The room contained two bunk beds, enough for four students, along with two square desks, four chairs, two cabinets, and a ceiling lamp. That was all.
Both bottom bunks were already occupied, and the occupants turned their gazes toward Ray as he entered.
The student on the left bunk was taller than Ray by at least half a head and noticeably broader. His short hair and slightly bulging eyes, combined with a naturally fierce air, made him look intimidating despite his age.
The student on the right was thinner and looked weaker. A pair of glasses rested on his nose, giving him a scholarly appearance. He was even holding a book at the moment.
"Hello, my name is Ray. I just arrived," Ray said politely, greeting both of them.
The thinner boy nodded. "My name is Lucius."
Ray smiled and nodded back. The taller boy, however, rolled his eyes and said bluntly, "Newcomer, clean the room first."
Unfamiliar with the situation, Ray could only nod. "Oh."
A broom stood in the corner, and a cleaning rag and washbasin were placed on the desk. He picked up the basin and went out to fetch water.
Lucius glanced at the taller boy. "Miel, what are you playing at?"
Miel grinned and jumped down from his bed. "You're the clever one, so you won't interfere. I just don't like how pretty that newcomer looks. Since we're sharing a room, I need to establish dominance. These chores are his now. Look how obedient he is. Total soft egg. If I don't bully someone like him, who should I bully?"
Lucius sighed. "Be careful. Retribution exists."
Miel snorted. "From him?" He reached up and grabbed the cloth bag Ray had placed on the top bunk.
Unzipping it, he shook its contents onto the floor. Clothes, daily necessities, and a quilt were arescattered everywhere.
Lucius stared in disbelief. "You've gone too far!"
Miel laughed. "Look at this junk. Is this kid a beggar? There's even flowers stitched into this blanket. Ridiculous."
At that moment, Ray returned with the basin.
The sight before him froze him in place.
His belongings were strewn across the dusty floor, and Miel was holding his bag. His clothes, quilt, personal items, and even the two school uniforms were all covered in dirt.
"What are you doing?" Ray set the basin down and demanded angrily.
Miel sneered. "Nothing. Just checking what a country bumpkin like you brought."
"Pick it up," Ray said coldly.
Miel raised an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes. "Who do you think you're talking to?"
"Pick it up." Ray's voice had turned icy.
Miel frowned, then deliberately stepped on the quilt, grinding it into the floor. His foot pressed directly onto the flower embroidery.
Ray froze, his voice barely audible.
"That was embroidered by my little sister…"
"My little sister embroidered that."
The small flower stitched into the blanket had violet petals set against a pale silver background. The needlework was clumsy in places, the lines not quite straight, but to Ray it was priceless. It was Vivienne's handiwork.
He still remembered that afternoon clearly. Vivienne had sat beside him, tongue peeking out in concentration as she stitched. He had laughed and teased her, saying, "These crooked little flowers aren't even as pretty as you."
And she had smiled.
"Remember this, brat. I'm the boss here." Miel jabbed his thumb at his own chest, grinning arrogantly.
Sitting on the other bed, Lucius suddenly felt something was off. The air in the room seemed to sink, growing inexplicably cold.
He looked up just in time to see Ray slowly raise his head.
Ray's eyes were bloodshot. His fists were clenched so tightly that sharp cracking sounds rang out from his knuckles.
Miel sneered down at him. "What, you gonna bite me?"
Ray moved.
He lunged forward like a fired cannonball, his right fist tearing through the air. A chain of explosive booms echoed as the punch crossed the short distance in an instant.
Miel had already been on guard. The moment Ray charged, he lifted his right hand to deflect the blow.
Pa!
Thump!
Hualala!
The first sound came from Miel's palm colliding with Ray's fist. His judgment was correct. He had intercepted it head-on. Yet the moment contact was made, his expression changed.
It was like trying to stop a charging beast with bare hands.
The second sound was dull and heavy. Ray's fist smashed squarely into Miel's chest.
The third sound followed immediately as Miel flew backward, crashing straight through the window. The glass shattered outward as his body vanished from sight.
"Ahhh!"
A miserable scream rose from below.
Lucius had already jumped off his bed. He stared at Ray in complete shock, his mind blank. He didn't even realize that the book in his hands had slipped to the floor.
Miel's martial soul was the Titan Ape. He was a rank 11 power-system Soul Master.
The only reason he had been assigned to Class Five was that his soul power wasn't particularly high. Even so, among peers his age, Miel was the strongest Lucius had ever seen.
And yet, Lucius was certain of one thing.
That punch had contained no soul power.
It was pure physical strength.
The Titan Ape's martial soul granted Miel bones far denser and tougher than those of ordinary people. At nine years old, his body already weighed more than most adults.
And still, he had been sent flying out of a second-floor window by a single punch.
Just how terrifying was that strength?
At that moment, a figure clad in black sportswear stepped into the room. His face was cold and expressionless. He glanced at the mess scattered across the floor, frowned slightly, and casually kicked Ray's belongings aside.
"Move," he said flatly to Ray, who stood in his way.
Ray's mind was already unstable, flooded with the image of Vivienne's smiling face. When Miel had stepped on the flower she embroidered, it felt as if he had trampled on Vivienne herself.
And now, this cold, arrogant youth had kicked her blanket aside.
Something inside Ray snapped.
"You're courting death!" he snarled, launching himself forward with another punch.
The youth in black didn't even look at him.
He took a half-step to the side, easily avoiding the punch. His elbow swept backward in a sharp arc while his left foot hooked out low.
Ray lost his balance instantly. With his own momentum added to the blow, he was sent tumbling forward, crashing toward the doorway instead of the window.
Lucius swallowed hard.
Back in elementary school, he had been called the "Mastermind." Right now, he felt utterly stupid. This situation was completely beyond him.
"You bastard!" Ray roared, his voice echoing through the corridor.
He surged back into the room like a gust of wind, charging the black-clad youth again.