---
The reason those guys backed off wasn't because Sam looked intimidating — it was because they'd seen what had happened that morning. Five seniors had tried to mess with him near the school gate, and it hadn't ended well for them. No one expected a new student to fight back, let alone win. Their faces still bore the lingering sting of humiliation, pride shredded like paper.
Then there were Tom and Ashi — the two most unpredictable troublemakers in school — silently standing beside him. Neither spoke, neither gestured, yet their presence alone was a warning. Anyone who had seen their past antics knew: if they sided with someone, that person was untouchable.
The would-be aggressors exchanged nervous glances, hesitation written all over their faces. The air was thick with tension. And then, almost instinctively, they stepped back, retreating into the crowd. Those who had been forming a ring around Sam quickly dispersed, pretending they hadn't witnessed anything.
For a few seconds, silence dominated the courtyard. Then came the whispers, soft at first, like cautious ripples across still water, and gradually swelling into a chorus of disbelief:
"Isn't that the guy who beat those seniors this morning?"
"Yeah… and that girl's already with him?"
"No way… first day and he's already taken?"
Phones emerged from pockets, cameras raised. Someone started recording, eager to capture the moment for the inevitable social media frenzy.
Sam didn't respond. He glanced at the girl beside him — the one who'd accidentally been dragged into this mess — and let out a quiet sigh. Why does my first day have to be this chaotic? And now… she's caught up in it too. Great.
A thought struck him, and he moved toward her desk, keeping his voice casual. "I'm Sam," he said, steady and composed. "Can I at least get my girlfriend's name?"
The girl gave him a sharp glare. "Moco," she replied, flat and dismissive.
Sam nodded once, retreating to an empty desk near the window. A faint smirk tugged at his lips. Moco, huh… interesting. Guess I'm officially in trouble now.
The teacher entered moments later, bringing the room under a veneer of calm. But Sam's mind wandered, replaying the morning fight, the girl, and the whirlwind of his first day. I need to be careful… but at the same time, I won't let them push anyone around. Not today.
---
By the time the lunch bell rang, the hallways were alive with energy. Students flooded out of classrooms, voices bouncing off walls, laughter and gossip mixing into a chaotic symphony.
Tom and Ashi wove through the crowd with practiced ease, heading toward Class 10A.
"Finally," Ashi grinned, excitement lacing his tone. "We're going to see him. The trio's reuniting again."
Tom's expression was a mix of amusement and concern. "Yeah… but I'm a little worried. 10A has that captain. If Max ends up on their radar, things could get messy."
Ashi frowned thoughtfully, then shrugged. "Now that you mention it… you're right. But if anyone dares touch him, I won't stay quiet. Still… it's Max. He's tough. We've seen him fight since childhood. He won't break easily."
Tom nodded slowly. "Let's hope that's still true."
As they entered Class 10A, their eyes scanned the room — but Max was nowhere to be seen.
Ashi groaned, frustration clear in his voice. "What now? How are we supposed to find him? He's already gone."
Tom suggested, "Maybe he went to the cafeteria? It is lunch after all."
Before he could finish, a loud shout rang out from the hall: "There's a fight on the rooftop! Let's see what's happening!"
Tom and Ashi shared a glance — no words needed. They bolted toward the stairs, moving through the crowd like shadows, adrenaline sharpening every step.
---
When they reached the rooftop, the scene was already chaotic. A crowd had formed, murmuring and whispering in disbelief, some phones raised to capture the unfolding drama.
Bodies lay sprawled across the rooftop like discarded mannequins — unconscious, bruised, but alive. These were the same seniors who had tried to intimidate Sam earlier that morning. Their pride was shattered, their expressions frozen in pain and shock.
And standing in the center, knuckles stained with blood, was Max.
He stood around 5'10", just a little shorter than Tom, with an athletic build that spoke of balance — not bulky, but defined, with lean muscle cuts that hinted at power built through movement, not show. There was a stillness about him — the kind that came from control rather than rage. Even after a fight like this, his breathing was calm, eyes sharp, like a predator who knew when to strike and when to stop.
Kneeling before him, barely conscious, was the captain from earlier — the one who had tried to assert dominance along with his crew. Pride, anger, and overconfidence had been beaten out of him, leaving only the raw sting of humiliation.
Max's mind was calm despite the adrenaline still coursing through him. They should've never underestimated me. They learned the hard way. First day, first impression — they'll remember it forever.
The crowd's whispers grew louder, curiosity mixed with awe:
"Did he just… beat all of them?"
"Even the captain?"
"First day, and already this? Who is this guy?"
Some students were terrified, stepping back; others were excited, whispering theories about his skill, his past, his potential. Phones clicked and recorded, the moment destined to spread across the school within hours.
Tom didn't hesitate. He hooked Max from behind, steadying him with a firm grip. Ashi stepped forward, releasing the captain with a controlled motion, leaving him sprawled on the rooftop.
"Max… just leave him," Ashi said, calm but unmistakably firm. There was no debate — his tone carried the weight of authority, trust, and warning all at once.
Max's gaze softened at the sight of his old friends, a brief flicker of gratitude flashing in his eyes. I'm lucky they're here. Otherwise… He shook the thought away, focusing instead on the lesson he'd just imparted. This isn't just about strength… it's about respect. About making sure people understand who they're dealing with.
The captain, still kneeling, lifted his gaze, red-faced and humiliated. He clenched his fists,blood droping from his nose, rage battling shame, but he couldn't bring himself to strike back. Not with Max standing there, not with Tom and Ashi by his side. His crew looked at him, their faces pale and nervous, realizing just how misjudged they had been.
Max let the silence linger, letting the weight of the moment speak louder than any words ever could. Every person on that rooftop — whether they had been part of the fight, or just witnessing it — understood: this new student was not to be underestimated.
Tom and Ashi exchanged a glance, a mixture of pride, awe, and a touch of worry. He's stronger than we thought… maybe stronger than we ever imagined.
Max's eyes swept across the crowd. This… this is just the beginning. He allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible smile. First day chaos? Check. Unexpected spectators? Check. Enemies taught a lesson? Definitely.
The whispers around the rooftop grew louder, some nervous, some excited, others in awe. Phones recorded, rumors began forming even before anyone left the rooftop.
And somewhere in the back of his mind, Max felt it — a small thrill, a spark. The school was bigger than he thought. The challenges were far from over. But for now… he was ready.
First day done. First lesson taught. First impression made. And they'll all remember it — the day Max walked in and didn't just survive his first fight… he dominated.
---