Kikidori trudged through the crowded halls of Power School High, his head down and shoulders hunched as usual. His bag felt heavier than normal, though it probably had more to do with his dread of the day ahead than the books inside. He avoided eye contact with the other students, knowing that most of them would either ignore him completely or throw a quick insult his way.
Just as he turned a corner toward his classroom, he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps behind him. They were slow, deliberate—too familiar to be anyone but Ryden.
Kikidori sighed, his breath shaky. "Great. What now?" he muttered under his breath.
"Let's get this over with," he said aloud, though his voice was barely audible.
But when he turned to confront the expected tormentor, he froze. It wasn't Ryden.
It was Principal Horace Velden, the tall, sharp-eyed head of Power School High. His dark suit and tie were immaculate, as always, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with authority. Principal Velden was a Level 10, one of the strongest people in the school, and his very presence could make even the toughest students straighten up and fall silent.
"Kikidori," Velden said, his deep voice cutting through the noise of the hallway. "Come with me. Now."
Kikidori blinked, confused. "Uh... what? Why?"
The principal's gaze was cold and unyielding. "You know why."
"No, I really don't," Kikidori replied, his voice shaky but sincere.
Velden's expression hardened. "Do not make me repeat myself. Follow me. Now."
Kikidori's confusion turned to dread as murmurs began to ripple through the hall. Students stopped to watch, whispering to one another.
"What did he do this time?"
"Probably something pathetic."
"I didn't know he was even capable of breaking a rule."
Kikidori glanced around, his heart pounding. He locked eyes with Ryden, who was leaning casually against a locker with a smug grin on his face. The moment their gazes met, Ryden gave a slow, mocking wink.
That's when Kikidori knew something was wrong.
Kikidori followed Principal Velden down the hallway, his steps growing heavier with each passing moment. His mind raced as he tried to figure out what he could have possibly done to warrant the principal's attention.
"This has to be some kind of mistake," Kikidori said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Velden didn't respond.
They walked in silence, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the empty corridor. As they passed by classrooms, Kikidori caught glimpses of students peering through the windows, their faces filled with curiosity and amusement.
Finally, they arrived at the principal's office. Velden opened the door and gestured for Kikidori to step inside.
The office was as intimidating as its occupant—large, meticulously organized, and filled with an overwhelming sense of authority. Bookshelves lined the walls, and a massive oak desk stood at the center, its surface spotless except for a neatly arranged stack of papers.
"Sit," Velden commanded, motioning to the chair in front of his desk.
Kikidori sat, his palms sweaty and his heart racing. Velden took a seat behind the desk and fixed Kikidori with an intense stare.
"Do you know why you're here?" Velden asked.
"No, sir," Kikidori replied quickly. "I don't—"
"Enough," Velden interrupted, his voice sharp. "We received a report that you used hate speech against another student. A serious offense."
"Hate speech?" Kikidori repeated, his voice rising in shock. "I never—"
Velden raised a hand, silencing him. "The evidence speaks for itself. Witnesses claim you made derogatory comments about another student's abilities yesterday."
"What witnesses? Who are they?" Kikidori demanded, his voice trembling with frustration. "I didn't say anything like that! I don't even talk to people!"
Velden leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Are you calling my sources liars?"
"I'm saying someone's lying about me," Kikidori replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
Velden leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he studied Kikidori. The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.
"You will serve a week of detention," Velden finally said. "Effective immediately."
Kikidori's jaw dropped. "A week? But I didn't do anything!"
"Do not test my patience," Velden warned, his tone icy. "You should consider yourself lucky. This punishment is lenient given the circumstances."
"This isn't fair," Kikidori said, his voice breaking. "I didn't do anything wrong!"
Velden stood, his towering figure casting a shadow over Kikidori. "This discussion is over. Report to detention after your final class today."
Kikidori stood slowly, his legs shaky. "Fine," he muttered, his voice filled with bitterness.
As he turned to leave, he caught sight of a glint of movement through the small window in the office door. Ryden. The smug grin on his face confirmed everything Kikidori had feared.
Walking back to class, Kikidori's mind swirled with anger and frustration. Ryden had set him up—he was sure of it. But how could he prove it? No one would believe him, not the teachers, not the principal, and certainly not the other students.
He clenched his fists, feeling the faint hum of energy in his veins again. It was there, waiting for him to use it. But how? What good was it if he couldn't even stand up for himself?
As he sat down at his desk, the words "Level 1 loser" still scrawled across the surface, Kikidori felt something new stirring inside him.
This wasn't just about survival anymore. It was about proving them wrong.
The End of Chapter 6.