Marcus, a noble classmate of Alex and Tristan, started developing a smoldering jealousy within him. As time passed, the flames of his envy grew, fueling his hate to the talents of those who seemed to effortlessly excel. And so, he turned his sights towards Alex and Tristan, tormenting them with his words.

"You two think you're so special, don't you?" Marcus sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Tristan, you're nothing more than a lowly merchant's son, and Alex, well, we all know your dad’s position in the army is to be cannon fodder for nobles and the first to die in any war."

With a steely resolve, Alex chose to rise above Marcus's hurtful words, refusing to grant them an ounce of power over his emotions.

“He ain’t got nothing on what my drill sergeants used to say to me.” Alex thought as he smiled to himself.

Tristan, ever the passionate and fierce friend, felt a surge of anger rise within him as Marcus's words hit his heart. The taunts struck a nerve, threatening to unleash a torrent of retaliatory words. But just as Tristan's lips parted to unleash his fury, he locked eyes with Alex—a piercing gaze, cold and calm, yet filled with silent understanding.

As he was about to come forward Alex placed his hand on Tristan's shoulder signaling him to stay still and glancing at him to keep quiet.

With a deep breath and a moment of restraint, Tristan swallowed his anger, refusing to let Marcus's words provoke him further. He chose to channel his trust for Alex.

The two boys stood tall as they faced Marcus, refusing to budge from his abusive words. Tristan’s heart ached with every cruel insult but refused to let his spirit shatter, as tears threatened to form in his eyes he would look to Alex, who maintained a cool and sharp gaze at Marcus and would find the strength not to cry.

With a bitter sneer of superiority etched on his face, Marcus seethed with frustration at the boys' unyielding silence. Unable to provoke the desired reaction, he resorted to one final act of contempt. A grin twisted his face as he leaned forward, aiming a well-aimed spit at Alex and Tristan's shoes.

Marcus smiled at his petty victory, believing by degrading them would punctuate his dominance over them. Satisfied, he turned on his heels, striding away.

As the weight of Marcus's abusive actions was heavily in the air, Tristan's anger erupted like a fierce storm. Overwhelmed by frustration and hurt, he grabbed Alex by the collar, his grip trembling with both rage and sorrow. Tears streamed down Tristan's face as he poured out his bottled-up emotions, his voice quivering with a mix of anguish and anger.

"Why do you just stand there, Alex?" Tristan's voice cracked, his words laced with desperation. "How can you let him get away with this? We can't just let him walk all over us!"

Alex, his eyes calm and unwavering, met Tristan's gaze with understanding. He gently placed his hands on Tristan's trembling fists, attempting to soothe his friend's overwhelming emotions. "Tristan, I understand your anger, but lashing out won't solve anything. We have to be strong, not just physically, but emotionally too. Sometimes, enduring and rising above the cruelty of others is the greatest display of strength."

Tristan, his breathing ragged, loosened his grip on Alex's collar. "But it's so hard, Alex. It's hard to keep quiet when he's treating us like dirt."

Alex's voice softened, filled with compassion. "I know it's hard, Tristan. But we can't let his words get to us. We are more than what he says." Alex whispered as he hugged Tristan.

As they embraced, Tristan's tears continued to fall, but amidst the pain. In that vulnerable moment, he found solace in the support and understanding of his loyal friend. And together, they vowed to weather the storm.

With those words, the two friends knelt down, helping each other clean the spit off their shoes. They stood up, their resolve renewed, and as they walked away, a newfound strength and unity emanated from their every step.

But as the days turned into weeks, Marcus's taunts grew harsher, his insults more biting. His envy twisted his tongue, and he reveled in the power he believed he held over his targets.

Over the course of a few days, Lily made significant progress in her mana control, thanks to the unwavering support and guidance of Alex and Tristan. With their patient tutelage, she honed her skills, gradually catching up to the boys in her ability to circulate mana through the orbs. Her determination and resilience mirrored their own, as she pushed herself to new limits, fueled by the desire to prove her worth.

However, as Lily's talent blossomed, so did Marcus's jealousy. Unable to tolerate the thought of Lily achieving greatness alongside Alex and Tristan, he directed his cruel tactics toward her as well. He taunted her, belittling her achievements and ridiculing her however he could.

Lily, initially taken aback by Marcus's attacks, felt a mixture of anger and hurt. But she tried her best to not let his words extinguish her spirit just like her friends. Drawing strength from the bond she had formed with Alex and Tristan, she faced the bullying head-on, determined to prove her worth and silence the doubts planted by Marcus's venomous tongue.

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However one fateful day, Lily, who had endured her fair share of Marcus's abuse, reached her boiling point. With newfound determination fueled by her own accomplishments, she confronted Marcus, her voice trembling yet resolute.

"You think you can belittle us because we aren’t nobles?" Lily's voice wavered with a mix of anger and hurt. "You're just scared because you know we're good at circulating mana while you wallow in your own mediocrity."

