"What's with the silent treatment, punk?" The boy asked, standing right behind Kayden. "Cat got your tongue? Or have grown some balls just 'cause that bitch has your back?"
Kayden's head snapped back. "What did you just say?" His voice was low, calm. "Repeat what you said. I don't think I heard you right the first time."
Rick laughed. "Oh, so you can speak? Huh, brat?" He flexed his knuckles. "And the first thing you decided to ask me was that?" He grinned.
"I asked you a question," Kayden replied. "Don't make me repeat myself."
Rick's grin slowly faded before being replaced by a malicious sneer. "Watch your mouth, punk?"
"Oh? And what if I don't?" Kayden snapped back. "You're gonna hit me? Choke me? Make me beg for mercy?" He stepped closer into Rick's personal space. "Try me, you damned meat head."
Rick saw red that very moment.
His fist coiled back, and he delivered a blow that was aimed at Kayden's face.
However, Kayden was faster than he expected. He easily shuffled to the side right after the punch was thrown, dodging it by mere seconds.
What…? Rick's jaw hung low as he witnessed the dodge. How was he able to react to my fist to quickly? He couldn't do something like that before… his shock only lasted a couple moments before he followed up with an elbow to the jaw.
Kayden bent his knees as the elbow came swinging to his head. Then, with a sweeping motion, he delivered a kick to Rick's legs, the sound of bones snapping as Rick's body folded sideways, collapsung against the floor.
He screamed, clutching his knees as he rolled on the floor. Students passing by halted in their movements, eyes fixated on the downed state of Rick, one of the infamous bullies in their school, squirming on the ground in pain.
"Did you see what just happened right now?" One of the students asked, fishing out his phone from his pocket to take pictures.
"Yeah, it's crazy. How was Kayden able to hurt Rick so badly. I don't remember him being this strong before."
"I hear ya. It's like he's a completely differentperson. How was he able to do it?"
The chatter continued, students forming a tight circle around both Kayden and Rick.
Kayden's eyes swept the crowd, his lips twitching as he spat on the ground. Uselessfools. None of them would've lifted a finger if Iwas the one on the floor. He thought. Rick's down, and I'm sure he's not gonna bother me anymore after what's happened. And even if he does… he flexed his knockles, his icy gaze falling on Rick. I'll simply break more bones in his body.
He turned around, attempting to leave the tight crowd. He took a few steps, then turned back, his eyes glancing back at Rick.
Rick's incessant rolling paused, and for a few moments, both students locked eyes.
He's... He's a monster. Rick thought.
A few seconds passed, then Kayden's lips parted, his next words ringing through everyone present.
"Don't you ever disrespect my cousin again. Got that?" He ordered. He didn't bother waiting for a response. He knew well enough that the pain he had inflicted would serve as a grim reminder, not only to Rick, but to everyone else in this school.
No one could offend Kayden Williams and get away with it. Not anymore.
Even if all the bullies in this useless school decide gang up against me… he muttered, stepping towards the crowd to continue his journey outside. …I'll put them all in their place.I'm not longer the helpless kid they could pick on in the past. The crowd parted as he walked, whispers filling the atmosphere as phone cameras flashed in the hallway.
A school urchin. An underdog who was once the prime target of public humiliation… had just publicly disgraced one of the most feared students in the school.
Kayden had just upset the whole student heirarchy within minutes. And despite the endless gossip and fear the students held towards him, he didn't care.
None of this matters when Stacy's life is still in danger. Besides, I never really cared about school politics, anyway. Kayden said to himself, stepping out of the school building and into the outer compound. High school's almost over, so it's only a matter of time before I can finally say goodbye to all this nonsense. His footsteps continued towards the main gates. But till then, raising that money comes first!
Kayden was just a few meters away from exiting school grounds. Even out here, students were whispering about what had just taken place a few minutes back. They threw quick side glances at Kayden as he walked past them, but most dared not to approach him directly.
Though a few did decided to block his way to the main gates. Four of them in total.
