The moment Alex returned to the academy, he went straight to his hostel without bothering to return to the clinic.
No one really cared about him so no one was going to look for him. Also, there is no point returning there because he was well and healthy — Going back is a waste of time and energy.
After returning to the hostel, he went to take his bath, carefully scrubbing dirts off his body and after that, he got changed.
As he was done dressing, his stomach grumbled — he hadn't eaten for days so he was definitely going to be hungry.
Fortunately, it was still noon so he decided to go and get some stuffs with the little money he had on him.
On his way to the school eatery, his mind wandered to Peter and wondered if his friend was okay. He hadn't seen him in a while and it worried him because aside from his parents, he was the next closest person to him.
He would not accept it if anything happens to him.
By the time he arrived at the eatery, it was almost full with few empty seats by the window. He immediately bought some snacks and headed to one of the seats by the window... The spots at the window side was his favorite. There, he could breathe in the first cool breeze that flows into the place, also, staring at the scenery outside of the windows made him forget some of his sorrows.
He smiled faintly, it was brief and unintentional but it was genuine. He smiled rarely but whenever he does, it was from the depths of his heart.
After a while that he began to eat, he heard some footsteps approaching him and when he turned around, he saw some group of second years approaching him. They were led by a tall and bulky boy named Joseph — his ability was hardening.
As the group finally got to where he was seated, Joseph slammed his fist on the table, destroying both it and Alex's food.
Alex's face paled. He had bought the food with his last money, it wasn't much but he hoped that it will carry him over to the next day. He hadn't eaten even half of the food and yet, everything has been destroyed.
He looked up at the boy looming over him and wondered what crime he had committed to deserve such an ill treatment. They have never crossed parts before so why?!
"You..." One of the boys behind Joseph said, pointing his fingers at Alex. "Do you not realize that you are sitting where you aren't supposed to?" He asked. "This is Joseph's favorite spot so stand up and get lost!"
Alex looked behind him, to ensure that he was the one that they were talking to.
"Are you playing deaf here?" The boy yelled. "We said get up and get lost or we will use force on you!"
Alex even with all the about six boys looming over him did not falter. He sat his ground, staring at each of them, one after the other.
Seeing that he wasnt making a move, the boy rushed to do something but Joseph stopped him immediately.
"Joseph, what are you doing?" The boy asked, upset. "Why don't you let me teach him some lessons in your sake."
"No, Ken, I will handle it myself," Joseph said and faced Alex. "You," he began. "I heard that you are ability-less, is that true?" He asked Alex.
"What if it is true?" Alex asked back. He did not want to respond initially but then, he just did and the answer angered Joseph and his friends.
"You dare answer me with a question?" Joseph roared in anger. "Do you think I can not do anything to you?"
"I'd advice you to leave my presence," Alex said calmly. The energy inside of him was stirring, responding to the threat posed by Joseph and his friends. Alex could feel it building up inside him, a potent force that was straining to be unleashed.
Just when he got up, others thinking he would do something, he simply turned and walked away.
Joseph and his friends were taken aback, expecting a fight. "Hey, you think you can just walk away?" Joseph shouted after Alex.
But Alex didn't respond. He just kept walking, his back straight and his head held high.
As he walked out of the eatery, Alex could feel the energy inside him building up. He was angry, and he was hurt. But he knew that fighting Joseph and his friends in public wouldn't solve anything.
Instead, he made a mental note to take care of them later, when no one was watching. He would show them what it meant to mess with him.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the academy grounds, Alex made his way back to his hostel. He was quiet and withdrawn, his mind focused on the task ahead.
He knew that he would have to be careful, that he would have to plan his attack carefully. But he was determined to make Joseph and his friends pay for what they had done.
As the darkness deepened, Alex got to his room and sat down on the bed, his eyes fixed on the window. It was as though, he could not wait anymore.
At last, night came and he jumped out of his room and left the hostel.
As he walked through the quiet paths of the academy, the only sound being the soft crunch of gravel beneath his feet, Alex could not help but feel a sense of anticipation building up inside him. He had been waiting for this moment, and finally, the time had come to take care of Joseph and his friends.
The small bushy area was a secluded spot, far from the prying eyes of the academy's staff and students. It was a place where Joseph and his friends thought they could get away with anything, where they could bully and intimidate others without fear of consequences.
But tonight, Alex was going to show them that they weren't as invincible as they thought. He was going to show them that there were consequences for their actions, and that he wasn't going to take their bullying lying down.
As he approached the bushy area, Alex could hear the sound of laughter and music coming from within. He slowed down his pace, his heart pounding with excitement — this was the first time he was going to use his ability on anyone and he knew that he ought to be careful so as to not raise an alarm.
Alex took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. He crept forward, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. And then, he saw them - Joseph and his friends, huddled around a small fire, laughing and joking like they didn't have a care in the world.
Alex's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. It was time to take care of them once and for all.