CHAPTER 61: THE JANITOR’S INTERRUPTION

But just as the first Class 2 student reached them, just as his fist pulled back to strike, another figure suddenly leapt onto the stage.

Ken.

He landed between both sides with a heavy thud, his boots hitting the wooden stage hard enough to echo. His arm shot out to the side, palm open, fingers splayed wide in a clear command.

"Back down," Ken said, his voice sharp and cutting.

The Class 2 students skidded to a halt, confusion flashing across their faces. Some of them stumbled slightly, momentum carrying them a step or two further before they managed to stop completely.

Ken stood there, calm and composed, but there was something different about him now. Something darker.

Shadows.

They pooled around his feet, spreading outward across the stage like living ink, tendrils of darkness curling and writhing in the air around him. They stretched upward, reaching toward the ceiling, twisting and coiling like serpents ready to strike. The temperature in the hall seemed to drop, a cold, oppressive weight settling over everyone.

Ken had been watching everything.

He’d seen Xino get back to his feet, face burning with rage. He’d seen Atlas step beside Jelo, ready to fight. He’d seen the Class 2 students close ranks behind Xino, forming up like an army preparing for war.

And he knew, without a doubt, that Jelo and Atlas couldn’t defeat all of them at once.

Not in their current state. Not when they were already exhausted and outnumbered. The odds were too steep, the gap too wide.

Ken didn’t want to reveal his ability in front of everyone. He didn’t want to start a direct conflict with the Class 2 students, didn’t want to escalate things further than they’d already gone. But he had no choice.

He had to protect his friends.

So he rushed to the stage.

Now he stood there, shadows projecting outward, his expression hard and unyielding.

"Back away," Ken repeated, his voice colder this time.

Xino’s face twisted with irritation. He took a step forward, his shield still raised, his eyes locked on Ken.

"This doesn’t concern you, Ken," Xino snapped. "Get off the stage. We’re about to teach these Class 1 students a lesson."

Ken didn’t move. His shadows rippled, growing darker, more solid.

"It may not concern me," Ken said calmly, his voice steady despite the tension crackling through the air. "But it concerns my friends."

He paused, letting the words hang there.

"And I will always defend them."

His gaze shifted to Xino, unwavering.

"Back down," Ken said. "Find another way to discipline Class 1."

For a moment, Xino just stared at him, his jaw clenched so tight it looked like his teeth might crack. His hands trembled at his sides, fists opening and closing repeatedly.

Then his face twisted with fury.

"All of you!" Xino roared, his voice cracking. "Every single one of you Class 1 students is insubordinate! Disrespectful! You think you can just do whatever you want?"

He took another step forward, his energy shield flaring brighter.

"Fine," Xino snarled. "I’ll teach all of you a lesson. Starting with you, Ken. And then Jelo. And then Atlas."

He gestured sharply to the Class 2 students behind him.

"Get them."

The Class 2 students moved instantly, surging forward again, their faces set with determination.

Ken reacted without hesitation.

His shadows whipped forward like striking snakes, black tendrils shooting across the stage faster than the eye could follow. They wrapped around three Class 2 students before they even realized what was happening, coiling around their waists and arms like iron chains.

Then Ken jerked his hand back.

The shadows yanked the three students off their feet with tremendous force, flinging them through the air like ragdolls. They flew backward, arms flailing, mouths open in shock, and slammed into the far wall with a sickening crunch.

The impact echoed through the hall.

All three crumpled to the ground, unconscious, their bodies going limp.

The entire hall froze.

Every single person, Class 1 and Class 2 alike, stared at the three unconscious students slumped against the wall. No one moved. No one spoke. Even the whispers died completely.

Xino’s eyes widened, his gaze locked on the unmoving bodies. For just a fraction of a second, fear flashed across his face, raw and undeniable. His mouth opened slightly, his breath catching.

But then the fear vanished, replaced by something worse.

Rage.

Pure, boiling rage.

His face flushed red, veins bulging along his neck and forehead. His entire body trembled, hands clenched into fists so tight his knuckles turned white.

"You..." Xino’s voice was barely above a whisper, shaking with fury. "You’ll pay for that."

He took a step forward, his shield pulsing with energy.

Then another.

The remaining Class 2 students hesitated for only a moment before following, closing ranks around Xino once more. Their expressions had changed, harder now, more dangerous. They moved with purpose, advancing steadily toward Jelo, Atlas, and Ken.

Now it was seven Class 2 fighters approaching, ready to clash.

Jelo, Atlas, and Ken stood together, shadows still swirling around Ken, fire energy flickering weakly around Jelo’s hands, Atlas’s stance solid and ready.

The two groups closed the distance.

Five feet.

Four.

Three.

And then the door swung open.

A janitor strolled in, mop in hand, whistling a casual tune as he pushed a cleaning cart. He moved slowly, methodically, like he had all the time in the world. His eyes were down, focused on the floor, clearly preparing to start his rounds.

Then he looked up.

His whistling stopped abruptly.

His eyes went wide, taking in the scene before him: students squared up for a brawl, others unconscious and slumped against the wall, shadows writhing across the stage, energy crackling in the air.

For a moment, he just stood there, frozen, mouth hanging open.

Then he let out a terrified, high-pitched scream.

The mop clattered to the floor.

The janitor spun on his heel and bolted back out of the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway as he ran for his life.