Sophia Devi, considered to be Liam's childhood friend, as they met in elementary school. If one were to describe her, she's honest, earnest, and easy to talk to. On top of that, she has a pretty face and a good head on her shoulders.
For those who knew her deeper, however, Sophia can be described as a leech. She sucked up to all she deemed as strong. Coming from a large abusive household, she learned to protect herself by seeking ties to stronger people.
Since primary school, she had looked up to Liam, the strongest-headed person she knew back then. Although he's hard to get along with and has no redeeming personality, what matters is that he's strong and that he was willing to take her under him.
Back then, Liam was a big fish in a small pond. Currently, they were in a much bigger pond. Liam's talent could only be considered as above average, and there are way more monstrous prodigies out there that can crush him with their thumb alone.
Yet, it seemed that Sophie had long attached herself to him. There was faith and loyalty that Liam will come out on top as he always does.
Even now, Liam seemed composed under the weird atmosphere. By composed, it means that he was still having his usual short temper. Usually, when people are faced with an insurmountable obstacle, they would crumble and lose hope. However, Liam wasn't fazed and only seemed a bit annoyed.
Poor girl. She has no idea that the real Liam was in Jasper's apartment. His empty eyes stared at the sky, listless.
The 'Liam' she was looking at with more admiration than before was not the same.
After the lunch break, the day continued and ended like it was before.
'I thought she hates discrimination, but she's fine when it's discrimination against other people?'
Although Jasper didn't feel bothered by everyone's weird glances and treatment, he was still annoyed by the attention. He was supposed to lie low and now, he's become the infamous 'enemy' of Erica the Glorious Queen.
But that's all there was to it- annoyance. That was until the class ended and some senior students 'waited' for Jasper to walk out of the school grounds.
Because of Jasper's schoolwide reputation, these seniors were not trying to hide their intent at all. It seems like they were doing the school a favor by openly targeting Jasper.
As soon as they walked out of the school gates, four seniors surrounded Jasper and Sophie. With one look, one could see that these seniors are already at the Fifth Stage Body Tempering Realm. They are not talented at all but the age gap enable them to bully someone like 'Liam' at the Third Stage Body Tempering Realm.
"Hey, buddy, we've heard about you. How about we talk some things over?"
Sophie retreated behind Jasper's back.
"What do you want?"
Jasper put up an act. He expressed anger as he gritted his teeth. His face revealed heaviness.
Other students stopped by and wanted to see the show. Eventually, they formed a wide circle in front of the school gates.
"What do we want?" the seniors laughed as they looked at each other.
"We are here for justice!"
"You killed a non-cultivator, yet you are not in jail! This is an injustice!"
The seniors hyped each other as if they were righteous saints.
In reality, everyone knows their intention. They are obviously trying to suck up to the prodigy from the United Ancestry.
"You want to fight?"
'Liam' growled as he balled up a fist.
"What's this? You think you can go for a fight?"
The seniors laughed. How can a single Third Stage Body Tempering Cultivator go against multiple Fifth Stage Body Tempering Cultivators?
"He's fucked."
"Beat him up!"
"He dares offend the queen!"
Some students shouted and cheered for the seniors, giving the seniors more confidence. One of them stepped forward.
"How about I settle this one, boys? No need to dirty your hands."
"Talking like a saint, fuck off! Let me do it!"
"Shit, how about we take turns?"
"Hehe, that's a good idea!"
While the seniors were enjoying themselves, Sophie clutched onto Jasper's back as she weakly whispered.
"Liam… let's get out of here."
Cultivators have great hearing. The seniors just noticed the pretty girl behind Jasper.
Unfair! Having such a pretty lady on his side. The seniors became more fired up to beat Jasper up.
Among the seniors, the tallest one with the buzz cut came forward and beckoned with his finger.
"Want to act tough in front of your girl? Let's go, man!"
Jasper took Sophie's hand and pushed her to the side.
"Stay there. I'll handle this."
The seniors and the crowd were slightly startled by his action. He's willing to fight someone with two cultivation stages above him?
"Oooh, he's got guts!"
"Or he's just stupid. What can he do?"
"If I have such a pretty girlfriend, I don't want to act like a bitch as well."
"But he'll beaten so he'll still look like a little bitch."
'Liam' put up his fists, ready for the fight.
"Hmph! Acting so tough. Let's see how you'll receive this, bitch!" the senior with the buzz-cut rushed forward and swung wide with his fist.
When everyone expected 'Liam' to be knocked out in one punch, something unexpected occurred.
A man with silvery hair rushed passed the encirclement.
Bam*
The punch was easily blocked by a palm. Everyone's eyes turned to the newcomer. The man was Alex Miro, one of the top dogs in Brukmere Public High!
"You!"
The senior with the buzz-cut immediately backed away upon seeing Alex. Their difference in strength is too wide. If he didn't retreat now, he might see himself in the hospital later.
