Introductions (Part 2)

After Felix, many other students came and introduced themselves. There were many named characters, but I ultimately didn't place much importance on them.

Until.

"Combat Class A-12?"

There was brief silence as nobody moved. Adrian called out again. "Combat Class A-12?"

Whispers spread as everyone grew curious about who Combat Class A-12 was. Just then, one student from the crowd came forward. As everyone assumed he was A-12, he explained that no, it was his friend Ethan, who had gone to the washroom.

Everybody laughed about it, and they carried on.

But my face darkened as I thought.

Going ahead with the introductions was a blunder.

There was another event that was supposed to happen here, a fight between Ethan and the protagonist, Near. It would start with Near bumping into Ethan and spilling a drink on his clothes.

At first, Ethan would be chill about it, but once he realized that Near wasn't from any guild, he'd become arrogant.

He'd start picking a fight with Near. When Near tried to fight back, one punch from Ethan would send him flying.

Obviously, then it would be our Ice Princess who unintentionally stepped between them and stopped the fight with her icy glare. Then that event would happen, Near would try to introduce himself, but Aria would just click her tongue and refuse to shake his hand.

But now Ethan was gone, Near was nowhere to be seen, and to add to that, Ethan had been acting weird even before this.

I went along with the introductions on the assumption that the fight would happen in the main hall, just like in the original story. I thought I'd only need to stop the fight when it broke out.

But it seems there's something else going on...

I lifted my feet and started making my way toward the exit of the main hall. Just then, Felix turned toward me. "Where are you going, Aria?"

I replied to him briefly. "To the washroom."

***

(Near's POV)

“So…um… what do want to talk about?”

Standing awkwardly in the washroom, I looked at the guy standing across from me, hazel eyes, brown hair. Ethan, he'd said his name was.

I'd gone to the washroom to wash my hands between speeches. When I came back, everyone was gone. I'd wandered around searching until I ran into him. He said he'd help me find the main hall, but first he needed to talk to me about something.

Ethan opened his mouth and asked, "Your name was Near, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," I said.

Ethan nodded, as if confirming something. "What's your last name?”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. It was an innocent question if asked to someone else but not for him.

“I..I don’t have a last name.”

Technically that was true. He didn’t have registered last name, even in birth certificate or academy.

Ethan's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes. "Really? That means you're someone who isn't part of any guild, right? Wow, that's like a miracle, being able to be admitted into the academy. You're maybe the first person in history even."

He held out his hand to shake and show his respect. I grabbed it and shook. "It's not even that good." Scratching my head awkwardly.

But I just couldn't shake off this weird feeling.

Something just didn’t click.

He smiled widely, then asked, "Surely, then you gotta have a crazy rank like S or higher, right?”

My chest tightened. I shook my head. “No…its nothing that impressive.”

"Oh, I see." He nodded understandingly. "Well, not everyone has a crazy grade. It's probably A-rank,

right?"

I couldn't meet his eyes. My gaze dropped to the floor.

"No..."

The word came out barely above a whisper.

Just then, pain exploded through my hand.

I cried out, trying to pull away, but Ethan's grip crushed down harder. My bones felt like they were grinding together.

I looked up at him.

The smile was gone.

In its place was a sneer

“I have so many questions. But first how did a F rank trash like you was able to get admitted here?”

I tried to pull back my hand, but the difference in strength was obvious. I was no match for Ethan.

"Let go!" I gasped, still trying to yank free.

Ethan's grip only tightened. "Did you cheat? Go through backdoors? No, even then it would be

obvious within a few days that you don't belong here."

He twisted my hand further. The pain was unbearable, my skin turned red, then purple. I couldn't take it anymore.

I lashed out with my foot, aiming for his stomach.

He caught my leg effortlessly with his free hand.

Then he punched me.

The impact sent me crashing against the wall. My back slammed into the tile, and I crumpled to the floor, gasping for air.

I forced myself to stand up, legs shaking. "I don't know what your problem is with me or why you're picking a fight, but we've got something to settle now."

Ethan laughed. "Heh. My problem? My problem is that you're worthless trash that don't belong here.”

He spread his arms wide, beckoning me forward with a mocking gesture.

"If you think you can take me, then come on."

I lunged forward, throwing a wild punch.

Ethan sidestepped easily and drove his fist into my stomach.

The air left my lungs. I doubled over, then collapsed to my knees, gasping.

"Pathetic."

I forced myself up, legs trembling, raising my fists again.

Ethan's expression twisted with disgust. "You don't learn, do you?"

He hit me harder this time. The impact sent me sprawling across the tile floor. My shoulder slammed against the ground, pain shooting through my arm.

But I pushed myself up again. My hands found the sink, and I pulled myself to my feet. The ache was still there, but my body responded faster than it should have.

Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Still got some fight in you?"

I didn't answer. Just stepped forward again.

He swung.

This time, I shifted my weight just enough that his fist only grazed my jaw instead of connecting fully.

I stumbled back but stayed upright.

Ethan stared at me for a second, his confident smirk faltering. "What the…"

That was the moment I was waiting for. I pushed my power and shot forward.

In the blink of an eye, I was right in front of him.

His eyes widened

Just then the door slammed open.