Within the confines of his room, Kron sits on the edge of his bed. His body hunched forward, shoulders trembling under the weight of his emotions. Occasionally, tears cascade down his cheeks, glistening as they fall, leaving a trail of wetness on his face. His eyes, red and swollen, reflect the depth of his pain and sorrow. His ruffled hair, scattered personal belongings and messy appearance reflect his disheveled state of mind.

The past weeks made him relive his past. Once Guson learned that he has nothing to fear from him, he started targeting him. Both inside and outside the class, he was being harassed. At first, he tried to fight back. But eventually, he started to cower. The repeated physical and verbal suffering were enough to break the confidence that he was starting to recently build. Just the sight of them would make him run, terrified. He even skipped all classes that he had today.

*Knock* *Knock*

Kron wiped the tears on his face, brushed his hair with his hands and straightened his clothes. "Wait a minute!" He shouted, proceeding to wash his face and lightly slapping himself. He wanted to keep himself together before showing himself to someone, hiding whatever emotions he had. Kron slightly opened the door and it was Ichika who came to visit him.

"Kron." Ichika softly said. She has already seen that Kron was not in the best condition in the past few days and always kept himself inside his room. The first few days seemed fine but little by little, the light that she could see in Kron's eyes started to dim. "Are you okay?"

Kron faked a smile. "Yeah. Of course. Why would I not be okay?"

"Can I come in?" Ichika asked, peeking inside at his room.

Kron looked back at his room. He bit his lower lip, uncertain of what to say. "Uhmm.. I'm trying to organize my things so its a bit messy here."

"Its fine. I could even help you clean up." Ichika forced herself in.

"No. Its fine!" Kron closed the door before chasing after Ichika, trying to stop her. "I'll clean them up myself!"

Ichika ignored Kron and started picking up some food wrappers. "You really shouldn't let these things pile up."

An awkward silence filled up the room. The two of them have something to ask or say to each other but they just kept quiet, focusing on cleaning the room. Ichika wanted to ask Kron of his situation but didn't want to pressure him so she was waiting for him to speak out first. Kron, on another hand, wants to share his problems but he fears doings so due to his previous experiences. Additionally, Kron was also concerned with what Ichika might do.

"Do you have plans right now?" Ichika asked, trying to break the silence.

"Uh..I might study for an exam." Kron lied. He could feel that Ichika already suspects something and hanging out with her for a longer time would get him found out.

"How about later?" Ichika subtly insisted, giving Kron a suspicious smile.

Kron sighed, knowing he can't keep on giving an excuse. "I guess I'm free."

*Knock* *Knock* An aggressive knocking was suddenly heard from Kron's door.

"Who could that be? Only Min-Joon and Ichika visits my room." Kron instinctively looked at the door before standing up. "Wait, let me check who's outside."

The person Kron immediately saw as he slightly opened the door was Min-Joon but that confused him as Min-Joon doesn't usually knock that hard and he always sends a message before he visits. But on the next moment, he finally saw two people behind Min-Joon. Standing proudly, looking at him with displeasure, crossing their arms. It was Cyrus and Adriana. They were not looking friendly as they scrutinize him. Min-Joon looked at the three with confusion. He was not sure if the two people that he brought are actually Kron's enemy.

"Kron! I'm sorry! They were intent on looking for you." Min-Joon's hands were shaking, not knowing what he was supposed to do. "They said that they are your friends!"

"It's fine Min-Joon!" Kron said before looking at the other two. "Cyrus. Adriana." Kron softly spoke their name. "What are you two doing here?"

"Are you not even going to let us in?" Cyrus forced opened the door wide, letting himself in. He then noticed Ichika. "Don't tell me that you skipped classes to flirt with some random girl!"

Kron already had a hint on why the two was here but Cyrus' recent comment affirms it. Still, he first needed to clear the misunderstandings.

"Who even are you? Barging in then disrespecting Kron!" Ichika stood up, looking fiercely at Cyrus. "And I'm not some random girl!"

"Really Ichika? Reprimanding someone of barging in? Not really the best coming from you." Kron thought to himself, shaking his head. "Stop fighting okay."

"So you don't even know me. Well, I'm the great Cyrus. Its your lucky day to meet me but be quiet, I'm not here to talk with you." Cyrus ignored what Kron said, scrutinizing Ichika.

"Why do you even think that I would like to know you!" Ichika then turned to Kron. "Are these the people causing you trouble?"