Marcus's face contorted with rage. "Oh, please! You, a mere girl, will never amount to anything. You're just a weakling trying to hang with the boys. No matter what you do you won’t amount to anything, just a filthy peasant."

Tears welled up in Lily's eyes, but her resolve remained unshaken. Before the situation could escalate further, Alex stepped in, his voice carrying an unexpected weight of authority.

"Enough, Marcus," Alex's voice rang out with calm authority. Lily was slowly starting to wear on him like a sister and seeing her now have to also take on Marcus’s abuse was enough to trigger the protector in him. “All you’ve said so far has to do with the stuff we can’t control, you keep making fun of us for our family because you’re jealous that we’re better than you in mana control.”

Marcus's face contorted in fury as he balled his fists, his ego, unable to bear the truth that Alex had just spoken. In a fit of blind rage, he threw a punch toward Alex, hoping to silence the voice that had unveiled his insecurities.

With remarkable swiftness, Alex deftly dodged the incoming blow, his previous life training guiding his reflexes. In one fluid motion, he closed the distance between them, his well-practiced hands securing a rear neck chokehold on Marcus, rendering him immobile.

As Marcus struggled to catch his breath, his face turning red, Alex taunted him, his voice tinged with satisfaction. "Is this what your jealousy has come to, Marcus? Reduced to a whimpering mess?"

Mrs. Larkin, alerted by the commotion, swiftly intervened.

Mrs. Larkin: "Alex, please let go of Marcus now."

Alex released his hold on Marcus, maintaining his calm and composed demeanor.

"See, Mrs. Larkin! Alex is the one who started it all! He's been teasing me and making fun of me! He's the bad guy here!" exclaimed Marcus with a stubborn tone.

"Mrs. Larkin, I understand Marcus feels upset, but I assure you I haven't done any of those things. I believe in treating others kindly, and I've never teased Marcus or made fun of him." Alex replied with composure.

Mrs. Larkin gently asked."Marcus, I know you're upset, and I want to understand what's been happening. Can you help me by telling me more about the incidents you mentioned?"

"No, Mrs. Larkin! I don't want to talk about it! Alex is just trying to make himself look innocent!" Marcus said, continuously being stubborn.

Mrs. Larkin seeing that Marcus wasn’t going to cooperating anytime soon softly added."Marcus, I believe there's more to this story. It's important for us to find out the truth so we can resolve the issue. Can you trust me and share what's really been going on?"

Marcus starting to get worn out by Mrs. Larkins kindness but still not wanting to admit anything. "Well... sometimes he says mean things when no one else is around. He makes fun of my clothes and calls me names."

"Thank you for sharing, Marcus. It takes courage to admit when someone has hurt us. Alex, can you explain your side of the story?" said Mrs. Larkin kindly

Alex still calm but a bit annoyed by Marcus’s lie replied. "Mrs. Larkin, I've never made fun of Marcus or called him names. I believe in treating others with respect, and I would never intentionally hurt him. I'm sorry if Marcus feels that way, but I want to work things out."

Mrs. Larkinwith compassion says. "Marcus, it seems there's a difference in story here. Alex, I appreciate your honesty. Marcus, could it be possible that you misunderstood Alex's intentions?"

Marcus still refusing to progress replied. “No, Mrs. Larkin! He's just pretending to be nice now! I don't believe him!"

"Marcus, I understand that it's difficult to trust when you feel hurt. But remember, we're all here to find a resolution. Is there anything else you want to share?" said Mrs. Larkins patiently .

Marcus hesitates for a moment, and then accidentally slips up.

Marcus replied starting to get teary-eyed "Okay... maybe... maybe I said some mean things too. But he started it!"

Tears start streaming down Marcus's face, and he can no longer hold back his emotions.

Mrs. Larkin seeing genuine remorse from Marcus kindly but firmly continued said. "Thank you for your honesty, Marcus. It takes strength to admit our own mistakes. But Marcus, there will be consequences for your actions, I believe in your ability to learn and grow from this, but I do have to inform your parents and get you suspended as well as………."

As Marcus started to shake as Mrs.Larkin listing the consequences Alex then graciously interrupts Mrs. Larkin "Mrs. Larkin. I ask for your trust in handling this matter."

Mrs. Larkin paused, contemplating Alex's words, and gazed at him with a mixture of hope and expectation.

Alex starting to see the conversation go somewhere kindly replied. "Marcus, I appreciate you opening up. We all make mistakes, and it takes courage to admit them. I want us to move forward and find a way to be friends. I forgive you, and I hope we can be friends."

Marcus, taken aback by Alex's unexpected gesture, hesitated for a moment. But the genuine humanity emanating from Alex's words broke through his defenses. With tear-streaked cheeks, he reached out and embraced Alex, his sobs now mingling with relief and gratitude.

Mrs. Larkin, touched by the display of compassion, smiled warmly. "Alex, you have shown true strength today, not only in your physical abilities but in your capacity for forgiveness and understanding. I am proud of you."