Lucas' POV.
The figure stared at me with a look of horror on his face.
Carl Swann, this guy bullied me at the cafeteria a few days ago.
In fact, in terms of bullying, he was a prodigy on campus. I used to think that the rumors of him killing others were a lie, until I observed it myself that day at the forest. As a member of the disciplinary committee of the Students Council, he could play with the rules however he wanted, not excluding the fact among the students, he had some sort of backing for things to go his way.
''Is he shaking?''. I sighed , finding it perplexing how even from where I was, I could visibly see him shaking.
''Life really is something else...'' It was quite amusing how someone who deemed me an insignificance a few days ago, now cowered at my mere presence.
I honestly did not deem him as worth my time...as I currently looked at him...
However, when I remembered the fact that he killed someone just because the gentleman was into a lady he liked... I felt enraged for some reason... Maybe , because I knew how it felt to be helpless and weak?.... I suppose so...
When I remembered the fact that his lackeys spoke against my parents, especially my mother that day at the cafeteria, I could hardly bring myself to a place where I would let him go scot free...
I took steady steps towards him , with the crowd feasting their eyes on me...
Various whispers about my soon to be expected confrontation with him smoldered the atmosphere...
Right when I stood before him, there was a sudden hush in the environs.
Visible beads of sweat trickled down his face . In fact, in the few seconds I had encountered him, his white shirt seemed wet, obviously from sweat.
''Even people like you feel fear... How staggering'' I derisively mused outwardly, a slight chuckle managing to escape my lips.
Even if he were to be stronger than me, I knew he would not dare talk back or try anything funny with me.
Apart from the fact that I boasted the current identity of the United Federation's gem, my public position as a disciple of the Sword Blade was enough to make him assume the behavior of an obedient lamb.
''I...am ... sorry'' Carl Swann's voice was staggering, a texture of fear overshadowing .
I payed his apology no attention. There was no way I would just let him off. I was no guardian angel swooping in to save the day.
However, I was well aware that people like him had to be put in their place, else they would hurt more innocent lives, wreak harm to innocent and good natured people, and if possible, produce more others like himself.
The world already had the Dark Cloud Organisation, the murderers of my parents, to deal with. It would not do any good to leave sociopaths like him freely wreaking havoc in the society.
I had to make a public example of him to the other bullies in the academy... There was just something about seeing the innocent humiliated that exuded extreme pangs in my heart. I was sick of people who took advantage of the weaknesses of others, obviating their peace of mind .. Why?...you ask?... well, probably because I knew how it felt like to be looked at as though I were an insignificant flea smoldering through a storm.
I had no notion of purging the world of these people. I was not a controller of people's hearts after all. However, if I ever came across such people and I had the necessary power, I would make them pay for treating others malevolently.
And that I did.
''If you have the means, record what is about to happen'' I spoke audaciously, with a warm smile plastered on my face as I looked at the crowd anticipating the about to unfold spectacle...
What...? hey.... I am no sociopath okay ... I smiled because I wanted to appear more terrifying... My goal was to scare the other bullies on campus and deter them from such actions as much as possible, so I had to put on a show, a scary impression... I never said I was enjoying this okay... ahem, think whatever you want if you do not believe me!!!.
Ahem, anyway I ignored the crowd, then I looked at Carl.
''I am... sorry...'' He voice was tinged with unexaggerated nervousness..
''Apology accepted'' ... I sighed...then added ''However, you have to do some few things before I let you go... slap your cheeks with all the physical strength you can muster, using both hands, till I tell you to stop. ''
''Are you all recording this?'' I questioned the crowd with my back facing them as I stared at Carl.
''Yes, young master'' As though the onlookers were an opera choir, they responded in unison.
I nodded, then added as I looked at Carl, muttering something incessantly like '' I'm finished... I'm finished''
I ignored his rumblings, held his chin up to face me, then I added ''If you ever use your skill to defend yourself during the exercise you are about to embark on, you are doomed... Now, begin!!''
Pa.. pa...pa... pa.... pa....pa...