"Uhh.. no... they-"

"Aha! You must really be the reason for Kron's recent mood!" Cyrus raised his index finger, looking at Kron. "Kron! I know this type of women! They are not good for you."

"Wait.. wait.. she's not" Kron tried stop the two.

"Oh! When have you been expert with women?" Adriana, who was standing by the door, said. She slowly walked pass Kron. "But why don't we all calm down first?"

Min-Joon ,who didn't really wanted to be part of this chaos, was forced to stay. After all, he was also concerned with Kron.

Kron, with difficulty, introduced the people around with each other. Ichika and Min-Joon being his closest transported friends. Cyrus and Adriana being his teammates in the environment class. It was not really hard to clear any misconceptions after. Still, Ichika and Cyrus seem to still be at odds with each other.

"So you are just not feeling well that's why you didn't attend class?" Adriana finally tried to move forward the discussion.

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Kron looked down, avoiding Adriana's gaze. "Uh... Yes.."

"Is that the truth?" Ichika sincerely asked.

"That's nonsense!" Cyrus commented.

"Cyrus!" Adriana shouted, looking harshly at Cyrus.

"If I may talk.." Min-Joon slightly raised his hand. He bit his lips before talking. "Are you being targeted by the native students?"

Kron jerked, hearing Min-Joon's question.

"Ha? What are you saying?" Cyrus raised his eyebrows looking at Min-Joon, causing Min-Joon to shudder.

"Don't be acting too oblivious. Its not as if you don't know that many natives hate the transported." Adriana said.

"So is what he was saying true?" Cyrus angrily asked.

Kron saw everyone's face. They were all waiting for him in silence. He sighed. "Yes. It's true." He then looked at Min-Joon. "but how did you know Min-Joon?"

"I don't think that you are their only target. I heard from other scholar students that they want to stop going to combat classes." Min-Joon replied.

"Of course! Its not only me! Why did I not think of that? They should be harassing other students outside of class too!" Kron clenched his fist and grinded his teeth in anger.

"Don't tell me... Is it the people we met before?" Ichika's eyes opened wide, having a sudden realization. "They should also be the people trying to follow me."

Kron looked away before nodding. He already feared that they might come after Ichika next after the threat that he received. He has purposely avoided her in the past week while still keeping an eye on her like a stalker. Still, one of his fears would be Ichika trying to clash with them by herself, overestimating her abilities, so he did not want to tell her as much as possible.

Ichika stood up, planning to go away. "That guy! If he wanted to fight then why doesn't he come after me!"

"Stop! What are you planning to do? Are you going to try to fight them all?" Kron shouted, pulling Ichika's arms, worried about her.

"But we can't just let them do this to our people!" Ichika replied. She was really guilty that she might be the reason why Kron was being attacked.

"Wait! Who are we talking about here?" Cyrus asked.

"Its a guy named Guson. We met him first during the class registration." Kron answered, disdain filled his words as he mentioned his name.

"Guson... Guson.. I don't know anyone named like that." Cyrus closed his eyes, pondering whether he knows the name.

"Stop thinking. Its not someone you would know. Its just a son of some ruffian who has some skill and acts like a bigshot." Adriana interjected. She seemingly have become acquainted with Guson before. "Still, I don't remember him being that strong. When did this start?"

Kron narrated how his issue came to be and the days that went there after. Min-Joon also added that the persecution of non-natives might have started for a far longer time which is coherent with what Kron guessed since Kron's conjecture that they should have attacked him earlier if not because of the fear that he might be someone strong. Kron also learned that he probably is one of their higher priority targets. The others seem to not be attacked everyday and they don't put much effort chasing for them. While for Kron, they try to gang up on him almost everyday. Admirably, he was always prepared and is able to escape each time but he don't know when he would be caught one day.

Kron already have a few conjectures on why that is so. First, he always tries to fight back. During inside and outside class, he tries to fight them with everything he can whether he win or lose. Second was because of Ichika. Either, they have no people to target her or Ichika was also able to avoid them so they wanted to catch him instead. Lastly was his closeness with Cyrus and Adriana which Guson does not approve. He has never seen Guson's gang hang out or socialize with the transported.

"So you are saying that you are holing up in your room because you are scared of them?" Cyrus asked, mocking Kron.

"Can't you at least be a bit more considerate?" Ichika reprimanded.

