Adrian's POV
I thought I could win. I thought I could escape it, but I was wrong. No matter how hard I tried, it was futile
I still remember the day I first met him. The very first day I attended Avalion Middle School. A crowd gathered at the school ground. It piqued my interest, so I ventured there. To my amazement, it was total chaos. A student was beaten, and his body battered on the ground. It was horrifying to the sight. It was a gruesome scene. His face was transfigured, though a healing potion could do. It was monstrous. It was the work of a beast. The battered guy was still breathing. The whole crowd of students buzzed with excitement, pity, fear, and disappointment, and some exhibit nonchalant attitudes.
Within the gruesome scene, a person with spiky yellow hair, Sam, the notorious bully could be seen holding the battered figure by the collar his hand with his clenched fist launched in a fast projectile hitting his face. Upon the state the battered guy was in, he kept on delivering blow after blow upon the guy's face. It was more shocking that the guy with spiky yellow hair was gaining excitement from it. Is this guy really human? His height wasn't that intimidating, but that doesn't mean the sheer display doesn't make him more menacing but more ferocious, making his presence overwhelming.
The most astonished part of it all was that no one was able to stand up for the battered figure or stop that crazy guy. The crowd of students were merely looking and were even nonchalant about it as if it was a perpetual occurrence. Were they afraid? What were they afraid of?
I don't want to admit it. I was scared to, but I can stand to watch someone beaten to death. Every punch of his blood could be seen splattering the floor and painting his knuckles. I wanted to lash myself at him for his animosity, but I can't avoid losing myself to anger. If my emotion is not controlled, it might be the perfect chance for the enemy to strike back. I steady my breath and mustered the courage I had in me.
'Stop!'
He froze in his tracks. His launching fist is now in mid-air. His hazel eyes gazed at me with sheer intensity. His unsettling presence is sending shivers down my spine. I could see him glaring at me with a murderous intent. Goosebump began to pulse out of my skin. I felt fear. He stood up and started walking towards me. The crowd of students were retreating back, leaving room for the incoming figure looking at me with pity more like 'You are dead'. I started to regret my action, wishing I could have swallowed those words I said earlier. It was too late. I can't regret it now. I composed myself and maintained a calm façade.
Sam walked towards grinning with a glimpse of his sinister teeth showing like a ferocious beast toying with his prey.
'What did you say?' Sam demanded in a more tense tone
'I said stop. You are causing too much ruckus here
He glared at me. But I didn't back down either. I gazed into his as well. He sneered at me
'I think it is too late for a freshman to deserve a beating'
His brows furrowed
'Why isn't anyone laughing'
Suddenly, laughter resounded the whole school ground. It was obvious it was forced. But such a mere display isn't enough to scare me. I have already devised a plan. A foolproof one, in fact.
'You don't get it, do you, dummy. I said, "Get you stupid ass out of here numbskull'
It was the last straw that broke the camel's back. It all works too well. My words carry weight and were precisely crafted. I could see the veins bulging out of his temple. I knew he would lash out. He didn't know he had already fallen for my subterfuge. A feeling of accomplishment was swirling within me. He launched an attack. His fist fully clenched, ready to hit his mark. Just when the attack was an inch closer to my face. The attack was intercepted. A cracking sound was heard. Sam groaned in pain. I expected this outcome. It was unprecedented, and it was devised perfectly.
The one who intercepted the attack was none other my father's butler and my bodyguard, Leonard. He has been stalking me since I entered the school ground. I was really obvious due to the black suit he was always wearing. I couldn't escape his watchful gaze. So I decided to put his presence to a little use.
'You know you are a trickster young master. How do you know I was here the entire time?'
I looked at him with an obvious expression
'Who wear tuxedos in a school ground'
Leonard facepalmed himself, realizing his mistake. His gaze was still lingering on me with Sam fist in the grasp of his palm. He ignored his presence. Sam was like a bug to him. It was true since Leonard is an S rank hunter. It is one of the powerhouses in the world. I noticed his gaze retracted back to the battered figure. His gaze was hint with concern and shock. It was quite rare for Leonard to show such a reaction, especially to a stranger.
'What willpower for him to survive this long. Dead Valley poison'
I thought I misheard him. Dead Valley poison is one of the most deadliest poison, even harmful to hunters. It is a kind of poison that doesn't take effect rapidly. It grows until it feeds off the life essence of the victim's life. The most shocking part is that when it began to exhibit in the human's body. The victim's pupil becomes pure black with a red liquid oozing out of one's body. This very poison was used on this battered figure. For him to be able to put up a resistance to it was astonishing. That was when I noticed Sam's body shivering.
'So it was you wasn't it. '
An immense pressure descended, pressing all students within the school ground down. It was from Leonard. His face filled with dread. I wanted him to stop, but the pressure was putting me in place. I could only grit my teeth. Most of it was directed towards Sam he was knocked out cold. The pressure then became abate.
'He will suffer repercussion for his action,' Leonard said
I heaved a sigh. That pressure put a strain on me. I shot a cold glare at Leonard. He was unaffected by it simply shrugging it off. I felt like kissing his face with my fist, but that would be saved for later. My gaze moved to the battered figures
'What about him?'
'He will be fine. He will be administered the cure for the poison and healing portion and maybe a 2 week rest'
A question has been lingering on my mind since that day. Why? Why will he allow himself to be maltreated like that? Why not put up a resistance?
Three weeks passed like a blink of an eye. It was then I saw him. His disheveled brown hair was not there any longer. His hair was well combed. Gone was his blood-stained cloth. His former battered face was now replaced with an average looking visage. I hesitated to ask him but I demanded an answe
'Hey. You are back'
'Yeah,' he replied promptly
'So I wanted to ask you why you allowed that guy to bully you like that?'
His expression was stoic. I could sense hesitation in his action, but he gave in
'Because I was weak'
He answered. Then, I walked past me, heading to the school's cafeteria. I clenched my fist in anger. I didn't want to admit it, but he was right. If I weren't his shoes, would I have done the same.
'The strong might have dominated the weak, but the weak won't stay weak forever. The weak shall rise to become strong'
The guy stopped in his tracks but continued moving
'How I wish it was that easy.' He said
That was when something took over me. A goal
'Hey, what is your name?' I said
'Arion. Arion Black, "he replied without any hesitation
My lips widened, forming a smile.
'Let be friends,' I said
'Why?' He questioned
'I want to prove you wrong by showing you my world,' I answered
'Your world' His gaze skeptical
'Yes, I want to prove you wrong, Arion. So what do you say do you accept the challenge'
I gestured my hand towards him to form a handshake. He hesitated for a while but shrugged it off
'Ok, then show me your world'
He stretched his hand forward, grasping mine, a handshake. A symbol of unspoken friendship was formed since that day.
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I thought I could prove him wrong since that day, but I was wrong. Ever since I entered Transcendent Academy, my dreams shattered like glass. 'You are weak'. The words echoed in my mind. I was only living beyond the grave of my dreams. But why doesn't he also forget such a dream? Arion, what were you trying to accomplish. Was it to prove me wrong or to prove the world wrong. Why not give up like me.
It was then I realized was this the Arion I was know. He wasn't weaker anymore he was stronger in each passing moment. He was never this strong. Have you finally figured out your world. Has it always been your dream, too? Why go to such length. Why prove me wrong. Why fight back. In the end, I was defeated by you. So this is what you want to show me. Your world. I now know that I shouldn't give up either. Thank you, Arion