He had disappeared into one of the inner rooms.
After finishing his prayer, Aybar searched for Nikita and turned his attention to one particular room. Peeking inside, he saw a beautiful girl with white hair and red eyes sitting there—but there were tears in her eyes. Aybar realized from her clothes that this girl was Nikita (Maria).
When Maria was little, her parents loved not her, but her older brother. Maria received very little attention. However, Alexey knew how talented and wonderful his little sister was, so he supported her completely and gave her all his love.
Her parents believed that "a boy will grow stronger and conquer greater heights than a girl." They weren't particularly happy that she was a daughter. Later, Maria's parents disappeared. Alexey then moved to this village with her. They created a new home and forged fake documents claiming they had guardians under the names of their missing parents.
After that, Maria made a promise to her parents: "I will prove it. I will show that a girl can achieve many great things." Her brother said he would always support her.
So first Alexey started going to school. He taught Maria everything he learned and brought her piles of books like mountains. Because Maria had an incredible memory, she learned and mastered things easily. In one word—she was a genius.
But one day Alexey saw the newly arrived boy, Aybar. That very same day he had planned to enroll Maria in school starting the next morning. However, he became wary of Aybar's unbelievable abilities and told his sister about it.
When Maria heard how amazing Aybar was, she decided she would defeat him and reach her goal. But Alexey refused and kept delaying her enrollment in school. He wanted to observe Aybar for a while longer.
Yet after Alexey postponed it too many times, Maria secretly contacted the school without her brother's permission. When Alexey found out what she had done, he didn't get angry. Instead, he said he would personally hand in the documents, explain everything to the principal and teachers, and keep her secret.
With tears in her eyes, Maria quietly whispered while looking at the photo of her parents:
"I will defeat him no matter what… I will prove that girls can achieve so much."
Aybar watched this scene. Besides anger, he felt a strange new emotion for the first time. His face flushed red, and without realizing it, he bumped into a flower vase.
The sound of the vase breaking startled Maria. She quickly began restoring her disguise.
Aybar thought to himself: "Damn… Usually my reactions are lightning-fast. Why did I fail at such a moment?"
Maria finished fixing her disguise as fast as she could and stepped out—seeing Aybar right there.Maria stepped out of the room and looked at Aybar.
"What are you doing here…? If you had waited or called me, I would have come out," she snapped at him.
Aybar: "I… I just needed to use the bathroom."
Maria: "Ah… right, the bathroom is over there."
Aybar: "Thanks," he said and started to walk away.
Maria: "Wait… you didn't… um… spy on me or see inside the room, right…?"
Aybar: "Hmm… the room? No, I didn't even know which room you were in. I was just looking for the bathroom. Is there something in the room or what?"
Maria: "No… nothing. Go ahead to the bathroom."
Aybar: "Yeah… I'm in a hurry," he said quickly and slipped inside.
Maria (to herself): "Thank God, he didn't see. Phew…"
Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Aybar's face was flushed red.
"What is this feeling… so strangely pleasant, yet so awkward at the same time," he muttered to himself. He left the bathroom, said a quick goodbye to Maria, mumbled that he was in a rush, and hurried out of the house.
On the way home, Aybar walked deep in thought.
Aybar (to himself): "Why don't I just deliberately admit defeat to her and let her become The Law Keeper? No matter what, tomorrow everything will be decided."
Dawn came.
As usual, Aybar and Maria arrived early to clean the classroom.
Aybar: "Today the weekly 'Excellent Student' list comes out. You still have hope of beating me, right?"
Maria gave an angry smile: "Of course."
And so the test for the week's top student began. It included questions from every subject taught that day.
By the start of the fourth period, the results were posted on the school's honor board for top students. During the break, everyone rushed to look.
(There were 10 places in total.)
3rd place: Symbat
2nd place: Aybar
1st place: Nikita (Maria)
Everyone was in complete shock. Since Aybar had arrived, no one—not even Symbat—had ever taken first place.
Maria: "Hahaha… ha ha ha! You were the one who challenged me to take first place. Today is not your day. And it won't be from now on either. As long as I'm here, I won't let you be number one," she smirked triumphantly.
Aybar, on the other hand, clenched his jaw, and a red aura began to radiate from him. He glared at Maria with visible anger.
Maria felt a slight chill but still said:
"You can scare everyone else… but you can't scare me."
