First Period
Angel opened the academy app on his phone, checking his schedule again. Combat training.
This wasn't just any class, it was filled with key figures in the story. The main character, prideful cannon fodder, rivals who would oppose him throughout his academy years, and, of course, a member of his harem.
Abel took a moment to reflect. Everything he just described… also applied to him, besides the harem part, he didn't swing that way.
He was destined to clash with the protagonist. If he wanted to change his fate and make a major shift in the story, he had to disrupt the protagonist's path. The best way to do that? Take his harem members away.
Not by seducing them, no, he had no interest in romance, nor the time for such distractions. His life was on the line, and falling for anyone would only be a hindrance.
Instead, he planned to pair each girl with their pursuer the one who had genuine feelings for them in the novel.
He'd simply offer advice on how to win their hearts. Whether they succeeded or not wasn't his concern. As long as it kept them from joining the protagonist's harem and strengthening him, Abel considered it a win.
The bell rang, signaling the end of homeroom. Students packed their things and filtered out toward their first period classes.
Following the directions on his phone, Abel was five minutes away from the combat training room.
Upon arrival, he stepped through the towering entrance, joining the flow of students moving through the brightly lit halls.
The moment they reached the other side, they were met with the breathtaking sight of the massive combat training arena.
The space was vast and nearly empty, except for the spectator stands along one side. Students gazed around in awe before taking their seats. Abel, however, had his focus elsewhere.
It didn't take long to spot the key figures.
At the very front sat Leon, the protagonist of the novel. He had blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a naturally handsome face.
What made him truly popular, though, was his personality, humble and approachable, unlike the other high ranked students who were arrogant beyond reason.
It wasn't just his looks that drew attention. He held rank 1 among the first years, a shocking achievement.
No one expected an unknown student to claim the top spot especially when the children of the supremes were here.
Beside him sat Kayla, an outgoing girl with long pink hair and mesmerizing pink eyes. Her looks were flawless, a beauty crafted with perfection in mind.
Abel wasn't surprised, every major figure in the novel was designed to be impossibly beautiful or handsome.
She wore an oversized white sweater paired with a black skirt that reached her knees.
While her face captivated many, most boys' gazes drifted downward. Abel saw it happen in real time, her large chest was the focus of too many wandering eyes.
He wasn't one of them.
He had long since learned to control his desires. His past made sure of that. Emotional discipline was second nature to him.
Kayla and Leon were best friends, bound by history. Leon had saved her from a low ranked demon when they were younger, and since then, they'd been inseparable.
She had feelings for him. That much was obvious.
Leon, however, only saw her as a sister. He was aware of her emotions but chose to ignore them, unwilling to risk their bond.
Abel shifted his gaze upward, toward the top of the stands.
A scary figure sat there, a tall, handsome boy with jet black hair and piercing red eyes. No one dared to sit near him.
Brandon Mordaine.
The son of a supreme.
He was raised to believe in his superiority over others. Yet, upon entering the academy, he found himself ranked second to Leon a nobody. That humiliation festered into hatred.
Seated beside him was an equally striking presence, a girl with long, straight black hair cascading to her waist, blood red eyes sharp enough to daze any man, and lips deep red with silver ear piercing glinting in the light.
Scarlett Mordaine.
She wore black attire that was subtly revealing her bare shoulders, a hint of cleavage but nothing too outrageous.
Out of everyone here, Abel wanted to avoid her the most.
She was insane! And there was no fixing her!
To her, people were nothing more than playthings. Abel had no intention of becoming one of her unfortunate victims or locked in a basement somewhere.
In the novel, she would eventually become one of the villains—set on killing a member of Leon's harem out of pure obsession.
Abel didn't even let his eyes linger. He immediately looked away as the teacher finally arrived.
A stern looking middle aged man with silver hair and sharp gray eyes stepped forward.
"Good morning, future warriors," he announced, his voice commanding the attention of the entire class.
"You may call me Freeman. This course exists to expose your weaknesses and teach you how to strengthen them. You'll spar with one another under specific restrictions that I will impose."
His sharp gaze swept over the students.
"You two. Come down here," he ordered, pointing at a pair.
One of the chosen students visibly tensed when he realized who his opponent was.
Brandon Mordaine.
Brandon descended the steps with a disinterested expression, his gaze briefly locking with Leon's.
The tension between them was palpable.
After a moment, Brandon scoffed, breaking eye contact before stepping beside his trembling opponent.
"This will serve as a demonstration of how our sparring sessions will work," Freeman explained, positioning the two students at the center of the arena.
"The countdown will begin at five. Fight with the intent to improve—not to crush your opponent."
The warning was clearly meant for Brandon.
The countdown started.
Brandon's domain took form, covering 50 meters, shocking the students.
"How is it possible for a domain to be that large without runes?!"
"It has to be a family technique, cause I don't see any random reaching that level."
His opponent became devistated even further. He manifested his domain which was 15 meters, pitiful compared to Brandon's 50.
His only hope would be to launch his strongest attack at zero.
But it didn't matter.
As soon as the fight began, a streak of blood shot from above Brandon, striking the student before he could react. He was sent flying into the protective barrier surrounding the arena.
Everyone was silent.
Then chrers erupted from the students.
"So that's the power of the legendary artifact, Bloodbond!"
"No wonder the Mordaine family is so powerful!"
"If Brandon is this strong, how powerful is Leon?"
Kayla nudged Leon with her shoulder, a teasing smile on her lips.
"His domain is impressive, but it's nowhere near your level."
The boys nearby swallowed hard, faces flushed as their gazes instinctively drifted downward.
Kayla's eyes sharpened.
"Stop being creeps."
They flinched, looking away in embarrassment.
Leon merely sighed. He had long grown used to the way people looked at Kayla. He used to intervene, but eventually, she began shutting them down herself.
"A domain isn't everything," Leon replied. "Even if mine is bigger, I could still lose."
Kayla tilted her head. "With your artifact? Highly doubtful."
Leon chuckled but said nothing.
Meanwhile, Freeman rubbed his temples in frustration before walking to the center of the arena.
"You idiots! Why are you clapping for that?" he snapped, glaring at the students.
"This class is about refining your combat skills! That was nothing but a power flex! A pointless one second fight that teaches you nothing!"
He pulled out an iPad from his spatial ring, bringing up a holographic display of Brandon's profile.
A zero was displayed next to his name.
It flickered then changed to a -1.
Gasps filled the room.
"This number represents your performance in this course," Freeman explained. "The lower it gets, the closer you are to failing. I don't care how strong you think you are. Without the right mindset, you will stagnate."
He shut off the display.
"Class dismissed. Proceed to your second period."
With that, he turned and left.