Successful yet Troublesome {1}

Coughing up blood, my vision blurred as pain exploded across my face.

"What a fucking bastard," I muttered under my breath, teeth clenched.

That punch had come out of nowhere—but then again, it wasn't unusual. In this school, I was more well-known as the campus punching bag than an actual student. Kicked, slapped, tripped—it had all become routine. A living joke. A canvas for others to paint their cruelty on.

Around us, attention shifted. Whispers ignited like wildfire. Some were mocking, others indifferent. No one cared enough to help. No one ever did.

He towered over me now, sneering with satisfaction. I could feel the raw sting in my gut where he'd landed another strike.

He have Burly body with Blond hair and Big Muscles

I could've fought back. I wanted to. My fists trembled with the urge to respond. But I didn't. I couldn't—not yet.

If I retaliated, I'd be the one labeled as the problem. And if I released Althea now, i might be expose danger. There were too many eyes.

So I swallowed my pride like poison and looked up at him with a submissive expression, letting the humiliation bleed through. I hated it.

I promise, once this is over… I'll hunt down your entire bloodline.

He grinned, satisfied, and tossed another slap across my cheek for good measure. My ears rang. Then a punch to my gut. Blood pooled in my mouth.

My vitality was low—barely holding at G--. That strike was from someone ranked F-. It could've broken a rib. The only reason I stayed conscious was because I had dumped five points into vitality just last night.

Althea's voice echoed in my mind, her tone full of mocking amusement. "You're really quite pathetic~"

I let out a bitter chuckle, wiping the blood from my lips. "Yeah, I know."

He eventually left, laughter trailing behind him. The crowd's attention drifted away like bored insects. I was used to it.

But my attention snapped back as the fight began on the stage.

Clara.

The most admired girl in the academy. She stood tall with sword in hand—golden eyes shining like molten light, silver hair cascading like a river of stars. Despite her average curves, there was an elegant sharpness to her. Her sheer presence captivated everyone.

She moved like a blade—graceful, fluid, lethal.

Althea, still hidden in my spiritual space, remained quiet. But I could feel her interest flicker.

Clara's swordplay was beautiful. Like a dance. Trails of light shimmered behind each strike. Her opponent was the same rank—F—but she overwhelmed them with sheer technique.

When she ended the match with a final elegant sweep and pointed her sword at her defeated opponent, the crowd erupted in cheers. She bowed politely but coldly, her golden eyes showing no emotion.

I spent the rest of the match watching quietly, gathering information. Patterns. Strengths. Weaknesses.

Eventually, I whispered to Althea, "Heal me. I need to be ready."

She didn't speak, but I felt her cold energy wrap around my bruised body. Cuts faded. Pain dulled. Bones mended.

When it was finally my turn, I took a deep breath.

My body felt better. Not perfect—but better. Good enough to execute my part of the plan.

I slipped away toward the farthest corner of the field, away from the crowd's gaze. There, hidden behind the shadows of the arena structure, I summoned my clone.

A perfect copy of me. Weak, skinny, bruised—just like I used to be moments ago

I programmed it quickly, instructing it to mimic my behavior from the past—to lose, to hesitate, The illusion had to be convincing.

The clone stepped onto the stage.

Mocking laughter erupted. Trash was thrown. Someone even mocked loudly from the front row.

Even the professors turned a blind eye, some chuckling under their breath. It was disgusting. But it worked.

No one suspected I wasn't the one on stage.

Meanwhile, I moved around the back of the arena where the prizes were displayed—three powerful rewards hovering above glowing pedestals

A B-ranked necklace that boosted all base stats by 20%.

A spatial ring with 30-slot capacity.

body-enhancing potion—rumored to temporarily push a user's strength 1 Ranked higher.

Two B-ranked teachers stood guard. Stoic. Watchful.

I crept closer. One misstep, and I'd be turned into paste.

Althea Speak in my Mind, cloaked in divine concealment. Her icy gaze flicked to the rewards.

"Do it Fast I'm struggling here" she muttered. Her voice was Panting since releasing A ranked Aura was dangerous for her during this time her power sealed.

Immediately i began to act.

Just as the two guards began to stir—sensing something off—a surge of power exploded from the front stage.

Darkness.

The lights blew out, plunging the arena into chaos.

A wave of power flooded the air—Althea's aura, flaring briefly as an A-rank presence. Not for long—just enough.

People screamed. Teachers rushed to stabilize the field.

"is it Dark aether or a intruder?!"

"Everyone, evacuate the front stands!"

Panic spread like wildfire.

Althea's voice rang in my mind. "One minute. Move."

I didn't hesitate. Sprinting forward, I snatched all three rewards from their pedestal.

The B-ranked Proffesors was occupied in the Aura rushing in were the Aura is leaking out

The gamble was working. So far.

But the riskiest part…

was get out Althea in that Position since she would be in alot of trouble if i didn't act.