.

  During free time at school, Minh went to meet Tài.

  But before he could, a group of big, strong bullies blocked his way.

  One of them sneered.

  “Can you let me pass?”

  Minh asked calmly.

  They laughed and closed in around him.

  Minh shook his head.

  One student shouted, swinging his fist at Minh.

  To Minh, the strike felt slow, nothing compared to the tense battles in the Chaos Realm.

  He dodged with ease.

  Testing his strength, he caught the boy’s hand and bent it backward.

  The student cried out in pain.

  The friendly voice from the Chaos still echoed in Minh’s mind.

  He understood now, the strength of a Messenger had grown within him, even outside the Chaos Realm.

  If he didn’t control himself, he could seriously injure someone.

  Because of that, Minh chose not to fight back.

  He didn’t yet know how strong he truly was.

  From the outside, the other students couldn’t see what was happening inside Minh’s mind.

  To them, it looked as if he was being bullied.

  One student rushed forward to help.

  It was Tài.

  Seeing Minh surrounded, he thought his friend was in trouble.

  With firm resolve, Tài pushed the bullies aside and stepped between them and Minh.

  One of the bullies lunged at Tài, but Minh caught the boy’s hand and forced him to his knees.

  Tài, burning with resolve, prepared to strike the others but Minh’s hand held him back, pressing him down.

  Tài winced in pain, not understanding why Minh stopped him.

  Then Tài saw it.

  With just one hand, Minh had already subdued the bullies.

  One after another, they collapsed onto the schoolyard ground, writhing in pain.

  None of them could stand.

  The supervisors rushed over at the commotion.

  They examined the bullies, surprised to find no real injuries.

  Minh had struck only at crucial points, leaving them temporarily disabled.

  Still, he had used more strength than he realized, the bullies wouldn’t be standing anytime soon.

  At the teachers’ request, Minh carried two of the bullies to the infirmary, while Tài carried the other two.

  The crowd of students who had gathered stared at them wide-eyed, whispering in awe.

  On the way to the infirmary, Minh didn’t wait for Tài’s question.

  Minh said quietly.

  Tài nodded.

  He took a deep breath.

  Minh replied with a faint smile.

  Tài agreed.

  Minh finished his thought.

  Tài nodded again.

  Minh let out a tired chuckle.

  Tài sighed.

  Minh echoed, still smiling.

  Minh and Tài reached the infirmary and carefully laid the bullies onto the beds.

  Soon after, other students arrived carrying the rest.

  The nurse examined them and told the supervisors,

  The supervisor nodded, then turned to Minh and Tài.

  Minh forced a smile.

  “We go to the gym, sir.”

  The supervisor sighed.

  Both Minh and Tài nodded.

  They said before heading out.

  On the way back, Tài leaned closer.

  Minh nodded, but suddenly a sharp pain struck his heart.

  He glanced at Tài and caught his eyes, eyes that carried the same feeling.

  Minh said quietly.

  Tài nodded, his eyes full of questions.

  That night, Minh did not enter the Chaos Realm.

  He had no reason to go, Chaos was only beginning to build, not yet strong enough to form a domain.

  Without a domain, he couldn’t track where it was.

  The next day, with no classes, Minh chose to spend his time with his parents and friends.

  He didn’t study; instead, he wanted to keep the bond with his family and friends strong.

  Morning came, after breakfast, Minh asked his parents for permission to visit Tài’s house, promising he would return in the evening.

  His parents called ahead to Tài’s parents, entrusting Minh to their care, and Tài’s family gladly accepted.

  When Minh arrived, he could see right away that Tài’s family was wealthy.

  His parents had already reminded him to be polite and careful.

  Tài greeted Minh warmly at the door, and his parents welcomed him in as well.

  They were delighted that their son had such a diligent classmate as a friend.

  After a short round of cheerful conversation, Tài’s parents excused themselves, leaving Minh and Tài alone in his room.

  Tài waited a moment before saying,

  But his voice cut off when Minh pulled out his notebook. Minh grinned.

  Tài frowned.

  He hadn’t even taken out his notebook, and for a moment he looked annoyed. Minh noticed his expression and only smiled wider.

  This time, Tài nodded.

  With a sigh, he gathered his books and joined Minh to study.

  Minh finished his homework and then turned his attention to Tài.

