Piece 8 (part 1)

Confidence is a powerful thing.

Even when there's nothing backing you, confidence can allow you to do the impossible. When there's so little things that can help you gain victory, confidence can be the deciding factor. It is a powerful weapon that can be used, and when used correctly, it can be deadly.

However, that weapon did not get used correctly today.

"Where did all that talk go, huh?" Jeremy asked boldly as his right foot was on top of Roy's head on the ground.

All of Jeremy's underlings are now on top of Roy, tackling him down until he can't move. The fight does last for quite a while, and a lot of students have gathered outside of our classroom to watch what is happening. However, it looks like the scene has come to an end.

Roy is completely locked down on the floor. His head was pushed down by Jeremy's foot, while his entire body is being kept down by multiple guys at once. He has completely lost.

"Tsk… You and your underlings…" Roy muttered with so much hatred, but Jeremy only laughed.

BAAKKK!!!!!!

With a lot of power, Jeremy kicked Roy straight in the face, which caused a great amount of bleeding on his mouth. Roy spat out a lot of blood on the floor, while Jeremy sat on top of a nearby table that was not too far from him.

"You came back after three years, expecting to finally beat me? Just because you're no longer a fat pig doesn't mean you can easily stand on my level.

You kept saying that I am using underlings, but people IS power, Roy. As a noble, you should understand that. We control the commoners so they do what we want, while we give them something that can benefit them. It's a common form of trade.

They are my people, not my underlings. And they are doing me a favor because I have done them a favor as well. It's not about many against one, it's about how you gather that strength and use them efficiently."

Jeremy is intelligent with his words. He is also an intelligent child in general, which makes him a rather difficult foe to face. And when you're Roy, even if you train with a strong teacher for three years, you wouldn't be able to beat someone like Jeremy.

"Now. If you understand your place, why don't we start over? I realize that you're a lot different than how you were in the past, Roy. So, let's do things differently. We're going to be adults soon, so let's start acting like we're adults.

How about joining me at the student council? I think you can learn quite a lot by working under me." Jeremy invited rather boldly, and I am very much amazed at how much this kid has grown. 

He is using the student council at his own disposal, as if he was the one who is genuinely controlling it. It was actually the teachers who are actually in control, but knowing Jeremy's backing, even the teachers will have to abide by his wishes.

He's grown very dangerous the past few years. I wonder why.

"Heh!! You think… I'd join a piece of shit like you?? That's never gonna happen." To my surprise, Roy rejected it bluntly. He doesn't seem to realize his position right now.

"Then, you leave me no choice. Something tells me that you will just continue to be a nuisance to me in the future, so I will have to make the painful decision to make sure that never happens.

Break his fingers. All of it."

Jeremy's command was heard loudly, and the ten plus boys were very much ready. They all head straight to grab ahold of his hands, but Roy is forming a fist to stop them from doing anything.

"You… pieces of--!!!"

"Let this be a lesson to you, Roy. And to you as well....." 

Jeremy said while turning his cold glare towards me, but he only opened his eyes widely when he saw me. His words were completely cut off, and he just stared at me blankly.

He was so focused on Roy that he did not realize what I was doing the past ten minutes. I was sitting on the teacher's seat, with my lunch box out in my hands. A spoon can be found on my right hand while my left is holding the lunch box.

It's a wonderful fried rice that my wonderful daddy has cooked for me. I genuinely never thought that his cooking can be so much tastier than Grandma's, but it really is.

"What?" I asked with a ton of fried rice on my mouth, and Jeremy only looked so widely shocked. Everyone else also finally noticed what I was doing, and I realized all the attention has now landed on me.

"Why are you guys looking at me? Since when did the actors stop the play to stare at their audience?" I complained while lowering my lunch box, and no one continued moving from how confused they were.

… Oh. Am I supposed to act differently to this…?

"H-Hey… how about a little help…?" On the ground, Roy tried speaking while holding back his hands from being broken. 

A couple of guys already had their feet trying to completely flatten both his fists, but it was a tough job to do so considering Roy is a pretty sturdy guy.

"Oh? What happened to showing me your growth for the last three years?"

"I-I need help!! My three years are nothing!!" Roy loudly begged, and I only laughed. I placed down my lunch box on the teacher's table next to me, and I turned my gaze to Jeremy.

