The bell rang, signaling the end of the lecture, and Xuan Jing stood without a word, his movements smooth and deliberate as he gathered his things. The rest of the students around him were bustling, chatting animatedly as they filed out of the lecture hall, but he moved among them like a shadow, unnoticed and untouched. He had no friends here, nor did he want any. People were distractions, and Xuan Jing had never had much patience for distractions.
He made his way to the cafeteria, his steps unhurried as the rain outside continued to pour, the gloomy weather perfectly matching his indifferent mood. Crimson Spire Academy's cafeteria was more like a futuristic dining hall—a place where technology met opulence, catering to the elite. As he walked in, the room's polished surfaces reflected the soft blue and white glow of the countless screens scattered around.
He approached one of the interfaces, and with a flick of his wrist, summoned the holographic screen in front of him. He scanned the menu, his finger hovering lazily over the different selections, his eyes narrowed slightly in thought. The cafeteria served everything one could think of, from the most luxurious dishes to simple comfort food.
Xuan Jing decided on something simple—he wasn't here for luxury. He selected a meal, and the holographic screen blinked in response, sending the order directly to the automated kitchen. He let the screen vanish, crossing his arms as he waited.
Suddenly, there was a commotion across the cafeteria, the low buzz of chatter turning into a series of gasps and whispers. Xuan Jing barely glanced in the direction of the noise, uninterested until he realized it was heading his way. A group of students, all wearing the signature colors of the Feng Clan, were pushing their way through the crowded tables, their eyes fixed on him.
At the front of the group was Feng Hao, a boy with sharp features and an arrogant smirk. His hair was dyed a striking platinum blonde, and his eyes held the gleam of someone who thought very highly of himself. He had always fancied himself Xuan Jing's rival—though the feeling was not mutual. Xuan Jing couldn't even be bothered to remember the guy's name most of the time.
"Well, if it isn't Xuan Jing, the lone wolf," Feng Hao called out, his voice dripping with mockery as he approached. The cafeteria quieted slightly, the other students watching with interest. "What's the matter, Xuan? Too good to eat with the rest of us?"
Xuan Jing didn't bother responding, his gaze fixed on the screen in front of him as he finalized his order. He had no intention of giving Feng Hao the satisfaction of a reaction. The less attention he paid to people like him, the better.
But Feng Hao wasn't one to be ignored. He stepped closer, his voice rising as he continued his taunts. "Still pretending you're above everyone, huh?" he sneered. "You know, you're not as special as you think, Xuan Jing. Just because you're from one of the main clans doesn't mean you're untouchable."
Xuan Jing's expression remained unchanged, his attention still seemingly on the screen. He could hear the whispers from the students around them, feel the tension rising, but he didn't care. This was not worth his time.
But then, Feng Hao's voice dropped, his tone turning cruel, and he said, "I heard about your mother, you know. Died like a dog, didn't she? Probably deserved it, if you ask me."
The silence that followed was absolute, the entire cafeteria holding its breath. For a moment, Xuan Jing didn't move, his face completely expressionless. And then, slowly, almost lazily, he turned his head, his gaze meeting Feng Hao's.
There was nothing in Xuan Jing's eyes—no anger, no hatred, no emotion at all. Just a cold, empty stare. But the moment Feng Hao met his eyes, something changed. The arrogant smirk on his face faltered, his eyes widening in shock as a sudden, searing pain shot through them.
"Ah—!" Feng Hao let out a strangled cry, his hands flying to his face as his eyes began to burn, an intense heat radiating from them. He stumbled back, his friends rushing forward to catch him, their expressions a mix of confusion and fear.
Xuan Jing simply watched, his gaze unwavering as Feng Hao fell to his knees, his screams echoing through the now-silent cafeteria. The air around them seemed to grow colder, the shadows deepening as Xuan Jing's presence seemed to expand, the quiet power he held making itself known.
"Pathetic," Xuan Jing said softly, his voice barely more than a whisper, but it carried across the room, sending a shiver down the spines of everyone present. He turned away, dismissing Feng Hao entirely as he retrieved his meal from the automated counter, the holographic tray appearing in front of him.
Without another glance at the commotion, Xuan Jing walked away, his expression as calm and indifferent as ever. The cafeteria slowly came back to life, the whispers growing louder as students exchanged shocked glances, their eyes darting between the still-screaming Feng Hao and the retreating figure of Xuan Jing.
It wasn't that Xuan Jing cared about what Feng Hao had said—his mother's death was something he had long accepted. But there were limits to what he would tolerate, even from someone as insignificant as Feng Hao. If people thought they could cross those boundaries without consequence, they were sorely mistaken.
Xuan Jing found a quiet corner, sitting down to eat his meal in peace, the chaos he had left behind already fading from his mind. He had no interest in unnecessary conflict, but if others insisted on poking the beast, then they would have to deal with the consequences.
And as far as Xuan Jing was concerned, they weren't worth his time.