  He could see clearly where Tài struggled.

  Instead of pressuring him, Minh offered quiet guidance, helping him complete each exercise, gently correcting mistakes, and keeping the mood light.

  The room filled not with tension but with laughter.

  Minh had a way of making Tài want to finish his homework by his own will, not through force.

  Now and then, Tài’s mother stepped in with water, fruit, and small cakes. Each time, she found her son bent over his books, and the sight filled her with pride.

  By noon, the boys had worked through the entire morning.

  When lunch was ready, Minh and Tài came out together.

  Tài’s mother served Minh a warm and generous meal, treating him with special care.

  Tài’s father, watching them, felt a deep joy.

  He had never seen his son invite a friend over to study before only to play.

  Yet here he was, working hard and even enjoying it, without a single complaint.

  After lunch, Tài’s father spoke up with a smile.

  “You two studied hard this morning.

  Now it’s time to rest.

  Go upstairs and play, relax yourselves, boys.”

  Tài blinked in surprise.

  He had never expected such words from his father, the man who usually pushed him to study without pause.

  For a moment, he had no idea what to say.

  Minh and Tài both thanked his parents politely before heading upstairs.

  Tài’s parents exchanged a pleased look as they watched the boys go.

  Back in Tài’s room, he was still stunned by his parents’ behaviour.

  Tài sat on the edge of his bed, frowning.

  “I… I don’t get it.

  My dad never tells me to relax.

  He always wants me to study more.”

  Minh smiled, leaning against the desk.

  “That’s because your parents just want the best for you.

  When you study hard, they feel proud and they want you to rest.

  But when you don’t study seriously or when you’re unfocused, they push you harder.”

  Tài looked down at his hands.

  “So… all this time, they weren’t just being strict. They were worried about me?”

  “Exactly,”

  Minh said softly.

  “They don’t want to see you waste your potential.

  Today you showed them you can study and still laugh, still enjoy it.

  That’s why they’re happy.”

  Tài lifted his head, his expression easing.

  “I never thought about it like that…”

  Minh chuckled.

  “That’s why you have me, right? To remind you.”

  For the first time in a long while, Tài smiled without hesitation.

  Tài started, “Now it’s time to…”

  “…play,” Minh cut in, and both of them burst out laughing.

  “As promised,”

  Tài grinned,

  “I’ll show you my collection. Now, take a look.”

  Tài opened the cabinet door, revealing a shelf packed with robot figures. He sighed.

  “My mom won’t let me decorate my room with them.

  Haizzz… she makes me hide them in here.”

  “What did she say?”

  Minh asked curiously.

  “She says these things make me lose focus,”

  Tài replied.

  Minh smirked. “

  Then prove her wrong.”

  Tài blinked, eyes wide. “How?”

  “Study hard,”

  Minh said firmly.

  “Get good grades, and promise her you won’t let the robots distract you.”

  Tài thought for a moment, then nodded.

  “So you’ll help me?”

  Minh smiled.

  “Gladly.”

  Minh studied Tài’s collection carefully as Tài proudly described each figure.

  Minh listened in silence until he finally spoke:

  “These guys… they protected you in that realm.

  They shielded your true feelings

  Tài nodded.

  “Yeah. Every time I had nightmares,

  I forced myself to dream of these robots coming to rescue me.

  But in reality… it was you who came

  Minh murmured, almost to himself,

  “So the Chaoscomplex

  Tài just stared at him, waiting.

  He didn't understand a single word of what Minh was saying, but he could feel its weight

  Snapping out of his thoughts, Minh smiled apologetically.

  “Sorry. Let me tell you the whole story.”

  Minh began to tell Tài everything, the story of the Chaos RealmMessengerHis words flowed steadily, weaving images of battles, shadows, and hidden truths.

  Time slipped by without either of them noticing.

  When Minh finally stopped, the room fell into heavy silence

  Tài sat frozen, his mind adrift.

  The sheer weight of the storyIt was as if he couldn’t fully return to reality, still half-lost in the world Minh had just painted for him.

  It was already late, and Minh had to return home.

  Tài walked him to the door, still clouded by confusion, his thoughts tangled with everything he had just heard.

  Before stepping away, Minh looked at him and said softly,

  Tài nodded slowly, his eyes still searching for clarity, and the two parted ways.