The air as foul as usual and the streets silent, Kuro and Hugo walked along the stone path. When they reached a gate, their peers were entering it. Although each and every student wore the same uniform, the difference in background was clear from the condition of the uniform. Some students, Hugo and Kuro for example, wore uniforms that looked almost brand new, while some wore uniforms that were torn, permanently stained or even homemade. But at Callista Academia, background never mattered; what mattered most was your performance.
Kuro walked alongside his acquaintance as they reached their classroom.
"So you think we'll run into him?"
Hugo scratched the back of his head, unsure of his response. "He was wearing our uniform, so yeah, I think we will. Plus, he's about the same age as us, he might even be in the same class."
Hugo opened the door to see the boy from yesterday, his collar in the hands of a tall young man. Yes, he was definitely a man, that much was certain, his shoulders broad and muscles tightening his white shirt. No one seemed to care; some pretended nothing was going on some gave the boy pitty but lacked the courage to and and some found the scene hilarious.
"You agreed that you would write my paper! Now where the hell is it?!" boomed the buff young man, tightening his grip on the boy's collar.
The boy laughed.
"I only agreed because you wouldn't shut up and leave me alone. Honestly, dealing with you idiots is such a pain. Why even attend this school if you can't even write a simple paper on your own?"
The muscular student could not believe what he was hearing. Where the hell was this slim weakling getting all his confidence from? The only thing he could do now was knock some sense into that brat, but then the boy continued:
"Honestly... I pity your parents. They must cry every day knowing they've raised a failure like yourself."
The muscular student grinded his teeth as he listened to the boy's words.
"So just leave me alone. Harassing me won't make up for your lack in intelligence-" A large fist pounded right into the boy's gut. He almost thought his intestines exploded upon impact, and he was tossed by the force of the punch, hitting a wall.
The boy spat and wheezed, coughing as he lay on the floor, catching his breath. The muscular student steadily approached.
'Dammit!' thought the boy. 'Why is it always the idiots who are blessed with strength?'
The muscular student steadily approached the frail young man on the ground, every other student acting as if nothing was going on.
Kuro simply glared at the muscular student, then at the shabby boy on the floor.
'Poor guy,' he thought as he headed to his desk, no intention to help whatsoever.
Hugo, on the other hand, rushed there as if it were instinct.
"Hey! Stop that!" screamed Hugo as he got only inches away from the student.
Kuro looked at Hugo, a slight concern creeping up as he saw Hugo going to confront a man twice his size and even more times his muscle mass.
'That idiot,' Kuro thought, as Hugo tapped the student on the back... The student slowly turned his head as the door also opened, and in the room came the professor, history book in hand, his mustache as stylish as ever.
Most students were relieved, those who wanted to act but lacked strength rejoiced upon seeing the professor and knowing that the bully will get severely punished.
Kuro looked at the professor, then at the scene in front of him—a boy on the floor coughing out saliva as he gasped for air, a tall muscular student bracing for attack, and someone behind him attempting to help.
Kuro smirked.
'I guess that bully is done for now. I wonder if he'll be suspended or expelled.'
The professor looked at the scene, walking to his podium.
"Okay everyone, go take your seats."
'What?!'
The room became silent.
Everyone in the room watched as the muscular student spat on the boy's face before proceeding to his seat. Kuro looked at the professor to see his reaction, only to see a man utterly unfazed.
'Is this place for real? Even the school authority is corrupted?'
Hugo did the same and walked to his seat, eyeing the professor.
The boy was still on the floor, struggling to get up. The professor looked at the boy and narrowed his brows.
"Someone get this young man off the floor! He's dragging my class!"
Hugo stood up once more and eyed the professor again as he went to help the boy, this time his gaze even more sinister. Staring into the professor's soul, he did not speak, he did not speak he simply stared.
"All right, class…"
15:45 p.m., 2nd November. Class had ended and almost everyone left the classroom. The messy-haired young man with bagged eyes sat in the corner writing scribbles in his notebook, silently cursing with each breath.
Hugo motioned for Kuro to look in the young man's direction. "That's him—the guy from yesterday." Kuro nodded, and they both approached.
They walked to the young man's desk. Before they even reached it, he spoke:
"If you came here to offer sympathy or pity, then turn around."
Hugo looked at the young man, then at Kuro.
"Wow, he's just like you—but ruder.
But we didn't come to pity you... I saw you yesterday during that commotion with the three men. Well, you were right—a boy did do all that, and he's right here, as a matter of fact."
Kuro spoke up.
"Hey, I want to hear what you have to say. You think you can explain what happened to me?"
The boy dropped his pen. He smiled, then quickly concealed it, something telling him not to get too excited.
'Could it be?' he thought. 'No, I shouldn't get my hopes up yet.'
He then examined Kuro from feet to hair, then stroked his chin, still looking at Kuro.
"Before I start talking, I want you to say out loud everything that happened."
Kuro looked at the young man, eagerly awaiting any sound from his mouth.
'This guy is acting like he's mentally disturbed, but I guess I don't really have any other options.'
"Well... I was getting beaten up to a bloody pulp. I was getting beaten up so bad I started imagining things—I thought time had stopped."
The young man sprang up from his desk, flashing a big smile at Kuro.
'This man... he's speaking the truth!'
He then cleared his throat. "Forgive my outburst. Please continue."
Kuro and Hugo exchanged glances, then he continued.
"Well... I then saw an insect. A beautiful insect, the most beautiful insect I've ever laid my eyes on."
The young man's smile grew even wider.
'There is none! Not a single lie in his story. He's speaking the truth!'
"It touched me and I had this dream... or maybe I imagined it. After that…"
He stopped and looked at his hands.
"My body... it moved on its own. My body has never moved that fast before. Before I knew it, my finger touched each of the men, it was barely a tap and yet all of them collapsed in an instant—"
Before he could finish, the boy threw his hand on Kuro's shoulders and held them tightly.
"I've finally found you."
He let go, looked away and laughed. He looked at Kuro, then laughed louder.
"I've found another!"