The squeal of brakes echoed at the front gates of Jiangnan High as a sleek black luxury sedan rolled to a graceful stop.
A bright red carpet had been unfurled, lined with clusters of fresh flowers. A large welcoming formation of students stood ready, waving colorful bouquets with a rehearsed enthusiasm.
"Welcome! Welcome! A warm welcome back!"
At the very front of the crowd, the aging principal—his weathered face stretched into the widest smile it could muster—hurried forward with several school administrators in tow. His back was slightly hunched, but at this moment he carried himself as though meeting a king.
"Ethan Jiang, welcome home!" the old man exclaimed, bowing his head slightly in respect.
He was almost trembling as he spoke. To him, greeting Ethan wasn't like welcoming back a student—it was like receiving a great leader. In fact, in his heart, Ethan was worth far more than any so-called official. The young man's future was dazzling, and one day, the entire human race might look to him as a pillar of strength. To the people of Jiangnan City, Ethan's glory would be their glory.
The car door clicked open, and Ethan Jiang stepped out with an easy smile.
Today, he had taken the time to carefully polish his appearance. His short hair had been meticulously trimmed, a fresh silver stud glinted faintly from his ear, and he wore a custom-tailored suit that screamed of wealth and status. A golden watch gleamed on his wrist under the morning light, exuding luxury. Handsome, rich, and radiating confidence—he was the very image of the perfect prodigy.
As his shoes touched the carpet, Ethan's eyes swept quickly over the extravagant welcome. Satisfaction flickered in his gaze before he masked it with a practiced warmth. He waved at the crowd, smiling effortlessly, his tone humble yet commanding.
"Principal, you're being far too formal. I'm just your student. Coming back to guide my juniors—it's the least I can do."
"Please, please, this way!" the principal said, bowing again and gesturing toward the campus.
From the edge of the crowd, Noah and Tang Xia watched the grand reception unfold.
The class monitor swallowed hard, his eyes nearly glowing with envy. "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and finish the banner before it's too late!"
Noah simply glanced at him once and looked away. Whoever wanted to paste the banner could go paste it. He wasn't wasting another second on it. The monitor, panicked at the thought of their class missing out on the event, scrambled up the ladder himself, hands shaking as he tried to align the long red banner.
Meanwhile, Ethan and the school leaders moved slowly down the path toward the teaching building, laughter and chatter surrounding him like a halo.
Tang Xia, her ponytail swishing in the wind, gave a soft, disdainful snort. "Tch. Over the top."
Noah chuckled, shaking his head. "It's ridiculous, sure. But that's just how the world works."
"You sound like you actually get it," she said, giving him a sideways glance.
"I don't get a damn thing," Noah said with a grin. "Just calling it as I see it."
The two kept their voices low, unconcerned with anyone else, almost as if the pomp and noise around them didn't exist.
At the front of the procession, Ethan's face never lost its charming smile as he greeted students, teachers, and even janitors with practiced ease. But then, mid-step, his expression faltered—just for the briefest instant.
Because his eyes had landed on someone.
Noah.
For a heartbeat, Ethan's gaze flickered with something darker—an edge of cruelty, sharp and venomous. But it vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by a confident smirk. He lifted his chin slightly, as though looking down from above.
Well, well. What a coincidence.
Tang Xia noticed the brief exchange instantly. Her sharp eyes narrowed. "Noah… Ethan Jiang was looking at you just now. Don't tell me I imagined it."
Noah shrugged, lips curling into a helpless smile. "What can I say? Maybe he's jealous I look better than him."
Tang Xia rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might get stuck. "I've never met anyone as shameless as you."
"Just admit it. Am I good-looking or not?"
She stammered, cheeks flushing. "You… are."
"Then that settles it." Noah gave a mock-solemn shrug, deeply satisfied with her reluctant admission.
Her face turned even redder. "But being handsome doesn't mean anything! Can you eat good looks?"
"Xia," Noah said suddenly, his voice softer, almost gentle.
She blinked, surprised. "What?"
"Buy me lunch later, will you?"
"…Fine."
Noah spread his hands with a grin. "See? Handsomeness feeds me just fine."
"You cheat! You totally cheated!" Tang Xia huffed, pouting as she stomped after him.