"Not so fast, turd," one of the students spoke. "We heard what you did back there, and honestly, it's pissing me off," his eyes welled with hatred as he continued. "You upset the heirarchy. You must know what that means, right?" he asked.
This whole shit is making me sick… Kayden shook his head. "Fine, then. Let's make this quick," he said, taking a fighting stance. "I have too many things on my mind right now. I can't afford to waste anymore time on idiots like you."
The boy who first spoke, the one known as Fred, snickered. "Idiots, you say?" He clenched his fist, a faint flicker crossing his fingers. "We'll see who's the real fool once I'm done with you!" he ran towards Kayden, a mass of flames engulfing his fist as he threw it forward.
Another ability user?! Kayden's eyes bulged. Though I should've expected this. It would only make sense for the most influential student in this school to have one. He swerved just before the flaming fist could strike him. I can feel the heat from his fist. If it had struck me, my face could've gotten seriously burnt!
The other three students didn't just stand idly by. Though they were the strongest in the school, this fight wasn't about proving strength. It was about punishing someone bold enough to humiliate one of their comrades in public.
Crap. The others are rushing in! Kayden grabbed Fred by the arm, pulled him forward, then knee'd him in the jaw. Despitewhat I said earlier, I'm not too sure if I can handle them all. Not without transforming. He quickly followed up with a knee to the stomach, his fingers not relenting for even a moment. I don't want to reveal the power I have. These idiots are just gonna take pictures and post them online. If my powers gets leaked, then whoever left that crystal back there might find out someone in Brinestone has it and search for me relentlessly. I can't afford to put Uncle John's life in danger by being reckless!
He then let go, switching from kicks to punches. Fred didn't even have time to steady himself before the blows came, hard and fast. Every impact produced a loud twack that echoed within the outer compound. Just like what happened earlier, students gathered once again, witnessing Kayden beat down the strongest student at their school.
"This is madness! How is he strong enough to beat Fred so badly?! He's literally the strongest student in Brinestone High!" One of the students yelled, his hands shaking as he recorded the fight on his device.
"This isn't madness. Don't you get it?" Another student replied, the heavy popping sound of chewing gum following right after. "He must've somehow managed to get his hands on an ability," she studied the fight for a brief moment, then continued. "He must've gotten a Strength Ability. That must be the reason why he was able to overpower Rick earlier. And why he's able to beat Fred so badly now."
"But still, how strong do you think his ability must be for him to handle Fred so well? I mean, Fred also has an ability. So for Kayden to be able to fight against him like this, then doesn't that mean that Kayden's powers are just far more superior?" Another student asked.
"Don't know. Whatever the case is, I'm sure those guys aren't just gonna sit back and watch Fred get embarrassed like this," the female student replied.
The first of the three students to cover the distance delivered a kick to Kayden's back. Although he was preoccupied with handling Fred, he was still quick enough to turn around and grab the fist with his arm. The next moment, he dragged the boy's body forward, then delivered a punch right into his gut.
Another student appeared from the side, raising his leg to strike Kayden on the head. Kayden saw the attack right when it was happening, and ducked just in time before delivering a sweeping kick to both students, incapacitating the former and crippling the latter.
The last student emerged from above, lunging into the air, attempting to tackle Kayden to the ground. However, Kayden simply side-stepped the attack, allowing the boy to fall to the ground before delivering a devastating kick to his back. The sound of something snapping filled the air as the boy wailed in pain.
"Like I said earlier, you all are nothing but idiots," Kayden said, his breathing steady. I'm surprised I could handle them without transformating. He flexed his wrists, feeling the power stemming within. It's incredible.
However, he didn't have much time to celebrate as the students began to get up from the ground, even Fred, who had received the most damange.
Seeing the opportunity before him, Kayden didn't wait. Bolting at high speed, he exited the school grounds, rushing back home before the bullies could give chase.
It's a good thing those punks don't know where I live. Kayden thought, disappearing from the school's vicinity faster than they could recover.