"I appreciate your assistance."
David exited the classroom after expressing his gratitude.
Then the students who had been tormenting him for a few minutes gathered in front of someone.
John was seated nearby. They had all gathered in front of him.
"Useless."
While glancing at them, John made those remarks.
Hearing that, they dropped their heads.
"Pathetic."
"You folks claim to come from prominent families, yet you can't even look after such a small fry. Shame."
John was looking down on them.
They were afraid to respond because of John's background. They are aware of his origins. Their family has advised them that they must not fall into John's bad graces.
They even told them to do whatever was required in order to earn his favor. They were overjoyed when John ordered them to confront David, but their plan fell apart due to Thomas' intervention.
Thomas Gray is ranked top among the first years. There is no way they can go against him. There is even talk that many teachers are said to hold him in high regard, and any disobedience with him will result in severe consequences. Professor Jane won't let that slide. So they have to back down before any of those things happen.
"It's because of Thomas. He interferes in between." Someone from that group stated.
"So you are saying that you were afraid of him, who has no background, and you call yourself belonging to a prominent family." John just scoffed it off.
"Perhaps I should reconsider interacting with you. That extends beyond the university." With a straight face, John stated that.
A chilly sweat began to stream from their brow. They understood what he was saying. It would be unpopular with their families. They must immediately cease and desist.
"Please consider giving us another chance. We promise that we will not let you down." They pleaded with him. They are well aware of the implications.
"And why should I?"
"Please give me another chance."
"Hmm. Don't disappoint me next time.
John then walked away.
The rest of the group stayed put. They didn't utter a single word.
"That fucking moron, I am definitely going to kill him next time."
"Calm down."
"I didn't understand what John had got against him. What the hell did that fool do to get on John's bad side."
"It doesn't matter what he has done. He is definitely going to pay. "
They all left, nodding their heads.
****
"Tsk, these fucking morons can't even take care of such a small thing and they call themselves members of some sort of privileged family. Pathetic. "
John was walking in the corridor after leaving them.
"They were afraid of that no-name bastard. Tsk. "
He was thinking about Thomas Gray.
Because of Thomas's involvement, they backed away from any objections.
It all started when they went out to supper on the weekend. Ivy Morris, Trina Mason, Andrea Lewis, Thomas Gray, and John Collins went out to a restaurant for dinner.
The fact that Thomas had accompanied them did not sit well with John. Thomas is someone he despises.
Ivy Morris' compulsion was the reason he let it slip. It's possible that he had a strong attraction to her. Her family history is also not something to be taken lightly. As a result, he acts appropriately when they are present. So, despite his hatred for Thomas, he didn't make a fuss.
Ivy then brought up the subject of David while they were eating dinner.
"Hey guys, did you see that guy who is always sleeping in class and ranks last in the class?"
Andrea is a quiet person who likes not to participate in such conversations, so she remained silent.
"Huh? Why should a nobody like him bother me?" When talking about someone of that stature, John expressed his dismay.
Thomas simply shook his head, implying that he had no idea.
Ivy had Trina's full attention.
Ivy informed the group, "He was in the same group as Trina."
Trina was noticeably annoyed, and when Ivy stated it, John showed some interest.
Trina yelled fiercely, "I ordered you to keep your mouth quiet."
"Whoa, I just mentioned him, that's it. He will always be sleeping in class. " Ivy stated.
"So what about him?" Thomas asked innocently.
"Nothing much. Trina said he irritated her. That's it. "
"Huh?"
The first reaction came from John.
"That's it. I'm done, OK. Bye, I'm leaving. " Trina stood up angrily and began to walk away.
"Huh? What? Please. It was just mentioned. Do not be so enraged." Ivy began to pursue Trina.
"Wait Trina, I'm sorry. OK. Hey Wait, "she started to run after her.
Andrea also started to move as she didn't have anything to say.
It would be disastrous if Thomas stayed with John without any of them present.
So he walked away.
The only person who has been left out is John.
He was sitting motionless.
He was very angry at the fact that someone had the audacity to mess with Trina.
"These lower classes have no idea where they belong. I'm not going to leave him acting like that." His expression was irritated.
Even though he doesn't have any interest in Trina, he can't let this slide as their families are friends.
He is still enraged that someone like Thomas was given first place. This was too much for him to take in. He was always praised as a genius. However, the fact that he was put below someone who had no family history made his fury boil. That humiliation was too much for him to bear.
As a result, he can't just let this go and needs to unleash his wrath on someone.
****
David exited the classroom after expressing his gratitude.
Thomas looked at the student whom he had helped just a brief moment ago.
"I knew it, John. It's got to be him."
Sigh.
He began packing his belongings.
After they talked about it last night, he knew something like this would happen.
He readily concluded that John would do something like this after seeing his face the night before.
"Ivy, it all started because of her. Ssh. "
She didn't have any ill intentions towards him or anything, but she abruptly brought up his name, and Trina, for some reason, visibly irritated, left after Ivy mentioned his name.
It made it even worse as there was no context for what had happened there.
"Ivy is still acting childish. She just doesn't know that her actions have led to this. "
What options do I have? Nothing.
'I might provide a hand once or twice, but that'll be it.' After that, he was on his own. This is how the world works. There's nothing I can do.'
