Nikita: "I want to challenge The Law Keeper. I mean, I want to prove that I'm better than him."
Aybar: "Alright… I honestly don't even know what to say to you or how I could help."
Nikita: "Wait, do you actually want to help me?!"
Aybar: "Hold on. I never said I would help you for sure.
There's something I want to ask first. Why do you want to challenge him?"
Nikita: "I'll tell you later… privately, on a call—"
At that moment, the teacher overheard the two whispering.
Teacher: "The Law Keeper, yes, I respect you, but I expect you not to disrupt my lesson.
Yes, you're a genius and you know everything, but it would be better if you didn't draw the attention of the new student and interfere with his studies.
Not everyone is like you. He needs to study."
Nikita froze for a moment, lost in thought. Then—
Nikita: "W-what… you're The Law Keeper?! Ooo… ah—!"
Crash!
He accidentally fell off his chair.
Aybar stepped forward and reached out his hand to help.
Nikita brushed his hand away dismissively and stood up on his own.Nikita stood up from his seat and looked at the teacher.
Nikita: "You're not evaluating me correctly. I'm very intelligent too—exceptional, even.
Smarter than the teachers of this school… no—smarter than anyone in the world.
At this moment, no one can defeat me in terms of intellect."
He let out a scoff and glanced at Aybar with contempt.
Nikita: "Hah… you're comparing me to him?"
Then he turned back to the teacher.
Nikita: "Teacher, if you don't believe me, I can prove it.
I want to challenge… who did you say? Ah—The Law Keeper.
I challenge him to an intellectual competition."
Ms. Sharapat (the teacher): "New student, you are quite arrogant.
I don't mind the challenge, but let's hear what The Law Keeper—my favorite student, Aybar—has to say."
Aybar: "I accept the challenge."
Since the lesson was mathematics, it was decided that the competition would be a mathematical one.
Ms. Sharapat knew very well that Aybar was far stronger than he appeared.
So she gave them the task:
Both contestants would write down the formulas they knew on a blank sheet of paper.
Whoever finished first could immediately end the competition.
Based on the results, she would determine who was smarter and who could think faster.
The competition began.
Several minutes passed.
Nikita was just one formula away from finishing when—
Aybar: "I'm done."
He ended the competition.
Nikita, who hadn't managed to write his final formula, froze in shock.
Nikita: "Ah… how?!"
Ms. Sharapat collected their papers and began checking them.
As she read through the answers, she suddenly stopped.
Her expression stiffened as she stared at the sheets in disbelief.
Ms. Sharapat: "This is… impossible."
Nikita (inner monologue):
Hah… even if you were faster, I solved two of the world's seven most difficult formulas.
I started with those two first, which is why they took so much time.
That's why I ran out of time.
Obviously, I won this competition.
That Law Keeper has no chance of defeating me…
Ms. Sharapat: "The winner is—"
Nikita (inner monologue):
Hmm… of course, me.
Ms. Sharapat: "—The Law Keeper."
Nikita: "What…? Impossible…
I solved two of the seven formulas that were considered unsolvable.
That was my trump card… how… how could I lose?!"
Unable to believe it, Nikita turned toward Aybar, his gaze filled with anger.Ms. Sharapat:
"Yes, that's exactly why I was surprised. New student, I thought you were merely boasting, and for that I apologize. You are a genius.
However, I verified your correct answers by comparing them with The Law Keeper's answers.
That's because he solved all seven formulas—every single one of them.
Of course, I don't have the ability to verify such solutions myself, but I trust The Law Keeper."
Nikita froze, staring at Aybar.
Nikita:
"How… impossible…"
Anger flared in his eyes.
Ermek:
"I knew it. Our Law Keeper never loses to just anyone."
Symbat, who had previously been ranked second after Aybar in academic performance, dropped to third place—
because it was now clearly evident that Nikita was stronger than her.
Symbat:
"That's impossible… Even if he lost to the Law Keeper, he's still the smartest after him—right now, in the entire world."
Ms. Sharapat:
"Wonderful… Now I don't have just one, but two of the strongest students.
To be able to teach such students—Alhamdulillah."
Nikita was burning with rage.
Keeping a calm exterior while boiling inside, he spoke in a low voice.
Nikita:
"This isn't over. I challenge you to a sword fight—a physical duel.
To avoid injuries, we'll use sticks instead of swords."
Hearing this, the boys in the class began laughing at Nikita.
Ms. Sharapat:
"Violence again? Stop this at once, Law Keeper."
