It sniffs the air...
Aennin went to school that morning with an intense feeling that he couldn't discern. His mind burned with hatred for the classmate whose torment had extended to his own family, but he couldn't come up with a good idea as to what to do about it. He had held his own in their last encounter, but Samiel was surrounded by other people who were just as hostile to him. Nazan had said that he was being robbed by a group of people. Against that, what was he even to do?
He settled on trying to avoid him, concerned that his contempt would be too difficult to hide. There was no reason to invite a conflict he couldn't settle on his own. He had learned yesterday that no one would be on his side should he get into a fight. So, he spent the day trying to focus on his classes. But he never understood that his willing cooperation with the faculty was the source of Samiel's attention.
The school day was nearly over by the time Aennin finally bumped into Samiel and his friends, a trio of boys so intimidating that it was difficult to believe they were all the same age. He was returning from a break to his double history class when they appeared suddenly from around a corner. Without hesitation, Samiel pushed him to the ground.
"What a surprise! None of us thought we'd see you so soon after the beating you received yesterday!"
This was it; the moment he had been dreading all day. Blood pounding in his ears, he looked up with a look of pure disdain. He stood up
"We should destroy you after what we had to put up with yesterday," Samiel added with a glare of loathing. "I didn't deserve to be punished for putting you in your place."
"You've never been clear on what that place is," Aennin replied, his voice steady and slow. "It always seems to be getting beat up by four losers who have nothing better to do, as far as you're concerned."
Samiel moved closer to Aennin so that their faces where inches apart. "You've picked the wrong to start being a man. I wouldn't be so calm if I were you."
"I guess you just don't frighten me enough to keep me away from learning," he said with a confidence he should not have felt.
With a sneer, Samiel replied, "Why do merchant caste people like you need to go to school, anyway? All you have to do is learn your trade and numbers and someday your father may give you his shop."
Almost immediately, Samiel had stepped onto the exact source of his anger. He should have been thinking about how he was going to walk out of this encounter with more bruises, or a way to calm himself down. Instead, he found himself recalling a conversation he once had with his father, back when dealing with Samiel and his thugs was a new problem for him.
"Boy, if you're ever in a fight, there is only one thing you need to remember," Morrin had said, more seriously than anything he had ever said to him to that point. "'Fair fight.' 'Dirty fight.' Those phrases are for heroes and people who always lose. The law of the land is to revere life, but when its yours against someone else's, you hurt or you kill. That's the only way you win."
Aennin definitely wanted to hurt him, and he was far from caring how. So with a furious shout, he swiftly kicked the other boy between the legs. Samiel crumpled immediately to the floor, writhing in pain. His cronies watched him with a mixture of shock in amusement as Aennin kicked him in the ribs.
"There won't be a shop if you keep stealing our money, you pile of refuse!" Aennin shouted venemously.
The mild insult brought a glimpse of mirth to the faces of Samiel's dim companions, which quickly gave way to apprehension. Samiel rolled painfully to his hands and knees, only managing to sputter. "Kill this little shit, you morons!"
It lets out a warning growl...
Fortunately, the wrath of Samiel's friends was stayed by the timely appearance of three faculty members. The elderly professor from Aennin's classroom had apparently witnessed the start of their encounter and summoned help from the headmaster and the school's guard captain. All three men looked shocked to find Aennin standing over Samiel, and the guard captain was the first to speak.
"What is the meaning of this?" He demanded while ushering the three larger students back.
"He started it," Aennin muttered, his anger still seeping through his voice. "He always starts it."
The headmaster stepped toward Aennin, twirling his beard. "This is the second day in a row, Aennin! What am I to do with you?"
"Expel me. I don't care," Aennin said while turning his back on everyone else.
Ignoring the headmaster's protests, he stormed out of the school and straight toward home. As he traveled, his mind was full of thoughts that were stricken with emotion. Samiel was right about one thing. All he needed to secure his future was to protect the shop. Before that, Bronze Academy and the knowledge they planned to impart to him was meaningless.
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