CH2: Ten years later

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day and the beginning of a new journey for some. For Ken though, it was just another day closer to uncovering the truth behind his parents' death.

As he walked down the corridor, two students approached him, their eyes gleaming with excitement. "Brother, don't you feel excited? We'll be finally entering the academy!" they chimed in unison.

Ken's friends, Scott and Travis, were eager to start their journey at the prestigious academy, renowned for teaching students combat skills, granting access to extraordinary powers, and training them to become formidable individuals capable of battling fearsome beasts. However, Ken's enthusiasm was tempered, his focus fixed on avenging his parents.

The academy was an institution required for all students to attend after the completion of their high school examination. And due to the benefits of what the academy had to offer, it had gained the attraction of many teens and youths, who would yearly get enrolled into the academy. Which explained why Ken's friends were acting this way.

As they walked, Scott's voice rose in excitement. "The joy of having a power of my own so I could punch that big square-face Brandon is killing me." But his words were cut short as Brandon himself appeared, flanked by his gang.

"What did you just say?" Brandon sneered, his eyes narrowing.

Scott's eyes darted around nervously as he forced a chuckle, attempting to defuse the tense situation. "Err,... I wasn't talking about your own Brandon. It's another Brandon," he stammered, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.

Brandon's face turned beet red with rage, his voice booming through the corridor. "How many Brandons do you think there are in the whole school? One!" he yelled, his fists clenched at his sides.

"Now, come over here," he growled, his eyes blazing with intimidation.

The air seemed to thicken with tension as Brandon's gang closed in, forming a semi-circle around Scott, their eyes gleaming with excitement at the prospect of a confrontation.

Ken's grip on Scott's shoulder tightened, his eyes locked on Brandon, ready to defend his friend against the looming threat. He stopped him from moving and instead turned to face Brandon. "To do what exactly?" Ken asked, his voice firm.

Seeing who had just spoken, Brandon couldn't help but let out a wide laughter. "A loser defending another loser. Aren't you the one that passes out anytime you see blood? The kid who couldn't stand the sight of his own blood."

The others who were with him had also joined in the laughter as they remembered the scene of what happened several months ago.

It was just like today, Scott was being bullied by Brandon, and Ken who was compelled to intervene in the fight had decided to rescue the bullied student. With a surge of adrenaline, he had stepped in to defend Scott, but Brandon's cruelty knew no bounds.

A swift blow to the face had sent Ken crashing to the ground, his vision blurring as he struggled to comprehend the chaos around him.

As he wiped the blood from his face, a wave of dizziness washed over him, and his world went dark. It was a familiar scenario, one that had played out multiple times before. Brandon had discovered Ken's weakness - his inability to handle the sight of blood - and had took it as a thing to act upon.

But fate had smiled upon Ken, providing him with a guardian angel in the form of their homeroom teacher, Mr. Ben. Who was known to be Ken's uncle. With his watchful eye, Ken had found solace, knowing that someone had his back in times of need.

Their homeroom teacher, Mr. Ben, intervened, his presence commanding attention. "What are you guys doing? Shouldn't you be heading home to your parents?"

Knowing fully well that Mr Ben would always support Ken no matter what he said, Brandon had decided to leave, but he had one word to say to Ken.

"Just hope we don't end up in the same academy or you'll be done for." Brandon smirked before walking away with his gangs.

"Gosh I hate that guy." Travis said as they all watched them leave.

"At least you haven't been targeted by him before. Thanks to Ken and his uncle, or I would've dropped out of school a long time ago." Scott said, heaving a sigh of relief.

As Brandon and his gang left, Ken and his friends expressed their gratitude for Mr Ben's usual intervention. "Thanks a lot sir." They said, as they bowed their heads in appreciation.

"Listen guys, I won't always be there for you. And since you're all planning to enter the academy, I'm sure you'll meet an even worst person than Brandon himself. So you must learn to protect yourself."

Thanks to Mr. Ben's timely interventions, Ken had found a sense of security from Brandon's bullying. Emboldened by this newfound protection, Ken had approached Scott with an offer of friendship.

"Hey, Scott, want to walk with me? With Mr. Ben looking out for us, Brandon won't dare to mess with you again," Ken had suggested, his eyes sparkling with a hint of helpfulness.

Scott, weary of Brandon's relentless torment, had eagerly accepted Ken's proposal. And to their surprise, Brandon had indeed backed off, his usual bravado diminished by the presence of Ken and the watchful eye of Mr. Ben.

As they walked together, a bond of friendship had formed between Ken and Scott, strengthened by their shared experiences and mutual support.

Later, Travis had joined their duo, drawn by their camaraderie and shared adventures. The trio had become inseparable, a testament to the power of friendship and the positive influence of Mr. Ben's guidance.

"Thanks uncle, we will heed to your words." Ken replied, assuring himself that he could take up anyone that tries to mess with him in the academy.

"It's alright Ken, your safety is what matters to me. Now let's get going, your mum and sister awaits."

