(Part 6)

However, contrary to his expectations, five days passed, and Azazel never appeared. He didn't show up in the hallway, during recess, or at the Cricket Society like he usually did.

Kenzo frowned, staring at the ground, concern etched on his face.

"It's not that he's avoiding you, Kenzo. He hasn't come to the academy at all since last week," Vincent informed, taking a seat beside him.

"But why? Is he okay?" Faris asked, concerned.

"His homeroom teacher mentioned she tried calling, but no one answered," Damian added.

"You saw him playing cricket with his brother last time, right, Senior Kenzo? So what could've happened?" Izaak wondered aloud.

"I know what happened," Heber interjected, joining the group.

Kenzo glanced over his shoulder, "You're late."

"Sorry about that, but I'm glad you gave me the task to look into him, your highness. There's more to this than meets the eye. Our little 'Soul Breaker' is in quite a bind this time," Heber said, handing a file to Kenzo.

"'Soul Breaker'? task?" Vincent repeated, puzzled.

"Yup, a few days ago, his highness asked me to follow Azazel and observe him. And, as instructed, I did," Heber explained, taking a seat, "I found out he's notoriously 1known as the 'Soul Breaker' in our area. He was a little delinquent in his elementary years, fighting so fiercely that he made quite a few enemies. But he stopped two years ago, apparently wanting his grandfather's approval to get into Atia Eden City, with his behavior being the key."

"Wow~ who would've thought Azazel was a big deal too?" Faris remarked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

Kenzo studied the file intently.

"The file you're holding lists the people he beat up and those who beat him," Heber explained.

"What did they fight over?" Damian asked, leaning in to glimpse the file.

"Power, honor, pride, prestige, territory—even over match disputes. They'd fight over anything, really," Heber replied incredulously.

"So, what does this have to do with Azazel now?" Kenzo asked, his tone stern.

"Yeah, what's going on now if he's not causing trouble anymore?" Izaak chimed in.

"That's the point, your highness, 'Gang up on someone when they are not a part of you anymore'," Heber replied.

"Settling past scores, then," Damian concluded.

"Exactly," Heber agreed, "They saw Azazel changing his ways and discovered he wouldn't fight because of his pact with his grandfather. Seeing his vulnerability2, they ganged up on him and beat him badly a week ago."

"What...?" Silas swallowed hard.

Rage flared in Kenzo's eyes.

"They must have been planning this for a long time. Back then, Azazel never really lost a fight, even when he was up against a group," Heber added.

"How many were there? And where was his brother during this?" Faris asked.

"Sixteen boys," Mirac interrupted, his expression stern.

The boys turned to him in disbelief.

"He went up against all of them but didn't fight back. After taking so many hits, he even fractured his ribs. As for his brother, we don't know the full details. There seems to be some family issue going on as well." Mirac continued.

Vincent glared as Kenzo immediately stood up.

"Where is he?" Kenzo asked, his voice dangerously low.

"At home," Mirac replied, "We, teachers, were planning to visit him, but I think it's better if you go, Kenzo."

Kenzo gritted his teeth and nodded slightly. Pulling out his phone, he dialed a number and held it to his ear. As soon as the call connected, he ordered, "Sixteen boys, Aidan. Gather all sixteen of them within an hour. And, make sure they are ready for beating." he tossed the phone to Damian, walking away.

Faris and Vincent exchanged anxious glances.

"He's very angry," Heber gulped following him.

"Well, are you heading out now?" Mirac asked, glancing at his watch.

"Yeah, if he keeps skipping classes like this, he'll be in serious trouble," Vincent replied, stepping down.

"Wait for me, Vince," Silas called out.

Vincent extended a hand and helped him down.

"Me too, me too!" Izaak joined in, walking alongside Damian and Faris.

"Cheer for us, Coach Mirac. We'll be back soon with our newest member, right?" Heber said, looking at Kenzo.