However, Aybar responded calmly.
Aybar:
"Fine. I'll fight you with both my hands tied.
You can stay armed."
Nikita:
"Hah… that's even better.
I'll show that overconfident idiot what happens."
He agreed without hesitation.
Both of them changed into their physical education uniforms.
And the competition began.Aybar was ready to defend himself, but Nikita rushed toward him at incredible speed, launching rapid attacks. Aybar was barely able to keep up, dodging the strikes, yet he still took several hits. Because of the blows, the areas where Aybar was struck were cut open, his clothes slightly torn, revealing parts of his bare body.
The staff was as if it were a sharp katana — the places where Aybar was hit were sliced cleanly, tearing through his clothes. It was obvious that Nikita was highly skilled in sword combat. In battle, if there was any object that could be used like a sword, he could wield it just like a real katana — and with extraordinary mastery.
However, Nikita had not yet shown his full strength. He calculated his strikes carefully so as not to cut Aybar down and kill him. Without excessive force, he fought with precision and finesse. This ability of Nikita's was a natural talent. He had only recently discovered that he possessed such mastery with bladed weapons. Before transferring to the school, Nikita had trained for years.
In fact, Aybar was also good at using a sword. Nikita's weakness compared to Aybar was that he tired quickly; his physical condition was somewhat inferior. Still, he kept raining down attacks on Aybar at overwhelming speed.
Seeing Nikita's assault, everyone watched in astonishment. Among the students, there was a shared thought that Nikita was the only one who could be, even slightly, a worthy opponent for Aybar. After using his extremely fast and energy-draining techniques, Nikita began to feel fatigue creeping in.
Realizing that he was getting tired, Nikita started putting more strength and weight into his strikes. He was determined to defeat Aybar no matter what. At one point, he nearly cut Aybar down. Nikita unleashed an extremely dangerous attack with tremendous power and speed. The force of that strike, if it had landed, could have sliced through even a truck, tearing its upper half wide open.
To evade it, Aybar had to use his hands, performing a double backward somersault to dodge the attack. Seeing this, Nikita said,
"You said you wouldn't use your hands, didn't you?"
Aybar replied,
"Yes, but I don't use them to attack or to block strikes head-on. I only use them as support."Nikita: "Alright…" — and then he begins to pour all his energy into fast, powerful, heavy blows.
However, Aibar kicks Nikita's hand away, sending the wooden stick in Nikita's grip flying far away, and then kicks Nikita himself, knocking him to the ground. Aibar kicked him gently, so that Nikita wouldn't get injured.
Aibar: "You lost," — he says and turns to walk away.
At that moment, Nikita, furious and hot-headed, throws a stone straight at Aibar's head. But Aibar instantly catches the stone without even looking. He glances at Nikita from the corner of his eye and crushes the stone in his left hand with just one hand, grinding it into pieces.
Nikita stares in shock, then looks at Aibar with angry eyes (thinking):
"Tch… what a show-off."
Meanwhile, Aibar goes inside to change his clothes.
Nikita (whispering to himself):
"Damn bastard… he really went and demonstrated his strength. But I have to admit, that power is truly unbelievable. How… how did he crush a stone so easily with one hand?" — he fumes.
Nikita (thinking):
"Even if I don't want to admit it, I have to say it… no matter how I look at it, he's stronger than me. And that's what makes me angry."
He then also goes inside to change.
Nikita arrives at the locker room — no one is there. Aibar has already changed and left. Nikita quickly changes as well and puts on his school uniform.
Classes pass one after another and finally end.
Aibar returns home. When he arrives, Azamat looks at him carefully.
Azamat: "My lord, what happened? Was there an important event today?"
Aibar: "No… it's nothing. Just a new student joined my class."
Azamat: "Ah… a new student. Did he say something to you? You look worried."
Aibar: "No, but he doesn't like me. He sees me as a rival."
Azamat: "Ha… he doesn't even have the strength to match you. What a ridiculous situation. Honestly, I believe there is no one stronger than you in this world."
Aibar: "However… he is the only person who has ever managed to injure me."
Azamat: "What…? He injured you?"
Aibar: "Yes," — he says, showing the slightly cut scars.
Azamat: "Impossible… it seems he's not such an easy opponent after all."
Aibar: "Ha… do you think he can really become my rival?"Aibar:
— But I want to be friends with him.
Azamat:
— Very well. I will agree with any decision you make. However… if he ever tries to kill you, I will show no mercy.
