The upperclassman didn't flinch. His grip on Vorden tightened, electricity crackling wildly through his fingers as Vorden's body convulsed slightly from the shock. The smell of ozone filled the air.
"Please…" Peter muttered under his breath, fists clenched in helpless rage.
Quinn stepped forward again, eyes wide, and his voice trembling. "Let him go! You've done enough!"
Before he could say more, Layla grabbed his arm.
"Quinn, stop!" she hissed, panic clear in her eyes. "Do you want to end up just like them? Just, just keep your head down!"
Quinn's jaw clenched. He looked at her, then at Peter both of them were horrified but frozen. Around them, other students whispered nervously, not daring to intervene. Some had turned away entirely, unable to stomach the scene. Others watched in silent fear, knowing this could easily be them.
The upperclassman turned slightly, just enough for his eyes to glance at Quinn but he said nothing. He didn't need to. The silent dismissal was louder than words.
He let Vorden's body fall to the floor with a dull thud, the electricity still humming around his armored frame.
Then, slowly, he turned and walked toward Erin again.
Layla gripped Quinn's sleeve even tighter. "He's warning us," she whispered, voice shaking. "He'll destroy us if we say anything more."
Quinn bit his lip, hard. Blood started to pool at the corner of his mouth.
All he could do was watch, helpless and furious as the upperclassman continued his cruel display.
Erin struggled to push herself up, her body aching from the brutal hits. The upperclassman's cold gaze bore into her as he took a step closer, electricity crackling ominously around his fists.
Ken, still kneeling, glanced up at Vorden, who was slowly catching his breath on the floor nearby. Despite the pain, a silent understanding passed between them—they had to hold on, no matter what.
Layla whispered urgently to Quinn and Peter, "We need to stay calm. If we lose control, it'll only get worse."
Peter nodded, swallowing his fear. Quinn's fists clenched tighter, his eyes burning with silent rage but knowing he had to hold back for now.
The upperclassman reached out and grabbed Erin by the collar again, pulling her to her feet roughly. "You think you can just waltz in here, and challenge the system?" His voice was low, dripping with menace. "This is your first lesson and it won't be your last."
With a sudden shove, Erin stumbled backward, but Vorden rushed forward, raising a trembling hand to shield her. The upperclassman laughed darkly, "Pathetic."
The crowd around them remained frozen, some watching wide-eyed, others averting their gaze. No one dared intervene.
Ken forced himself to his feet, his legs shaky but determined. He glanced at his friends Erin, Vorden, Quinn, Peter, and Layla—and felt a surge of resolve.
They might be outmatched for now, but this was far from over.
The upperclassman turned his head slightly, catching the fire in Ken's eyes.
"Oh? Still standing?" he sneered, stepping toward Ken again. "You don't know when to stay down, do you?"
Electricity surged across his body, the armor of crackling energy glowing brighter as his soul weapon intensified. Each step he took sent ripples of power through the ground, causing the nearby first-years to step back instinctively.
Ken gritted his teeth, wiping the blood from his mouth. "You've already made your point," he said, his voice low but unwavering. "So why don't you quit pretending this is about a lesson and admit you're just a bully?"
The upperclassman stopped.
And then laughed. "You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said, " but guts won't save you here."
He raised his hand again another bolt of electricity charged and ready but before he could launch it, a commanding voice echoed through the canteen:
"That's enough."
Everyone turned. At the far end of the room, a tall figure in a sleek black uniform stood with arms crossed. His presence alone carried weight and authority. It was one of the academy instructors.
The upperclassman slowly lowered his hand, but his glare didn't fade.
The instructor walked forward, his eyes narrowing on the older student. "Second-year or not, if you're caught attacking first-years again especially outside of a sanctioned match you'll be facing immediate suspension from combat classes. Do I make myself clear?"
The upperclassman gave a small bow, his voice tight. "Yes… Instructor."
The instructor then looked at Ken, Vorden, and Erin who were bruised, panting, but still standing. "Get yourselves to the infirmary. You've already made enough of a name for yourselves today."
As the upperclassman left, throwing one last glare over his shoulder, the tension in the room finally began to ease. Quinn rushed over to Ken, Peter to Vorden, and Layla to Erin, helping them to their feet.
"You idiots," Quinn said, half-laughing, half-angry. "You could've died."
Ken managed a weak smile. "I'm pretty sure we wouldn't."
Quinn, Peter, and Layla helped Ken, Vorden, and Erin back up to their feet. Each movement was sluggish, and strained from the fight. They supported each other as they followed the instructor's earlier advice, making their way toward the infirmary in silence—at least, until Vorden broke it.
"Next time when we're in a fight, remind me to copy someone who can actually take a hit," Vorden muttered, clutching his ribs with a pained grin. "Or maybe just someone made of steel."
Peter chuckled nervously while Quinn rolled his eyes. "You're lucky you're even able to walk."
Layla glanced over at Erin, who hadn't said a single word since the fight. Her expression was unreadable, her eyes focused ahead, but her clenched fists told another story.
Meanwhile, Ken walked in silence, his thoughts spiraling. The fight had left more than just physical bruises. The upperclassman's words echoed in his mind.
Was this how things worked here? Stay in your lane. Respect the hierarchy. Don't mix levels.
He glanced back at his friends, some limping, others supporting each other. Ken felt a pang of guilt. Maybe none of this would've happened if he had just stayed away from Quinn, Peter, and Layla. But they stood up for him. Even risked themselves getting beat.
Am I really going to abandon them now?
He didn't have an answer yet.
By the time they reached the infirmary, the doors slid open with a soft hiss, and a pair of assistants rushed forward. White walls. Bright lights. The sterile scent of antiseptic. It was quiet. Peaceful. And it felt so far removed from the chaos of earlier.
As they were guided to separate beds, Ken finally exhaled. For now, they were safe. But in the back of his mind, he knew this was only the beginning.
The group had barely settled into the infirmary beds when the door slid open again, this time revealing a woman in a pale blue uniform. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, and her hands glowed with a soft, green light that pulsed gently like a heartbeat.
"Looks like you three got yourself into quite the mess," she said, approaching Ken, Vorden, and Erin. Her voice was calm, but there was a trace of disapproval behind it. "Class is about to begin. You're lucky I was called in early today."
She hovered a hand over Ken's chest first. The moment her palm came close, he felt a soothing warmth rush through his body. Bruises faded. Soreness lifted. And the pain in his ribs eased.
Ken exhaled in relief. "Thank you."
"I'd say don't mention it," the nurse replied, moving to Vorden, "but something tells me this won't be the last time I see you all."
"Oh, I make great first impressions," Vorden grinned, even as he winced when the healing started. "It's the second ones that gets me in trouble."
She raised an eyebrow but said nothing, already turning to Erin. Erin remained quiet, her eyes locked onto a fixed point across the room, fists still clenched. But when the nurse's energy washed over her, her rigid posture finally relaxed.
"Alright," the nurse said as the green light faded. "You're healed, but don't test yourselves too hard today. You'll still be a little drained."
Quinn stepped forward, worry still in his voice. "Are they really okay to go to class?"
"They're physically fine now," the nurse said.
Ken slowly stood up, flexing his fingers and stretching his limbs. The pain was gone but the humiliation wasn't. Neither was the frustration. He glanced at Erin and Vorden. They were ready to move, but he could tell none of them felt finished with what had happened.
The nurse waved them toward the door. "Go on now. You don't want to be late on your first full day. And next time…" She paused, narrowing her eyes. "Pick your fights more wisely." she said before letting the group exit the infirmary.
As the group exited the infirmary together, their steps were lighter, but their thoughts were far heavier.