Chapter 13: Sparring [2]

"There isn't a single person in this class who can face me head-on and not end up on the losing side,"

I declared with unwavering confidence, shooting a pointed glance at a particular individual before letting out a chuckle.

["Ha! Cocky much?"]

["Who does he think he is?"]

["What a joke!"]

["Oh, please. Spare us the theatrics."]

["This guy's delusional."]

["He's asking for trouble."]

["I can't believe this guy."]

["Is he for real?"]

["Pathetic."]

["Just wait until he gets what's coming to him."]

["Unbelievable."]

["What a waste of space."]

["Ugh, he's unbearable."]

["I can't even look at him."]

"MMMmmmmm.."

I stretched casually in the midst of the class, seemingly indifferent to the murmurs swirling around me, all the while keeping my attention fixed on a boy with bleached hair and brown eyes.

"So you'll be my meal,"

I remarked nonchalantly, my words causing a ripple of confusion among my classmates, who began to question my sanity.

Ignoring their inquiries, I strolled leisurely back to my seat, sparing a satisfied glance at the cadet whose reaction I had been observing.

'Now, I won't lose. In fact, I've practically guaranteed my victory.'

—Slam!

'Poor desk. I wonder if it can withstand one more slam.'

As I pondered the durability of the teacher's desk, Miss Bell Flora interjected.

"Since this is your first day at the institute, I'd typically have everyone settle down and get to know each other," she began, her smile strained as she glanced in my direction.

"But since you all seem to have already acquainted yourselves quite well, why don't we kick off the semester with a head start?"

The class grumbled because their 'first day' would be work day, but they did not complain too much due to what had transpired in the class today. 

Instead they seem to shoot glares in my direction, I could tell they were blaming this on me. 

"So, where shall we begin?" queried one of the students.

Miss Bell Flora's smile took on a chilling edge as she surveyed the classroom, her gaze eventually settling on me.

I met her gaze with a smirk on my face. 

'I knew where this was going, I figured it out as soon as my rank was mentioned. The way she reacted and the class reacted, I could tell that they did not want me here.' 

'Why?' 

'Because, of my rank I should realistically be in class D that too barely, and not only that but the news about my disownment had spread too. Now that I don't have the Blackstar family backing me, they are not as scared of me.'

'Also, I could potentially single handedly bring the whole class down due to my grades.'

"Why don't we start with 1v1 Duos?" she suggested innocently.

The classroom fell silent, a collective sense of anticipation hanging in the air, before erupting into cheers. 

["YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"]

They all were glancing my way with sinister smiles on their faces.

I locked my eyes with the student I had been paying attention from the very beginning of the attendance. 

He was ranked 246, Ethan Blaze and my sparring partner. 

With a quiet assurance, I whispered, "You are finished."

Whether he heard my words or not was inconsequential. Rising from my seat, I followed Miss Bell Flora out of the classroom to a colosseum which is located a few blocks away from New Nexus halls, or the classes for every first years.

There were other halls for other years as well. This institute was huge after all. 

* * *

"There isn't a single person in this class who can face me head-on and not end up on the losing side." 

What bullshit is he spitting? 

Does he have a death wish? 

Sylvia Lunari couldn't help but think as he looked at Aren in the middle of the classroom. 

"What's with him?" 

"I-I don't know Sylvia.. he seems a little different from the last time I saw him.." 

Sylvia turned and looked at Ayla, who was shivering a little as if recalling some bad memories. 

"Don't worry, he's full of nothing.. I think even you can beat him in a fight." 

"A-aren in a fight? N-No, he was about to finish me off.."

Ayla trailed off before she continued again, "If it weren't for you than I'd be.." 

"I wouldn't of let that happen in any world Ayla." Sylvia interjected. 

"Besides it's painfully obvious that he's bluffing, you shouldn't fall for that snake's tongue Ayla. It's best if we stay far away from him." 

Ayla looked at Sylvia with worry, she started to fiddle with her fingers before asking her again, 

"Um.. Slyvia? Did something happen to Aren? Why does he act this way?" 

"T-that.."

Sylvia recalled a memory of Aren and her when they were kids, the earliest memory of him depicted a cheerful and ambitious kid.

Something without warning changed within him, it was a little before his mother's passing.

His personality completely took a complete 180 degree. Not only that but he seemed to changed soo much to a point, that it was almost as if he faked every single interaction with her. 

It pained her so much, she tried everything to get him on the right track, but he wouldn't budge. 

Day by day she saw him go down a spiral, a rabbit hole so deep, that now she couldn't careless..

He succeeded in pushing not only her, his friends and even his family away. 

She wondered if she could've done something better but..

"People don't stay the same as they grow up Ayla. Some change for the better and some... not." 

She said to Ayla as she followed Miss Bell Flora.