Kenzo gave a confident nod, glancing back, "Yeah, this king will definitely bring him back."

Mirac exhaled, "Good grief, what a fascinating group of students we have here."

...

Meanwhile, Azazel was curled up in his dark room, writhing in pain on his bed. His body twisted and turned, trying to escape the unrelenting agony. Every shallow breath reminded him of the pain coursing through him. His face was pale, contorted in discomfort, with beads of sweat dotting his forehead. He winced at every slight movement, his muscles tense, fingers clutching his chest. His half-lidded eyes stared blankly into the darkness.

"It… hurts. Everything hurts…" he muttered, his thoughts drifting back to when things went wrong.

A Week Ago:

"Mother's calling, Azazel," Ahmed called out, hanging up the phone.

"Shall we head back then? Although, I wanted to practice a bit more," Azazel said, wiping his forehead as he approached.

"She did ask me to buy some groceries. How about you practice until I get them? I'll call you once I'm done, and we'll meet at the roundabout," Ahmed suggested.

Azazel nodded in agreement, "Okay." he returned to practice as Ahmed left.

Half an hour later, Azazel packed up and headed toward the roundabout. Glancing at the form in his bag, he took it out and sighed, "I'm so exhausted today that I don't even feel like filling it out."

As he walked back, yawning, a cricket ball suddenly flew past his ear. Startled, he grabbed his ear and turned around, "Who's there?!"

"Forgot about us already, Azazel? I'm hurt," a familiar voice taunted as a group of boys emerged from the shadows, carrying bats and balls.

Azazel instinctively stepped back, on guard.

"Backing away, are you? Seriously, Soul Breaker?" one of them sneered.

"Seems like the rumors about you making a pact with your old man are true. Look at you, no fight left in you," another mocked.

Azazel grinned and asked, "Why now? Where were you hiding these past two years?"

"You must've heard, 'Revenge is a dish best served cold.' We strike when you least expect it," the leader said, dragging his bat closer.

Azazel tried to back away but quickly realized he was surrounded. Attempting to escape, he was caught and viciously beaten. Bloodied and in pain, he groaned as the leader grabbed him by the hair, lifting his head.

"Why don't you fight back? Quite the hero, aren't you? This is what happens when you mess with the wrong people, Azazel Minhas!" the leader sneered, punching him in the gut.

Barely conscious, Azazel lay battered on the ground, clutching the shredded form that never made it to Kenzo. The group kicked him one last time before leaving, laughing with satisfaction.

Trembling, Azazel managed to stand, despite the pain weighing him down. He dragged himself forward, whispering, "Brother…"

Ahmed, who had been calling him repeatedly, rushed back, horrified midway only to find Azazel barely standing. "Aza?! What happened? Hey, wake up," Ahmed demanded, his voice thick with worry.

Azazel forced a weak smile, "I'm… fine. Hehe…"

Ahmed scooped him up, his face set in anger and fear, "Quit laughing, you idiot!"

When they returned home, Hoor gasped in shock, her heart breaking at the sight of her son. "Hospital…" she cried, but quickly steeled herself.

"It's okay… I'm fine," Azazel insisted, trying to stand straight, though his vision was blurry.

Azher, watching the scene with a hard expression, asked, "You too, Ahmed?" his voice filled with disappointment.

Azazel, wide-eyed, pushed Ahmed away and retorted, "It wasn't him. It wasn't his fault. I was the one who fought. If you have something to say, say it to me!"

"Azazel?" Ahmed whispered, bewildered.

Without another word, Azher raised his hand and slapped Azazel hard, his eyes cold and uncaring. "A hooligan yesterday will forever remain a hooligan," he growled dismissively.

The force of the slap caused Azazel to faint.

"Father!" Hoor cried out in protest, and Ahmed, glaring at Azher, picked up Azazel. "Not this time, Grandpa. He didn't do anything wrong!" he shouted, rushing out of the house with Hoor following closely behind.

_______