He glanced down at his wrist, and the bracelet appeared with just a thought. With trembling fingers, he activated it and began scrolling through the spells. His eyes landed on one called "Heal."

He was almost about to press it when he stopped. A surge of something—pride, stubbornness, the letter that had contained his first debt–he hesitated. Aric stared at the word for a long moment, then sighed and closed the interface, leaning back against the pillar and letting the pain and turmoil wash over him.

Aric remembered the moment when he threw that lackluster punch. The image replayed in his mind, mocking him. He thought about his previous self five years ago—the person who would have fought back with everything he had, who wouldn’t have been beaten so easily. Now, he felt weak, a shadow of who he once was.

The realization cut deep. Aric’s eyes stung with unshed tears as he leaned against the pillar, feeling the weight of his own disappointment. He knew he had to find a way to reclaim his strength, to become the person he used to be—or even someone better.

He would need to start physically training again.

Just as this resolve began to solidify within him, the door to the rooftop creaked open. A girl stepped out, her eyes widening as she saw Aric slumped against the pillar. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Aric looked up, not recognizing her but assuming she was from his class. “I’m fine,” he muttered, though the blood still trickled down his face.

She frowned, clearly not convinced. “Wait here. I’ll go get a first aid kit,” she said, turning to leave. “I’m really sorry that you got hurt.”

Before he could respond, she was already heading back inside. Aric watched her go, his confusion increasing. He didn't expect someone to ask if he was okay, moreover offer to help him.

Minutes passed, and Aric began to think she wouldn’t return. Perhaps her offer was just a polite gesture to the new student. However, to his surprise, she reappeared, holding a small red box.

“I brought this,” she said, offering him the kit. “Let me help you clean up.”

"I can go to the nurse myself," Aric insisted, feeling a mix of discomfort and embarrassment.

The girl looked at him with a puzzled expression. "I'm right here anyway," she said, tone gentle. "Let me help you."

She reached out with a cloth to wipe off the blood, but Aric flinched and jumped back. "Why would you try to touch me?" he blurted out, his voice tinged with panic.

Confusion flickered across her face, and Aric realized how his reaction must have appeared. "I'm sorry," he said quickly, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'll do it myself. But please don't act friendly with me. I don't deserve it." He reached for the cloth, determined to clean up the mess on his own.

As she watched him dab at the blood, she asked if what he had said before to Laric was true.

Aric’s gaze flickered to hers, his expression guarded. “What I said in the classroom was all the truth,” he confirmed, his voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, her gratitude evident. “I’m thankful that the murderer got expelled,” she admitted. “He deserved it for turning on a Mendaciti official and murdering in cold blood.” She paused, studying Aric’s reaction, but he only narrowed his eyes and looked away, his emotions hidden behind a mask.

Aric bit his tongue until it bled, a physical manifestation of the turmoil within him. He told himself that he didn't want Maki to feel sad, so he wouldn't defend himself. Instead, he asked, "Was the…criminal really so bad that I deserved such treatment? Being slapped for just knowing someone seems extreme."

She fell silent for a moment, considering her words carefully. "Taric is a blockhead," she admitted finally, her voice tinged with frustration. "But he has a strange sense of justice. He used to discipline him using violence, and we all agreed to it beforehand because he deserved it. However, what happened today was unplanned."

Stolen novel; please report.

Aric listened, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. "I see," he murmured, his tone neutral.

He told himself he wouldn’t go back to that pitiful life. This was his chance to change, to reclaim his strength and dignity. His master had told him to stand up for himself, and after everything that had happened between them, he knew he had to try.

"Thank you," he said, his voice sincere. "I appreciate your help. But I think I’ll stay up here for a while. I need some time alone."

She nodded, understanding. "Alright. Take care, Yamamoto."

As she walked away, Aric remained on the rooftop, the wind gently brushing against his face. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead.

He remembered how weak he had felt for the past two years, how his confidence had crumbled. But everything changed when he joined the dojo, met Maki, and even received kind words from the old lady at the coffee shop. These connections had reignited something within him. He didn't want to let them down. He promised himself he would act strong even when he didn’t feel it, refusing to revert to the person he once was.

Aric thought about how he would tell the full story, what had happened with the murder charges, to Maki later. For now, he would embrace the strength he had found and face the future with newfound resolve.

But one thing was for certain, he would never stop until his master’s final wish, his debt, was fulfilled. Especially after neglecting it for so long.

He lifted his shirt and saw all of the plasters, still wondering who had helped him that day. After he noticed it was lunchtime, he walked back to the classroom to grab his backpack, but the teacher stopped him.

“Yamamoto,” the teacher said, her voice sounding weirdly concerned, “can we talk for a moment?”

He felt a surge of anxiety, convinced he was busted. But her next words caught him off guard.

"I'm sorry for the injuries you sustained on your first day," she said, her eyes filled with remorse. "I want you to know that Laric will be expelled for his bad behavior. We won't tolerate such actions here."

Aric shook his head, his resolve firm. "There's no need for that," he replied.

The teacher looked at him, surprised, taking a pause. "If you're sure, Yamamoto. But please, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Aric nodded, determined to handle things his own way. He grabbed his backpack and walked out without another word. If she truly cared, why didn't she step in sooner? It felt all too absurd.

As he walked around the corner, someone pulled on his shirt, causing him to tumble into them, pulling them both down to the ground.

"Maki!" Aric exclaimed, recognizing her immediately.

She shook her head, standing up and taking his hand. "Follow me, right now." She pulled him along, and they finally reached a menacing worn, gray door. As they both went in, she closed the door behind her, panting. Taking a deep breath again, Maki looked at him. "Stay here for a second, I'll be back."

Before he could say another word, she had already closed the door and left. Aric stood there, confusion and curiosity battling within him. Moments later, Maki returned, carrying a lunchbox.

"We need to eat lunch here," she said, setting the lunchbox down and opening it.

"Why?" Aric asked, still trying to make sense of the situation.

"Laric is really mad at you, especially because of my comment," she explained, her voice tinged with worry.

Aric snorted, and after a few seconds, Maki laughed with him. Silence suddenly descended upon both of them. After a few more minutes, Aric told himself to say something.

"I wasn't able to get lunch," Aric admitted, glancing at the door. "I'll go to the culinary room."

Maki's eyes widened in alarm. "That's not acceptable. You can't go out there right now."

Aric shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Alright then, no lunch for me."

Maki shook her head, her expression firm. "That's not good either. You need to eat."

Mentally, he was shaking his head. "Alright, let me take a bit of your lunch."

Maki's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Only couples share food so intimately," she murmured, looking away.

Internally, Aric was screaming as loud as he could. "I don't mind. It’s not that big of a deal."

As she was about to agree, Aric quickly added, "Actually, it's fine. I wanted to talk to Laric anyway."

Maki’s eyes widened even more. "Are you crazy? You can't face him alone right now, especially after what happened!"

Aric sighed. "I understand that I'm not physically fit enough, and his anger at being rejected by a girl like you isn't going to help." He paused, realizing how honest he was being.

Maki's expression softened, but she quickly shook her head. "You shouldn't go. For my sake," she said, then immediately realized what she’d said and covered her mouth, her cheeks turning pink.

“Still, I’m not a coward. I can take a few beatings.” Aric noticed her discomfort and hesitated. "Did I do something to make you uncomfortable?" he asked.

Maki shook her head, avoiding his gaze. "No, it's not that," she said softly before turning and walking out of the room.