Chapter 21:trouble

As we started warm-ups, I was just minding my own business, stretching like a responsible student, when I noticed a shadow looming over me.

I didn't need to look up to know what this meant.

Ah.

Here we go.

Like a summoned demon, a blond-haired student appeared in front of me, his arms crossed and his expression dripping with the kind of self-importance that screamed, "I think I'm better than you, and you need to know it."

I sighed internally.

Tall? Check.

Arrogant smirk? Check.

The kind of haircut that belongs in a rich-kid villain stereotype? Double check.

A small crowd of students pretending not to watch but clearly listening? Yep, this was a public event now.

I had a habit of checking things and mostly it would go as I had checked. Something bad will happen I was already some what experienced.

Before he even opened his mouth, I already knew where this was going.

"Must be nice, getting into this school through a backdoor."

There it was.

The classic accusation when someone doesn't know your background but still wants to hate you.

I lazily looked up at him, expression neutral.

"...What?"

The guy smirked, his posture shifting like he expected me to fall into a trap.

"Don't act innocent," he sneered. "Everyone knows that transfer students are rare. The only way you got in must be through connections."

Ah.

Now I understood.

This wasn't just some personal grudge. This was a school-wide assumption.

And apparently, I had no say in the matter. I would have prefer to stay as invisible I was no shosial butterfly even my innermonoloue was becoming listless and dull.

---

Okay, let's analyze this situation.

1. I didn't even know transfer students were rare.

2. I didn't even want to be here in the first place.

3. If I had connections, why the hell would I be poor. If I were right I would have prefer to slack off then go attend school all day.

4. Why did I always attract the dumb ones like it's my fate or something.

I sighed again.

Instead of answering him, I turned to Quinn, who was standing beside me, watching the scene unfold like a spectator at a drama show.

"Hey, Quinn."

Quinn blinked. "Huh?"

"Is it true that transfer students are rare?" I asked, keeping my voice flat and uninterested anyway the events of the day had impacted me too much my energy was out.

Quinn nodded. "Yeah, pretty much. You're like, the only one this year."

Oh.

Huh.

I looked back at the blond guy.

"That's news to me," I said, completely deadpan.

His eye twitched.

Apparently, my lack of reaction was NOT the answer he wanted.

---

"You…" The guy's hands clenched, as if my lack of suffering was personally offensive.

Then, in a dramatic fashion, he straightened up and threw out his trump card.

"You know, my big brother is a senior at the prestigious top military academy in the central capital."

He crossed his arms, staring at me like this was supposed to be life-changing information.

…

I blinked.

Then blinked again.

Wait.

Was that supposed to scare me?

Who did he think I was?

Some kid from a noble family who was raised to worship elite academies. Man for now those academies were too far fetched for me.

I was from the countryside.

The most important thing I knew about the capital was that bread was expensive there.

I had no idea what that school meant, nor did I care it was another matter which does not coincided with me as for the time being.

But clearly, he expected me to be intimidated.

So, naturally, I responded the only way I knew how.

"...Okay."

A pause.

The guy frowned. "What?"

"Okay," I repeated with a blank stare.

He looked confused, like his brain had temporarily short-circuited.

Quinn, who had been holding in laughter, finally lost it.

"Pfft—oh my god, Orien, you're KILLING him," he whispered between snickers.

I had no idea what he was talking about.

But one thing was clear—

The bully's face was now a mix of frustration and disbelief.

I wasn't reacting correctly, and it was driving him insane.

---

Seeing that his "big brother" intimidation tactic had failed, the guy switched gears.

"You're looking down on me, aren't you?"

I blinked again. "No, I'm looking straight ahead."

"YOU—"

Before he could finish, I casually stretched my arms and sighed.

"You know," I mused, "if you hate me so much, you could just ignore me. It's really not that hard."

The small crowd of students watching this unfold let out muffled chuckles.

Oh ya people were watching me.....it was kind of uncomfortable but for today I don't know what came into my mind but I was especially thick skin.

I knew from experience that showing any weakness was a no go. It wasn't like i was a flower boy. I have my far share of bullies. I know don't if It is something to show off.

The bully's face turned red.

"Y-You bastard!"

He took a step forward, his fist clenching.

Ah.

Here we go.

Just as I was preparing to either dodge or defend myself, a booming voice interrupted.

"ENOUGH!"

The entire field froze.

Teacher Oba had stepped forward, arms crossed, his massive frame radiating authority.

"You wanna fight?" He cracked his knuckles. "Then take it to the combat class. Not here."

The blond bully stiffened, but he still looked smug.

"Fine. Whatever. But—"

He turned back to me with a vicious grin.

"—Don't think this is over, transfer boy."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh no," I said dryly. "I'm shaking in my boots."

He gritted his teeth.

I exhaled.

Finally.

Problem solved—

Or so I thought.

"Both of you," Teacher Oba's voice rang out, "since you were about to start a fight—50 merit points deduction. Each."

…

Wait.

WHAT?!

My head snapped toward him so fast I nearly got whiplash. All the listless from before had vanished in a beat.

"50?" I repeated, horrified.

That was—

That was like a week's worth of meals and I don't even know what more I can do with it nor how to earn it. I was on a tight rope.

The blond kid looked pissed but didn't protest, meaning he probably had more merit points than he knew what to do with.

But me?

I had exactly 100 points.

And now—

I have less then half,I had used some on meals and water.

"Pfft-"

I slowly turn my head and stare at Quinn.

"...Is...this.funny to you?"

Quinn wiped a tear from his eye." Buddy you act as if you had found your girlfriend cheating"

I sighed deeply.

Then, without realizing, I sent a cold, piercing glare at the blond kid. Even though with my shit of a mild face paralysis, not able to have severe expressions. Now days when last checked it was said to have improved.

But I was still not accustomed to using my muscles to make expressiosn it hell of a work but it doesn't mean I cannot give a glare. I was no good at facial expressions but because of that flaw my eyes were sharp.

For just a split second, my expressionless mask dropped, and my frustration leaked out.

The blond bully, who had been smug just a moment ago, visibly flinched.

It was brief, but it happened.

Then, just as quickly, I recovered my neutral face.

Like nothing had happened.

This blond guy. Fucker I'll take my revenge!