Chapter 78: Not a Mistake

No.

It wasn't a mistake.

Whether he fights back or not, the ending would be the same.

In that case, it's the attitude that matters.

He will no longer be a weakling.

Geo made up his mind.

"I have no father."

In this moment, admitting to his weakness did not make Geo ashamed, instead, it made Geo gain strength and inner peace.

As if what used to block his way forward broke into pieces. 

Not having a father isn't his obstacle.

Not being born in an upper class family is not his disadvantage.

Wealth can be earned, power can be obtained.

Geo didn't think he was meant for a lowly life where he can't lift his head.

The lingering dullness and haze in his midnight blue eyes dissipated at this moment. A blazing spirit and determination took over his soul.

He was more sure than ever that he would no longer sit back and be passively beaten by others. Even if he bleeds and his flesh gets gouged out, he will resist. He will fight to the bitter end. He has nothing left to lose.

He is desperate and they should not provoke him.

Suddenly, his ears caught the sound of a faint chuckle. Not the mocking kind, but one that sounded strangely happy?

Puzzled, Geo looked to his left and to his right. There were no signs of any of the teachers' mouths moving, and there was no one behind him. So who laughed? Or was it an illusion?

"That's right. It makes sense that a mannerless kid like you has no father. If you had a father, I bet he would beat you to death knowing that you bullied your fellow classmate and disrespected your teacher." Teacher Lir spat out venomous words without caring about the listener's feelings. He relished in the pleasure obtained from a superior talking to their inferior, with the latter powerless to talk back.

His words brought Geo's mind back.

Geo clenched his fists. 

He would start with this teacher in front of him. Geo thought.

Just as he was about to swing his fist at the smug man before him, the clear and crisp opening sound of the teachers' office's door captured everyone's attention.

Geo lowered his slightly raised arm. He turned his head to see who came.

To his surprise, it was the male student who had once saved him.

"Young master Ian!" Teacher Lir jumped up from his seat. At first he showed shock and nervousness, then he adjusted his emotions and showed a flattering and fearful smile.

'Ian?! He's the rumored cruel, violent, vicious freshman year student representative with a powerful background?' Geo's eyes widened, his pupils reflecting the other's handsome figure.

The teachers inside the office whispered to each other, their whispers entering Geo's ears.

"He's the student from the powerful Everett family?"

"Yes! I heard that the reason why Mr. Fa, who was in charge of the freshman year special class, was transferred to an ill-repute school was because he didn't look after his students well—but obviously it's because he neglected Mr. Everett's brother."

"Let me tell you, Mr. Fa has it easy compared to the others who offended the two brothers."

"What, what?"

"You know the families of those bullies? It doesn't matter who, every single parent of those bullies who participated in that fight behind the school ran into a wall in their careers."

"My goodness!"

"That's terrible!"

"Sounds scary!"

"Yes! Those who are in politics had their opportunities snatched away by opposing parties. Those in business ran into obstacles everywhere, some of them directly went bankrupt. The ones with wealth unluckily met scammers who ran away with all their money! Leaving them with almost nothing in their accounts. Do you think that's a coincidence? It's definitely because they crossed Angus."

"…I'll never do anything to offend them. I still want to keep my job!"

"Right, that's the right mindset. I doubt any one of us would be foolish enough to go against Student Ian and his brother again. His brother is infamous for being extremely protective of his little brother."

"I guess the rumors outside were true."

"Yes."

Ian stood at the doorway of the teachers' office, unaffected by the whisperings about him.

With a light step, he fully entered the frame.

Ian did not look at Teacher Lir or any of the other teachers who had fearful and cautious expressions. The only person he deemed worthy of his attention was Geo.

The look in Geo's eyes made Ian satisfied. He felt that it was worth his effort to help him.

Ian smiled meaningfully at Geo who looked a little bewildered.

Ian then turned his attention to Teacher Lir who he had ignored at the side.

"Teacher Lir?" Ian called.

"Y-yes, young master Ian?" Teacher Lir nervously replied, rubbing his hands together subconsciously. No one at this school doesn't know who Ian was, especially the teachers. They are all too aware of how big the influence Ian's brother has. Their lives could be lost without a word let alone their jobs!

Yes, the Everett family's influence is that great. That's why it was a real mystery how they managed to take Ian's family down in the past life.

Ian's eyes darkened at the thought of his past life.

Then, a gentle smile graced Ian's gentle and innocent-looking face as always.

His light purple eyes stared at Teacher Lir yet the latter was not reflected in his beautiful pupils.

"I will pay the medical fees for that student Geo beat up. Teacher, it's time for class. I believe that you will not delay the studies of your students for such a small thing, will you?" Ian tilted his head with a smile at Teacher Lir.

For some reason, a chill ran up Teacher Lir's spine at that gentle smile.

