CHAPTER 2
Daren stood in front of the academy gates, staring at the place he used to hate the most.
The same place where everything happened.
The same place where he got beaten, humiliated, treated like he wasn't even human.
But this time, it felt different.
He took a slow breath, then smirked a little.
"…Yeah."
Louise stood beside him and glanced at his face.
"You can do it, Daren."
He looked at her for a second, then nodded.
"…Let's go."
They walked inside together.
Almost immediately, people started noticing him.
"Hey, look… it's him."
"The weakest guy in the academy."
"Even an animal could beat him."
"An ant is enough to kill that guy."
Laughter spread around.
Same voices.
Same insults.
Nothing changed.
Louise looked worried and slightly stepped closer to him.
"Are you okay…?"
Daren didn't even look at them.
"…You know what's funny?"
He let out a small laugh.
"I don't even care anymore."
He kept walking like they didn't exist.
"…They're just words."
But inside, something was different.
Before, those words used to hurt.
Now?
They just sounded annoying.
Suddenly, a group of students blocked his path.
Daren stopped.
"…Of course."
One of them stepped forward with a grin.
"Well, well… looks like our toy finally came back."
Louise grabbed Daren's sleeve slightly.
"…Daren…"
He glanced at her.
"Go ahead. I'll handle this."
"…Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"…Be careful."
Daren walked forward with the group, heading toward the upper area of the academy where fewer people were around.
The rooftop.
The same place they used before.
One of the bullies cracked his fingers.
"Ready to get beaten again?"
Another one laughed.
"Don't worry, we won't kill you… maybe."
Daren didn't respond.
He just raised his hand calmly.
"…Let's try something."
They frowned.
"What are you—"
"Water magic… first form."
A small mass of water formed above his palm.
"…Water bullet."
Before they could react, the attack shot forward fast and hit one of them straight in the chest.
He got thrown back and crashed to the ground.
Everyone froze.
"…What the hell was that?"
"That's not normal water magic…"
The group stepped back slightly, confused.
"That weak guy… since when did he get stronger?"
A guy stepped forward, clearly annoyed.
Drax.
"…Tch. Don't tell me you're all scared now."
He looked at Daren with a smirk.
"He's just a water-type trash like Louise."
That made Daren's expression change.
Not angry.
Just serious.
"…You're going too far, Drax."
Drax laughed.
"Do something about it then."
Flames started forming around his hand.
"You already know I'm a fire user."
"You can't even touch me."
Daren tilted his head slightly.
"…Is that so?"
He raised his hand again.
"Water magic… first form."
"…Water bullet."
Drax smirked.
"Same move again? You're dumb."
He raised his arm.
"Fire shield."
The water bullet hit the flames and got blocked instantly.
Steam spread in the air.
Drax grinned.
"See? You can't—"
"…Try rushing me."
Daren said it casually.
Drax's smile disappeared.
"What did you say?"
"If you think you're strong… come at me."
"…You bastard."
Drax rushed forward, flames covering his fist.
"Die!"
Daren moved at the last second, dodging the attack cleanly.
Then instead of attacking Drax, he ran toward another bully.
"Huh—?!"
Daren grabbed his arm.
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Daren's eyes lit up slightly.
"…Earth user."
He smirked.
"Nice."
Drax turned around.
"You think you can ignore me?!"
Daren didn't even look at him.
"…Earth magic… first form."
The ground suddenly moved.
"…Earth prison."
Stone shot up from below and trapped Drax instantly, locking his body in place.
"…What?!"
Drax struggled.
"What did you do to me?!"
Daren finally looked at him.
"I locked you up."
He raised his hand again.
"Water magic… second form."
The water gathered again, this time faster.
"…Water slap."
A sharp burst of water hit Drax across the face.
Then again.
And again.
Each hit made his head snap to the side.
His breathing got messy, his body shaking as he tried to break free.
But he couldn't.
Daren kept attacking without rushing.
Calm.
Controlled.
Like he was testing something.
Eventually, Drax's body went limp.
He collapsed the moment the earth prison broke.
"…Try harder next time."
Daren said it like it meant nothing.
Drax struggled to lift his head.
"…I'll… call my brother…"
Daren walked closer and crouched slightly.
"Yeah?"
"Then call him."
He placed his hand on Drax.
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Daren's lips curved into a grin.
"…Fire magic too."
He stood up slowly.
"…That's crazy."
"Water, earth, and fire… all in one day."
He looked at his hands.
"…This system is insane."
Then he paused for a second.
"…Right."
He bent down, grabbed some dust, and smeared it on his clothes. He even added a bit of fake blood to make it look like he lost.
"…Better keep things low for now."
When he returned to the hallway, students immediately noticed him.
"Wait… he looks beaten again."
"So he still lost, huh?"
"Of course he did."
But some looked confused.
"…Then where's Drax?"
Louise rushed toward him.
"Daren! Are you okay?!"
He nodded.
"…I'm fine."
She looked relieved but still worried.
"You should go home after school. You need to rest."
Daren smiled a little.
"…Yeah."
But deep inside, his thoughts were completely different.
This was just the beginning.
Now that he had power…
He wasn't going to stop.
Not until everyone who made him suffer—
Paid for it.