An educational system based on competitiveness implies an environment where students are constantly assessed and compared to each other. The academic pressure resulting from this system often translates into intimidating behaviors, with students bullying those who may not perform as well as them.
Yes, bullying.
There's no need to explain; we can use logical explanations or whatever nonsense the mainstream media says, but regardless of the location, year, or era, bullying will always exist. It's not a choice; it's just an acceptance.
People, regardless of race, will always have issues, either being the target or the one engaging in bullying, and this is no different in a magical academy.
Why does this happen? Because people are inherently bad, and even if they find an excuse for such behavior, the truth is that the world is a big mess with more mess piled on top.
SLAP
A boy lay on the ground; he was slender with cat-like features in his ears. His frame was somewhat skeletal, and his appearance conveyed only one thing.
Weakness.
SLAP
"Come on, get up, you trash," a tall boy with wolf ears said while hitting the boy.
SLAP
"What's the matter? Tired already?" he shouted again as three more boys watched the scene inside the school bathroom.
"Stop it, Alexander. He can't take it anymore," one of the boys said with a smirk, resembling a wolf, just like Alexander.
"Are you trying to show mercy to him, Morry?" Alexander asked, while the boy simply raised his arms slightly. "Never, but is it really fun playing with a glass like him?" he asked with a smile.
"Oh, you got an idea?" Alexander was intrigued by Morry's smile.
"Oh, don't get me wrong. Let's just use him to attract more idiots," he said with a smile. "I like the idea," Alexander responded with a grin.
"You guys sound like kids," one of the other two said, looking directly at Alexander and Morry. "What do you mean, Gron? Want to get beaten?" Alexander said, with a vein almost bursting on his head in anger at being called a kid.
"You're too dramatic, Alexander," the other said. "Let's form a gang," he said. "Okay, now you want us to be criminals in a school like this? Are you out of your mind, Dominic?" Morry said, while grabbing something that looked like a box.
"Hey, don't use that in here; someone might see," Gron said, taking the small box from Morry's hand.
"For God's sake, it's just a cigarette!"
While they argued, the boy tried to crawl away from that place. They were too immersed to notice, but it was a foolish idea.
SLAP
The boy's leg was crushed under Alexander's foot. His leg didn't break, but the pain was immense. It didn't take ten seconds for the boy to start screaming in pain as Alexander forced his foot.
He was basically being tortured.
"AHHH AHHHH AHHHH," he screamed. "Someone help me!" He shouted again, but nothing came. It was another forty seconds, and someone entered the bathroom.
They couldn't hear his footsteps, but quickly sensed the presence of someone else. The boy who entered had long black hair and red eyes.
"Get lost," Alexander said, ordering him to leave. "We're busy here, or you'll be next."
The boy ignored the threats, walked past Alexander, leaving the five of them behind, and entered one of the stalls to use the bathroom. He never said anything, just had a cold expression on his face.
"That guy is the one who was fighting with Vortex," Morry said, and Alexander slowly opened his eyes as he remembered the fight he witnessed. Did he get intimidated? Of course not, he really wanted to beat up that weakling now.
Then, the sound of the flush went off, and the boy came out, his cold expression leaving all four of them irritated.
"Hey, you ignored me," Alexander said while facing him. "You want to fight?" Dante asked, his head was a bit turbulent from the previous class, and now he was eager to unleash his full strength on someone.
"Fight? I'll break you apart," Alexander said, but Dante just ignored him and walked past.
He turned to the boy with the injured leg and looked at him with a cold stare; he saw his image being overlaid.
'You caught me on a bad day, mangy dog.'
Dante's eyes faintly glowed red as he crouched down by the boy.
[Basic Healing]
Everyone can use magic, and Dante is no exception, but depending on the affinity, it's possible to use stronger magic. With the Holy Affinity Dante obtained, he can use various minor spells from almost all elements, except dark magic. Of course, being able to use and being proficient in the element are two entirely different things.
Dante knows many basic spells that are easy and only require mana.
The boy's leg healed slightly; unfortunately, Dante could only apply it to a specific area of someone's body, and despite wanting to help, he couldn't do much.
"Get up and go to the infirmary; ask someone to come here to check on these guys' situation," Dante said, and the boy hurriedly got up, nodded, and managed to run away.
"Hey, you little shit, what do you think you're doing?" Gron said, and in a second, his entire body froze as Dante's mild killing intent exploded.
"Hey... is it fun to hurt the weaker ones?" Dante asked with a slight smile.