Faron woke up with a splitting headache with his teacher Frank standing over him with a wet towel wiping away the blood from his fight. The knife wound hurt like hell, So it took his mind off the pain of the other injuries. Faron sat up with Frank staring at him worriedly, He saw that the first aid kit was open and that some of his wounds were bandaged. Faron had no idea how he got here. Just remembering that he was in a fight and was pretty sure he would die. His shirt was ruined and Mr. Frank was covered in blood as well. He had a grim look as he was helping clean Faron up in time for the ceremony. Leaning forward, Faron's shoulder screamed in pain, He started to sweat and shake when he reached out for a bottle of water and started drinking it like he hadn't drunk anything in a few days.
"Alright Faron, We are going to have an ambulance come and get you, See about stitching up your injuries. However, before you go, could you tell me what happened? You were dropped off here by an older gentleman. He said that you wanted to get your diploma. I thanked him for looking out for one of my students, I'm sorry I have failed you this year, but there isn't much I can do. I wish I could say more, but I think you should go to the hospital. We can mail you your diploma in the morning."
"No Thanks, Mr. Frank. I appreciate your concern, but my concern is to make my family happy, and to do that I need to get my Diploma." Faron stood up and started scrubbing his shirt in a nearby sink. Every movement of his arm hurt. Faron looked at the wound that was padded now and wondered why his blood hadn't started to burn the bandage. Figuring he would look into it later, He also wondered who the old man was bringing him here.
*Was it David? no I doubt Mr. Frank would call him an old man. but who could it be?* Farons mind was going in every direction a million miles an hour. He didn't know what he should do. If Jason found him again he would surely get more injured, but he already came this far. Nothing was going to stop him.
The door to the locker room burst open and Ash walked in with a huff. She was holding a black garment bag with what appeared to be clothes for Faron, Soem over-the-counter anti-septic, and painkillers. She dropped them onto the bench and looked at Faron.
"When I said I would help you out I didn't think 5 hours later I would be buying you clothes and medicine, What happened, Who had the balls to attack my mother's, new student!? They sure have some fucking nerve. I'll break their arms" Ash stomped on the floor causing the tiling to fracture outwards like a spiderweb.
Faron looked up helplessly at Ash. Her strength seemed to be at least in the C tier. She must have already completed her tutorial. Her hair was in disarray and she seemed to be ready to go and fight everyone that got in her way. She looked at Mr. Frank with menacing eyes.
"Who in the hell are you, old man? Did you do this to Faron? What a shit teacher you are I outa break all of your limbs. Even if it isn't your fault why did you let it happen? What the hell is going on? Why did my grandfather call me to come to deliver clothes?" Ash started rambling as she looked like she was going to pick a fight with Mr. Frank.
Faron was surprised when he heard that Ascendant Marzan was the one who had sent her here. That must mean he was the elderly man that brought him to the locker room to be treated. Then what happened in the fight? Faron looked at Ash and a bit of warmth hugged his heart. Despite her rough manners, she was being very protective of her own. They hadn't even known each other for a day, Yet solely because he knew her grandfather and was a new student of her mother she was ready to fight for him. It wasn't often that anyone would fight for him. Faron made a mental note to buy her a gift or bring her to eat at some point as thanks.
"Ms. Ash, It's ok. This is Mr. Frank my homeroom teacher for the last year. Before you came in with the help, thank you by the way. He was helping me clean my wounds and bandage my stab wound. So it's not..."
"What the hell Faron, You got stabbed in your school before graduation. What in the hell? Who did it, and where are they? If I don't get an answer I'm calling Grandfather to find out." Her eyes almost seemed to be glowing in anger.
Faron spent the next 10 minutes going over the facts. For the last 4 years, he has been bullied by a boy named Jason. No one could do anything to Jason since his father was a High Legend and spoiled his son. His father was just like him. Bullying the weak and making people's lives harder just for fun. He then went on to how he wanted his diploma for his family but refused to be intimidated away. Which Ash seemed to appreciate. When he showed up there was a fight. Jason hit him, He hit back, and He kicked him in the nuts. Then he was stabbed. As Mr. Frank and Ash were listening to this story they both looked sad and angry at the same time. Ash turned to look at Mr. Frank before launching a punch at his stomach. The air billowed out of his gut when he fell over and vomited on the floor.
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"Shit teacher. You feel guilty now, but did nothing that almost lead to a student dying. You should retire."
To be fair, Mr. Frank. Seemed to have handled the punch quite well for as much force as Faron saw in it. He was a bit shocked that this girl struck him and told him to quit his job. Faron raised his arm and stopped Ash from going forward to continue. While Mr. Frank was recollecting himself.
