CHAPTER 255: JIN VS ETHAN.

That evening.

The day’s chaos — the confrontation between the third-years and the first-years were finally calmed.

Students trickled out of classrooms, talking in low voices, some still whispering about what had happened.

Everyone knew about Ethan’s outburst, and word was already spreading across the dorms.

Edwin stood lazily near the main gate waiting for Elysia and Jin.

He glanced at the crowd of students leaving. "Still no sign of Jin?" he said to himself.

A group of first-years passed by, waving. "Goodnight, Edwin!" one of them called.

"Yeah, night," Edwin replied without much enthusiasm. He yawned and stretched his arms.

"That guy really knows how to sleep anywhere," he said to himself, shaking his head.

Moments later, he noticed a familiar figure approaching and it was Elysia.

She carried a book in one hand and her sword at her back.

"Where’s Jin?" Edwin asked as soon as she came closer.

Elysia sighed softly. "Still asleep, I think. He didn’t even wake up when everyone was leaving."

Edwin chuckled. "Figures. He probably didn’t even realize the day ended."

Elysia gave a small smile. "He’ll wake up when he gets hungry."

They began walking slowly towards their home.

Students were leaving in groups and some went to the dorm.

Meanwhile, inside the now-empty classroom, Jin stirred awake.

The silence was eerie.

He blinked and rubbed his eyes, "Damn... how long was I sleeping?"

He looked around and the classroom was empty.

"Everyone left already?" he sighed, standing up and stretching his arms. His back cracked slightly, and he winced. "Should’ve at least told me before leaving..."

He gathered his bag, slung it over his shoulder, carried his twin sword at his back and made his way out.

Jin walked past the academy gates.

He was halfway to the home when he noticed something strange, a group of figures standing in the distance, partly hidden by the shadows of the trees.

He squinted.

The evening was a little dark, but he could see faint outlines, confident postures.

"Edwin? Elysia?" he said to himself, narrowing his eyes.

But as he drew closer, the figures came into focus.

They weren’t Edwin or Elysia.

They were five third-year students, standing in a loose semicircle, waiting.

Their faces were half-lit by the dim glow of the lamps.

And at the center stood Ethan — his arms crossed, eyes burning with the same arrogance as before.

Jin’s brows furrowed. "You’ve got to be kidding me..."

Ethan stepped forward crunching softly on the gravel.

"So, it’s you," he said in a low voice.

Jin stopped a few meters away. "What do you want, Ethan?"

Ethan tilted his head slightly. "Tell me what your problem is."

Jin let out a small laugh. "You’re asking me what my problem is, when you’re the one blocking the road with your dog-monkey face?"

Ethan’s smile twitched. "Watch your tone. You’re talking to your senior."

Jin shrugged. "Senior or not, respect is earned — not demanded."

That made one of the third-years behind Ethan step forward angrily. "How dare you—"

Ethan raised a hand, stopping him. His eyes didn’t leave Jin.

"You think you’re brave, huh? Talking big after hiding behind a teacher this afternoon?"

"You’re really obsessed with that, aren’t you? You barged into our class, threatened a girl, and somehow I’m the one at fault?"

"Watch your mouth," Ethan shouted.

"Why? Afraid I might speak the truth?" Jin said calmly.

Ethan’s face twisted with anger. His mana flickered faintly around his fists, the aura reflecting his agitation.

"Speak to me in respect," he shouted. "I am your senior!"

Jin met his glare, unflinching. "Whatever you are, even dogs will not respect you."

The insult hung there hitting his brain.

The other third-years exchanged glances, they could feel the heat rising off Ethan’s aura.

"Ahhhhhh!"

Ethan roared, unable to contain himself. Mana burst around him like a flash of lightning.

His right hand glowed bright blue, and the ground beneath his boots cracked faintly.

"Enough talk!" he shouted. "Let’s see how brave you are now!"

"Fight me!" he roared.

Jin sighed softly. "You really want this?"

"NOW!"

Ethan launched forward, faster than most eyes could follow.

His fist, wrapped in shimmering mana, sliced through the air.

Jin drew his right sword in a blur, steel clashing against the mana-coated punch.

Sparks erupted, lighting the evening.

The shockwave sent dust swirling.

Jin slid back two steps, steadying his stance. "You’re seriously doing this here?"

Ethan gritted his teeth, mana still flaring. "Shut up and fight!"

He slammed his palm forward — a Mana Burst. A wave of condensed blue light shot toward Jin.

Jin drew his second sword and crossed them in an X-shape, channeling his inner energy.