…

As a boarding school student, Ken's opportunities to see his sister, Fen, were scarce, limited to only holidays and occasional visits. Now, with high school behind him, the looming academy beckoned, promising to sweep him away to a new world of challenges and adventures. The thought of leaving Fen behind once more filled Ken with a sense of urgency, knowing that their time together was fleeting.

The journey home had been a pleasant one, with Scott and Travis's lively banter filling the car as they were dropped off at their respective homes. As the last of his friends disappeared into the evening, Ben steered the car towards Leah's cozy apartment in Cherub town.

The darkness of the evening enveloped them as they arrived, and Ken noticed that the apartment's lights were eerily extinguished, casting an unusual gloom over the familiar surroundings.

"Strange," Ken muttered, his eyes fixed on the darkened windows. "I thought Fen and Leah would be waiting up for us."

Ben's expression turned curious, his brow furrowing slightly. "Perhaps they're just running a bit behind schedule. Let's go inside and find out."

With a shared sense of trepidation, the two men exited the car, their footsteps echoing through the stillness of the night.

"Consumed by a growing sense of unease, Ken whispered to Ben, "Did they go out?" His eyes scanned the darkened apartment, searching for any sign of life.

Ben's response was measured, his voice low and reassuring. "I don't think so, Ken. When I called Leah earlier, she didn't mention anything about going out. Maybe they just went to sleep early?"

But Ken's mind was already racing with worst-case scenarios. He spotted a mopping stick by the door side which he quickly grabbed. His grip tightening as he crept towards the entrance, his senses on high alert. He had quietly separated the mop head from the stick, leaving a pointed edge that could be used as a makeshift weapon if needed.

"What if they're in danger?" Ken's thoughts spiralled into a dark abyss, his imagination conjuring up images of harm befalling his loved ones. With each cautious step, he prepared himself for the unknown, his heart pounding in anticipation.

The moment of truth arrived, and with a swift motion, Ken bashed against the door, making a loud entrance. A synchronized shout of surprise erupted from within, followed by the sudden illumination of the room. As the lights flickered on, Ken's eyes landed on a heartwarming sight: Fen and Leah, beaming with joy, held a colorful cake and a balloon adorned with a vibrant ribbon.

"Surprise! Surprise!!" they chimed in unison, their faces alight with excitement. However, their enthusiasm was short-lived, as Ken's comical pose, still grasping the mopping stick, sent them both into fits of laughter.

Realizing the absurdity of the situation, Ken swiftly hid the stick behind the door, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. Fen, still chuckling, approached him with a mock pout. "Why did you come late, we thought you were no longer coming today." Her playful scolding was accompanied by a raised eyebrow and a teasing smile.

"Why won't I?" Ken replied, his voice filled with conviction. "I already promised to arrive today; you know I don't break promises." He opened his arms, and Fen eagerly stepped into his warm embrace.

"I miss you, brother," she whispered, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

"I miss you too, Fen," Ken replied, his voice filled with affection.

As they hugged, Ben entered the room, carrying boxes filled with goodies he had picked up on the way. "Sorry we're late; we had to drop off a few of Ken's friends. Hi Fen, hi Leah!" he greeted, closing the door behind him with a cheerful slam.

"You knew?" Ken bellowed to which Ben and the others giggled at.

The surprise celebration was revealed, and Ken's eyes widened as he realized the effort his loved ones had put into making his sixteenth birthday special. The lights had been turned off in anticipation of his arrival, and the sudden darkness had been a clever ruse to conceal the surprise.

As Ken hugged Leah, she smiled warmly and said, "Welcome home, Ken. It's nice to have you back."

Ken's response was heartfelt: "Thanks Leah." The warmth of the moment enveloped them, a sense of belonging and love that only they could provide.

"Don't you think I should get a hug too?" Ben chimed in, his voice playful and inviting. "Come on, family hugs!" he exclaimed, opening his arms wide.

The room was filled with laughter as they all gathered together, embracing each other in a warm, tight hug. Ken felt a sense of joy and love wash over him, grateful for this moment of togetherness.

As they pulled back, Fen proudly presented the little cake she had baked herself, adorned with colorful candles and a sweet message. They sang "Happy Birthday" in harmony, and Ken blew out the candles, feeling a sense of joy and contentment.

The rest of the evening was filled with delicious food, lively chatter, and reminiscing about past memories. They shared stories of silly antics, fond moments, and laughter-filled times. As the night drew to a close, they all decided it was time to retire, exhausted but happy.

As Ken lay in bed, he closed his eyes, feeling the softness of the pillow beneath his head. But instead of drifting off to sleep, he felt himself being pulled into a deep, dark void. It was as if he was falling endlessly, the sensation eerie and unsettling. Despite the warmth and love of the evening, Ken's slumber was haunted by an ominous, unknown presence.

*****

Love this one? You can check up an even better one written by the same author; While everyone else is a god, I became a god slayer - Coming soon on webnovel.