Seeing my glare that has been turned to him, Jeremy squinted his eyes at me. He definitely thought of me to be his greatest obstacle, and I have to say he is very smart for that.

"Do not… challenge me. Consider that a warning."

"How about a reminder of what happened last time. Do you think because you had more guys with you, anything is going to change?" I asked Jeremy to remind him about that time, and Jeremy shut his eyes after remembering.

Jeremy lifted his hand with his finger pointing to the door, and all of his underlings understood it. All the boys began moving away from the poor guy with broken glasses on the floor, and they all started leaving the classroom.

"I don't wish to have another dispute like that again. I'm only reminding Roy about the disparity between me and him, because he seemed to be getting overly confident." Jeremy said what is on his mind, and I chuckled hearing it.

"And I agree. He was far too confident. Then again, it was a good show. Right, Roy?" I said while putting my lunch box back into my bag, and Roy is slowly getting up again. His body is filled with bruises, and his glasses are cracked.

"I have failed my teacher. I must… train again." Roy said so saddened while staring at his glasses, and Jeremy turned towards the door.

"Don't mess with me again, Roy. I'll break your fingers for real next time." Jeremy uttered coldly as he walked outside to where his boys are, and Roy let out a sigh as he put his glasses back on.

Everyone in the class realized that the fight has been resolved, but only for the time being. Roy tried standing up, but his legs were a little too hurt for that. Instead, a hand was lowered right in front of him.

"You did well. I'm very surprised that you've changed so much." I said to try and cheer him up, but Roy only chuckled as he slapped my hand away lightly.

"I'm a failure. I should've done better." He said while forcing himself to stand up, and I only turned disappointed.

"No, you couldn't. Just be proud that you're now brave enough to stand up against that guy." Once again, I tried to cheer him up in a different way, and it looks like this one worked.

"Right! The past me was really embarrassing, huh?" Roy said as he laughed, and I can only imagine how painful it must be for him that time.

Three years ago, Roy was bullied terribly by Jeremy and his three friends. They constantly picked on him and even beat him up, and Roy could never lift a finger against them.

When the incident happened, Roy's parents had no choice but to transfer Roy to another school completely. They're worried that Roy will continue to be harmed if he stays in the school, so they brought him to live in another city where he can go to school peacefully.

But, it seems like Roy has been training with a master. He learned martial arts, and he knows his ways around fist fights. If only he was facing only four people instead of thirteen like what happened, his chances of winning would be much higher.

"Still… you could've helped me when I got beaten up on the ground." Roy said as he held his chin that looked covered in blood, and I only laughed at him.

"What do you mean? You told me you don't need my help."

"Well, that's clearly not the case, isn't it?"

"Come on, let's go to the infirmary." I tried giving him aid, but he seemed to be rejecting me all the time. It's a little disheartening seeing him pushing me away like this, but I can already tell what's going on in his head.

He had his pride shattered. The built up momentum that he carried for over three years is now gone in just ten minutes. He is definitely beating himself up inside his mind as well.

That's just what guys are all about. I guess all guys are like this.

Except for Dad. He is just a lot like a lady, sometimes… Mom, on the other hand…

Class started right after I brought Roy to the infirmary. The bell rang loudly across the entire school, and I hurried back to class after making sure Roy is getting the treatment he needs from the school nurse.

Arriving back, I noticed Jeremy and some of his boys who are in our class are already well seated. I simply ignored them to find Nile who was waving her hand at me.

"Good morning, I didn't see you earlier--"

"Milly! Are you okay??" Nile asked with so much worry, but I just chuckled seeing her so worried.

"I'm fine. It's unfortunate, but I didn't get a chance to punch anyone."

"Fuh~.…that's great. I heard the guy got beaten up badly. I couldn't see what happened because there's so many people outside the classroom. I only saw you two when you walked out of the classroom."

Nile must definitely be worried sick for me. Well, it must be quite stressful for her, but it's nothing new to me.

During the first class of the day, a teacher walked to the classroom and interrupted the class. The teacher peeked her head through the door, and she read out a note that was in her hand.

"Jeremy Horus. Vermillis Melons. Come to the headmaster's office right away." The teacher announced to the classroom, and everyone turned their eyes to me.

Meanwhile, I only lifted a finger to my face.

"M-Me?"

I-I didn't do anything…???