CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: CHOKED

Aiden narrowed his eyes and lifted his chin stubbornly. "Yes. And I took the bandage stained with chicken blood with my own ability. So what exactly are you trying to say?"

Carl shook his head slowly, a mocking smirk tugging at his lips. "No, you didn’t. You had help. Look at that bird perched on your shoulder." He pointed directly at Rainbow, who fluffed his colorful feathers indignantly. "Mr. John said we must use our own abilities. That means climbing the tree ourselves and taking the bandage with our own hands. You, on the other hand, sent a bird to do the job. That counts as cheating."

Aiden snickered, his annoyance evident. "If that’s what you think, then go ahead and report me to Mr. John later. Tell him whatever you want. Once I hand this bandage to him, he can judge whether I used my own ability or not. Last time I checked, you’re not the teacher."

With that, Aiden turned his back on Carl and started walking away, determined not to waste any more words. But before he could get far, Carl grabbed him roughly, spun him around, and shoved him against a tree. The rough bark dug into his back, and before he could react, Carl’s hand clamped tightly around his throat.

Aiden gasped in shock as the pressure cut off his air. His eyes widened, and his hands instinctively flew up to claw at Carl’s grip. He hit at Carl’s wrist repeatedly, signaling that he couldn’t breathe, but Carl’s hold only tightened.

Rainbow panicked. With a shrill cry, he darted forward, pecking at Carl’s face again and again in desperation. Carl snarled in irritation and, with his free hand, snatched Rainbow out of the air.

The moment Carl’s hand closed around the bird, his grip on Aiden’s neck loosened. Aiden fell forward, coughing violently and clutching at his throat, trying to force air back into his lungs. Through his blurred vision, he saw Carl slam Rainbow against the tree with brutal strength.

"Rainbow!" Aiden’s cry tore from his chest, raw with despair. Fear and guilt surged through him all at once. This was the first day Rainbow had become his spirit companion, and already, the bird might die because of him. If anything happened to Rainbow—who had only tried to help him—Aiden knew he would never forgive himself.

Ignoring the pain in his throat, he scrambled toward the small form lying by the tree. His hands trembled as he scooped Rainbow up. Relief washed through him when he realized the bird was still alive, dazed but not broken.

Carl stood a few steps away, momentarily frozen. His eyes widened in disbelief. He had used his wolf strength, strength enough to crush bones and splinter wood, and yet the bird survived. For several seconds, he stared, stunned by the impossibility.

It was only when Aiden glared at him with blazing eyes that Carl snapped back to himself.

"What do you think you’re doing?" Aiden shouted, his voice raw with anger and lingering panic. He hugged Rainbow protectively against his chest. "If something had happened to him, I would have—"

Carl interrupted with a sneer, his shock fading back into arrogance. "You would have what? It’s not like you can beat me. You’re just a human who doesn’t belong here. Wait until everyone finds out you rigged your results. You’ll be sent away from Skyline Academy before long."

Aiden froze. Carl’s words cut deeply. He was weaker than the others. He had no wolf, no strength, no real way to fight back. His throat ached, his body trembled, and Rainbow shivered lightly in his arms. Arguing would accomplish nothing. So he stayed silent.

Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet, still holding Rainbow close. His eyes smoldered with anger, but he turned and began walking away.

Carl was not finished. In an instant, he yanked Aiden back by the arm and slammed him once more against the tree. His hand returned to Aiden’s neck, squeezing hard. Aiden gasped, his vision blurring again as Carl leaned close, his voice low and menacing.

"If you don’t let go of that bandage right now, I only need a little more force to break your pretty neck."

Terror gripped Aiden’s chest. He struggled weakly, but he could already feel the bones of his throat straining under Carl’s grip. He had no choice. With shaking hands, he extended the bandage.

Carl snatched it from him and, with cruel satisfaction, slapped Aiden’s cheek three times. Each slap stung with humiliation more than pain. "I like how you know your place," Carl said mockingly. "You didn’t bother to struggle further. Good. Weaklings like you should learn when to submit."

With that, Carl turned and walked away, his laughter echoing faintly as he disappeared into the trees.

