Just as the words left my mouth, all of them froze mid-step.
It was like I'd hit a pause button. They understood. It wasn't a vague threat. It was a promise.
They knew, on so primal level, that I could and would do sothing far worse than hitting them with a practice sword.
I looked back at the leader, who was practically crying now, tears of pain and sha streaking on his face.
"Get up," I commanded.
Although still in pain, he got up, wobbling to his feet.
He probably couldn't take the threat of another hit anymore. His will was broken.
"Bend," I simply said.
He hesitated for a mont, looking at with pure terror, before bending over slowly, presenting his back.
I slowly walked to him, and sat on his back, using him as a bench.
He grunted under my weight but held steady.
After making myself comfortable, adjusting slightly to find a good perch, I looked at the others.
"All of you, co over here," I said, pointing to a spot on the floor directly in front of .
The four bullies shuffled forward, heads bowed.
But the victim, the shy boy, didn't move.
He just stood by the lockers, looking confused and scared.
"You didn't hear when I said all?" I said to him, my tone leaving no room for argunt.
You are the cause of my current problem, why wouldn't I add you?
You need to see how this ends. You need to understand that sotis, the solution to a bully isn't a hero, but a bigger, aner bully.
They all soon ca and stood in a miserable little line in front of .
I gestured with a flick of my fingers that they should all kneel.
They hesitated, looking at each other, seeking so kind of collective courage that wasn't there.
I didn't need to say a word. I just pointed at their leader, who was currently serving as my rather uncomfortable chair.
They instantly got the ssage. If he could be used as furniture, I could make them worse if they don't get on their knees.
They all knelt down, a row of defeated soldiers before their unconventional king.
Damn, this was a dream.
The sheer absurdity of the situation hit .
Here I was, sitting on a bully's back, having forced his gang to kneel, all because of the little thing they did to .
I laughed inwardly, a silent, hysterical chuckle, while keeping a straight, stern face physically.
This was power, yes, but it was also utterly ridiculous.
[At this point I don't know if you need , or I need you]
It's both ways. You give the power, and I go out and… well, do whatever I feel is necessary. We're partners in cri, whether you like it or not.
The system didn't reply. It often did that at tis, leaving a thought hanging in the air.
Why does the system sotis just act exactly like Yara?
Always not answering in the important part.
But at least it was different in another major aspect, it didn't have her specific, fiery anger issues.
Which I was glad about at least.
I leaned forward, the wood of my katana tapping lightly against my palm.
I was about to proceed to the second, and most dangerous step.
But at that mont, my eyes caught sothing.
No, soone. Not just anyone.
The figure standing at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, was unmistakable.
It was Yara. Her posture was ramrod straight, her expression unreadable from this distance, but I'd know that silhouette anywhere.
She just stood there looking at , a silent judge in the empty corridor.
Damn. In my focus on teaching this idiot a lesson, I didn't even care checking around if anyone was looking.
I'd been so consud with the imdiate, petty power play that I'd completely dropped my guard.
And of all people to catch , it had to be her.
Which was quite a good news. But—
She raised her hand and began clapping. The sound was slow, asured, and utterly devoid of warmth.
Each clap echoed like a gunshot in the tense silence.
She did it with an expressionless face, of course.
No smirk, no frown. Just blank observation.
"Congratulations, Ryan. Nice performance." Yara's voice carried down the hall, cool and clear. It wasn't a complint. It was sothing else. "Who knew you would beco a bully just not too long after the rank announcent."
I didn't move, or show any reaction, I just remained seated on my very uncomfortable human chair.
"You didn't even watch episode one, yet you are already concluding," I replied.
"Do I need to?" she asked, one eyebrow arching slightly.
The question held a simple aning.
Is there any other logical explanation on why I was using a fellow student as furniture while his friends knelt before ?
But...
"Yes," I simply answered.
She rolled her eyes, a gesture of pure dismissal, and turned to walk away.
"I would advise you don't spend too much more ti in the hallway," she called over her shoulder without looking back. "Soone else might see you. Soone less... understanding."
Yeah, I hated to admit it, but she was right. This scene, without context, was damning.
If soone heroic, and most especially soone stronger than , stumbled upon this, I would be the one in their situation.
I'd be the one explaining myself to a disciplinary committee, or worse, getting a taste of my own dicine from a real high-ranker.
But then suddenly it hit .
"Hey!" I called out, the word leaving my mouth before I could stop it. "Why are you leaving? I thought you were going sowhere!"
She'd been standing there. Watching. She hadn't been passing by; she'd been still.
A slow, incredulous grin spread across my face.
"... Wait, did you co here looking for ?!" The idea was so absurd, so unlikely, that it was the only thing that made sense.
Her step faltered. Just for a second.
She lowered her head, the ends of her hair swaying with the motion, and increased her pace, refusing to answer or look back.
She actually was looking for . Or was I just seeing things?
My grin widened.
The mighty Yara, seeking out? Now that was a plot twist I hadn't seen coming.
I got up from the bully's back, not even paying attention to them anymore.
They were irrelevant. The lesson, such as it was, had been delivered.
They remained frozen, a collection of kneeling and bent-over statues, too scared to move without permission.
I walked away to class, with Yara far in front, to far.
Is she really this fast when walking?
Ding!
The sound was so unexpected I almost jumped.
[You have leveled up!]
Huh?
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