Hurt a lot

Damien explains to the group that the easiest way for us to earn merits right now is by challenging the tower. It's a risky move, but the potential rewards are substantial. Selene considers selling some potions or setting up a mini healing center, but she realizes that this has been done many times before. Competition would be fierce, and even if she does manage to attract customers, she would likely have to sell her potions or services at a minimal price to stay competitive.

After discussing our options, we decide to focus on the tower challenge. It's a daunting prospect, but we're determined to succeed.

We exit the room, much to Xavier's relief, after concluding.

*

Leaving the house of shadows, we come across Daniel, my eldest cousin, standing with Dalton outside. I give a slight nod in acknowledgement and attempt to continue on my way.

"Nathaniel, a moment," Daniel calls out, halting me in my tracks.

"Hello, cousin," I greet him as he approaches. His presence seems to command the attention of the shadows themselves.

"You've changed," Daniel observes, his eyes scanning over me. Of course, I have. The Nathaniel they once knew is long gone.

"As do most things with time," I reply, a hint of reflectively.

"Anyway, I came to request for you to join the Club of Shadows. Being a direct descendant and all," Daniel says, getting straight to the point.

"Unfortunately, I have already joined a club," I inform him, showing him the Obsidian Order ring on my finger.

"That's unfortunate, I suppose. I will assume you don't have a minor club?" Daniel inquires.

I merely shrug, and without further ado, he tosses two pins towards me.

I catch them, and they bear the symbol of a snake in an inverted triangle.

"I will take my leave," Daniel announces, and with a flicker of black smoke, he and Dalton disappear from sight.

Selene and I affix the pins to our uniforms. I can't help but feel a tinge of envy; I should learn this trick of vanishing into shadows or black smoke, a skill I've seen Daniel and others perform effortlessly.

As we make our way towards our respective classes, lunchtime arrives. We decide to eat in the dining hall, hoping for a peaceful meal. However, our tranquility is shattered by the sudden entrance of a furious young man. His face contorted with anger, he storms towards our table with such force that a hush falls over the previously bustling hall.

Without hesitation, he slams his fist down onto our table, shattering it instantly. Our plates and food crash to the floor, scattering in all directions. The loud clatter echoes through the hall, drawing the attention of everyone present.

What the fuck is up is with guy?

"What the hell?" I respond mildly, maintaining composure despite the sudden outburst.

"You thought you were a big guy catching me off guard yesterday, didn't you?!" The guy yells, his face twisted with anger. I take a moment to register his unattractive appearance before refocusing.

"Who are you?" I ask, genuinely baffled by his sudden hostility.

"You think this is a joke?!" He yells, growing louder and angrier by the second. Selene whispers his identity to me, and it clicks.

"Oh, so you're the guy I found near my lover yesterday," I say with recognition, a smirk playing on my lips. "You look better than expected."

"You son of a bitch!" He tries to throw a punch at me, but it freezes in mid-air.

"NO FIGHTING IN THE DINING HALL!" a commanding voice booms, and I raise an eyebrow at the guy, further taunting him. He slams his arm back to his side, seething with anger, but unable to act.

"Payment for the broken table," another voice interjects, and suddenly a muscular woman adorned in chef's attire appears in front of him. The guy grumbles but reluctantly pulls out some merits and hands them to the chef, who nods in satisfaction before disappearing.

With the tension diffused, I turn back to Selene with a grin. "Well, that was entertaining, wasn't it?" I say, trying to lighten the mood.

I decide to leave the hall, walking around him with purpose. The others follow suit, silently agreeing that it's best to distance ourselves from the escalating situation.

However, our brief reprieve is short-lived. As we step outside the hall, we're not far before we hear the angry voice again, seething with rage.

"How dare you try to escape?!" the guy's voice bellows behind us, filled with fury.

"Listen, we have classes to attend, we can't really entertain you," I respond, trying to keep my tone calm as I attempt to leave. I'm really getting bored of this.

But then I sense something amiss, a dangerous shift in the air. Before I can react, a sharp object comes flying towards me, narrowly missing as it embeds itself into a nearby tree. Is he trying to kill me?!

"I'm not playing any games in case you think so," he growls menacingly, his anger palpable.

"Fine. What do you want?" I grit out, my patience wearing thin as my anger begins to boil over.

"You thought you're some big shot for catching me off guard yesterday, huh? You wanted to show off in front of your little girlfriend, now you're silent," he continues, stalking towards me and Selene with ill intent.

"I will forgive you if you apologize and give me the bitch to spend the night with," he sneers, his words dripping with malice.

Before I can even process his disgusting demand, Gregory and Tama spring into action. They swiftly move to restrain him, holding both his arms tightly and forcing him down to his knees.

Meanwhile, Damien hands me a piece of cloth, silently indicating what needs to be done.

I take the cloth and swiftly wrap it around my fingers, my movements precise and deliberate. Lani steps forward with another piece of cloth, which she deftly stuffs into the guy's mouth to muffle any protests.

"It seems you didn't get the memo yesterday," I say, my voice low and cold as I approach him.

"This is going to hurt you, a lot," I say coldly. With all the strength in my body, I swing my fist at his face, feeling a satisfying crunch upon impact. This is not enough, for guys like him the lesson has to be taught imbedded their bones.

Selene steps closer, healing him with her green aura, I swing again my fist connecting with his jaw with a sickening thud. He tries to struggle, to escape but Tama and Gregory have him locked in place with a firm iron grip.

I repeat myself 3 more times, but I can't do this forever we have classes. I signals for them to let him go, and he falls to the ground, clutching his bruised and bloodied face.

I walk closer and kick his stomach ruthlessly, he screams and I kick his face knocking him out.