The Punch Heard Around The School

The school halls buzzed with their usual chaotic energy, but for Kael, every step felt heavier than the last. His reputation followed him like a shadow, and the whispers weren't subtle. Everywhere he went, the murmurs and laughter were there, just loud enough for him to catch pieces of it.

"Thinks he's cool just because his dad's the Prince of Hell…"

"He's not even that smart. Probably coasting through school on pity."

Kael clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he tried to block out the noise. It wasn't the first time people had made fun of him, but lately, the bullying had been relentless. His suspension from the fight with Kyle had only made things worse.

As he turned a corner, a group of his usual tormentors appeared, their smirks widening when they spotted him.

"Hey, it's Kael!" one of them sneered, leaning against a locker. "How's Daddy's little devil doing today?"

Kael ignored them, his eyes fixed straight ahead, but they weren't about to let him off that easily.

"Bet he wouldn't even survive here without his dad's name," another chimed in. "What's it like being a nobody pretending to be somebody?"

Kael's steps faltered, but he forced himself to keep walking.

"And did you hear…" a third bully said, his voice loud and mocking, "…his mom is an *angel*! Can you believe it? Talk about opposites attracting!"

That was the last straw.

Kael stopped dead in his tracks, his blood boiling. Slowly, he turned to face the group, his eyes narrowing. The bullies laughed, thinking they had won, but before they could say another word, Kael's fist connected with the loudest one's jaw.

The force was incredible—far more than Kael had intended. The bully flew backward, slamming into a locker with a loud crash that echoed down the hallway. The entire hallway went silent as everyone turned to look, their mouths hanging open in shock.

Even Kael was stunned. He stared at his fist, realizing that for the first time, he had tapped into a strength he hadn't known he possessed. The power of his father's bloodline had surfaced, and it scared him as much as it thrilled him.

The bully groaned, clutching his jaw as he tried to get back up. The other kids backed away, their taunts replaced with fearful glances.

"Don't," Kael growled, his voice low and menacing. He looked at the group, his eyes burning with a fury that made them scatter like leaves in the wind.

But the silence didn't last long. Within minutes, a teacher arrived, dragging Kael to the principal's office.

By the time his parents were called, the school had already decided his punishment.

"Four weeks of suspension," the principal declared, her tone icy. "You attacked an innocent student, Kael."

Kael's mouth dropped open. "Innocent?" he repeated, disbelief and anger mixing in his voice. "He's been bullying me for weeks!"

The principal crossed her arms, unmoved. "Violence is never the answer, Kael. Consider this a lesson in self-control."

Kael stormed out of the office, his fists clenched. The injustice of it all burned in his chest. Four weeks for defending himself? He knew the school was biased, but this was beyond unfair.

When he got home, Kikidori was waiting for him, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Four weeks, huh?" he said with a smirk.

Kael didn't respond, brushing past him.

"Y'know," Kikidori called after him, "I'm not even mad. That punch probably sounded legendary."

Kael paused at the bottom of the stairs, his anger still simmering. "You don't get it," he muttered. "You're not the one dealing with this every day."

Kikidori's smirk faltered for a moment, but before he could say anything, Kael disappeared up the stairs, slamming his door behind him.

Alone in his room, Kael sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his hands. The power he had felt in that moment still lingered, and it scared him. If that was just a fraction of what he was capable of, what would happen if he lost control again?

End of Chapter 43