Chapter 8: MACHO!!!!

Ray shoved the invitation into his bag just as the students returned from their lunch break. The hall buzzed with chatter as they all made their way to the changing rooms.

Inside the boy's changing room, Shin patted Ray on the shoulder.

"Hey, it's athletics class now. You can pick any sport if you want,"

Shin explained.

"But before that, they might do a quick body check... to see if anyone's injured or, I dunno, hiding something."

"Very well,"

Ray replied nonchalantly, barely paying attention.

Everyone changed into their sports uniforms, but while the others finished quickly, Ray took his time, carefully wrapping fresh bandages around both his arms.

A student nearby raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you bandaging? Are you hurt or something?"

"Absorption,"

Ray replied in his usual dull tone.

Right then some students kept falling aside, the bald student shoved his way through the group, his heavy footsteps echoing against the lockers. He stopped in front of Ray, looking down at him with a sneer.

"You think you're some hotshot,huh?"

the bald student growled.

"Your voice pisses me off. And what's with the bandages? You hiding drugs in there or something?"

Ray exhaled, visibly uninterested.

"Don't cause any drama here."

"YOU THINK YOU'RE SOME CHILL DUDE, YOU MISFIT?!"

the bald guy roared, his face twisting in anger. Without warning, he threw a punch straight at Ray's face.

Ray moved like lightning. He caught the bully's arm with both hands, redirected the force, and twisted it in a fluid motion. Before the guy could react, Ray's fingers dug into a critical pressure point between his Biceps and Triceps.

The bald guy snarled and tried to strike with his other hand, but Ray ducked low and swiftly ran his fingers along a nerve pathway on the bully's arm.

A sharp, unbearable pain shot through his body. His muscles locked up, and his face contorted in agony.

"AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHJHHHHHJH!!!!!!!!"

The bald guy yelped, stumbling backward. He clutched his arm and slammed it against the wall, desperately trying to relieve the pain. Realizing he was completely outmatched, he scrambled out of the changing room, likely heading to the infirmary.

The room fell dead silent.

The students stared in shock, their expressions a mix of awe and fear.

Ray rolled his shoulders, then casually popped his neck—CRACK —the sound echoing through the still air.

"Told him not to make a scene,"

he muttered, readjusting his bandages.

The other students began whispering among themselves. Some were impressed, some were worried, and a few were straight-up terrified.

Shin, still in disbelief, shook his head.

"Dude… you literally dismantled him in seconds."

Ray didn't bother responding.

Shin smirked.

"You know what? This whole cold and nonchalant personality really suits you."

"Very well,"

Ray replied dryly.

——————————————————

After changing, the students headed out to the athletics field.

Shin, ever the chatterbox, kept Yapping.

"Man, this university is huge. It's like two-fifteenths of the whole kingdom. Can you believe that?"

"…...."

Ray didn't reply.

Shin leaned in.

"Hey, so what's with that glove? You wear it all the time?"

"Almost."

"Why, though?"

"Preference."

"Aww, come on, tell me! I won't bite."

"Don't."

"Ugh, fine. Everyone's got secrets, I guess."

"…....."

As they reached the field, the boys were busy flexing their muscles, showing off to one another. The girls stood in their groups, giggling and watching the scene unfold.

Then, the professor arrived.

A giant of a man strode onto the field, his dark chocolate-colored skin glistening with sweat. He wore a tight camouflage tank top, shorts, and athletic shoes, every muscle in his body exaggerated to a ridiculous degree. His bald head gleamed under the sun, and his sage-green eyes scanned the students like a hawk.

He was easily over eight feet tall.

With a deep, booming voice, he suddenly yelled—

"MUSCLE!!!"

The students froze.

Everyone exchanged confused glances.

"Uh… who is this guy?"

someone whispered.

Before anyone could ask, the wind swirled, and Principal Kenshinton descended dramatically onto the field.

"This—"

the principal announced,

"—is your new professor. He will be overseeing your physical activities and combat training from now on."

The professor grinned, cracking his knuckles before shouting—

"I AM!!! PROFESSOR A-L-Y-I-N-G V-L-A-D-I-M-I-R—"

He dramatically paused.

"—Professor Alying Vladimir! REMEMBER THAT NAME!"

Silence.

Then, he continued yelling,

"THE WORLD OUTSIDE THIS KINGDOM AIN'T SAFE FOR NORMS LIKE Y'ALL! YOU GOTTA MUSCLE—KABOOM—BAHAW TO SMASH YOUR ENEMIES!"

The students just stared, unsure how to react.

Principal Kenshinton sighed and gave Vladimir a side-eye before vanishing as mysteriously as he arrived.

Professor Vladimir suddenly struck a back biceps pose, flexing his enormous arms while shouting—

"MAACHOO!!!"

A beat of silence.

Then, everyone burst into laughter.