Chapter 2: Wish
The cafeteria was noisy.
Laughter echoed between steel tables. Trays clattered. Screens on the walls displayed combat replays from famous hunters.
Yet in the center of the hall, a circle had formed.
Students stood shoulder to shoulder, faces lit with excitement—as if watching entertainment rather than cruelty.
Inside the circle stood Jule.
And in front of him—
Tony.
---
Tony's presence dominated the space.
He was tall—over six feet—with a thick chest and powerful arms shaped by constant training. His posture was arrogant, chin lifted, shoulders spread wide as if daring the world to challenge him.
His custom academy uniform fit perfectly, enhanced with lightweight combat fibers—something only rich families could afford.
Jule, by contrast, stood calmly.
His back was straight, not submissive—but restrained. His body was lean, balanced, built by labor rather than luxury. Though slightly shorter than Tony, his presence was quieter, sharper.
And his face—
Too calm.
Too handsome.
That alone was enough to ignite hatred.
---
Laughter erupted as Tian stepped forward.
Unlike Tony, Tian wasn't loud. His eyes were small and calculating, his smile thin and cruel. He enjoyed watching fear more than causing pain himself.
"Look at him," Tian chuckled. "Still pretending to be calm."
Jule didn't respond.
He already understood.
These students weren't brave.
They were afraid.
Afraid of Tian.
Afraid of Tony.
So they let everything fall on him.
By focusing on Jule, Tian didn't need to bully anyone else.
And the crowd?
They were relieved it wasn't them.
---
"Here it comes again."
"He won't fight back."
"How long before he blacks out this time?"
Whispers flowed freely—sharp, careless, merciless.
Every word cut.
Jule heard them all.
And ignored them all.
---
Tony stepped closer, his shadow swallowing Jule's feet.
With one hand, he grabbed Jule's collar and lifted him off the ground effortlessly.
Jule's shoes dangled inches above the floor.
Tony's face twisted with rage.
"Where is Stella?" Tony growled. "Why isn't she sitting with you today?"
Jule looked at him calmly.
"I don't know."
His voice was steady.
That calmness snapped something inside Tony.
---
Why should I answer him? Jule thought bitterly.
She's not even my girlfriend.
Stella merely sat with him to study. She struggled with written exams—something Jule excelled at.
That was all.
But explaining that to people like Tony or Tian?
Pointless.
---
Tony's grip tightened.
"You don't know?" he roared. "You're always with her, you filthy commoner!"
With a violent shove, Tony threw Jule to the ground.
Jule hit the floor hard.
But he didn't cry out.
Didn't curse.
Didn't move.
---
"Why don't you fight back?!" Tony screamed, kicking Jule in the ribs.
"Tomorrow, when I awaken, I'll crush you with my own hands! You low-class human!"
Punch.
Kick.
Punch.
The blows rained down.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
No one stopped it.
Teachers didn't come.
Students didn't intervene.
To them, this was routine.
---
An hour later, Jule's vision finally faded.
Blood trickled from a cut on his forehead, staining the cold floor beneath him.
Darkness swallowed him whole.
---
As consciousness slipped away, his thoughts grew heavy.
Why… does he always target me?
I never provoked him.
In this world… power is everything.
Faces flashed in his mind—smiling classmates, laughing spectators, empty eyes.
If I want to protect my family… I need strength.
Tomorrow is my awakening.
After that, I'll leave this place.
I don't care about revenge.
I just want peace.
That wish burned silently.
And then—
Nothing.
---
Tony looked down at Jule's unmoving body and scoffed.
"Tch. Pathetic."
He turned and walked away.
The crowd dispersed.
No one helped.
No one stayed.
---
Two hours later, Jule stirred.
Pain exploded through his skull.
Groaning softly, he pushed himself up. The cafeteria was nearly empty now—just scattered trays and silent floors.
Once again…
He had missed his class.
Like always.
---
In the washroom, cold water ran down his face.
He cleaned the blood.
Adjusted his clothes.
Straightened his posture.
No tears.
No anger.
Only exhaustion.
---
As the sun began to dip, Jule stood outside the college gates, waiting.
Waiting for his younger sister.
Waiting for tomorrow.
Waiting for a power that could change everything.