The next morning, while they were attending Teach Elfalene's class...
Kaelen nudged Jered. "When do you think this old man will give us any XP?"
"How would I know," Jered muttered, clearly annoyed at being disturbed during his favorite class.
But before either of them could say more, a light wave of harmless mana swept through the air and smacked both boys on the head, knocking them flat on their chairs. Despite being weak, the impact had them flailing.
"What were you two talking about? Don't you know you've missed more than two months' worth of class?" Elfalene's voice was calm, but the sharpness in her tone silenced the whole class.
Jered, ever desperate to maintain his image in front of his favorite teacher, quickly pointed to Kaelen. "I wasn't talking at all, Teach Elfa! It was all Kaelen's doing!"
Elfalene raised a brow. "Oh really? Then what was I just saying?"
Jered froze. His lips parted but no words came out. He hadn't been paying attention, he was too busy admiring her.
"Uh… well… uh…"
The class erupted in laughter.
"Smart ass," Elfalene muttered. "Listen carefully or else next time I won't let you off."
With that, she returned to teaching, though her watchful gaze lingered on the duo for the rest of the class.
---
After the combat class was over...
Kaelen paced under the shade of a large tree. "Look, Jered, we need XPs. Lots of it. This damn old geezer isn't giving us any XP anytime soon. If this keeps up, we're doomed."
They had once bullied the kids when they were stronger, but now that they were 10 levels behind, some of the braver ones had begun challenging them. And more and more kids were eyeing them like prey.
They'd managed to fend off the challengers so far, but what about tomorrow, when the rest reached Level 20 and received their class? Some already had.
They were in urgent need of XP.
"What should we do, Jered? Any suggestions?"
"How about we go to the fo…"
"No," Kaelen denied immediately. "First of all, I don't like that forest. Second, there are no monsters and limited beasts. Third, last time it was just two of us against three. But if we fight two versus one, it'll be easy. So, any other suggestions?"
"Then should we join a team?" Jered offered.
That caught Kaelen's attention. "Yeah, a team. I like this idea." He paused. "But wait, why do we have to join one instead of creating one?"
"Even Alex joined an existing party. How are we supposed to create one? Who would even join us?" Jered wasn't optimistic.
"What if another Level 20-plus elite joined us? Would you think we could defeat three monsters at a time?" Kaelen asked with a grin.
"Yeah, but why would any challengers join our team" but Jered remembered something "wait, you don't mean Neal…?"
Kaelen's evil grin was all the confirmation Jered needed.
"He's strong," Kaelen said. " He's also prideful. If we bait him right, he'll join. Whether he likes it or not."
Neal was the true noble in every sense, he was heroic, handsome, powerful… and possessed that one trait which they both lacked, manners. But he had one glaring weakness, he was highly competitive and prideful. Once challenged, he would never back down.
And above all he hated Kaelen and Jered with a passion.
---
Later, at the building block D...
When Neal was returning back to his room, he was stopped by none other than the duo Kaelen and Jered.
"Oi, Neal!" A loud voice rang out.
He stopped, frowned, and turned.
"What do you want?" Neal asked coolly, but he was already on guard.
"That's what I like about you, boi!" Jered grinned like a punk from the slums. "Always ready for a scrap."
"Join our team, Neal," Kaelen said, cutting straight to the point.
"What kinda nonsense is this? I have unfinished business with you two. Why would I join your weak team? I'm guessing it's just you two? Maybe Alex is.. "
"Uh… huh…huh… tch tch," Kaelen interrupted, raising a finger and clicking his tongue.
"We are not asking," Kaelen said smoothly. "We are offering you a rare opportunity."
Then he continued
"Unfinished business? Yes. Weak team? Wrong. And again wrong. It's just the two of us, plus you three," Kaelen declared with arrogant confidence, already counting Neal in.
Neal laughed. "You're still Level 3, Kaelen. I can beat you like swatting a fly. And this clown, Jered? He doesn't even have a class yet!"
The duo just looked at each other… and smiled wickedly.
Two months ago, Neal had passed the test, reached Level 20, and obtained his class.
Anyone reaching Level 20 could open their system and sacrifice an item to receive a class. The host could either accept or deny the class generated, but it could only be done three times. Once accepted, the class was permanent.
The strength of the class depended on the quality and relevance of the item sacrificed. To become a knight, one would typically sacrifice a sword or helmet. A holy knight required a holy item, a sacred sword, for instance, guaranteed a holy knight class.
The academy had sacrificed a priceless item for Neal. He obtained a legendary warrior class.
Yet the duo remained unfazed by his insults.
"Then let's have a friendly duel. Fair and square. No skills or items. Just brute strength," Kaelen suggested.
"Neal raised an eyebrow. "Brute strength only?"
Jered nodded. "No skills. no buffs. no items. Just man to man."
Neal hesitated. "What's in it for me?"
Kaelen stepped forward, voice low and dangerous. "Glory. And the satisfaction of crushing us once and for all."
"But if you lose, you'll join our team," Jered added with a smug grin.
Neal grinned. "Fine. You're on."
------------
Somewhere in the academy Baalk was laughing to her heart's content
"Are your brothers adopted or something?"
Vasra was red with embarrassment.
Kaelen Maglor and Jered Dallas had turned into thugs forgetting their roots.