Slapping sounds reverberated through the environs. At this point, Carl was unrecognizable... His cheeks were so red and swollen that he looked like a senor piñata.
''As expected of a prodigy... Just your physical strength without the enhancement of your awakened ability can create such a masterpiece''. I encouraged him to continue the act with my flattery comments... ahem... well, I was taunting him..
I gazed at the onlookers to ensure that they were recording the event with their ID slots... There was no doubt about it, their gazes gave it away, they were recording every bit of the occurrence.
'' Stop, stop... stop... I've had enough''. I yawned idly as I gestured lazily with my right hand, my gaze landing on Carl, now seated depressed on the ground in tears.
''Do you now realize how all those people you took advantage of, bullied and killed, just because you could, felt?'' I bluntly pointed out.
''I'm sorry... I am sorry... I have learnt my lesson... just please let me go...''. He could not even dare to look at me, as he shot out a cowardly apology.
''I accepted your apology already... did I not tell you that earlier?... and who gave you the permission to talk?... You know what... as punishment for talking unless you were given the permission to do so, hand over all your student credits. They are not yours after all, since you definitely extorted them from other students through underhanded methods'' I spoke lightly, causing him to flinch.
Quickly, I sent my student credit account number to him. In less than 5 seconds, I received a notification that I had received 1 million student credits into my account.
''Of course, he has upgraded his ID slot''. I mused to myself, noticing that he did not utilise any hand commands for the transaction to be made.
''Good, good... now off you go...my good sir '' I spoke in a very respectful tone, that further frightened him.
''Thank you...um... sir'' He said with a dazed expression on his swelled up face, then scurried towards the elevator without looking back.
I sighed, then glanced at the audience , then I told them to end the recording. After that I pleaded with them. ''Post the videos on the campus forums please... Caption them however you want...'' I was about to proceed towards the elevator which was a few walks away from me, when a petite familiar figure came out of the crowd and blocked my path... Amanda Cane... the heart shredder... well at least that's a befitting name for her after she broke my heart. Isn't it?... Ahem
Red eyes, chestnut hair, a well proportioned build that could be attributed to a beauty...
'What is this two faced lady doing here?'' I mused, as an innocent smug appeared on my face as I looked at her.
The moment our gazes met, she could not even look at me. She looked timidly towards the white tiled ground, then softly mentioned my name... tears trickling down her face.
'' Lucas... I...could you give me another chance?''
''I anticipated such an occurrence... So she now regrets her decision huh... well... It's not like I care about her anyway... She left me when I was at my lowest, and now that she has realized that things have turned around for good for me, she wants me back?... what does she take me for? an enchanted prince charming with no iota of self dignity?'' I mused inwardly for some few seconds, then I opened my mouth, and with the innocent smug still plastered on my face, I spoke softly..
''Please do we know each other, have we met somewhere?''
The moment she heard those words, she fell on her knees, and begun sobbing.
However, I walked past her, not looking back.
Did it hurt when I saw her?
Yeah, the fact that she of all people left me, and in such a humiliating manner...
Of course I have emotions too.. So when I saw her, I remembered the pain she caused me... but she made her choice, and she had to live with the consequences... There was no way such a person could sweet talk me even with the most sincerest tears to accept her back..
If I were still the old Lucas she despised and left, would she have realized her mistake and come back?... Definitely not!!.. Not to mention the fact that she mentioned to me when she was breaking my heart at the cafeteria on top of her voice, before all who were gathered there, that she thought there was a bright future ahead of me when my parents were alive, but now that they were gone, a weak, non awakened like me without a backing was not her type. Not to mention the cup of noodles she poured on my head...
So yeah... I had burnt the bridges with her...No way I would be softhearted towards such a person...and allow her into my life...again...
She would only deem me a gullible gentleman she could use, toss away and pick back anytime she deemed so...
I had forgiven her... I did not hate her... but I did not like her either... I just simply did not know her anymore... to me... Amanda Cane ...was dead...
From the way she was sobbing on the floor, it seemed she got the message I meant to communicate clearly... She... was dead to me...