By now, Ethan had already moved inside with the principal and school officials. The crowd dispersed, leaving the lingering excitement behind.
——
Inside the school's luxurious guest lounge, Ethan lounged on a leather sofa, legs crossed, sipping an expensive brew of tea.
Buzz.
The air before him twisted unnaturally, rippling like water.
"The tea smells exquisite," came a whisper, eerie and ghostlike, a voice only Ethan could hear. "If I'm not mistaken, it's harvested from the Floating Mountains of the Nine Netherlands. Just half a pound would cost hundreds of thousands of gold coins. Looks like this pathetic school is bleeding itself dry just to please you."
Ethan didn't react. He leaned back, eyes closed, fingers tapping a slow rhythm on the armrest, as if savoring both the tea and the silence.
The voice grew sharper, filled with anger. "Ethan, the boss told me to remind you. If you fail again this time, the consequences will be dire!"
Ethan's eyes snapped open, a cold sneer tugging at his lips. "Then crawl back and tell him… I don't fail."
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Suddenly, a knock on the door echoed through the room.
The distortion in the air shattered in an instant, vanishing as though it had never existed.
"Come in," Ethan said smoothly, sitting upright.
The door creaked open and Jacob Jiang—his younger brother—stepped in.
"Brother, you called for me?"
Ethan gestured toward the opposite sofa with the faintest flick of his hand. "Sit."
Next to Ethan's towering presence, Jacob looked pitifully ordinary. His build was small, his demeanor timid, his entire aura unimpressive. It was hard to believe they shared the same blood.
Jacob sat down cautiously, almost like a schoolboy summoned to the principal's office.
Ethan swirled his tea before taking a sip, his tone deceptively mild. "I heard you got into some trouble just now?"
Jacob's face paled. His eyes darted away. "It wasn't trouble exactly. Just… some words exchanged."
Crash!
Ethan's palm slammed down on the tea table, the sound reverberating through the room. His voice turned harsh, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"How many times have I told you? Control your damn temper!"
"You've awakened an A-ranked fire talent. If you train properly and push yourself, you may not reach my level, but you'll stand above billions. Do you understand what that means? Your status is above most already. And yet you waste your time squabbling with nobodies? You lower yourself to their level!"
Jacob trembled, fists clenched in his lap. Since childhood, he had lived under the overwhelming shadow of his brother. Ethan had always been the genius, the shining star, the pride of the Jiang family. And now, even after awakening an A-ranked ability of his own, he still found himself crushed under the same weight.
Still, he forced himself to speak. "Brother, I… I do understand. That's why, even though he provoked me, I didn't fight back. I didn't want people saying I was a bully, relying on your name."
Ethan's voice softened slightly, though his expression remained stern. "Then why argue at all?"
Jacob hesitated, then blurted, "There's this girl. She awakened a B-ranked fire talent. Perfect for a party, perfect for leveling faster. And she's… beautiful."
Ethan frowned. "And?"
"She was stolen. By him."
"His ability?"
"S-ranked, but useless. One of those talents that looks flashy but means nothing."
"His background?"
"An orphan. Just an ordinary kid."
Ethan leaned back, rubbing his face in exasperation.
Jacob's shoulders slumped. "Brother… am I really that useless? I can't even compete with some nobody…"
"Finally figured it out?" Ethan's voice was cruel, cutting with precision. "If I were you, I'd bash my own head in and save us all the shame."
Jacob winced, but Ethan's words, as brutal as they were, came from a place deeper than contempt.
Moments passed before Ethan pulled out his phone, scrolling lazily through a few messages. His tone became calmer. "Listen. Women? They're everywhere. Once your strength grows, you'll have your pick. Remember this—fight over a woman with trash, and you become trash yourself."
Jacob's eyes widened in sudden realization. The words struck him like lightning, and his confusion evaporated, replaced with clarity. "You're right… You're absolutely right, Brother!"
Ethan smirked faintly. "Now. Tell me—what's the name of this so-called trash?"
Jacob didn't think twice. "Oh, his name's Noah."
The teacup slipped from Ethan's fingers, shattering on the ground. His eyes turned to ice, a storm brewing behind them. His grip on his phone tightened until, with a single squeeze, it exploded into dust between his fingers.
"Noah…"