Everyone looked at Alex with confused expressions. They were all curious why he seemed to be protecting the school's enemy. However, no one could question him due to his identity.
Thus, an awkward scene was created. No one could say anything while Alex didn't know what to say either. He just received a text from Jasper to come and mediate whatever happened.
What he didn't expect was for Jasper to offend a prodigy from the United Ancestry. Even if he's at the top of the school, how could Alex explain himself?
After racking his brain to escape this situation, Alex finally spoke.
"Who do you think you are trying to exact justice on this guy?"
"What? Why can't we? He offended the queen!" the guy with the buzz-cut rebuked. Even though he is way below Alex's level, he got the nerve to talk back upon thinking that he's siding with the United Ancestry.
He looked at the others for support, and they did.
"Yeah! He should be beaten up!"
"How dare he offend the queen!"
"Beat him up! He deserves it!"
"Alex, are you siding against the United Ancestry?!"
Feeling the support from the other students, the seniors found their footing once again. Why did they get scared in the first place? Alex Miro? Top of the school? Eight Stage Body Tempering Cultivator? Pah! He's nothing in front of the United Ancestry!
Alex, on the other hand, was unfazed.
"This is not the case. Do you think Miss Erica will favor you for exacting justice in her stead? Even Miss Erica had done nothing yet, but you are getting ahead of her."
He then dropped the bomb.
"Aren't you going against her decision to leave him for the time being? Isn't that disrespecting her?"
Disrespecting the prodigy from the United Ancestry?
No-no! Even if they have ten times the guts, they wouldn't dare to!
"T-that's not it! You're twisting our intentions!" the senior with the buzz-cut panicked. He looked around; this time, nobody uttered a single support.
Everyone has unanimously decided to stay out of this. If this was taken the wrong way, they wouldn't be able to see tomorrow.
It was eerily quiet. Thus, Alex has to give them some leeway.
"I'm sure your intention is in favor of Miss Erica."
"Yes, of course!"
"Since nothing has happened to our freshman here, how about we'll let this go and leave him for now?" He then scanned the surroundings and everyone felt his eyes, "Nothing happened here, got it?"
"..."
"If you understand that, disperse!"
The crowd immediately scattered as a way of escaping the dangerous situation. Even the seniors looked complicatedly at Alex. Angry that they were put in a bad light in front of the United Ancestry and grateful that they were let go.
'Liam' came forward and slightly bowed his head.
"Senior, thank you for your help."
Alex stared at Jasper up and down before clicking his tongue.
"I did it for Miss Erica. You will eventually get what you deserve!"
His voice was loud so it was heard by the passersby.
'A smart fella!' Jasper internally commended. It was the right call to let this man handle the matters.
Not only did he de-escalate the situation, but he was also able to put protection on Jasper. From now on, if anyone seeks trouble with Jasper, it may mean that they are getting ahead of Erica's judgment, as even she has done nothing yet. Not only that but he removed the suspicion on his part.
He did this not in favor of 'Liam', a random Third Stage Body Tempering Cultivator, but for the prodigy of the United Ancestry.
It was brilliant!
Alex left the scene, as if not wanting anymore to do with 'Liam' and the situation.
With that, Liam and Sophie were able to get home safely and without issues. From then on, no one messed with them.
While walking to the train station, Sophie met the gaze of Katie and the others. They avoided Sophie's eyes as they were too ashamed to show themselves. Under pressure, they quickly abandoned their friends. Could they be really called friends then?
Sophie ignored them. Today, she was happier than expected.
At first, when the prodigy from the United Ancestry set her eyes on Liam, she thought that it was the end of it all. No one can offend the United Ancestry and live for another day.
But although they were harassed, nothing serious had occurred and Liam was still as calm, except for his temper. It's actually comforting, reliable even. That in the face of the United Ancestry, Liam still kept his personality.
That's not the good part, though.
Every disaster comes with an opportunity. Sophie's loyalty and conviction were tested. Even when others left Liam's side, she stayed, and she was rewarded for it!
'I'm appreciated!' The edge of her lips kept rising even when she made the conscious effort to hide it.
This means that their relationship had taken a step forward.
Usually, Liam would just look at her like she was some loose woman. One of the many he can get. But today, she has proven herself to be trustworthy.
Despite the calamity that is Erica Tondar, Sophie was feeling quite joyful. For some reasons, she was attracted to Liam today that ever before.
Meanwhile, oblivious to her thoughts and feelings, Jasper was grateful that Sophie was back to herself.
'Boobs' Jasper enjoyed her company while holding a serious expression.
Just as they were on the train, Jasper received a notification from the system.
[User Jasper has satisfied the conditions to rank up to Baron.]
[Ranking up to Baron...]
[Ranked up success! User Jasper is now a Baron.]
[Receive rewards?]