Chapter 7 : the Unspoken Rule and the "Special Reward
Beep— Beep— Beep—!
It was 8:00 AM when the Academy's loud alarm rang out, waking all the students from their slumber.
I, Jeevan, and Dev quickly got up, changed into our college uniforms, and headed straight for the canteen. Upon arriving, we found a table designed for three people and sat down.
The canteen was massive, resembling a grand hall. As I looked around, I noticed a peculiar pattern: Level 1 students were sitting with other Level 1s, and Level 2s were with Level 2s. Every student seemed to be grouped strictly with others of their own rank.
I realized this was an unspoken rule. The Academy hadn't written this down anywhere, but it existed nonetheless, and the administration said nothing about it because it likely benefited them too.
It had become a strict social norm: sitting with someone of a different level was forbidden. If anyone complained, they were silenced. Of course, if a strong student spoke up, that would be a different story. But why would a strong student want to sit with the weak? It was a rule born from mutual consent—and fear.
"Guys... should I leave and sit at a different table?" Dev asked, his voice filled with worry.
"No, there is no need for you to go. You are our friend. If anyone comes over to complain, I'll break their legs," Jeevan said with a cruel smile.
"Yes, Dev, you don't need to leave," I added. "We are both Level 5 users. Nothing will happen to you."
Dev didn't say anything, but I could see him clenching his fists, angry at his own weakness.
"Dev, don't be angry at yourself like that," I said, noticing his frustration. "If you feel angry, use that fuel to become stronger as quickly as possible. And if that doesn't work, we'll find another way."
Jeevan nodded, agreeing with my words. Dev silently thanked God in his heart for giving him such good friends.
We started eating. About fifteen minutes later, just as we finished our meal and were about to leave, a boy walked up to our table.
He had bright red hair and wore the standard school uniform. His watch displayed Level 3. His name was Sam.
"I heard you two have made friends with a low-level student and are even letting him sit with you," Sam said, looking down at us.
"That's true," I replied calmly. "But why are you asking? What does it have to do with you?"
"Me? Nothing," Sam shrugged. "But my Boss has a problem with it. I'm giving you advice: break off this friendship as soon as possible, otherwise..."
He paused mid-sentence.
"Otherwise what? What will you do? Do you really have the guts?" Jeevan asked in a mocking tone.
Sam flinched slightly. He was clearly afraid of getting beaten up. "No, no problem at all. I'm just giving you a final warning. If you don't listen, you don't listen. I'm leaving."
He knew his Boss would protect him later, but nobody wants to get beaten up in the present just to be avenged later.
He turned to walk away. He tried to take a step, but he couldn't move forward. When he looked back, he realized I had grabbed his shoulder with a vice-like grip.
Gulp.
He swallowed hard and stammered, "W-What are you doing? You know fighting is forbidden in the Academy, right? I'll tell the teacher!"
"You came here, gave a warning, and now you think you can just walk away easily?" I looked at him with a cold grin. "I am very happy with you. I want to give you a... reward."
"What reward?" Sam asked fearfully.
"It's a special reward. I'm going to give it to you over in that side area. Come with me. It's exclusive—you can't get it anywhere else," I said.
Behind me, Jeevan was punching his own palm. Smack! Smack!
Sam instantly understood what kind of "reward" he was about to receive.
"No! I don't want it!"
But it didn't matter. I forcibly dragged him toward the side corridor. Jeevan and Dev followed close behind. Dev didn't want to get involved in violence, but he refused to abandon his friends.
We reached a secluded spot near the side bathrooms. I held Sam firmly with one hand.
"Jeevan," I asked, "Can you still use the ice ability you copied yesterday?"
"What are you thinking? My copy ability has limits," Jeevan replied in a low voice so only we could hear. "I have two restrictions. First, if I copy someone else, I lose the previous ability. Second, I can only use a copied ability for one day before it resets. Right now, I have no ability at all."
Suddenly, Sam saw an opening.
Squelch!
Spikes erupted from Sam's body. Desperate to escape, he drove a sharp spike straight into my hand and body. He knew I had no active ability, just high physical stats.
But to his horror, even after the spike pierced my flesh, I didn't scream. I didn't even flinch.
"Oh? You still have this much courage left?"
Shhh—
I pulled the spike out of my hand. Instantly, the wound closed up and healed at rocket speed.
Sam, Jeevan, and Dev watched in utter shock.
"What happened, guys? Why do you look so surprised?" I asked, feigning ignorance.
"Aditya... you said you had no talent," Jeevan asked, bewildered. "But what is going on with that recovery power?"
Dev looked like he wanted to ask the same thing.
"This isn't an ability," I shrugged. "My recovery speed is just slightly faster than a normal human's."
" 'Slightly faster'?! Are you kidding me?" Dev and Jeevan shouted in unison.
"Forget about that for now," I waved it off. "I'll explain someday. First, let's deal with him."
Jeevan stepped forward. He touched Sam.
Zing.
He copied Sam's talent instantly.
"Let me go! Let me go!" Sam screamed.
But it was too late. Jeevan and I began the beatdown.
Thud! Bam! Crack!
I used my raw strength to deliver punches and kicks, while Jeevan used the copied spikes to inflict painful cuts. Sam couldn't do anything but stand there and take it. We had made sure he wouldn't move.
Half an hour later.
Splash...
Jeevan and I washed our hands in the sink of the side bathroom. Sam lay on the floor behind us, groaning. He was conscious, but he had absolutely no strength left to stand up.
As I wiped my hands with a handkerchief, Jeevan looked at me seriously.
"Aditya, can you tell me now? What kind of talent do you have that even I can't copy?"
"I told you before," I said with an innocent face. "I am a vampire. Rapid recovery is normal for vampires."
"If you don't want to tell me, just say so," Jeevan sighed, rolling his eyes. "Stop with the bad jokes."
"Guys... won't this be a problem for us?" Dev asked, his voice trembling as he looked at Sam's battered body.
"You don't need to worry so much, Dev," I replied calmly. "This is normal in the Soldier Academy. Even if we killed him, nothing would happen to us."
"Why?" Dev asked, shocked.
"It's absolute logic," I explained. "We are both Level 5 users. We are overflowing with talent. The Academy needs us. We are assets."
I smirked.
"Even if we left evidence behind, the teachers and the administration would come forward and destroy that evidence themselves. They would tell us, 'Don't worry, we're here. Nobody will touch a hair on your head.'"
Hearing this, Jeevan and Dev finally relaxed and started laughing.
"You're crazy, Aditya," Jeevan chuckled.
After dealing with Sam, we left the washroom area and began walking down the corridor.
"By the way, Aditya..." Dev asked, his voice laced with anxiety. "What if Sam goes to the teacher and complains about us?
The Academy will have to take action against us to save face, right?"
"That is a sensible point you raised," I replied calmly. "But that boy, Sam, won't say a word. Right, Jeevan?"
"Exactly," Jeevan said with a smirk. "He won't open his mouth."
"Why not?" Dev asked, confused.
"Think about it," Jeevan explained. "If he complains, he exposes his own weakness. He admits that he got beaten up. Once people know he's weak,
others will start targeting him too. To protect his own reputation, he'll keep it a secret."
To be continued...