Aiden stood frozen for a moment, his entire body trembling. Rage burned inside him, so fierce it almost blinded him. Then the tears came, hot and uncontrollable, spilling down his cheeks. He clutched Rainbow tightly and suddenly bolted, running through the forest toward the exit.

It’s just a temporary setback, Rainbow’s voice echoed gently in his mind. You’ll be stronger than him one day. Don’t cry.

Aiden’s tears only fell faster. "A temporary setback?" he shouted aloud, his voice cracking. "It’s because I’m weak! That’s why everyone thinks they can bully me whenever they want. You almost died because of me. Because your master is just a pathetic weakling who can’t protect you or himself. Don’t call it a temporary setback. The truth is, I’m just weak."

Rainbow had no reply. He simply perched silently on Aiden’s shoulder, watching his master’s pain with uncharacteristic quiet.

Aiden did not slow down. His feet pounded across the ground until the forest dissolved into the clearing where wolf class usually took place. Mr. John was already there.

All this time, Mr. John had been watching through the enchanted mirror created by the witches. Since Aiden was his weakest student, he had spent more time observing him than the others. The mirror showed only images, never sound, but Mr. John had seen enough: Aiden’s awkward attempts to retrieve his first bandage,the way he spoke to himself as though conversing with someone, the strange bird suddenly appearing on his shoulder when Aiden came across his second bandage, and finally, the confrontation with Carl.

So when Aiden burst into the clearing, tears streaming down his face, Mr. John already knew the story. Concern etched his face as he rushed forward, perhaps to comfort the boy. But Aiden sped right past him, unwilling to stop.

"Aiden!" Mr. John called, turning quickly. "Where are you going?"

Aiden’s voice rang out, thick with anger and despair. "I’m leaving this godforsaken school! Unless someone finds a solution to my problem, I’m done with this place and all its bullshit!"

Before Mr. John could respond, Aiden was gone, his footsteps echoing into the academy’s halls.

He ran through the vast corridors, Rainbow gripping his shoulder. His tears blurred his vision, but he pressed on. The elevator doors slid open, and he stumbled inside, jamming the button for the ground floor.

The moment the doors parted, he bolted forward. The exit just ahead. But just before he reached it, he collided with a solid chest. The impact was so strong it nearly knocked Rainbow off his perch, forcing the bird to flutter and land on Aiden’s head for balance.

Aiden bounced back from the force and nearly fell, but the person he had crashed into caught him quickly, arms wrapping around his waist to steady him.

Stunned, Aiden lifted his tear-streaked face. His heart lurched when he saw who it was.

Ryker.

For a fleeting second, Aiden felt an odd surge of relief at seeing him. But it vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by bitter memories. Ryker didn’t even know who he truly was. Ryker had treated him coldly before.

"Please," Aiden whispered, his voice tight with frustration. "Let me go. I need to get out of here."

The truth, however, was different. Ryker had seen Aiden running from the elevator and had deliberately stepped into his path. He had intended a casual, coincidental encounter. What he hadn’t expected was to find Aiden’s face streaked with tears and a raw red mark shaped like a hand around his throat, as if someone had tried to choke the life out of him.

Ryker’s expression darkened instantly. He frowned deeply, eyes narrowing as he studied Aiden’s trembling form. "What happened? Why are you crying? And what is that mark on your neck?"

Aiden quickly wiped at his tears, embarrassed. He lifted one hand to cover the ugly bruise on his throat, though the attempt failed miserably. His voice trembled as he muttered, "Why are you acting like you care? You don’t even know me. Please... just let go of my waist."

Ryker’s grip only tightened. His jaw set firmly. "I won’t let you go unless you tell me what happened."

Aiden’s frown deepened. Anger sparked in his chest once again, mingling with his humiliation. "What’s wrong with you? Why can’t you just leave me alone? I was told you’re a cold person. Someone who doesn’t interfere in other people’s business. So why are you suddenly so concerned about me? It’s not even your problem!"

The words burst out harsher than he intended, but the moment they left his mouth, his anger surged higher. Because the truth clawed at him: none of this would have happened if not for Ryker. If he hadn’t chased after Ryker to this cursed school, he would never have found himself here, humiliated, beaten, and choking on his weakness, because If he hadn’t followed Ryker to this godforsaken academy, he’d still be at home, in a normal school, living a normal life!