Ian's smile appeared gentle and beautiful on the surface, but beneath, it hid a poisonous feeling that Teacher Lir noticeably perceived and scared the latter into quickly nodding his head.

"Oh! I didn't know he was one of yours, young master Ian. If I had known, I wouldn't have made such a fuss. This is such a small matter, you don't have to take care of it. I will be sure to convey your will to the parents of the injured student. Rest assured, I won't allow them to trouble Student Geo.

"Ahem! Geo, you can return to your classroom now. Remember not to fight with your classmates again in the future." Teacher Lir coughed awkwardly and then turned to give advice to Geo in a serious manner.

"...I understand."

Geo nodded and went out of the office.

Ian turned around to follow Geo. Then after a thought, he turned back around, frightening Teacher Lir whose face tightened up again after just relaxing.

Despite the trembling of his heart and the cramping of his facial muscles, Teacher Lir forced himself to plaster a kindly smile on his face.

"I-is there anything e-else, Student I-Ian?"

Ian smiled. "Excuse me, teacher, it's nothing. I just wanted to remind you…"

Teacher Lir sweated. "Re-remind me…"

Ian looked into his eyes.

Not sure if it's his illusion, Teacher Lir felt his surroundings suddenly go dark and the temperature around him began to drop rapidly. Teacher Lir shivered from the inexplicable cold. His teeth clattered. Ice crystals formed on his brows and body.

The only thing—the only one he can see is the frigid figure of a teenager with light purple hair and light purple eyes.

In his sight, the teenager's lips opened and closed.

"Teacher, make sure this incident is wrapped up nicely. I don't want to hear any complaints from that student's parents. If I do…" Ian smiled with his eyes closed, "...I'll count it on your head. Understood?" 

Teacher Lir stumbled backwards. 

A heavy weight seems to have fallen on him, crushing his bones to powder. His brain power lagged.

"Un-understood." He finally stuttered out.

"Good."

With that, Ian turned and left.

Teacher Lir collapsed onto the ground when Ian completely disappeared out of sight.

***

Slam.

The door to the teachers' office closed.

Outside the office, Geo did not return to his classroom. Instead, he waited for Ian to exit.

Upon seeing him, he asked the question he had had for a long time now.

"Why do you help me again and again?" First with Manl and his gang, and this time with the teacher. Geo continued, "I'm not of any value to you."

Before, Geo had no idea that the person who saved him from the edge of the abyss was Ian. He had heard of Ian from the rumors and gossip floating around the school in recent months, but he had never seen him in person before.

He never expected that the infamous Ian from the rumors was the person before him!

To Geo, his savior is like the light. He sweeps away all darkness encroaching on him, lighting up his surroundings and warming his heart in this cold and heartless world.

While the Ian in the rumors sounded like the darkness. Cold. Violent. Arrogant. Domineering. Like someone who would never care about someone in the dirt like him.

He had a hard time connecting the two together.

However, even if they are the same person, this Ian did not scare Geo. 

Geo is not scared of anyone. Even Manl.

Despite the countless beatings and acts of humiliation, not a shred of fear infiltrated Geo's heart. He would never give in to them spiritually.

He only felt hatred and repressed anger for Manl and his gang of bullies who only prey on the weak. He was not scared of them. He knew when to bend and when to stretch, that's all. In order to not be a burden to his mother, he endured. For their future, for his future, he kept silent in the face of other's contempt. But it was useless. His background was something he could not change, but his attitude towards the world cannot be changed by anyone except himself. They might break his body, but they cannot take away his determination and spirit.

In his heart, Ian was the light that shone on him when he needed it the most. Not only did he chase away the darkness, he also gave him the determination to stand up. He taught him that giving in and letting others have their way might seem like the right choice in the moment, but one day he will have to stand up for himself, or else he really will become a shrinking turtle.

He had thought that by giving in he was being the bigger person, that he was doing the right thing because of his weaker background, but in the end, he had become that shrinking turtle with no idea to resist.

It was Ian who broke him out of his shell.

The light that shone into his world that day was one that he would never forget. 

No matter who Ian is, what he looks like, or how the world judges him, from this moment on, Geo will be his strongest believer and supporter. It was the only way Geo can think of to repay him for his help, and he was willing.

Not knowing the searing thoughts spinning around in Geo's head, Ian did not take the other's words to heart. Although Ian had helped Geo on a whim, Ian did not expect anything from him. Yes, Geo could be useful in the long run, but Ian did not necessarily need him.

Ian looked at Geo, smiled, and said lightly, "Do I need a reason?" and then walked off.

He left as swiftly as he came.

Geo stood and watched as Ian walked away from him a second time after helping him with a casual and indifferent attitude. He did not hound Geo to express gratitude or lord his good deeds over him.

He stood there all the way until the school bell rang for the nth time.

"I should go to the hospital to see mom," Geo said to himself and turned around.