"Please stop! I don't have any credits on me—"
Isho was silenced by a punch, causing him to cough blood, pain shooting into his head.
"Shut up, Isho. I don't need your bloody credits."
A burly boy pulled back his hand, chuckling at the mess he created.
"I'm only doing you a favor. You have no talent, so you'd be a nice punching bag for my skills."
Bandar smirked, raising his hand again.
Isho grimaced, prepared to take another hit, but the blow never came.
As he opened his eyes, he saw someone holding Bandar's hand.
"Reith!" Isho was filled with relief.
Reith gripped Bandar's arm.
"You shouldn't do this, Bandar."
He frowned, standing in front of Isho.
"It's wrong."
His frown deepened as he shoved the bully away.
Bandar sneered.
"If it isn't the goody two-shoes. Get out of my way, Reith. You have no place here. I know you may be a genius, but that doesn't give you the right to poke your nose."
Bandar charged forward as soon as the words left his mouth, baring his fists.
Maybe it was time to put this Reith clown in his place.
"We don't have to do this, Bandar."
Reith got his stance ready. He hated fighting and hurting someone to prove his point.
Why did people have such thick heads?
He ducked, escaping the glaring impact of Bandar's hit.
"Please don't force my hand, Bandar," Reith said, refusing to hit back.
"What's wrong? You think your family's God would hate you for fighting?"
Bandar smirked, his blood boiling, fists ever ready.
A small smile appeared on Reith's face.
"There's no reason to fight you, Bandar. Let's forget about this and—"
Before he could finish speaking, Bandar swung his leg at Reith's side, targeting his ribs, but it was blocked.
"I don't need your silly words, Church Boy," Bandar hissed, moving in for another attack.
Reith had expected this either way, being mocked for living in the church.
His family was the only difference in this great city, dedicating their lives to serving the one true God. They showed their devotion through acts of kindness and good deeds to others. People had accepted them over time, but some still showed hatred.
Bandar delivered another hit, targeting Reith's face.
"Bandar, let it end!"
Reith moved with precision, tired of the quarrel. He grabbed Bandar's hand and twisted it before throwing the bully up.
Bandar crashed down on his back in a split second.
The fight ended as quickly as it started.
"I hope you've learned your lesson," Reith muttered.
He walked over to Isho and gave him a shoulder pat.
"Are you good, Isho?"
"Reith!" Isho bowed his head.
"Thank you so much for your help! I'm indebted to you."
Tears stung his eyes. If Reith hadn't come at the right time, he'd have been pounded to a pulp.
This school needed more people like Reith, and Isho was grateful.
"It's fine, Isho. You can stand straight, please. I didn't like what Bandar did, and I should've come earlier."
Reith clenched his fist, seeing the blood on Isho's face. He turned back to see Bandar on his feet, blood flowing from his nose.
"You think you're so big, Reith. Once I get my cultivation path, I'll rip you to shreds. Let's see if the God of your church can do anything to help you."
With his last words, Bandar walked out, muttering curses.
Isho looked at his assaulter and sighed.
The Libros Cultivation Path selection was coming soon, and if he didn't get a good path, he'd be Bandar's punching bag forever.
"Don't worry about that guy, Isho. You'll do great in the selection," Reith said with a grin.
Isho chuckled, wiping the blood from his face, but his fear lingered.
"I doubt that with my F-grade talent, but I don't think I can ever imagine you failing the selection, Reith."
They walked together, but Reith couldn't keep Isho's words out of his mind.
"Why?" he asked.
Before Isho could speak, someone answered behind them.
"Because you, Reith, possess the triple S-grade talent. First of its kind, too."
The girl who had spoken came to stand between them.
"I don't get why you guys are loitering about. The Path Selection just began!"
She smiled, running ahead.
"I think Castel is right; we should get going," Reith chuckled as they ran after the girl.
The Libros Cultivation Path Selection was the most significant event of the year.
All the region's cities would gather in this big academy to find out if they had the strongest mages. A city with a powerful grade mage would have a boosted power rank.
Everyone looked forward to the selection, especially the higher-ups.
Someone sighted Reith in the arena, and an uproar began.
"Isn't that the genius triple S? The one blessed by Hana?"
"I think they're talking about you. Your talent grade is truly supreme," Isho teased, looking at his friend.
Although he couldn't hear their voices, Reith didn't need Isho to tell him because he could feel the countless glances.
He hated being the center of attention.
"I don't like it, but it can't be helped." He exhaled.
A smile appeared on Isho's lips.
"I heard cultivation paths select their owners now. You think any would come for someone like me?"
His smile dropped into a thin line. The Head Chancellor was calling names, and he would be called up soon.
"I don't know," Reith said, his eyes focused on the center of the building.
"But I don't believe it's wise to expect failure when nothing has been done yet."
A smile appeared on Reith's face when he turned to Isho.
Isho was speechless, but he had to admit that Reith knew the best things to say.
A bright light instantly illuminated the center of the building, and the Chancellor let out a loud statement.
"Bandar Camion has claimed the Path of the Ghostly Demon's Descent. An A-grade cultivation path."
There was a pause in the building as a stiff wind passed through everyone's heart.
Bandar had an A-grade talent, so there was no surprise there. What surprised everyone was his cultivation path.
Reith furrowed his brow.
"The Camion Family Clan is known for defense, so why's Bandar having an attack-based cultivation?"
Someone inched closer to Reith.
"I heard he did something to get it." It was Castel.
"You think he's out for you? He's staring right in this direction."
Isho's shoulders dropped.
This meant trouble—big time.
Reith didn't say a word. There was nothing he could do if Bandar had such luck.
"I trust in You, Father, and I need to protect my family and friends," he muttered to himself, stroking the necklace in his hands.
If Bandar attacked him, he needed a path that could withstand it.
With his SSS-grade talent, this shouldn't be hard.
"Reith Sorakaze, please make your way to the selection stand."
The Chancellor's voice boomed, silencing the arena.
It was the moment everyone was waiting for.
The city would get a massive power boost with such a talented grade.
The path of the SSS talent grade had to be brilliant.