Yet inside she thought: "What a terrifying red aura…"
Classes continued until the end of the day. As everyone was getting ready to leave, the school president announced that there would be a mandatory assembly in the events hall.
The meeting began.
Aybar stepped onto the stage and said it would only take a short time.
Aybar began his speech:
"Those who want to defeat me, those who don't want me as The Law Keeper, those who want to take my place as The Law Keeper—I know you're out there."
The cold, composed look on Aybar's face made everyone in the hall freeze in fear.
Aybar: "If you're brave enough, come forward. Prove that you can beat me and that you can be a better leader for this school. I know there are many among you who think you can. Come on—step up. Let's see what you're capable of…"
After that, those who had been eager to become The Law Keeper and those who disliked Aybar sat frozen in their seats, too afraid to make a sound.
Aybar's eyes glowed bright red as he scanned the room. Then he locked onto one person and called out:
"Nikita…"
"Come here… You wanted to defeat me all along, didn't you…? Or are you scared now?"Maria (to herself): Bastard…
She stepped up onto the stage.
Aybar addressed the crowd:
"Don't think I don't know you're out there—those who dislike me, those who want to take my place as The Law Keeper. If you're so brave, come forward!"
No one dared move.
Symbat (whispering to himself):
"Hm… Of course I want to be The Law Keeper. But Aybar is a better Law Keeper than I could ever be. I'm okay with that."
Aybar:
"Fine… No one's stepping up, huh? Then let's get started…"
He turned and fixed a terrifying gaze on Nikita.
Nikita was afraid, but he gathered his courage and stood ready to defend himself.
Whispers spread through the hall:
"This is too much for the new kid…"
"He's just a boy…"
"For the first time, I actually feel sorry for someone…"
Aybar shouted:
"Quiet!"
The entire hall fell silent in an instant.
Aybar slowly approached Nikita.
Nikita squeezed his eyes shut in fear for a second, then forced them open with determination. By then, Aybar was standing right in front of him.
Without saying a word, Aybar unfastened the cloak on his back that read "The Law Keeper" and gently placed it over Nikita's shoulders.
The whole auditorium was stunned.
Aybar:
"From this moment on… you are The Law Keeper. You're the only one capable of taking my place, Nikita."
Students began whispering again:
"No way…"
"How is this possible…"
One of Aybar's fans stood up:
"Law Keeper, what is this?! He's not worthy of your position! There are so many others who would be far better. Especially him—he's your enemy! I don't accept this!"
Aybar:
"Really? You think he's not worthy? Then tell me… Why didn't any of the rest of you have the courage to step forward and face me? Why couldn't you come up to my face and say: 'I disagree, I want to be The Law Keeper in your place'?
A Law Keeper must be brave—someone who can make their words carry weight. For Nikita, that's nothing.
And in this school—no, in the entire world—is there anyone who can actually stand against me? Even with weapons, even intellectually—who here has even the slightest chance of matching me? Name one person in this school!"
The fan shrank back and fell silent in fear.
Aybar:
"Oh, right… Has anyone here ever beaten me even once in a fair contest? No?
Well, he has—three times now, including today. He proved it.
Moreover, among all of you, I consider him the fairest. And I trust him.
As for me… I'm finally going to rest. I was getting pretty tired anyway. My responsibilities have been piling up over my head."
Aybar turned to Nikita:
"Congratulations, Nikita."
He shook his hand in congratulations.
This had been Nikita's (Maria's) goal all along—to reach the rank of The Law Keeper, currently the highest and most prestigious position in the school.
Aybar handed the microphone to Nikita, giving him the floor, then leaned in and whispered so only he could hear:
"I admit defeat… to you."
The assembly ended. Everyone went home.
Maria burst into the house, ran to her brother, hugged him tightly and shouted with joy:
"Did you see?! I beat him!"
Alexey had been at the assembly too. He was thrilled for her—and at the same time, he began to respect Aybar even more for gracefully accepting defeat and acknowledging his little sister.
Meanwhile, Aybar walked home, lost in a bit of daydreaming and fantasy.
What was I even thinking…?
He gathered himself, entered the house, and the rest of the day passed as usual.The next morning, Aybar and Maria arrived early and, as usual, began organizing the classroom.
Aybar spoke quietly to Nikita (Maria):
"Not many people acknowledge you yet. Be careful. If you want, I can stay by your side as your assistant."
Maria refused without a second thought.
Aybar frowned.
