"I agree," Hebiko nodded. "We're constantly being trained. Just remember the fight during the entrance exam. Isn't that a form of forced collectivization?"
"That's not exactly the right term,but I get what you mean."
"Either way, we need to be careful," Renji added. "Who knows when the next test will drop."
"Yeah."
Leaving the library, we headed toward the dining hall.
But as we passed one of the corridors, I saw a rather unpleasant scene. A group of three of our classmates — clearly of noble origin — had someone cornered.
The victim was a chubby, brown-haired boy with square glasses, and the leader of the group was the favorite among the genius students of our class: Kano Sakamoto. His family was apparently tied to the Central and among the wealthiest in the Soul Society. At his sides stood two of his faithful henchmen. I didn't know their family names, but they were nobles as well.
By the way, Kano is my neighbor. His room is right next to mine. Purple hair, a strong build, and the kind of face girls would call handsome. He's popular with them, even though he doesn't even notice commoners.
And despite his disgusting attitude toward others, he really is an excellent student, and his pride isn't baseless. Kira, he, and I are the top three in our Class.
"Well? You're not going to be greedy, are you?" Kano asked the pale fat guy with a smirk. "Give it here."
"No!" the boy replied firmly. He was clearly terrified, sweating through his uniform, but he wasn't going to give in. "Everyone has to learn for themselves…"
"You!" Kano didn't even let him finish. He simply grabbed him by the chest and lifted him up. "Know your place, rabble! You're a commoner and have no right to refuse me!"
"No!" the trembling bespectacled boy repeated. I already liked him. Stubborn as hell, even though he knew he couldn't win.
"Then we'll take it ourselves!" Kano nodded toward the bag. His henchmen immediately lunged for it, but the bespectacled boy clung to it with a death grip.
It's time for me to intervene.
"How rude," I said calmly.
"Get out of here, filth!" Kano growled.
"I wouldn't dream of it, Mr. Second," I smiled.
He twitched — visibly. His eye even spasmed.
It really pisses him off that I outperform him in everything. Look at him baring his teeth. He even dropped the bespectacled boy, who collapsed to the floor, gasping for air.
One of the henchmen rushed at me, but it was ridiculously easy to dodge, and after he stumbled past, Renji's foot landed on his back, pinning him to the ground.
"Shall we go outside?" I suggested. Fighting inside Academy buildings is prohibited, even for nobles.
"You…" Kano growled. "We'll settle this in a duel. Kai-sensei will allow it, and there you will learn your place."
"You might learn yours too," I replied.
"Let's go," he barked at his followers and marched off toward the dormitory.
Looks like I'll have to deal with him. He's still an aristocrat, and they're trained before they even enter the Academy. So, I'm sure he knows at least the basics of Hakuda. I have real combat experience, but I still have no idea how well I'll fare against him. Hakuda basics start in a week — that should be fun.
"Get up," I said, offering my hand to the bespectacled boy. "You did well — didn't give up. I commend you."
"Thank you," he said, rising and adjusting his glasses. "My mother says you can't let bullies push you around. Once you give in, it's extremely hard to regain respect."
"Wise advice," I nodded. "If you had given up, I wouldn't have helped you."
"Why?" he asked, genuinely surprised.
"This world is cruel. Helping someone who doesn't want to stand on their own feet is pointless."
"Maybe. I'm Hiro — Oono Hiro," he introduced himself. Hmm. He seems like a simple guy, but he has a grand surname, at least one that sounds like noble.
"Oono… Right, I remember. You're the Titan who never fell asleep in Doe's class," I chuckled. The others immediately looked at our new acquaintance with newfound respect. How else can you describe someone who is capable of enduring all that and still taking notes?
"Heh, well… it's not that incredible," he muttered, embarrassed.
"No, it's really cool," Renji said. "Guys, let's go eat. I'm starving. We can talk with him there."
"Great idea," I agreed. "Let's go, Hiro."
"With you?" he asked, surprised.
"Yeah. So? You coming?" I asked, already walking away.
"Yes!" he said happily.
And that's how another strange character joined our group…