Donovan and Gary await by a tree that stands under the radiating sunlight. Around them, a short, ten-foot invisible bubble surrounds the two of them as the other students avoid the sudden outsiders from the lower-rank classes.
No one wanted to talk to them. Word had spread that three new students were accepted into the S-rank regiment three months after school started. The news had spread like wildfire on the same day. Rumors surrounded them, none of which were very nice or complimentary—in fact, quite the opposite. Along with the words came hatred and disdain. A collective loathing was directed towards the trio. 'How can someone from the lower ranks live with us? This is disrespectful,' or 'I worked hard to get into S-rank. How can they be invited inside?'
The complaints flooded the headmaster's office, berating him for accepting the trio. It wasn't just the first years; the second and third years joined in, complaining about their acceptance non-stop.
Samuel could see it. A small crowd had formed behind the same boy who instigated the attack on them back in class. He wanted to intervene but stayed back, hidden. Out of sight, out of notice. Though Donovan and Gary had already sensed the incoming attack, they waited lazily for it to come to them, too indifferent to confront it head-on.
"It's the same boy," Donovan muttered, moving his hat from his face to rest on his head.
"Yeah, I see that. They look angry." Gary took a final bite of his apple before unnaturally swallowing the core entirely.
"God, you always creep me out with that," Donovan remarked as he stood up, holding his hand out to Gary. Gary took it and stood up beside him.
The crowd behind the boy stepped inside the invisible bubble, slowly walking towards the pair. Gary was about to reach for something in the air, but Donovan pushed his hand down, shaking his head. Gary scoffed, scratching his shoulder as he felt his sleeves begin to pull apart.
The long-haired boy from class finally came within hearing range. Donovan spoke first, "How can I help you fine lads today?"
"Not much you can do," the boy said, "but it would be wonderful if you told us why you're here."
"Well, Mister... what's your name?"
"Jacob."
"Well, Jacob, I'm afraid all we can say is that we're just that good. The headmaster saw our potential and brought us into this wonderful establishment. And we aren't leaving anytime soon." Donovan could feel the burning gaze attempting to drill through his skin.
"Cut the bullshit. We all know what you did back there, and we find it impossible to believe you managed to get in here," Jacob's face darkened.
"Okay. And?"
"Tell the truth. How did you get accepted here?"
Gary slowly grabbed his sleeves, ready to tear them off at a moment's notice. Jacob seemed to be the class president, with everyone following him like a dog. Donovan made signals to Gary behind his back, telling him to get ready. Meanwhile, Samuel had found his mark. He pulled his mask up and dashed off towards the first-year dormitories, using the signs as a guide.
Donovan sensed Samuel running off and decided to follow through, "I'd rather not say. I quite like it here, and we don't plan on leaving."
"Watch it, Irish."
"Alright, Goldilocks."
"Bastard-!"
In a flash, Jacob lashed his hand diagonally, sending a stream of raw magic towards Donovan, scorching the grass where Donovan had been standing. But Donovan had already moved aside, lunging forward and striking Jacob in the stomach with his foot, sending him tumbling away.
"Go ahead, Gary!"
"Finally!" Gary ripped his sleeves off and sprinted forward, black markings slithering from his chest to his face and arms.
The crowd behind Jacob acted like a hivemind, drawing their weapons and readying their magic. Raw spells and spears were hurled around, nearly hitting other students as they scrambled to escape the crossfire.
Donovan dashed into the crowd, ducking under multiple attacks while delivering quick punches and kicks, knocking his classmates to the ground. He narrowly dodged a magic blast aimed at his face, lunging forward and grabbing the boy responsible. Donovan tightened his fist, slamming it into the boy's stomach. White runes circled his arms before impact, amplifying his strength, and sending the boy flying.
Three students attempted to attack Donovan from behind, but Gary rammed through them like a raging bull. Magic spells and weapons did little to stop the unrelenting minotaur.
Gary noticed most of their class participating alongside Jacob. Were they trying to kill them? Teach them a lesson? Gary dismissed the thought as he slammed classmates down one by one, using one to throw at a group of others.
The students hesitated, taking in what had just happened. But the moment passed as Gary knelt, allowing Donovan to jump from his back, forming a radiant light in his hands.
Jacob, recovering from Donovan's earlier kick, barely managed to dodge as the light bound everyone behind him. He rolled to the side just in time as Gary charged through the crowd again, plowing into them.
"The hell...?" Jacob muttered, struggling to comprehend the situation.
Someone grabbed his arm and pulled him up—it was Donovan. A second later, he felt a right hook slam into his face, sending him crashing to the ground.
Panic overtook Jacob's mind. He couldn't fail. He had orders. He couldn't lose everything.
"What's wrong, Jacob? Lost your—Oh shit!" Donovan jumped back just in time as Jacob's magic erupted. A bright yellow aura surrounded Jacob, sending wild magic bolts flying.
"What's this now?" Donovan remarked, trying to assess the situation.
"Can't you just die already?! Let me kill you!" Jacob screamed, forming a ball of raw magic in his hands.
Donovan took a breath, bracing himself, "I... Oh." Realization dawned on him as Jacob unleashed his magic. A beam of energy flew toward Donovan.
He held his hands out, forming a transparent white barrier that blocked the beam. As Jacob pushed all his energy into it, Donovan jumped to the side and charged forward. Surrounding his arm with magic, he stabbed through Jacob's aura, grabbing him by the chest and plunging his fingers inside.
"Agh!"
Donovan whispered something, his voice hissing like snakes in Jacob's ear. Jacob felt his energy draining as weakness overtook him. His magic faltered, and he slumped to the ground.
"What are you...?"
Donovan grabbed Jacob by the collar, brushing aside his coat as he searched his pockets. He pulled out an envelope.
"No... Give that back—"
"Quiet, Jacob." A golden string of magic slipped from Donovan's finger, binding Jacob's mouth. "Gary!"
Gary looked up just as he was about to chokeslam another student. "Yeah?!" The black markings had reached his elbows and chin.
"We got something!" Donovan waved the envelope.
"Nice! Now I—HURK!"
Gary fell forward as a familiar purple string wrapped around him, causing his body to weaken.
Donovan turned just in time to see Elyssia appear, grabbing his arms and restraining him with her magic. She kneed him in the stomach, making him gasp for air.
"First day... first damned day," Elyssia growled through gritted teeth.
"Well, hello, Elyssia..." Donovan managed, "This is not what it looks like..."
"Wants to join the security force, but starts fights..." Elyssia restrained Jacob, pulling both of them to their feet.
"Hey! I didn't—"
"Quiet, Donovan."
Rovanne emerged from the onlooking crowd, Matthew by her side. He ordered students to help the injured and bring them to the hospital wing. Rovanne moved to help Gary stand.
"They're all going to be fine, Elyssia!" Matthew called out.
"Good," Elyssia replied, dragging Donovan and Jacob to their feet. "Off to the headmaster with you all..."
Internally, Donovan thought things were going well—he did need to meet the headmaster. That was until Rovanne asked, "Wait... where's Samuel?"