Chapter 7: Trash
The next teacher was on his way, known for being strict with the boys and lenient with the girls.
As Zain saw the next teacher approaching, he considered going back inside the classroom.
However, the teacher who had punished him strode towards the approaching teacher and whispered something in his ear. Both of them then turned their gaze towards Zain and exchanged nods before the second teacher continued on his way.
As soon as Zain entered the classroom, the teacher barked at him, "Zain! Get your ass out here! You're not going to attend my class today."
"I don't tolerate latecomers and troublemakers."
"..."
Zain knew all too well that the female teacher was behind this, determined to make his day a living hell. It appeared she had successfully convinced the next teacher to prohibit Zain from entering the class.
"Did you not hear me? Get the fuck out of here!", the teacher didn't mind his words at all.
The teacher didn't show any concern for Zain's presence as he ordered him to leave the class. "I said, Get the fuck out of here!" he repeated.
"May I know the reason, sir?" Zain asked the teacher, confused about why he was being prevented from attending the class.
In fact, he had no interest in listening to the teacher's reasons. Instead, he was determined to prove the teacher wrong in front of the whole classroom since that seemed like his best option at the moment.
"You dare talk back to me?" The teacher's anger flared, and he began to berate Zain even more.
Zain's retort was quick and cutting, "Sir, I was merely asking a question, not giving you back answers. Do you not know the difference between the two?"
"Pffft", one of the students laughed suddenly after hearing what Zain said.
"YOU!!"
The teacher lunged at Zain, grabbed his arms, and forcefully pushed him out of the classroom.
"Why? What's my mistake?" he demanded. "Can't you even tell me that much?"
It was as if Zain had suddenly regained the boldness and courage that he had lost in his previous life. He refused to be a doormat anymore and he was ready to stand up for himself, no matter the cost.
The people surrounding Zain were taken aback as they had never seen him standing up for himself or asking for an explanation before. It seemed like a sudden display of boldness and courage that caught everyone by surprise.
He appeared different from before, with an air of detachment and coldness around him, which made it difficult for anyone to approach him.
It was as if something had shifted inside him, causing him to become less open and more guarded.
"Your mistake is that you dare argue with your teacher! Now shut your trap and get the fuck out of my classroom," the teacher spat out his words with venom, his face twisted in anger. He was a man of strict principles, but his unreasonable behavior was uncalled for and bordered on cruelty.
"Okay fine..." Zain said, his voice laced with frustration and defeat. He hung his head low and shuffled back into the classroom, making his way to his seat.
The teacher's anger only intensified upon seeing Zain back in the classroom. He marched towards him, ready to physically remove him, even though using magic in the classroom was strictly forbidden. "I told you to get out of the class, didn't I? What are you doing back here?!"
His body began to emit a pulsating yellow glow that exuded a powerful aura and pressure. The intensity was so overwhelming that it could easily send shivers down the spine of anyone in its vicinity.
However, to everyone's surprise, Zain remained unfazed, calm and collected amidst the chaos.
Zain was surprised at the feeble attempt of the teacher's intimidation. "Yea? Is that all you've got?", he challenged with a raised eyebrow.
He was taken aback by Zain's lack of fear and immediately grabbed him by the collar, demanding to know, "You insolent brat! What trick did you use to resist my power?"
The teacher's expression turned to a mix of disbelief and anger. They took pride in their magical abilities, and seeing someone unaffected by their magic was a blow to their ego. It was a shock that they couldn't comprehend, and it made them all the more furious.
Zain suddenly chuckled and said, "What? You want me to bow down in front of this tiny power? Sorry..."
As his anger escalated, the teacher's arm started to glow with a faint yellow light, and he swung it all the way back before launching a punch at Zain.
'Yea.. I've had enough'
The teacher's hand stopped mid-way, mere centimeters away from his abdomen. The classroom fell silent as everyone watched the unexpected scene unfold. The teacher's arm was still glowing with a faint yellow light, but his expression had turned from anger to confusion. He seemed to be struggling to move his hand forward, as if an invisible force was pushing against it.