"I deserved that. I guess you can say I'm a coward. But I haven't even broken through to C class. I am almost fifty yet my talent is severely lacking in that department. I have a Protocol score of 48. So yes I am much stronger than just an average person. Jason's Father would treat me like a ragdoll. He and I went to the same school growing up. We got into the protocol around similar times. Yet his attitude led him more towards the peak. While I dared not attempt the things that could kill me. So yes, I apologize to you, Mr. Faron. But I was looking out for myself as well. It wasn't very teacherly of me and for that I am regretful. However, for my Wife and children, I do not for a second feel bad for looking out for myself in dangerous circumstances."
Faron could only sigh at Mr. Frank, he didn't hold him fully accountable, but still somewhat. But Faron knew the world was not an easy place to live. Everyone had their own story and he couldn't judge Mr. Frank for it. But that didn't mean that he had to respect him anymore. Faron would always be thankful that the teacher seemed willing to try and right his wrongs in the end but it was too late now. Faron would never speak to him again after his graduation.
"It's ok Mr. Frank let's just go to the graduation. We don't need to worry about it. Let's just put the past behind us and look forward to the future." Faron got up and took the clothes that Ash had brought and changed into them. They were the nicest clothes that Faron now owned. They fit well on his body despite its thin nature. He tied his hair up into a bun and put his gown over his new clothes and put the graduation cap on. He felt a little silly, but he couldn't wait to be rewarded for his years of hard work. Now that Ash was going to accompany him to the ceremony he didn't need to fear Jason so Faron stood tall and made his way to the venue. a Few hours passed before Faron was called up 4th in the class for being 4th ranked in studies overall. He wasn't a perfect student but he put in a lot of work.
Eventually, after the Ceremony, Faron had his diploma in one hand and tossed his gown and hat into a dumpster nearby. He was not wanting anything to remind him of his years here other than the diploma. Ash was waiting for him outside scanning the vicinity. earlier she was much more alert looking for the boy that stabbed him but after she got a call from her grandfather she seemed to no longer have any other qualms about just sitting there as a friendly acquaintance. Faron walked over in his new black shirt and blue jeans that seemed made for him and with his new phone he looked like he had had a rehaul of his entire life that day alone. He stood next to a beautiful woman and some of the other students were shocked at what was going on.
"Ash thank you so much for everything. Please let me take you out to lunch or dinner sometime as a thank you. The bill is on me, Wherever you want to go." Faron had a determined look on his face. Something that he remembered his Father telling him when he was younger one of his first memories was that "Alverones Pay back kindness and disrespect 10-fold." It was something that Faron never truly fully followed but when he got the chance to pay back a friend the sentiment always made it to the front of his mind.
"No thanks, I appreciate the offer but my diet is strict. But hey, Tomorrow when you come by train. Bring me some Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. We can call it even. Mom never lets me have many sweets now that I started to train, but she wouldn't deny a gift." Ash gave him a gentle punch on his good shoulder and jumped into a brand-new silver sports car with tinted windows.
"Take it Easy I'm heading home. See you for training tomorrow" With that Ash left and Faron was standing there still in a good mood. Just ice cream he could pick up at the bakery before home and bring it in tomorrow. A couple of hours passed and it was now around 8:30 PM when Faron got home. He had all the pies and the ice cream. The first thing he did was have Ms. Mable lock his ice cream in the freezer up so no one ate it during the big pie event. Faron called everyone over and brought out all the pies and also the cream that he got for Mable. The atmosphere of the dining hall was electrifying it wasn't often the kids had surplus food let alone a treat. Faron gave a small thanks to everyone and let them know he would be moving out soon. Some of the kids cried but they understood life at the orphanage well enough for the most part.
Finally, Faron retired to his room. Despite being the only person that used this room he still pulled the curtain down the middle out of habit from the other bed and launched himself into meditation feeling his meridians and following the cultivation technique that was gifted to him by The Azure King. As Faron started to drift off to sleep he looked out to the moon and saw the cloudy night sky. The rainy season always made him tired. Before finally succumbing to sleep after such a long day.
What Faron didn't see was that shortly after he fell asleep. His hair and the wound on his shoulders started to ever so faintly start to glow the same color as the Azure King. A strange vortex appeared above Faron's abdomen as the moonlight seemed to get sucked into his body. Quickly recovering his wound. After the stab wound fully healed everything went back to normal.
Deep inside Faron's consciousness The Azure King was watching everything. "Ahh, Very peculiar. This King did not know you had such an ability. This is to our advantage. rest well my Boy. If I'm not mistaken, which I almost never am. Your life is about to get flipped upside down."