Confused voices and skeptical murmurs quickly rose up in the room at the mention of a "Black Mage" being present in the classroom. Suddenly, all eyes landed on Zain. Like an animal stalking its prey, their eyes bored into Zain's skull, sizing him up to see if he truly held up to the legendary title or not.
"Your parents would be furious if they were to find out about this. To think this school would treat such a promising student with so little tact. Don't worry, if you just tell me what family you're from, I'll be sure to correct this mistake."
Cassius smiled gently while expectantly waiting for an answer. While in the eyes of normal people it might have seemed innocent, to Zain, he could tell there was an ulterior motive beneath it.
"That isn't a mistake. I just don't have a last name. " Cassius had found his expectations betrayed by the words that Zain spoke.
The professor stood there for a moment, processing the sentence that left Zain's lips. "What….do you mean by that?" He spoke with a slight hesitation to continue talking to Zain.
"I was orphaned by my parents. Never even met them, so I don't know my last name. And my adoptive mother who took me in never told me hers, or let me use it. So no point in tryna' fix something that doesn't exist."
"Orphaned..?" Cassisus's entire demeanor changed towards Zain after hearing of his origins, and said male caught onto the subtle difference. But before he could even get words out of his mouth Cassius began walking down the steps and towards the front of the class.
"No, it seems there was an issue after all. You aren't supposed to be here. Get out of my class." With a cold and uncaring demeanor Cassius ordered Zain to leave without a moment's delay.
"Excuse me?" Zain immediately leaned forward in his seat with a confused expression.
"I see no reason to explain myself further. Or what? Are you so uneducated that you can't understand simple english?" A number of people in the classroom started to snicker at the conversation as Zain started stomping his way down the steps.
"You can't just kick me out of a class I'm supposed to be in. I haven't even learned anything yet!" A loud smack shook the eardrums of everyone present as Zain strongly slammed his open palm against the desk of his professor. In it, was the sheet of paper that held his entire schedule. "If you cleaned up your damn glasses, you should be able to read that this is my first period."
A slight vein started to grow on Zain's forehead, his anger getting the better of him as he continued this conversation. Cassius looked down before picking up said sheet and looking it over. His hand however, started to hover over towards a planted pot that was resting on his desk which held a small sprout. In seconds the plan opened up to reveal several rows of teeth that tore into Zain's schedule. Paper scattered everywhere as Cassius fixed the frame of his glasses to rest more comfortably on the bridge of his nose.
"I can't read anything that isn't there. If you're done playing around, I suggest you go to your actual classroom elsewhere. Do you understand? This is a classroom of elite students, people who were blessed with talent far above whatever your skill level is. It's no place for common born trash such as yourself."
Mocking laughter rose up behind Zain as the other students started voicing their support for Cassius.
"Why don't you stop throwing a hissy fit and leave before you get yourself hurt!" Spoke one student.
"Get lost before you embarrass yourself. You're taking up our precious time." Comment after comment fell down, voicing their issue with Zain continuing to stay in the room. Zain stood in angered silence before looking up at his teacher's high and mighty smile.
"Hey…" However that same smile Cassius held was quickly wiped off as Zain grabbed him by the collar. He was pulled towards Zain at a high speed before their heads collided together, causing a large bruise to be left on both of their foreheads. Cassius reeled back in pain for a moment, but Zain pressed his elbow onto his neck, forcing him into his desk and smashing the potted plant from earlier.
"I don't have time to be playing these games. If you're a teacher then TEACH me! I'll devour all your knowledge until there's nothing left!" Zain's forearm bulged with each passing moment as he applied more and more pressure onto his neck.
The students seemed to get worried by this turn of events while Cassius struggled underneath Zain's physical might. The professor's free hand tried to claw at Zain's clothing to pull him off, yet it wasn't enough.
'What's with this ridiculous strength of his?! He's….making me lose consciousness…' In his final moments while struggling for air, Cassius conjured a spell in his palm. And from the dirt scattered on the ground, long green vines started to sprout forward and wrap themselves around Zain's arm and neck. He was quickly lifted off the ground before getting thrown against the wall on the far side of the room.
Cassius quickly rose up while holding his sore neck and coughing. As his vision stabilized he looked past the rows of worried students and aimed his fury filled eyes towards Zain. He was pressed into the wall while tugging onto the vines that bound him.
"You would attack someone like me?! Do you know the connections I have in this world?!" he shouted in anger while walking towards Zain, who glared back towards him.
"I don't care who the hell you are, as long as you teach me anything useful." Zain snapped back as the two finally came face to face. Veins grew on Cassius's forehead as he fixed his slightly damaged glasses.
"Alright then. If you want to be taught, let me teach you the consequences of provoking me. Don't say I didn't warn you, boy." Spite endlessly flowed from the mouth of the teacher as he stared down Zain, who only returned with his own animosity.
"Well at least you know how to do your job. I'll be looking forward to it."