2025-03-27 14:57:49Chapter 11: Cafeteria Confrontation
Max stepped through the doorway. Students from different classes filled the cafeteria space while it buzzed with activity. Multiple conversations merged into a loud and disorganized mix of voices. —"Did you hear? The private photos of Kiera Lane appeared online for everyone to see. —"No way! Show me the location because I require evidence. —"She's gorgeous… Damn!" —"Titan Industries is drowning in another corruption scandal!" Students gathered in small groups to view trending content and gossip while they bent their heads over their electronic devices. Students displayed a spectrum of emotions between surprise and mirth. Max remained completely uninterested in the digital world. Throughout his life he had never purchased his own device nor did he become absorbed by viral content or social media discussions. He had always remained outside this social sphere. His eyes briefly moved toward the second floor. The upper floor served as the gathering place for students who demonstrated Powerflow Channeling abilities. He hadn't set foot there since his disastrous first year when he'd been humiliated and thrown down the stairs. His daily activities stayed unchanged since that time. He arrived to eat for free then vanished into the cafeteria's isolated corner which remained empty. He walked to the counter designated for students who lacked the funds to buy their meals at the school's distant end. The queue was empty because students wanted to avoid the negative reputation of receiving free meals. The server at the counter looked at him with the same empty expression he had seen many times before. She set down two tiny bread rolls and a cup of water on his tray without speaking. Max took the tray from the server then walked away while students around him stared with disapproval. He was long past caring. He made his way directly to the secluded spot in the back to eat without interruption. He observed three individuals moving toward him from his right side while making his way through the cafeteria. He knew them immediately. And so did everyone else. —"No way… isn't that Theo Vance, Roy Madsen, and Jace Holloway?" —"Oh my god, what are they doing down here with the commoners?" —"Theo looks as incredible as ever!" —"He's my dream guy…" The cafeteria buzzed with murmurs. Theo Vance walked at the center of the group. He stood at a lean five-foot-seven, his sharp features framed by short emerald-green hair. On either side of him were his ever-present shadows—Roy Madsen and Jace Holloway. Roy, a broad-shouldered figure with deep brown skin, had the presence of an enforcer. Jace, on the other hand, exuded a more casual arrogance, his tall, lanky frame giving him the air of a playboy. Max's stomach twisted, but he schooled his features into indifference. He quickened his pace, hoping to slip past unnoticed. The trio matched his speed. Then, Theo halted. "Bring him to me." His voice was smooth but carried an unmistakable edge of authority. Roy and Jace moved instantly, stepping in front of Max and cutting off his escape. Max skidded to a stop, his tray teetering dangerously close to colliding with Roy’s uniform. He opened his mouth. "What do y—" SMACK. A sharp impact sent his tray soaring through the air. The contents crashed onto the floor several feet away. Max's stomach sank. His eyes followed the scattered bread rolls and spilled water. His fingers twitched. He took a step forward, but before he could retrieve his meal, Jace stomped down. CRUSH. The first bread roll flattened beneath his heel. Jace lifted his foot again, shifting slightly before bringing it down on the second roll. CRUSH. Max's breath hitched. His throat tightened. His only meal for the day—gone. A slow burn of despair settled in his chest. 'I haven’t eaten since yesterday…' The academy’s meal system was ruthless. Once a free meal was claimed, there were no second chances until the following day. A hollow ache curled in his gut, but before he could react, Roy seized him by the collar and dragged him forward. The onlookers whispered among themselves. —"He's in deep trouble now." —"What did he do to piss Theo off?" —"He should’ve known better than to exist in Theo’s line of sight." They watched, entertained, as Max was forced onto his knees before Theo. Theo looked down at him, expression unreadable. "You really have the audacity to keep showing up here after I told you to remove yourself from this world," he said, his voice almost amused. Max barely registered his words. His mind was still reeling from the loss of his food. "You even signed up for the XAO entrance trials? Pathetic." Theo let out a quiet laugh before gripping Max’s hair, forcing him to meet his gaze. "This filth actually thinks he deserves to compete in the same trial as me," Theo sneered. "That’s an insult. Do you have any idea how easy it would be for me to end you right now?" Theo Vance was the privileged son of an industrial magnate, a family whose fortune was built on manufacturing cutting-edge armor for the XAO. His influence stretched far beyond the academy’s walls. And he wielded that influence like a weapon. Max had suffered under Theo’s torment since junior high. Back then, after confessing his feelings to the most popular girl in school—an act that ended in disaster—he became a favorite target for Theo. Beatings. Taunts. Humiliation. Even after they were placed in separate classes in senior high, fate had a way of forcing their paths to cross. And every time it did, Max paid the price. After the recent visit from the XAO inspectors, Theo had been furious. He had failed the special qualification round and was forced to compete in the standard trial. When he discovered that Max had also signed up, his anger flared into something vicious. Now, he intended to make Max regret it. "By the time I’m done with you," Theo said, tightening his grip, "you’ll be begging to disappear." SMACK. The slap sent Max tumbling across the floor. His cheek flared with pain, skin burning from the impact. Before he could regain his footing, Roy and Jace were already on him, hauling him back to Theo. Theo cracked his knuckles. "I think I’ll break a few bones first." THUD. A punch landed against Max’s chest, sending a jolt of pain through his ribs. "Maybe I should make sure you never stand again." THUD. "You need to be reminded of your place." THUD. Blow after blow, Theo struck. Max's uniform grew damp with blood. His vision blurred. The cafeteria remained silent, a passive audience to his suffering. Pain throbbed through his body, but amidst it all, his thoughts churned. 'Is this my life? Always on the receiving end?' 'Why do I let them do this to me?' 'Is it fear? Fear of what comes after if I fight back?' 'No… that’s just an excuse.' 'Why should I care about consequences when my entire life has already been one long punishment?' A notification pulsed in his vision. [Regeneration Activated] His wounds sealed themselves, the pain receding into nothing. Theo’s next punch was incoming. Max exhaled slowly. 'Enough.' [All injuries fully healed] Theo swung. "I'll make you wish you were never born—!" Max's fingers curled. His arm snapped forward. His hand caught Theo’s fist mid-air. A stunned hush fell over the cafeteria. Max clenched his grip. CRACK. A sickening snap echoed through the room. Theo’s scream followed. He crumpled to the floor, clutching his mangled wrist. Max straightened. His eyes burned with a quiet, dangerous resolve. For the first time, the tables had turned.
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