A Rough Encounter

"I'm Professor Shelton and I will be your Magic teacher for the year. I want to start off by saying I do not accept failure in my class and will not hesitate to deduct merits from students who are working subpar to what is expected..." A woman in her 50's lectured.

She wore a long maroon coloured robe and had a round pair of spectacles sitting on her nose bridge. Wrinkles were beginning to show on her face and like Mr Blackwell, she also had a strict demeanour. It was important for first year teachers to be harsh towards the new students to build discipline into them and keep them in line.

"Okay. That's enough of the boring setting up rules and all. Who can tell me what Magic is? Raise your hand if you want to answer. I always appreciate the effort." Miss Shelton looked around the classroom.

This was Peter's first lesson in school and the room was actually a small classroom, only holding around 30 students. Every student had their own individual desks. A large hologram whiteboard stood behind the professor.

Peter raised his hands, which piqued her interest.

'A cripple? At Apex academy? He must come from a strong background.'

"State your name, then answer." She ordered.

"My name is Peter Magtris. The answer to professor Shelton's question is that Magic is a supernatural force that can be exploited by cultivators, using mana as a powersource to cast magic spells. There are two types of magic, Chore magic that anyone can utilize like for example the flying spell that can be learnt when one reaches the Lord rank in their cultivation or the levitation spell etc…

"The other is Elemental Magic; everyone has an affinity to a certain element and some even have unique elements that are extremely rare like Lightning. Elemental magic is the use of mana to cast spells based on one's innate element, for example a fire mage's first basic spell is the fireball spell."

Silence filled the room as everyone looked at Peter weirdly.

"Well done Mr Magtris! That was a great explanation. 10 Merits have been awarded to you." She smiled at the Blind Boy. The other kids looked at him in envy and anger. Why didn't they answer such an easy question instead of him?

"That was a perfect answer. As he explained there are 2 types of Magic. In the first year, I will only be teaching you chore magic, not elemental magic. To learn Elemental magic, one must have a strong cultivation base and good control over their mana flow. One mistake and you could damage your meridians or worse, your mana core…" Professor Shelton carried on explaining.

For some reason, a ray of hope shone on Peter's heart. Even if he didn't have an affinity to an element, he could always use basic spells to buff himself up. However, the realization that he was stuck at the first Novice Stage for around a month now hit.

Reaching the 2nd stage on average only took 3-4 days to reach for an average person. Then each stage after that would take huge amounts of time. Therefore, all the students in the room were either at the beginning of the 2nd stage or the peak of the 2nd stage.

He just couldn't figure out where all the mana he was absorbing was going.

"...I want all of you to turn to topic 1.1 and begin taking notes and do the exercises at the end of the page." She finished explaining.

The students obediently did as told and opened up their books. In Peter's case he didn't have to take notes, as he had already passed this topic, instead he opened up the book to topic 5.2. There were 9 topics in the first year.

**

The bell rang signaling the end of the lesson.

Everyone packed their things and rushed out of the room. Peter was the last one to leave, he waited for the others to leave so he wouldn't get bumped into by the rushing crowd in the corridors.

The professor watched as Peter extended his walking stick after everyone had left and the corridor was empty and began walking out of the room.

When he almost reached the canteen that was situated at the end of the hallway, he suddenly stopped.

"We've been waiting for you cripple." A hand grabbed Peter's shoulder tightly.

"Could you let me pass please? I don't want any trouble." Peter said.

"Did any of you understand what he just said? Must be some peasant language." The boy mocked, causing the 6 other boys to laugh with him.

"Bring him to the spot." A cold voice resounded from the back of the group and the atmosphere became still.

A sharp punch contacted with Peter's stomach, making him cave forward. All the air siphoned out of his lungs and he felt his legs give in. Another punch contacted with his head right after in succession, knocking him out cold.

The boys moved in unison, first breaking his walking stick and destroying it with flame magic. Then dragging him through an exit to the back of the school.

The sound of locks closing echoed and the exit door was barred so no one would witness what was about to happen.

Evan Hodge, the leader of the small gang of misfits sat on a dark chair, looking at the blind boy on the ground.

"Wake him up." He ordered.

A large water ball made of water magic was splashed on him, drenching his whole uniform and body. Peter groaned, slowly regaining his conscience; his head spun from being knocked out so hard and he struggled to comprehend what was going on.

"You're that guy, aren't you? The one who messed with the Ice Queen? And now you even dare refuse my request to spar you?" Evan snapped.

Peter didn't answer.

'6 boys. They're all from my form class.' Peter thought. He was rejected and his heart sank as the realisation hit. He was going to be beaten up again for no reason, the only reason being he was weak.

2 boys were holding him up on his knees, like guards and the other stood by the blonde haired leader's side.

"He's asking you a question!" A kick slammed against the side of Peter's head, rocking him to the right.

Blood ran down his head and his lip.

"What have I done to you? Just let me go." Peter shouted in retaliation.

"Shut the hell up." Evan stood up and side kicked Peter's chest, sending him flying back and crashing against the door of the exit.

He didn't stop there and appeared in front of him moments after, picking Peter up by the collar and slamming him into the ground again.

"Next time you accept my requests, otherwise I'll really cripple you. You peasant!" Evan spoke coldly in the bloodied boy's ear. He then threw Peter like trash to the side.

The boys chuckled joining in on the fun, taking turns to beat up the already injured boy. He had several broken ribs from the previous attacks and his head bled profusely.

Peter's consciousness wavered, flickering on and off as he was beaten till unconsciousness, then shook awake again.

After a couple minutes, when they were all exhausted from beating up the broken boy they turned around and began walking away, leaving Peter by a dumpster to rot on his own.

'Why… Why? What have I done to deserve this?' Tears of agony and frustration rolled down his cheeks and an outburst of pent up sadness released from inside him as he started crying heavily.

It was unfair. Life was truly unfair and Peter seemed to be the only one suffering.

"Please! Someone… Just put me out of my misery." Peter whispered in a hoarse voice. He couldn't even feel his body, it felt numb all over. Blood and bruises polluted his body, he would have to be hospitalised.

However, somehow Peter's desperate emotions and words had actually reached somewhere but Peter himself was unbeknownst to this incredible feat.

Like it had been waiting for this request its entire life, the Ancient black tattoo on Peter's neck glowed an intense Golden Hue, shining brightly…