After the night training, early in the morning, Zhen, Naer, Wei, Xiatao, Feng, and Xueer were walking together toward Class 2. The sun had only just risen, casting a soft glow across the academy grounds, but there was a heaviness in the air they couldn't explain. As they stepped into the classroom, they noticed their classmates huddled together in a large circle, whispering in anxious tones.
Curious, Zhen and the others approached. Their eyes widened in shock—the five children who had been absent for the past two days had returned, but their bodies were covered with bandages and bruises. Their faces were pale, and they walked with difficulty. Wang Xuan was among the crowd, worry written across his face as he supported one of the injured.
Zhen hurried toward him. "Xuan, what happened to them?"
Wang Xuan shook his head, voice low and heavy. "Oh Zhen, the five of our classmates were attacked… by the students of Class 1."
Gasps rippled through the group. One of the injured boys, his voice strained with pain, spoke out. "They have been attacking us for two days straight. We did not provoke them. We did nothing… yet they always came, beating us until we could not even walk."
A surge of anger rushed through Class 2. Their eyes burned with fury, teeth clenched, their hatred for Class 1 intensifying. Naer bit her lip, her fists trembling. Wei's expression darkened, while Feng and Queer exchanged grim looks.
Just then, Guan Fang entered the classroom. His brows furrowed as he saw the commotion. "Why is everyone gathered together? Sit down in your places at once."
Lei Wei stepped forward firmly. "Head Teacher, five of our classmates were gravely injured. They were absent for two days because of it."
Guan Fang's expression hardened as he walked closer, finally seeing the injured students for himself. "What happened to you? How did you get these injuries? Who was responsible?"
One boy hesitated, lowering his head in fear. At last he muttered, "It was… the students from Class 1."
Guan Fang froze. "Class 1 students?"
The rest of Class 2 nodded together, their eyes full of anger and resentment.
A spark of fury lit Guan Fang's eyes. His voice was stern. "Unacceptable. Alright—let's go to Class 1 and bring this matter before their head teacher."
The entire class responded at once. "Yes!"
Together, the students of Class 2 followed their teacher toward Class 1. As they moved through the corridors, senior students stopped to watch the spectacle. "Whoa, where is the entire Class 2 going together?" one whispered. Another added, "Their head teacher is leading them… and they're headed straight toward Class 1!"
Inside Class 1, Head Teacher Hong Li was in the middle of a lecture when the door slammed open. Silence fell immediately as Guan Fang strode in, followed by the entirety of Class 2. The room buzzed with shock, Class 1 students exchanging surprised and mocking looks. Zhao Xiong and his group saw Zhen and his friends at the front of the crowd, and rage twisted their faces. Zhao Xiong's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding audibly.
Hong Li's eyes narrowed. "Mr. Guan Fang, why have you barged in here with your whole class?"
Guan Fang's voice was heavy with anger. "Mr. Hong Li, five of my students were beaten and left injured. They claim your Class 1 students are responsible."
Hong Li's brows shot up. "What! Mr. Guan Fang, how can you barge into my class and accuse my students of such nonsense? None of them would do such a thing."
The Class 1 students snickered arrogantly, their gazes cold and mocking as they stared down Class 2. Their smirks only fueled the anger of Zhen and his companions, who stood with clenched fists, ready to speak out.
Guan Fang motioned one of the injured forward. "Tell everyone what you told me. Who injured you?"
Fan Lin, his clothes torn and his arms trembling, stepped forward. His heart raced as he thought, It was Zhao Xiong and his group. They cornered us, left us half-dead. But as he raised his head, he met Zhao Xiong's glare—a dark, terrifying look filled with threat. Fan Lin's legs shook, his mouth going dry.
Zhen stepped closer, placing a steadying hand on Fan Lin's shoulder. His calm but firm voice cut through the tension. "Don't be afraid, Fan Lin. Just speak the truth. You don't have to be scared anymore."
Encouraged by Zhen's words, Fan Lin drew in a sharp breath, his voice rising stronger. "It was Zhao Xiong and his group! They are the ones who beat us!"
The room erupted. Gasps echoed, and all eyes turned toward Zhao Xiong and his followers. Hong Li's own face was filled with shock. "Zhao Xiong…?"
Guan Fang's voice thundered. "Zhao Xiong, why would you do this? You know the academy forbids such behavior!"
But Zhao Xiong only sneered, stepping forward arrogantly. "So what if I did? They are weakling trash. People like them deserve it."
Class 2 exploded with outrage, voices shouting in fury. Guan Fang's face reddened with anger, his hands trembling. Even Hong Li was shaken by Zhao Xiong's blatant words. Silence fell again as Hong Li's voice rang cold. "Mr. Guan Fang, let us resolve this matter with a battle."
Guan Fang blinked in confusion. "A battle?"
Hong Li nodded firmly, his eyes unwavering. "Yes. One student from your class will face one student from mine. The loser will be suspended for an entire year. That way, justice is served. Do you agree?"
Before Guan Fang could speak, Zhao Xiong's lips curled into a grin. He stepped forward eagerly. "Head Teacher, I will fight for Class 1!"
Class 2 fell into stunned silence. Fan Lin's face turned pale, his entire body shaking. He knew his bond power rank was far lower than Zhao Xiong's. If he were forced to battle, the outcome was obvious—he would be crushed.
But before despair could settle, a firm voice cut through the tension. "Head Teacher."
Zhen raised his hand and stepped forward. His eyes were steady, his expression calm but blazing with resolve. He faced Guan Fang without hesitation. "I will fight for Class 2."
The classroom erupted once more, both Class 1 and Class 2 students gasping, whispering, and staring at Zhen. Zhao Xiong's smirk widened, his eyes locked on Zhen like a predator ready for blood. The stage for the clash between two classes had been set.