The mana wave struck like thunder. The air crackled, light exploded, and smoke rolled through the area.

Jin staggered back but kept his footing. The stone beneath his boots glowed faintly red from heat.

"That’s all you got?" he asked, wiping a thin cut on his cheek.

Ethan’s smirk faltered. "You think that was my best?"

He thrust his hands forward again, forming another spell.

Two magic circles spun, overlapping — Mana Spiral, an advanced technique that amplified impact by rotation.

Blue light condensed into a rotating sphere the size of a human head.

Jin frowned. "Tch."

He crouched low. "Let’s see if that fancy magic can keep up with this."

He kicked off the ground.

The cobblestones shattered beneath his step. He shot forward like a streak of silver, twin swords flashing.

Ethan hurled the spinning orb. It whistled through the air, tearing a line of glowing blue.

Jin twisted mid-run, slicing through the attack. The orb split — bursting apart into shards of mana that scattered like lightning.

Ethan’s eyes widened. "What—?!"

Before he could finish, Jin was already in front of him.

"Too slow."

Jin’s right blade came down in a clean, swift arc.

Ethan barely managed to raise a mana shield.

The impact cracked it instantly, spiderweb lines glowing across its surface before shattering.

Jin followed with his left sword, striking low, slashing across Ethan’s leg.

Ethan stumbled, pain flashing across his face.

"You bastard!" He punched out reflexively, mana bursting from his fist like an explosion.

Jin was thrown back several meters, his shoulder hitting the wall of a nearby trees.

He coughed once, blood trailing from his lip. "Guess that hit landed."

Ethan limped slightly but grinned, wild-eyed. "Not so smug now, huh?"

But Jin only smirked back. "You’re bleeding."

Ethan blinked, then looked down. A thin crimson line ran across his thigh where Jin’s sword had grazed him.

Blood dripped down, staining the pavement.

His jaw tightened. "You think this changes anything!?"

He screamed, mana flaring violently.

Blue light engulfed his whole body now — wild, uncontrolled. The ground around him began to crack as energy pulsed out like a living storm.

Jin steadied his breathing. He’s losing control of his own mana... reckless.

Ethan thrust both arms outward. "Mana Tempest!"

The air exploded.

Waves of pure magic erupted from Ethan’s body, tearing up dirt, shattering stones, and blasting against trees.

Jin crossed his swords again, bracing himself.

The force slammed into him like a hurricane. His boots slid across the ground, his uniform whipping violently in the wind.

His arms trembled from the pressure, and tiny cuts formed along his skin as mana particles grazed him.

But he didn’t yield.

Through the blinding blue light, he took one firm step forward. Then another. His teeth clenched, muscles straining, until he burst through the tempest.

"Not bad," he muttered, "but not enough!"

He leapt, blades crossing midair, striking down in an X-shaped arc. The swords glowed faintly red, infused with his fighting spirit.

"Twin Slash — Break!"

The swords collided with Ethan’s mana barrier, and the world flashed white.

The explosion of mana and steel roared through the clearing.

When the dust cleared, Ethan was on one knee, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

His mana flickered weakly around him. Jin stood a few meters away, panting heavily, his uniform torn, one sleeve burnt at the edge.

Jin was more heavily injured than Ethan. It’s just his body that is strong.

Ethan tried to stand but faltered. "Damn... you... I won’t—"

He raised his arm to summon another spell, but his mana sputtered — his control finally broke.

The energy backfired, cracking across his arm like lightning.

"Ahhh—!" he screamed as blood spurted from his nose and mouth.

Jin approached slowly, swords still in hand.

"Stop," he said quietly.

Ethan glared up at him, eyes full of hate. "You... first-year trash..."

"Maybe," Jin replied, lowering his blades, "but at least I still know when to stop."

Ethan swung weakly, but his arm gave out. He collapsed to his knees, panting, blood staining the ground beneath him.

Jin wiped the sweat from his brow, sheathing one of his swords.

His side ached — Ethan’s earlier blast had bruised him badly. His breath was uneven.

He looked down at Ethan, who was still shaking, face pale and twisted with humiliation.

"I didn’t want this," Jin said softly. "But you forced it."

Ethan tried to reply but only coughed blood. The blue glow around him faded completely.

Then, finally, he slid his other sword back into its sheath.

He turned away. "Go home, Ethan," he murmured. "Before the other four of you can see."

He began walking backward, limping slightly.

His ribs hurt, his arm was bleeding, and the side of his uniform was singed.

"Where do you think you are going?" said Ethan’s group toJin.

"None of your business" Jin replied without looking at them.