"What...what's going on?" he muttered to himself, his eyes darting back and forth between Zain and his own hand. The teacher was bewildered, and for a moment, he wondered if someone had intervened to prevent him from landing the blow on Zain.
"Tsk, someone who hasn't even reached their peak dares to oppose me?"
Zain's eyes glowed with a strange black and red light, making the teacher uncomfortable. Fear crept up his spine, and his legs began to tremble.
To everyone's surprise, it was Zain who spoke first, his voice laced with a strange power that seemed to compel the teacher to ask for forgiveness.
"Please... please forgive me. I beg you." Zain said, his eyes still glowing with an otherworldly energy. The teacher couldn't believe his ears. Was this the same student who had just challenged his authority?
As soon as the teacher blinked his eyes, everything seemed to be back to normal. The aura of fear that Zain had created with his eyes was gone, and the tension in the room had dissipated. The teacher was left confused and unsure of what had just happened.
Zain was begging for forgiveness, his tone filled with fear and submissiveness. The whole experience felt surreal to him, like a dream that couldn't possibly be real. Zain had never shown any signs of having power, so how could he have held his ground against the teacher's intimidation?
The teacher slowly released Zain's collars and left the classroom, saying, "Students, open your textbooks. I'll be back shortly."
As he walked out of the classroom, the teacher couldn't help but feel a little unnerved. He couldn't explain what had just happened, but he knew he needed a moment to gather his thoughts and calm down.
Heading to the staff room, he quickly wiped the sweat off his forehead and took a long drink of water, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over him. It was rare for him to feel so off-balance, but Zain's reaction had truly caught him off-guard.
"Weird... too weird."
Continuously muttering to himself, he found the events unfolding around him bizarre, and couldn't help but express his feelings throughout the hallways.
Zain slowly rubbed his sore neck, feeling a mixture of pain and frustration. Glancing towards the door, he muttered under his breath, "How can someone who can't even handle a low-level illusion dare to look down on me?"
He slung his bag over his shoulder and strode out of the classroom. His destination was clear in his mind - the infirmary. It was the only place where he felt he could find solace and trust.
The doctor was indeed a bit busy and taking a look at some other profiles of other students when suddenly Zain arrived.
*knock knock*
As she heard a knock on the door, the doctor called out for the person to enter. Zain walked in with his bag slung over his shoulder, looking a bit uncomfortable.
"Zain?", Riry exclaimed, quickly standing up from her chair, her gaze slightly unsteady.
Riry's mind raced with questions as she tried to keep her composure. She didn't want to alarm Zain by showing her unease.
'Why did he return?'
'Is it about the orb?'
She was confused and worried, trying to guess what was on Zain's mind. Perhaps he had found out that she knew about his power.
As Zain walked towards her, Riry instinctively asked, "Is everything okay? Are you feeling unwell?" It was a habit of hers to check on people's well-being, even if it seemed unnecessary.
"Yes miss, I'm perfectly fine. Don't worry about it..."
Riry's eyes fell on Zain's bag, and she looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Are you planning on going home?" Riry asked, trying to figure out why Zain was there.
Zain nodded his head since what she told was true.
"Very well then," Riry nodded understandingly, her expression softening.
"I'll inform your teachers about your absence, don't worry," she added, grabbing a notepad and pen to jot down a quick note. Their relationship was built on trust and a strong bond.
Zain nodded his head in response, turned around and started to leave, but after a few steps, he paused for a second, as if hesitating to say something.
"Zain?" Riry's confusion showed on her face as she noticed him pause before leaving.
Zain turned towards the door, a faint smile appearing on his face. He leaned in and spoke softly, "Please don't tell anyone about my powers…"
"Let them regard me as TRASH!"
"...."