Picking on someone who is weaker than you for no reason is unreasonable.
And Thomas is familiar with David. Without fail, he watched him practice every day. His sword art may not be particularly good, but he is constantly practicing to improve.
He is putting in his time and effort, and no one should look down on him.
And he hadn't seen him in a while, so he assumed he was quiet, but it turned out that he was practicing at night when everyone else was sleeping.
Perhaps he wanted to hide from the people who were continuously bothering him, therefore he was always spotted napping in class.
"I had been watching him for quite some time. It's unfortunate that he was forced into this situation."
Sigh. Let's see how this strategy goes.
He walked out of the classroom with that.
Then, unexpectedly, someone appeared outside the classroom.
Outside the classroom, a handsome man with the appearance of a top celebrity stood calmly looking down on Thomas.
The person who was standing there was John.
Thomas ignored this and began walking away, but was stopped by John.
"What were you thinking?"
"What do you mean?" He knows what John is talking about.
John felt irritated when Thomas was playing it dumb.
"Don't get involved in things just because you are ranked top." John has warned Thomas.
Thomas then shook his head and responded.
"Hmm. If picking up on someone who is weaker than you makes you feel better, then that person is a pathetic person in my opinion. "
Thomas said that to John. John was clearly angry.
When they were facing each other, a voice came from the other side.
"Hey, you guys. What a pleasant surprise! When did you guys get this close?" It was Ivy Morris who was on the other end.
They both back down when they see her.
John turned away and headed in a different direction, snorting at Thomas's statements with scorn.
"Let's see when a fool can brag about ranking first once," John said as he walked away.
"Huh? What's up with John?" Ivy approached Thomas and inquired.
Thomas indicated that he didn't know.
"Anyway, let's leave him alone. He'll be alright on his own, I believe." Ivy expressed herself.
Thomas agreed with a nod.
Thomas took his bag and followed Ivy, sighing.
Ivy was strolling alongside him as they walked down the corridor.
Everyone in the hallway began to gaze at them.
Thomas is extremely uncomfortable, despite the fact that this is his regular ritual.
Ivy Morris, on the other hand, was not like that.
"See, people were staring at us as if we were celebrities." She was beaming with delight at the attention she was receiving.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it as well." Ivy encouraged Thomas by patting his back.
Sigh. He couldn't persuade her otherwise, so he remained silent.
He saw that there were more people than usual here.
'Do you have anything special planned today?' He couldn't recall anything.
"What's up with your expression?" Ivy inquired, her gaze fixed on Thomas.
"Is it just my imagination, or has it been this crowded every day?" Thomas inquired inquisitively.
"I'm sure it'll be the same with you. "That stupid brain of yours just remembers training and nothing else."
"Huh? Is there any sort of event going on today?"
"Shh. How can you manage to be such a bigot? I have no idea why I'd made friends with someone like you in the first place. What are you going to do without me? Ha."
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
'Well, nothing comes to mind.'
She is, nevertheless, adorable when she is scolding.
Thomas was simply smiling and staring at her.
"Huh? "What are you grinning about?"
"Ahem. Nothing."
"You?"
"Ok, I am sorry. Please tell me what's going on here. "
"Well, I assumed your stone brain wouldn't remember this, so I came here to get you," Ivy stated with a smile.
"Today is the promotion day for clubs. As a result, all of the second years are coming to the clubs to recruit new members. That is why there is so much uproar." Thomas was informed by Ivy.
"As a result, it is really crowded today. Hmm."
"Don't just concentrate on training; try to incorporate other things as well."
Thomas smiled and nodded.
"So what club are you interested in joining?" Ivy asked Thomas.
"Hmm. Let me think. I think I will join some sort of combat-related club. Apart from that, I don't know of any other clubs. " Thomas responded.
Hearing his response, Ivy couldn't help but roll her eyes as she couldn't get this mass head to think of anything else apart from training-related or combat-related things.
"What?" Thomas asked in confusion.
"Is that all you think?"
"Well, I thought any other elective would be a waste of time."
"I thought it was your body, but now I have come to the conclusion that not only your body, but your head is also as dumb as a rock."
"Come on. OK, let's do one thing. Tell me what clubs you are planning to join and I will select something from them. "
"Hmm, basically you're asking for my help."
She put her hand around Thomas's.
"Don't feel shy. If you want my help, you can ask directly. I will help you. " Ivy is smiling mischievously.
"Ok, please help me." Thomas just gave in. He knows he can't win an argument with Ivy. So he did as she said.
"That's good, my boy. This great Ivy Morris will help you find the best clubs. "
Seeing her like that made Thomas laugh.
'I just don't know what this feeling is, but whenever I am with her, I feel the same warmth that I used to get when I was around my mother. "
'Mom! I hope you guys are happily living your afterlife. Don't worry about anything, your son will take care of it.'
A flurry of emotions is going through him after thinking about his mother. He can't just wait for the moment when his parents, in order to save him, sacrifice their lives. They died in front of him. He definitely can't forgive them. Any of them.
"Hello?" Ivy started to wave her hand in front of his face.
"What are you dreaming about? Come, let's go." Ivy started to pull.
"Ya, coming." Thomas quietly followed behind her.