Wang Ming walked into the classroom, which was already filled with chattering students. As soon as he entered, several heads turned, and whispers filled the room.
One of the boys nudged his friend and scoffed loudly enough for all to hear,
"Hey, that's the third-ranked talent… Hmph! Just a lucky bastard."
His friend nodded with a smirk. Their voices weren't hushed,they wanted to be heard.
Wang Ming, however, didn't even glance at them. With a calm, indifferent expression, he made his way toward his assigned seat, where his name was engraved on the desk.
But just as he was a step away from it, he halted.
Blocking his path was another student, sitting lazily with a leg stretched out in front of Wang Ming's desk. Wang Ming didn't look at him,he simply said in a cold, emotionless voice,
"Scram."
The boy sneered.
"Hehehe… My leg was hurting, so I just stretched it out. But don't you think you're being a bit rude? I didn't mean anything bad, but you're acting high and mighty just because of your so-called talent. Hmph! You think you're better than everyone else?"
Hearing this, several other children began nodding in agreement. Murmurs spread through the classroom like wildfire.
Just then, a young man with a confident gait and an elegant aura entered,Wang Shui.
He walked over to the boy who was complaining and asked, "What happened?"
After listening to the boy's exaggerated explanation, Wang Shui turned to Wang Ming with a gentle smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Brother Wang Ming, you shouldn't be arrogant or look down on others just because of your high talent. Look at me,I'm also ranked third, but I treat everyone equally. We're all part of the Wang Clan, and we should coexist in harmony rather than quarrel. You should apologize."
His tone was soft and noble, his demeanor like a well-raised young master.
The boy who had blocked the desk immediately chimed in with mock admiration,
"Brother Wang Shui, you're truly our role model. Even though you're the son of an elder, you're so kind and broad-minded… unlike some arrogant people."
He glanced at Wang Ming with a sneer.
Wang Ming said nothing for a moment, his expression unreadable.
Inside, he thought coldly:
What a childish display… Building a righteous reputation at my expense. A classic trick. Naturally, someone like me with no strong backing but extraordinary talent, and a suspected supporter of the opposing faction makes the perfect target. If I were a normal child, I might have made a mistake by now… and he'd win. Pathetic.
After the murmuring had died down and all eyes were on him, waiting for a reaction, Wang Ming finally spoke his voice sharp and icy.
"Are you done barking?"