"Who the heck are they? Whatever. Capture them while I teach these three buzzers a lesson." Jack raised his fist to punch Blake, but Kaylee quickly froze his hands, and Cole landed a kick in his stomach.
Suddenly, the ice around Jack's hands began to melt. "Fire ability? This guy must be strong. Maybe a grade 7," Michael thought.
The fire ability was among the five strongest abilities, far surpassing ice. Blake smiled, wondering how strong he would be if he could copy the fire ability.
Meanwhile, Cole was delivering punches and kicks to Ryan at an incredible speed; his martial arts skills were impressive.
"I don't know if this is the right time to activate my new ability. Darn, I can't. It would be really awkward if I did," Michael pondered. The system screen chimed:
"Don't you dumbasses in the basement fighting have something better to do? Maybe training or studying? Have you forgotten you're here to learn how to use your abilities to protect the Earth from the Makisis? Not to hold a fighting club with your powers! Get to it now!"
They paused, realizing the announcement was directed at them. Michael felt like screaming at the annoying robot. His face turned red with anger; he was just about to learn something new when the robot interrupted the fight because it could have caused serious damage to the academy. The administration didn't care about students fighting, even if it led to severe injuries.
"May we meet again. Next time, you'll regret it," Jack spat as he and his gang left the basement. Kaylee stared at Michael before turning and walking out.
"Thank you for saving us," Michael said, while Lisa also exited the basement.
"I seriously don't know what's happening, but we need to do something about this," Blake said, resting his chin on his hands. If only he could copy Jack's ability, he'd be much stronger with fire. Anger boiled within him at the state of the school; the bullies were growing bolder, and the administration did nothing as low-grade students were beaten up daily.
He turned to Michael and Cole. "Guys, let's do something about this school hierarchy. We can't keep ignoring this brutality. Are you in or out?"
Michael agreed instantly, glancing at Cole, who was now serious and clenching his fists. "Of course, I'm in. I won't back down until we clear out all this rotten trash," Cole said coldly, clearly furious.
"Well, that's everyone. Let's do this," Michael replied as they all walked out of the basement and headed to their hostel. The three of them were ready to confront the bullies, determined to make life easier for everyone at school. No longer would low-grade students have to fear high-grade ones; they were going to change the unwritten rules and turn the school from hell into a paradise.
No more fear. Kaylee and Lisa had been watching Michael, Blake, and Cole for a while, which is how they knew the three had been taken to the basement. It was impressive how the trio had attracted so much attention that the entire bully hierarchy was now focused on them.
First-years weren't the only ones after the three; second- and third-years were involved too. They viewed the trio as an obstruction to their so-called balance, believing the weak should remain beneath the strong and obey their orders. But the three saw that as nonsense and wanted to change it.
As they approached the hostel, they encountered a group of seven boys standing around as if waiting for someone. Michael initially thought they were just hanging out, but he soon realized these were second-years.
Blake was about to approach them, but Cole quickly held him back. "They're not first-years; these are second-years. We don't know why they're in the first-year building, so don't just jump in like a fool," Cole warned, gripping Blake's shoulder.
They noticed another first-year kneeling with his hands up. "You haven't paid your protection fee. Why is that? I had to come all the way here just for you. Get me my money—100 Pes—by tonight. If you try any petty tricks, I'll make sure you see hell," one of the boys said, slapping the first-year.
Michael recognized Jack on the floor, kneeling. It seemed he and his group were being controlled by the second-years, meaning the second-years were the underbosses.
The boy pushed Jack to the ground with his foot and walked away, followed by the others. Michael, Blake, and Cole hid behind a wall, watching as the second-years left.
Jack stood up, looking desperate as he wondered where he would get 100 Pes by tonight. 100 Pes was a lot; it was the official currency used for everyday transactions in shops, restaurants, and other activities. The Pes was essential for daily life, utilized in digital currency through a national e-wallet system. While food, accommodation, and tuition were free, everything else cost Pes.
As Michael, Blake, and Cole emerged from hiding, they passed by the three students who were still pondering how to get 100 Pes by tonight.
"Hey, dumbass! Didn't you see us? I guess your master came to discipline you," Michael taunted with a smile.
"Master, please, I'm sorry," Cole taunted.
"Finally, we get a fight this time," Blake declared.