"Yes, you're skilled with weapons. But this school is full of scum. They can deceive you, set traps, lure you somewhere, and use force. And you… in unarmed combat, you're weak."
Maria scoffed.
"Hah… what are you trying to say? I've mastered seven martial arts."
Aybar sighed.
"Even so… if you ever need help, tell me. Especially if someone asks you to go somewhere—don't forget to warn me."
Maria, clearly uninterested, replied just to end the conversation:
"Alright."
During the second bell, those who opposed Nikita (Maria) gathered and began plotting.
When the third bell rang, Maria stepped out into the hallway. Aybar remained in the classroom, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a boy ran up to Nikita (Maria).
"The Law Keeper! There's going to be a fight between two classes down the hall. Please stop it!"
Maria remembered Aybar's warning—but the boy rushed her, insisting there was no time and that they might kill each other.
Concerned, Maria agreed and followed the younger student.
Meanwhile, Aybar stood up to clear his head and walked toward the window for some air. As he glanced outside, he noticed them.
They were heading toward the school's large warehouse.
Aybar's expression hardened. Without a word, he began heading down the stairs.
Maria entered the warehouse and stepped into the center of a tightly packed crowd forming a circle. Believing a fight was already underway, she moved forward to break it up.
The moment she stepped in, someone struck her from behind with a bat.
Her vision spun. She lost her balance and collapsed to the ground. The scum seized the opportunity, kicking her violently in the side. They didn't allow her to stand back up.
From within the crowd, Meirzhan stepped forward and began unzipping his pants.
"No…" Maria whispered, turning her face away.
Meirzhan began relieving himself directly over her.
"No…" she said again, refusing to look at him.
Meirzhan smirked.
"Hm… you're not even that ugly. So why shouldn't we rape you? That way you'll learn your place. You could even become our favorite sex doll… oh—our precious Law Keeper."
He burst into cruel laughter.
Suddenly, the warehouse door slammed open.
"What is going on here…?"
The voice was unmistakable.
Everyone froze.
Aybar stepped inside, his eyes burning with rage.
"What is going on here?!" he roared.
The scum immediately panicked, lowering their heads and begging for forgiveness. They parted instinctively, clearing a path.
Aybar walked straight toward Maria.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes… I'm fine… just my clothes—"
She couldn't finish her sentence.
Aybar exploded.
"I told you. I told you to warn me. Damn it… fine. We'll fix this now."
A terrifying, monstrous red aura erupted from Aybar's body, filling the warehouse with pressure and fear. Everyone trembled—even Maria, who stared at him in disbelief.
"What… is this…?" she whispered.
Aybar turned his gaze to Meirzhan.
"Give me the bat."
Trembling, Meirzhan handed it over.
"I'm sorry… I—"
He never finished.
Aybar slammed him face-first into the wall. Blood poured from Meirzhan's nose and mouth. Without mercy, Aybar smashed him against the wall again and again.
The others whispered in terror:
"This is what I was afraid of… I warned you. This is all your fault. Don't move—if you do, he won't spare you either."
Aybar finally released Meirzhan. His face was completely soaked in blood.
Then Aybar raised the bat—
—and began beating him without restraint.Meirzhan broke down in tears, begging desperately and apologizing over and over again.
Seeing this, Maria felt pity for him. She turned to Aybar and asked him to forgive Meirzhan and let him go.
Aybar's eyes burned cold.
"He hasn't even apologized to you yet."
With that, he continued beating him.
Only when Meirzhan was on the verge of losing consciousness did Aybar finally stop. Meirzhan could barely move.
Aybar turned his gaze to the others.
"So this is what you do when no one speaks up? You think you can do whatever you want?"
He sneered.
"You've been missing the taste of my bat, haven't you?"
Maria stepped forward.
"At least hit him with your hands… not with a weapon."
The scum suddenly began crying in terror.
"No—no! It's the opposite! He's being merciful by using the bat! His hands are worse…!"
Maria shouted at Aybar to stop.
Aybar shook his head.
"No… people like this don't deserve mercy."
He stopped striking Meirzhan, then raised the blood-soaked bat and looked around.
"Who's next?"
He placed the bat against Meirzhan's body and continued coldly:
"This is the one who dirtied Nikita… the one who wanted to turn her into a sex toy—"
Before he could finish, Maria stepped forward and slapped Aybar across the face.
Smack.
Everyone froze in shock.
Aybar turned to look at Maria, stunned.
Because for the first time in his life—
Aybar had been slapped across the face.