The Bully’s Reincarnation

Chapter 11: Class E Rising

Arcadia Academy, Outer Field – Just before dawn

The grass was wet underfoot. Cold air clung to Kai’s skin like mist, but he didn’t care.

Lina sat on a flat stone nearby, hugging her knees and watching him fumble through hand signs.

“Left, twist, then release,” she said gently.

Kai blew out a breath. “Easy for you to say. My fingers don’t bend like that.”

“Because you’re overthinking it. Magic isn’t just about shape—it’s intent.” She tapped her chest. “Here. Not here.” Then her head.

He scowled. “Intent didn’t help when I nearly lit my sleeve on fire.”

“You’ll get it. Try again.”

He inhaled, slow. Closed his eyes. Focused on the spell from Rafe’s grimoire—the least volatile one he could find. Just a basic binding thread. Nothing fancy. Nothing dark.

The air shimmered faintly between his fingers. The thread formed—wobbly, thin, but real.

Lina grinned. “Yes! You did it!”

Kai blinked. “That… that wasn’t supposed to work.”

She stood. “I told you. It’s not about being Rafe. It’s about being Kai.”

He stared at the faint magical thread still pulsing in his hands.

For once, it didn’t feel like a weapon.

——-

Later, Class E Courtyard

A group of students clustered near the water pump. Three older boys from Class D circled a younger one—slim, freckled, shaking.

“Drink like a dog, Class E mutt,” one of them jeered, shoving the kid forward.

The boy knelt beside the puddle.

Kai watched from a distance, jaw tight.

“Do something,” Lina whispered beside him.

“Won’t matter. They’ll come after me next.”

Lina raised an eyebrow. “And?”

Kai exhaled. “Fine.”

He walked forward, slow and deliberate.

“Back off,” he said.

The tallest Class D boy turned, sneering. “Well, look who’s playing hero.”

Kai didn’t flinch. “You’ve made your point. Let him go.”

The second boy laughed. “Or what? You’ll wave your cursed mark at us?”

Kai stepped between them and the kid. “Try me.”

The tall one raised his hand—and Kai caught it mid-air. The moment froze. Sparks crackled at Kai’s fingertips.

His voice dropped low. “Don’t.”

The boy yanked his hand back like it was burned. They backed off, muttering curses.

The young Class E boy stared at Kai, wide-eyed. “Thanks…”

Kai turned to leave.

“You didn’t even hex them,” Lina murmured, walking beside him.

“I didn’t need to.”

———-

That Night, Shared Dorm Hallway

“Kai.”

He stopped mid-step. Two Class E students stood outside his room. The older one, a girl with short red hair, looked nervous.

“We… saw what you did.”

“I wasn’t looking for thanks.”

The second student shook his head. “We just… wanted to say not everyone in Class E wants you dead.”

Kai arched a brow. “That’s new.”

Red-hair spoke again. “You were Rafe. We get it. But you’re not him. Not exactly. And if you can stand up to D-class… maybe Class E isn’t hopeless.”

Kai looked between them. “What are your names?”

“Mae and Des.”

He gave a nod. “Alright, Mae and Des. Tomorrow morning. Training field. You’re helping me run drills.”

Mae blinked. “Us?”

“Yeah. You want to stop being jokes? Starts with sweat.”

——

Training Field – Next Morning

Des gasped between push-ups. “This—this sucks—”

Kai stood over him, arms crossed. “Pain means you’re not dead.”

Mae staggered with a practice wand. “I—I can’t even hold a thread spell…”

“You will.” He glanced at Lina, who smirked from her perch on a log. “Help her with her grip.”

Lina approached Mae, guiding her wrist gently.

“Kai’s harsh, but he’s right. The only way out of Class E is through.”

Kai turned back to Des. “You want to be ignored forever? Or do you want them to choke on your name?”

Des gritted his teeth. “Choke.”

“Good. Then move.”

——

Class E Cafeteria – Afternoon

The room always went quiet when Kai entered.

This time was no different.

But something changed.

A boy near the corner nodded.

A girl scooted over to make space.

Kai sat, cautiously.

Mae whispered, “They’re watching.”

Kai didn’t look up. “Let them.”

Lina smiled across from him. “They’re not watching with fear anymore. They’re watching with hope.”

He met her eyes. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

A voice rang out near the food line. “Look, if it isn’t the Tyrant’s dog.”

Kai stood slowly. Every head turned.

The boy who’d spoken was from Class D.

Kai didn’t say a word. Just stared.

The boy shifted, suddenly uncomfortable. “I—I was joking—”

Kai stepped closer. Just enough.

“No one’s laughing,” he said flatly.

The Class D student swallowed and turned away.

No magic. No threats.

Just presence.

—-

Later That Night – Kai’s Room

Lina sat at his desk while he dried his hair with a towel.

“You’re changing,” she said.

“I don’t feel different.”

“That’s the difference. Rafe never changed.”

Kai sat across from her. “Neither do monsters.”

She frowned. “You’re not a monster.”……He didn’t answer.

She reached into her bag and pulled out something wrapped in cloth.

“I made this,” she said, handing it to him.

He unwrapped it—a simple armband, stitched with thread, bearing the Class E emblem.

“For luck,” she added

He turned it over in his hands. “Thanks.”

“I wanted you to know… we believe in you.”

He looked at her. “Even if I lose control again?”….“You won’t.”

He didn’t have the heart to say: I already did. And I will again.

Instead, he wrapped the band around his wrist.

——

Faculty Meeting Room

Professor Halden set down a surveillance crystal.

“He’s gaining traction. Class E has begun rallying.”

Voren grimaced. “Then we proceed.”

Another professor asked, “Should we inform Cyrus?”

Voren shook his head. “He already knows.”

“Shall we activate Phase Two?”

Voren turned to the window, watching the distant lights of Arcadia’s tower flicker like dying stars.

“Let the Trials begin,” he said. “Let’s see who this ‘Kai’ really is.”