THUD
SMACK. SMACK
"Is this enough? Or should we keep going?"
"Heh… relax. The rat can take more."
More blows rained down, each landing with the wet sound of flesh giving way. Ren curled around his ribs, his breath shallow, his vision swimming red.
His shattered glasses lay several meters behind him, glittering like broken ice on the pavement. His body wasn't much better — bruised, torn, and leaking blood from everywhere.
AAAAHHHHHHHH-
A raw scream tore out of him as Ren forced himself upright. His legs trembled violently, barely able to support his weight. There was no strength left, only stubbornness and the animal refusal to stay down.
"Oh? Again?"A tall, broad-shouldered boy stepped forward, voice dripping with amusement. "You really don't learn, do you?"
Myles Blaze — red hair like burning coals, sharp eyes filled with cruel delight, and a body sculpted by privilege, training, and the genetics of a Sovereign family.
One of the ten families that shaped the world.
Two lackeys flanked him: a fat boy snickering loudly, and a thin girl half-covering her smile as if watching a comedy skit rather than a beating.
Students passed by without more than a glance. This was normal. Daily. Expected.
Ren had been the academy's punching bag for years — weak body, no backing, unattractive, and worst of all… he fought back. Bullies hated that. Myles adored it.
Even the teachers looked away.
Ren rushed forward. He knew he'd lose. But standing still was worse.
A kick slammed into his stomach. Pain exploded through him — but he had anticipated the move. Before Myles could retract his leg, Ren wrapped his arms around it like a vice and dragged with everything he had.
Myles' balance broke.He hit the ground.
Ren lunged on top of him and swung a fist.It never landed.
Myles caught his arm with insulting ease.
"Oho… now you've done it." His smile turned feral. "If you want a real fight—fight like a man."
Two kicks smashed into Ren's skull from behind. His world went white as he was flung off Myles, rolling until his back slammed into the academy wall.
Then Myles was on him.
The punches came fast. Wild. Merciless.Ribs cracked. Teeth split. Blood sprayed.Myles had slipped on a pair of spiked gloves — the punch marks tore Ren's skin open with every hit.
Ren's thoughts blurred.This time… he might actually die.
A sudden gust of force struck Myles sideways, knocking him off Ren. Myles landed on his feet, already anticipating it, sliding a few meters back with irritation on his face.
A deep, grounded voice echoed from above.
"That's enough. Leave."
A figure dropped from one of the higher balconies — a man in black military attire, bald, sharp-eyed, built like a blade sheathed in human form.
Professor Caius
Myles scowled but didn't argue. None of them did. Even a Blaze wasn't stupid enough to provoke him openly. Myles clicked his tongue and turned away.
"Tch. Lucky as always, rat."
As their footsteps faded, Ren lay motionless, blind behind the blood streaming into his eyes, deaf to everything but ringing.
But he knew who had arrived.Caius always did — when the beating went too far.
Caius knelt beside him and tilted Ren's head gently, pouring a viscous green liquid into his mouth. Warmth spread instantly. Bones realigned with audible cracks, torn skin knit itself back together, nerves cooled as if someone pressed ice on molten metal.
In seconds, Ren could breathe again.See again.Exist again.
When he opened his eyes, Caius' worn, stern expression filled his vision.
"How do you feel?" Caius asked.
"Fine, I guess." Ren exhaled and leaned against the wall.
"That move you pulled — grabbing his leg… interesting choice." Caius gave a rare, small smile.
"It was stupid," Ren muttered. "A desperate swing from someone who doesn't know how to fight. Didn't even land a hit."
"That part is true," Caius admitted.
"So what could you have done better?"
"…Everything."
Caius nodded once. "Fair enough."His eyes sharpened. "Are you ready to receive your parasite? You'll become an Inheritor soon."
"Yes." Ren didn't hesitate.
His family had left him only one thing:A Sovereign-grade parasite — something equal to the ones held by the great families.
"You know your parasite's level?" Caius asked.
Ren nodded. "Sovereign."
"You'll be starting at Master level with zero compatibility. Meanwhile Myles is already in sync with a family parasite." Caius' tone softened. "But hard work can surpass talent. I've seen it."
Ren scoffed faintly. "Even if I had a trash parasite, I'd still aim to beat him eventually."
Caius stood, helping Ren up with one hand.
Ren picked up the broken frame of his glasses and his bag — kicked around so many times it barely counted as a bag anymore — and waved.
"I'm going home. Thanks… again."
Caius watched him leave, a silent, complicated expression crossing his face.