"Remember, in the academy, don't let others look down on you. But that doesn't mean you should look down on others. One of the heroes' strongest traits is their honor."
"What are you saying, big bro? I don't understand. Stop being vague. You are not the Baron."
"Hehehe… right, right… I am saying. If someone bullies you in the academy, fight back."
"Why would they bully me? It's an academy for heroes, right? Why would they do something like bullying? That's not heroic at all."
"… You know what. I am speechless. I am just telling you, bullying happens. I just want you to be prepared."
When Deron heard these words from his big brother, Eron, he was doubtful at first. Just why? It doesn't make sense. For someone who wants to be a hero, resorting to bullying, is just scandalous.
Just why? It doesn't make sense. But now that he is here, Deron feels that he has an inkling as to why.
Deron grabbed the thug's index finger and ruthlessly twisted it. With a swift crunching snap, he punched the thug in his face soundly crushing his nose bridge. It was a knockout.
"Hey!? Big bro got attacked."
"It's that guy."
"Sheesh, I told the big doofus to maintain a low profile…"
"Sis, leave it be, you can scold the doofus later."
"Guys, we need to protect our own, get him!!"
There were 7 more of them, must be the thug's friends. Deron observed the new arrivals. A slight smile emerged from his face. Even as an outsider, Deron can observe the camaraderie between these people.
"Sorry, I hit your friend. He was picking on me."
All 7 of them drew their steel ranging from axes, spears, a bow, swords, and daggers. They ignored Deron's words totally.
"Oh, gee… Looks like you people prefer actions more than words. I am just saying it wasn't me who started it."
And the assault commenced! All 7 of them, coordinating their attacks make quite a spectacle— arrows flying, slashes intervening, spears chasing, daggers rushing, and axes flexing… It was a killing array. He could hardly dodge, Deron can only actively engage them.
Deron demonstrated his impressive agility by dodging the swooshing arrows that impossibly curved at 90 degrees in the air. There are even some throwing axes mixed in them.
The biggest among them with dual-wielding axes explosively leaped. He is like a rampaging rhino. Deron parried the axes simultaneously by hitting their blunt sides through precise palm strikes. Deron kicked the rhino in his chest squarely sending his victim flying.
Deron felt a presence in his rear. It was someone under the influence of invisibility. A rouge sneaked in Deron's rear. Deron twisted his hips delivering a crisp kick to the back. The rogue was also sent flying from Deron's kick. But the rogue won't go down without a fight, he struggled. Just before the kick arrived, he threw the daggers in his hands.
But Deron caught it between his fingers with ease. He then threw the daggers back to the farthest people, both swordsmen. Their shoulders were punctured hard effectively incapacitating them. It did not kill them, but it made the two squirm on the ground in pain
Because of the daggers embedded in their shoulders, and the splatter of blood, the others felt cold sweat on their backs. It's just instinct to Deron, but his judgment is accurate. Some of his foes faltered at the sight of his strength.
There are three more left. A swordsman, spear user, and archer. No, there are four. The thug who Deron punched his nose stood outside Deron's perception.
Deron observed his opponents carefully. He noticed their gazes, gait, and posture slightly shift. Deron rolled forwards as a kick ladened with steam came crashing from where he is... It almost connected to him. If not for him seeing the sudden shifting of his opponents, he would've been hit.
"My name is Trom, the future Hero King! Steam Knight!"
The thug exclaimed but the people watching the commotion simply laughed. But his friends didn't. Even his struggling, but incapacitated friends didn't laugh. Trom is serious.
"I respect your wishes, but you can't."
"What?! Are you also looking down on me? Is that why you lied about your potential grade?"
"Lies? I don't know about that, but you are belittling me. You are belittling this academy."
Deron's words shook Trom's spirit.
"You can't become the Hero King, because it will be me."
Deron stomped hard as he explosively accelerated forwards. He grabbed the archer's head and mercilessly smashed it to the ground. The archer will live, Deron held back after all.
Deron didn't stop, he punched the only standing swordsman in the gut. Deron retreated as the poor guy puked his most recent meal.
"Mien, take the others and send them to the teachers. I heard the academy's healing facilities are topnotch." Trom told his friend, Mien, a spearwoman.
"But Trom!"
"I will take care of it."
Trom widened his legs as he prepares to battle. He went to the academy with the goal of becoming the Hero King. He thought that the academy is just another slum where he have to dominate with his fist, hence his belligerent behavior.
From Trom's perspective, his actions are the same as how he established himself as the strongest in the slums. He came to Deron expecting a fight so that he can show off. It's a barbaric method, but that is the only method Trom knows.
However, to the bystanders' eyes, it was simply a boorish attempt at bullying.
"I see that you have a sword. Draw it." Trom demanded.
"No, you don't have a sword." And Deron decided.
"Stop belittling me! You, piece of shit."
"ENOUGH!" It was a command. It shook the spirits of everyone in the vicinity. A familiar grey robe and cape greeted their eyes.
"There is a time and place to exhibit your battle prowess and this is not the place for that. Red-hair! Come here, I believe your potential grade needs a reassessment. Come! Disturbing the potential assessment count for a demerit. Harmony is one of our academy's core principles. Since all of you are not yet our students, I will let this slide."
The principal, Armin Kelon interrupted the battle. And with his words, the gathering crowd finally dispersed.
Alfir watched attentively as he note to himself that Deron has become a lot weaker compared to the original storyline. The ending should be Deron destroying these nameless bullies one-sidedly, then getting his reassessment through the witness claims. Instead of the original storyline, what Alfir got is this instead— the principal getting personally involved.
This is the first butterfly Alfir witnessed since coming to this world. He has to be more careful since there will be more of these butterflies in the future. Who knows… maybe one of these butterflies would be the death of him someday.
...
"This doesn't change anything though. I just have to focus on getting stronger."