Several days had passed, and true to his word, Mr. Yu maintained the routine. Each day after class, they convened in the designated battle hall, aiming to land a hit on him within the allotted ten minutes.
Yet, each attempt ended the same: with Mr. Yu dominating the sparring session, leaving them battered and bruised. Despite their efforts, victory remained elusive.
However, luckily Mr. Yu surprisingly granted them a day off, conveniently coinciding with the weekend. Michael planned to spend the day catching up on much-needed rest, meaning Kai was on his own today
As Kai strolled through the bustling streets of the school, he couldn't help but marvel at its wonders. The school's policy restricted students from venturing beyond the premises except for official outings or holidays. However, in compensation, the school went above and beyond to provide for all their needs.
Wandering through the lively streets of the school, he found himself immersed in vibrant sights and sounds. Cafes with cozy outdoor seating arrangements beckoned passersby, their tantalizing aromas wafting through the air. Students lounged at sidewalk tables, sipping on steaming mugs of coffee or indulging in sweet treats, their laughter mingling with the chatter of conversations.
Eateries lined the bustling thoroughfares, offering a diverse array of cuisines. From savory street food stalls serving up mouthwatering snacks to upscale restaurants boasting elegant dining experiences, there was no shortage of options to tempt the taste buds. Kai watched as groups of friends gathered around tables, eagerly digging into their meals and sharing stories
The school's shopping mall stood as a beacon of excitement, its gleaming storefronts showcasing the latest fashion trends and must-have gadgets. Brightly lit displays enticed shoppers inside, where they browsed through racks of clothing, perused shelves stocked with books and electronics, and admired exquisite works of art. Kai observed as students wandered through the bustling corridors, their arms laden with shopping bags and their faces illuminated with excitement
Throughout it all, the air buzzed with an infectious energy, as students reveled in the freedom of the day. Laughter echoed off the walls, rhythmic beat of music emanating from nearby cafes. Kai couldn't help but appreciate the change of pace.
Enticed by the aroma of freshly baked pastries filling the air, Kai made his way into a café tucked away in a corner of the bustling school campus, the walls were painted brown and gold with intricate wood paneling. The Cafe had a charming simplicity
As Kai approached the counter to place his order, he couldn't help but notice a group of girls sitting at a nearby table. Their eyes flickered in his direction, whispering amongst themselves as they stole glances at him. One of them, with curls of golden hair and twinkling blue eyes, caught his gaze and offered a shy wave.
Momentarily taken aback, Kai hesitated before returning the gesture with a brief, polite wave of his own. The girls erupted into giggles, Kai couldn't help but wonder what he had done to get such a reaction
"Girls are weird " Kai thought
Kai made his order and payed using his watch, the school didn't use regular money for purchases rather they used something called "credits" which were distributed to the students at the end of the month.
The amount a student earned was determined by the ranks, based off of his rank Kai earned 500 credits every month, which wasn't much to be honest
Kai scanned the bustling café for an empty table, but the place was packed with students enjoying their day off. Finally, he spotted a vacant seat tucked away in a corner, just as a girl settled herself down at the same table. As he approached, he realized with a sinking feeling that the girl was none other than Rebecca.
Kai hesitated for a moment, considering whether to find another spot, but the café was too crowded, leaving him with no choice but to take the seat opposite her. Ignoring the frosty aura emanating from Rebecca, Kai lowered himself onto the chair
Rebecca aware of his presence but pretended not to have noticed, as she continued to read a book and occasionally took sips from her coffee
"Didn't expect to see you here," Rebecca remarked, her voice laced with thinly veiled hostility.
Kai shrugged nonchalantly, feigning disinterest. "Just grabbing a bite to eat. Same as you, I suppose."
"Hmm, and did it have to be at this particular table?" Rebecca inquired, her gaze fixed on the pages of her book, refusing to meet Kai's eyes.
"Ah well if it bothers you that much, you could just leave " Kai retorted, his tone equally cool as he took a sip of his drink.
Rebecca couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation at Kai's dismissive attitude.
"It seems like that thing over your head is messing with the few braincells you have left, I was here first, if anyone is supposed to leave, it's you".
Rebecca responded
Kai suppressed the urge to snap back, he didn't retort and just observed her silently for a few moments
Finally he poised the question "You don't like me very much, May I ask why?"
Kai honestly didn't care, but he thought it was strange that someone he barely knew had such disdain for him. He briefly remembered the cold looks he got from her whenever their eyes met in class
Rebecca paused, her gaze finally lifting from the pages of her book to meet Kai's eyes. There was a flicker of surprise in her expression, as if she hadn't expected him to address the issue head-on.
She closed the book she was heavily engrossed with and engaged in a staring contest with him
"It's because Damian was right about you,"
Kai's eyebrows furrowed slightly at her response. Memories of his encounter with Damian flooded back
"Damian knows nothing about me," Kai replied calmly, his tone measured. "And neither do you."
Rebecca scoffed, a hint of disdain in her voice. "Oh, really? And yet you seem intent on proving him right at every turn—the challenge to Damian, the altercation with Marcus, nearly coming to blows with Isaiah."
"You act like some insecure little boy who resorts to violence to boost his ego," Rebecca continued, "You're just like the rest of them—unworthy of the power you possess"
Rebecca shares this sentiment mostly because she hails from one of the esteemed Five Great Families: the Knights, Chronoas, Salvatores, Mikealsons, and the Valans. These families boast ancient lineages, their innate abilities passed down through generations since the era of the Great Awakening. Revered as the originals, they consider themselves the rightful owners of Gifts, viewing all others as unworthy in comparison.
Their belief in superiority is deeply ingrained, passed down through teachings that permeate their worldview. This ingrained sense of entitlement and superiority is evident in their interactions, manifesting as a disdainful attitude towards those outside their exclusive circle. Rebecca's demeanor reflects this indoctrination, embodying the arrogance and elitism characteristic of her lineage.
"Unworthy? " Kai asked, his head tilted
Rebecca felt the atmosphere become tense, she instantly knew she had crossed the line.
But Kai's next words shattered any remaining semblance of calm
"I watched everyone I grew up with get slaughtered, I watched the only person I care about die in a pool of her own blood, I've had the same nightmare over and over and over reliving those deaths and seeing the face of the bastard responsible for all of this every single night and to top it all off, And to top it all off, apparently..." Kai's voice trailed off "apparently I now have to share my soul with something that looks like it crawled out of the depths of hell.
"So like I said before," Kai continued, his voice quieter now, but no less resolute. "You don't know anything about me."
The atmosphere remained charged with tension, Rebecca's usual cold demeanor nowhere to be seen. It was hard to gauge what she was thinking as she processed Kai's revelation.
Before the silence could stretch any further, Alexandria swept into the cafe
"Sorry, I'm late something.... Came up"
The slight pause came from seeing the unlikely duo of Kai and Rebecca, exchanging looks with both of them.
"Don't worry, I lost my appetite anyway," Kai interjected, excusing himself from the table and leaving his meal unfinished as he made a swift exit from the cafe.
Taking her seat, Alexandria couldn't help but notice the lingering unease in the air.
What was all that about?" Alexandria inquired, Without getting a response Alexandria calls out Rebecca once again
"Huh? Oh, umm, nothing. It was nothing. Don't worry about it," she replied, though her response lacked conviction.
Alexandria's curiosity remained piqued, but she decided not to press further, respecting Rebecca's boundaries for the time being.
"What happened between them?" Alexandria mused to herself, left to ponder the encounter between Kai and Rebecca