The laughter had grown teeth. Every new comment from the crowd cut deeper into Michael than the last. His humiliation had become entertainment, and the sound of it filled the air like poison.Danny Franchester, with his expensive smile and perfectly pressed designer suit, stood there with his arm snugly around Jane’s waist. They looked like a magazine cover—glamorous, elite, untouchable. Everyone saw perfection. Everyone but Michael.He rose slowly from the ground, brushing the dirt off his cheap blazer. His voice was low but trembling.“Jane… what are you doing with him?”Jane turned to him, her eyes sparkling with mockery. “What do you think I’m doing with him, Michael?” she asked, tilting her head as if speaking to a child. “I’m going to marry him.”The words hit like a gunshot. Laughter erupted from every corner. Students clutched their stomachs and pointed. Someone yelled, “Marry you? Michael, wake up!” Another chimed in, “Bro, she just upgraded!”Danny smiled lazily, his expre

The boys got into a taxi and arrived at Neon Wears, the most luxurious and exclusive shopping store on campus—a place where only the rich and powerful dared to shop. The exterior gleamed with glass panels and golden railings that shimmered beneath the afternoon sun. Luxury cars lined the parking lot, their glossy paint reflecting the status of their owners. Inside, through the transparent doors, mannequins dressed in designer outfits stood like proud soldiers of wealth and vanity.Barry whistled long and loud as soon as they stepped out of the taxi. “Bro, this place looks like heaven’s closet,” he exclaimed.Jace echoed, “We’re really doing this, huh? Shopping at Neon Wears on our last day!”Michael was quiet. His eyes scanned the grandeur with calm indifference. To his friends, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To him, it was merely a familiar sight—one he had lived around for most of his life before being cast out by his family.Barry and Jace rushed toward the gate, laughi

About thirty minutes after the chaos at Neon Wears—where Michael had not only destroyed Charger and his men but also wrecked Becky’s Bentley—he and his friends found themselves at another luxury store across town. The tension had died down a bit, but Barry and Jace were still visibly shaken. They had begged Michael to avoid Neon Wears entirely after what happened.Michael, calm as always, had insisted they finish their shopping there, but his friends flat-out refused. They were terrified Becky would call the police and have them arrested for assault and property damage. In their minds, Michael might be able to beat up security guards, but he couldn’t win against the law.Michael didn’t care about the police—not because he thought himself invincible, but because he knew how to handle such matters quietly. Still, seeing how anxious his friends were, he decided not to argue. He only sighed and followed them into the new store to keep their minds at peace.For the past half hour, Barry an

Michael slowly opened his eyes after completing a brief breathing exercise, guided by Mira’s words—and the echo of his master’s teachings deep in his heart. “He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.” The tension drained from his body, and he unclenched his fists. The first sight before him was Mikel’s face—puffed up, arrogant, and just as punchable as the pumpkin heads his master used for target practice. For a moment, he had imagined punching Mikel’s stupid face but was able to control himself. A short laugh escaped Michael’s lips. Everyone around—Mikel, the attendants, the baddies, Barry, Jace, and even a few customers—stared in disbelief. Here was the so-called weakling, being mocked and dared to prove himself, and instead of swinging, he was laughing.Michael looked around, then smiled faintly. “Mikel here…” he began, his calm voice surprising everyone, “…is the one who saved me and my friends from Charger and his men. We owe him gratitude.”And then, in front of everyo