Chapter 21

One student is running down the hallway to his classroom. As soon as he gets to it, he sees a bunch of other students. They are just chatting idly, waiting for the period to start. The scene is so basic and ordinary, yet peaceful.

He does not know what he says next will deliver chaos to this harmonious environment.

"Hey! Have you heard? The Hero challenger is back!" The guy shouts.

Confused, one person asks.

"Really? But it has only been one day?"

"Wasn't he seriously injured? He even lost an eye right?"

"That bastard is here?" A female student says. Her attitude seems heavy and her voice is full of disgust.

"Bastard? You should not believe anything you see online." One guy actually starts defending Sam. He looks at that girl weirdly.

Some also nod. They think that everything feels a little too perfect. From the moment the video clip of the Hero to the sudden cut at the end. And right after it, a post about the guy in the video was published on Twotter. The timing was impeccable. It was as if someone was trying to push the blame towards one side. They think it is a conspiracy. These students are rare, however.

"How would you know? There's proof online!! Why are you even defending a criminal?!" But the girl clearly does not want to have a normal discussion.

"Yeah, bro." A guy stands up. "Not cool, man. Not cool. Don't side with those kinds." He shakes his head. A white knight, this person is.

"So because you read some shady article online suddenly a guy becomes a bastard? What kind of logic is that?"

"S...Shut up!!" Her face turns red. "I don't care. It's the truth!"

"Stop harassing her!" Seeing her classmate being 'attacked', a girl stands up. "We have all seen the article. They have real proof. With many witnesses that vouched for it. If not, why isn't that guy doing anything about it?"

"He was admitted to the hospital. What do you guys want him to do?"

At this point, the class has been divided into two groups. One trying to find the truth, one wants to stick with what they have been given. The first group has mostly those who actually saw what happened the other day, and the latter just did not.

Sadly, the second group is much bigger than the first one.

Soon, everything turns rowdy and disorganized.

"What is wrong with you guys? Why are you always trying to harass others? Do you think we are just going to take your verbal abuse?" Another student starts accusing them out of nowhere.

"Me? Harass? Verbal abuse? She told me to shut up!" The guy points his finger.

"You should be a man and stay quiet then!" They point back at him.

"STOP!!!" Someone yells. It's the guys who can into the classroom.

Instantly, everyone goes silent.

"He is back. And he has been challenged by 5 people."

"WHAT!!!" The whole class explodes. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?! Where are they?"

"You guys didn't even let me join in! They're at the arena right now. Let's go."

As soon as he is done, everyone begins to rush out of the class. The same happens all around Magic Academy. From classrooms to campus, to canteen, and even dormitories, people all get the news about Sam coming back to school.

Some of the people interested in him just want to see for themselves what kind of person he is, while most of the students were brainwashed by Bianca's scheme, thus wanting to see him being beaten up once more.

In less than 15 minutes, the seating area is already crowded. The number of people is simply enormous yet it keeps on increasing.

In the arena, a total of 6 people are standing. The setup is very uneven, with Sam on one side, and 5 on the other side.

With an anxiety that keeps on building up, Lily yells from her seating area which is closest to Sam's position.

"Sam, you don't have to do this to yourself. Your wounds are still not closed completely! Please!" Her voice breaks.

""DON'T DO IT SAMMY!"" Yui and Yuno also want him to stop.

With the condition of his body, fighting just one person would be incredibly bad. If he battles 5, it means this is not a battle but a suicide.

"I am fine!!!" Sam yells back to the three girls. He even waves to them like nothing is happening.

To which, the girls return with:

"""NO YOU ARE NOT FINE YOU DUMBASS!!!"""

"I can't stop him" Lily says to the twins.

"Yui, too."

"Yuno, too."

Lily stops for a while and hesitantly suggests.

"Maybe...maybe we ask for 'her' help..."

""NO!!"" The two reply immediately.

"She probably already knows of it already." Yui hugs Yuno with her small arms, shaking.

"She is probably standing from a discreet corner. watching over him." Yuno also shakes.

"True...true..." Lily says.

*Ding* *Ding* *Ding*

Notification sounds from 3 phones at the same time.

"""Eeeek!!!""" The girls are frightened as they take the phones out.

It's the app called Talk.

'Sam' chat group.

[Singularity: I know.]

The girl's faces turn pale. 'She' is here.

[Singularity: I trust him!]

[Singularity: Look.]

On the 5 people side, the handsome one starts talking.

"Okay, so we have people here."

"I can see that," Sam replies. His voice is indifferent.

"Well, you're only half-blind. How's the eye anyway?"

"Fine. Thank you for asking."

"Don't mention it. We're still students from the same school, you know."

The handsome guy looks at Sam closely.

"If it were a different scenario, we could have been good friends, Sam. To be honest, I admire you. You did something all of us wanted but no one dared to."

"I don't want to be your friend."

"Don't be so cold, dude." The guy sighs. "We don't want to do this either. But you know, this order comes from..." He points his index finger upward.

"Is it Marie?" Sam bites his lower lip. That name still pains him.

"I can't talk about it." He shakes his head. Twice.

"Someone close then?" Sam continues.

"I still can't talk about it." The handsome guy shakes his head. Once.

"Looks like I don't know that person. Why are they doing such a thing?"

"Beats me. But I do have an idea, though. Love is always the cause of life and death in our world."

"That person loves Hero? Of course. Who wouldn't...Marie does..." Sam looks down.

He has let his unrequited feelings go. Still, the memories linger in his mind.

"Cheer up, pal. Don't you have some new girlfriends already?"

"They are not my girlfriends."

"Maybe to you. Maybe you will one day think differently. Who are we to say?"

That is true. Sam cannot live inside his rejection forever. He has to find a new purpose for his life if he wants to keep on living.

"Thank you. One last question."

"Go on, Sam. We have time."

"Did you throw the box?"

"Does it matter?"

Sam nods. The handsome guy smiles.

"Choose, Sam. These guys are all the best in our group."

"Let's shorten this since I'm going to be beaten up again anyway. 1 on 5. How about it?"

"5 on 1? You sure?" The handsome guy's eyes widen.

"1 on 5. And yes. I'm certain. Come at me."