"It's alright Ichika." Kron said. He kinda already got used to Cyrus. He then sighed. "But I tried not be scared. I tried to fight back even when I can't win. My instinct started to tell me to run whenever I see them! Am I still a coward?" Contrary to what people thought, he didn't hid himself due to fear. It was anger and sadness. Anger at himself for his weakness. Sadness for letting down people who supported him.

"Then there is no need for you to get embarrassed or angry right? That is not fear. That is just being smart." Adriana said, smiling at him. "Its just logical to not fight an unfair battle. Well, that's what my family says."

"I think its normal to be scared. You are even better than most people. I don't even think of trying to fight back." Min-Joon raised his voice, clenching his fist, trying to uplift Kron using all his courage to speak.

"Yeah! We are with you after all. What's important is that you stay strong." Ichika added.

Cyrus nudged his nose, seemingly embarrassed. "Hmph! Shouldn't you go train instead of wasting time here?"

Hearing them speak, Kron knew that he was really no longer by himself. They didn't look down on him as he feared. Instead, they continued to support him. But he was not the only who was affected by the words thrown around. Min-Joon, who was quietly listening, thought before that Kron was just some coward nerd like him; But seeing everyone, he thought that maybe the world won't be that scary with these kinds of people around.

"What about that Guson? are we going to do something to them?" Min-Joon asked. "We can't let them keep attacking us."

"So what do you think we should do with him Kron? Should I knock him out for you?" Cyrus asked.

Kron paused, exhaling deeply. "Don't touch him. I will take care of him myself." Kron said with conviction, light sparkled in his eyes. "I just need some time."

Cyrus grinned. "Good. Then we'll take care of his lackeys."

"Then I'll find out who are the people with him!" With his desire to be more useful, Min-Joon volunteered.

For the next few days, Kron continued to lay low. He continued avoiding Guson's group by going to crowded or monitored places. He studied and practiced hard with the help of his friends. He won't let himself repeat his past mistakes.

---------------------------

Countless books scattered around the ground, a list of names in a tablet on the bed and a petri dish of some sort containing a rock on the table. Min-Joon was multi-tasking as he was studying, researching and practicing. The books contained information on basic abilities that the awakened usually get and how to effectively use them. The names and information in the tablet was manually inputted and it was about a few young native students.

Drops of sweat rolled down his face. His forehead creased, eyes closed and arms stretched as he focused towards the rock on the table. A faint visible energy was flowing towards the rock and back to him. This repeated for quite some time until he dropped down the ground, feeling exhausted. Nothing happened to the rock but Min-Joon has a frown on his face.

"Water, oxygen, silicon and, "Min-Joon scratched his head, he was successful in the use of his ability but there were still things he could not understand. "another magical binding? Does everything here contain some sort of magical energy?"

*Knock* *Knock*

Min-Joon panicked, standing up. He tried to hid his tablet under the pillow and moved the books towards the space below his bed.

"Oh! Its just you Kron!" Min-Joon sighed of relief. "Why are you here?"

"I messaged you didn't I? Did you not see it?" Kron asked.

"Uh! I.. was sleeping earlier." Min-Joon bursted out. "Why don't you come in first?"

With just a single scan on Min-Joon's room, Kron could easily see that Min-Joon was lying.

"What are you studying for today? Have you finished our homework?" Kron asked.

"Yeah, I'm done with it." Min-Joon replied. "Well, I'm trying to read about common abilities and basic spells."

Kron looked at Min-Joon with awe. "Wait! Are you trying to learn spells now?"

"Well, because my ability is useless in combat. I want to- Ah." Min-Joon has a sudden realization. His teacher told him not to tell anyone about his abilities. "I mean being smart really is not that useful when fighting."

"Huh? Of course being smart helps in fighting." Kron gave Min-Joon a quizzical look. He then sighed. "There is no need for you to hide it from me. I know you have some unique ability."

Min-Joon jerked, not expecting Kron's response. "Uh.. I don't know what you are talking about."

"No need to act Min-Joon. You are smarter than me. You should have suspected already."

"Uhh.. yeah, " Min-Joon sighed, yielding to Kron." but how did you know? Do you have some sort of telepathy?"

"Really? You would also ask me this," Kron chuckled. "but no.. I just saw it from your notification screen before. Sorry about that."

"Uhh.. no.. then its my fault." Min-Joon bowed once. "Anyway, you came here for the list of people right?" He pulled out the tablet from under his pillow, wanting to change the topic.

"Yeah." Kron nodded, looking at quite a number of people from the tablet. He then looked at Min-Joon. "Where did you even get this?"