They were never the good guys

"Ugh — ahhh!!"

The referee of the duel and another youth standing beside him watched the duel in horror. They barely blinked, afraid that if they did, a fist would fly in their direction.

"How…" the referee trailed off under his breath, shocked and confused.

The four of them, including those engaged in a one-sided duel, had known each other for months. The one they bullied, Maverick, Mav for short, was a transferee, entering the school in the middle of the school year last year. They knew him as meek, quiet, and a coward. The referee was a coward, but he felt courageous whenever he was with this guy named Mav.

So, where in the world did that docile youth go? Because the one they were currently watching was violent, like an animal tearing his enemy without remorse. No, actually, what was even more surprising was that the leader of this small group didn't even stand a chance.

"Ahhh! My hand — you're going to break my hand — ahhh!!!"

CRACK!

The two bullies trembled in fear when they heard their leader's wrist snap. Their irises slowly widened, watching how Mav aimed at their leader's other ankle next.

"Will you look at them?" Ike snapped out of his trance when Basty mused meaningfully, casting him a side-eye, only to see Basty sneering at the other two on the side. "It's amusing to watch them get off their high horse. I can see their souls seeping out of their bodies."

Basty's eye slid to the corner where Ike was. "It somehow makes me feel bad. Do you feel bad for them?"

"Why would I?" Ike kept his attention on the one-sided fight several steps from him. "What goes around comes around. I believe in Karma, and they had it coming. Moreover, I'm just a bystander."

"Interesting."

"More than my thoughts, is this fine?"

"The what?"

"That guy over there broke his opponent's bones. Though I commend the fact he could break someone's bones without spilling blood, I don't think this is how the good guys should do it."

"I think you still have a lot of misconceptions about the student organization." Basty chuckled, but then shifted his attention to the duel. "Mav, wrap it up quickly and send him to the infirmary. Take those other two in the S.O.'s courtroom."

Basty then faced Ike once again. "I'll tell you the details while we take a walk. It's better to leave the scene since our presence here will only attract trouble."

"I still have twenty minutes left," was all Ike said, shrugging, before following Basty away from the scene.

"You said that our methods are something good guys don't do," said Basty as he walked side by side with Ike. "We never claimed to be the good guys — at least, not me."

"Are you saying the student organization tolerates such a method of punishment?"

"No, of course not. We still have protocols and rules to follow. The President isn't the one making the laws here. Even if he was granted permission, there's still little chance he could dissolve any rules — big or small. Changing what was already deep-rooted in everyone is almost impossible," Basty explained. "Not to mention, new rules must correspond to the school law. So, why bother?"

"No need to bore me with such details."

Basty laughed. "All I'm saying is, the student organization is flexible. We adapt to the situation and act accordingly, all the while conforming to the protocol." He stopped, facing Ike squarely.

"Those guys were warned." he continued, stressing each syllable. "But right after completing the community service, look what they tried to do. They attempted to murder another student just because Mav reported them selling illegal substances. This wasn't the first time that such a thing happened, so the student organization had to step up its game. Else, we'll be nothing but a joke."

"I see…" Ike rocked his head in understanding, getting a grasp of where the student council stood. "First, you follow the protocol by giving them a warning and light punishment. And then when they commit another offense, that's when you go to extreme means."

"Someone has to put blood on their hands." Basty smiled, satisfied that Ike was quick to catch on. He slowly turned on his heel, resuming his steps. "This case is different, though."

"And how is it different?"

"Because Mav is involved." Basty cast Ike a knowing look. "As you already know, the student council was recruiting more capable students to join the organization. Mav was a transferee last year, but I already know him from middle school. The main reason he transferred is that he wanted to join the student organization, but since last year, the student council doesn't disclose the new members of the organization. That is why those guys didn't know Mav was a member. Moreover, they were in a duel. Who said the bad guys are the only people who could take advantage of the battle points system?"

"Anyway, Mav has an interesting personality. People think he is meek and sometimes he looks like an idiot just because he's always zoning out. That is why he attracts bullies since he also doesn't fight back," he continued as they entered the building.

"He doesn't fight back because if he did, all hell break loose?"

"He is very violent and when he starts, there are only a few ways to stop him."

"Like?"

Basty didn't answer, pondering how he would explain it in simple terms. "Like… beating him till he passed out?"

"You didn't do that, though."

"I said a few ways to stop him. Beating him is just the easiest way to stop him temporarily." He cocked his head back, eyes on Ike. "The effective way is to tame him, so he listens."

Ike treaded slower, keeping his eyes on Basty's side profile as the latter peeled his eyes away from him.

"You made the student organization sound a lot more interesting," he confessed, letting out a brief chuckle. "Where are you taking me?"

"To a place where I can maintain my momentum." Basty looked at Ike meaningfully once again. "I still have 13 minutes left, right?"

Ike only shrugged as an answer, following Basty to feed his curiosity. It didn't take long before Ike stood in front of a room with a sign above the door. It read;

[ Student Council Office ]