Aibar:
— Don't worry about me. You know me well, Master…
Azamat smiles:
— Very well. I trust you.
Meanwhile, Nikita arrives at his home.
Nikita:
— Damn Law Keeper… — he mutters as he enters the house.
Alexei (Nikita's older brother):
— Oh, you're back already. Come in. I've prepared food for you — your favorite.
Nikita:
— Oh… thank you, my brother, — he says as he sits down at the table.
Alexei:
— So, how was your day?
Nikita (while eating):
— Don't ask. I'd rather not talk about it.
Alexei:
— You ran into the Law Keeper again, didn't you?
Nikita:
— Don't even say it, brother. That bastard really got on my nerves.
Alexei:
— Haha… I had a feeling it would turn out like this.
Alexei (thinking):
— Honestly, I could respect the Law Keeper. But for your sake… I will hate him.
Nikita:
— By the way, brother… his eyes were red too. You didn't warn me about that.
Alexei:
— I'm sorry… did something happen? Did he do anything to you?
Nikita:
— Yeah. At first, I thought he was just a strange guy with eyes similar to mine. I almost revealed everything to him.
But don't worry — once I found out he was a Law Keeper, I decided not to befriend him.
Alexei:
— Yeah… that was the right choice. He's your rival.
Keeping your trump cards hidden from him was a smart decision.Nikita:
— Brother, no matter what, I'll beat that self-confident bastard. You'll see.
Alexei (thinking, smiling at Nikita):
— I know the Law Keeper is stronger than you in some ways, but no matter what… I'll always support you.
Nikita:
— Did something happen?
Alexei (smiling):
— Nothing, don't worry about it. By the way… here's another plate for you.
Nikita:
— Hurray…
The next morning, both Aibar and Nikita arrive at school early.
Nikita:
— Why are you here so early?
Aibar:
— Haha… I always come early to organize the classroom. Are you here for the same reason?
Nikita (with a slightly annoyed expression):
— Yeah.
Aibar:
— Then let's get to it together.
Nikita:
— Uhh… — he takes a deep breath and nods.
They start arranging the classroom before anyone else arrives.
No one has come to class yet.
Nikita suddenly bursts out laughing and starts speaking in Russian:
— Just because I'm organizing the classroom with you doesn't mean I respect you or acknowledge you.
Aibar:
— What…? Speak in Kazakh, will you?
Nikita (switching back to Russian, laughing):
— Hahaha… I demand that you speak Russian.
Aibar:
— You're in Kazakhstan, you know.
Nikita:
— In Kazakhstan, almost everyone speaks Russian. There's no law that says you must speak Kazakh.
Aibar:
— Fine, there are people in Kazakhstan who speak Russian. But not in our village, not in our school. Even if some of us know Russian, we still speak Kazakh.
Aibar (switching to Russian):
— Now here's a question: you want to defeat me and become the Law Keeper. But in this school… no, in this village, many don't understand Russian at all. But you understand Kazakh perfectly. Isn't it more practical to use Kazakh?
Aibar:
— Later, in southern Kazakhstan, people are more patriotic. Imagine you defeat me, become the Law Keeper, and you speak Russian. People and students will accuse you of looking down on the Kazakh language. They won't listen to you. What will you do then? Think about it.
Nikita (angrily, gritting his teeth):
— Fine… stop lecturing me! — and he starts speaking in Kazakh.So the lesson started, time passed, and finally the last period began. It was physical education class. All the students warmed up and decided to play football. Aybar and Nikita ended up on different teams.
Nikita's team said: "We've already lost." No one even wanted to stand in goal—they were afraid of Aybar's powerful shots.
Nikita said: "Fine, fine, I'll go in goal myself," and became the goalkeeper.
When Aybar saw that, he also said he would stand in goal. And so the football match began.
Whenever Aybar's team came close to scoring, Nikita blocked every single shot without letting anything through, standing in goal like a stone wall.
There were only 10 minutes left until the end of the lesson, and the score was still 0:0.
Aybar's team passed the ball back to their goalkeeper—that is, to Aybar. Aybar took a shot from his own goal straight toward Nikita's goal.
But Nikita managed to stop Aybar's powerful strike.
Nikita (to himself): "What kind of shot was that…"
However, Nikita was dribbling and doing feints, completely outplaying Aybar's team and making them look like little kids.
Aybar came out from his goal, moving up to the defensive line. A heated battle for the ball started between Aybar and Nikita.
But then Aybar's foot slipped…