The Spar of Secrets

The two aggressors were dumbfounded as they didn't understand where this stranger's confidence came from and why he chose to take Byron's side. They also couldn't act rashly as they didn't know the background of this stranger who got in their way. The situation didn't go as the two expected, so they felt the need to do something to take back control and stop Aymon's momentum.

"I am Cassandra, and he is Sean. We are both War class students and have awakened Super Rare talents. So who might you be to get in our way, another F-rank?" Cassandra's answer to Aymon's bold intrusion was filled with arrogance. She stood her ground, her chestnut brown eyes narrowing with a mix of irritation and curiosity.

Aymon leaned back further in his chair, with an amused smile playing on his lips. "Maybe, or maybe not, but I am, for sure, not as impressive as you are. Super rare talents, that I didn't see coming," Aymon pretended to be in awe as he responded with a sarcastic tone.

"You better get lost while I'm still being kind, or I'll get you off that chair, you buffoon," said Sean, fuming with anger, as he started clenching his fists.

As the situation started to become a cliche, he decided to end it with one last sentence. "Sean and Cassandra, right? I don't think that you want to have the bully etiquette for the rest of your academy life, do you? So, be kind enough to let it go this once." Aymon smirked at Sean and Cassandra, his words carrying a hint of both warning and mockery.

"Who are you to threaten..." Sean couldn't finish his sentence as Cassandra intervened, "Let's say that we'll let it slide this once, but in exchange, tell us your name."

"Had I known this could be solved by just saying my name, I would've done it earlier," said Aymon with a hint of irony in his tone. "Michael Reikleiff, great to meet you," continued Aymon as he got off the chair and stretched his arm for a handshake.

"Just because we know each other's name doesn't mean that we are on friendly terms," said Cassandra as she slapped Aymon's hand. "Let's go, Sean! I will remember your face, Michael."

As they were getting further away from the two, Aymon turned to Byron with a kind smile, one that hid his amusement as the situation unfolded exactly as he wanted it to. "You should find some better friends."

"I can't say that we are friends, but thanks for stepping in. My name's Byron, by the way, nice to meet you Michael," responded Byron with gratitude while stretching his hand for a handshake.

"Aymon, great to meet you, Byron," he made his real name known to Byron as they shook hands. In that split moment in which they shook hands, Aymon assessed Byron's astral energy levels, and he was right. His energy levels alone would make him a B-rank, not even taking his combat ability into consideration.

"Wait, I thought your name was Michael," Byron replied with a puzzled expression.

Aymon chuckled, giving away a hint of his shrewd inner thoughts. "Michael Reikleiff is just a name I made up on the spot. It kind of sounds like the name of a novel character," Aymon explained with a playful smile.

"I'm not going to lie to you, but I think Michael sounds better," joked Byron.

Aymon laughed, appreciating Byron's humor. "Maybe you're right. Michael Reikleiff does have a certain ring to it."

Byron nodded, still processing the unexpected turn of events. "You've got a unique way of handling things, Aymon, or Michael, whichever you prefer."

Keeping the trend of jokes going, Aymon added, "It seems that we both have a great sense of humor, but how did you manage to fool them that you are an F-rank?"

Byron, taken aback by Aymon's question, tried to gloss over it as another casual joke to not give his cover away. "I really am an F-rank, but thanks for thinking that highly of me as to mistake me for someone of a higher rank."

Aymon, now with a serious face and a cold tone, said, "Let's drop the act; I know that you are a B-rank."

Byron, sensing the change in Aymon's demeanor, looked at him with a mixture of surprise and caution. "How did you...?"

"Let's just say I have good eyes," answered Aymon while pointing his finger to his right eye. "No need to play games here. The real question is, why hide it?"

Byron sighed, realizing that he couldn't keep the friendly act, let out a sudden killing intent, strong enough to make Aymon's senses enter a high alert state. "I am not going to ask again, how did you find out?"

Byron was playing into Aymon's hands. He didn't come to just get acquainted with Byron; he figured out that the estimation of his skill level wasn't wrong but that the guy who piqued his interest was actually hiding his actual rank. As Aymon wanted to spar with a B-rank partner to fully assess his combat prowess, what better choice would there be if not someone who wants to take your life to protect a secret?

"Seeing your strong killing intent, I'll make a proposal," Aymon decided to execute the last step of his plan. "How about we spar, and the winner gets to ask the loser whatever he wants because I think you know what would happen if we started a full-on fight here in the cafeteria, don't you?"

"Sure, let's spar," said Byron as he got up from his seat and started walking with his hands in his pockets to the sparring area, "follow me."