Chapter 2
Finally, class ended.
As students began packing their bags, Gwen turned around in her seat to face Leo.
"Hey, you're Leo, right? The new student?" she asked with a friendly smile.
Leo looked up, slightly surprised. "Yeah, that's me. Leo Azmith."
"I'm Gwen Stacy. Welcome to Midtown High," she said warmly. "How are you finding it so far?"
"It's... interesting," Leo replied with a small smile. "The school seems nice."
"If you need help with anything, just ask. I know being new can be tough," Gwen offered.
"Thanks, I appreciate it," Leo said sincerely.
Their conversation was cut short as students began filing out of the classroom.
---
The hallway was thick with the smell of floor wax. Peter Parker was hunched over his locker, trying to fish out his worn-out Physics binder, when a heavy hand slammed the locker shut, nearly catching his fingers.
"This person must be Flash Thompson, who often bullies Peter. Let's see," Leo thought to himself. He was present nearby and saw everything. He walked toward them.
"Move it, Parker. You're blocking the 'high-performance' lane," Flash Thompson sneered, flanked by his usual entourage. He shoved Peter hard, sending him stumbling back toward the row of lockers.
Before Peter could hit the metal, a hand caught him by the shoulder, steadying him. Leo stepped into the gap.
"Why are you bullying him?" Leo asked calmly.
Flash turned, looking annoyed. "Isn't this punk a new student?"
"New classmate stood against Flash!" whispers spread through the hallway. Many students gathered with interest.
"He looks a little handsome, but what's the use..." someone muttered.
Peter felt sympathetic for Leo. "Today, Flash found his new target," he thought sadly.
"Maybe I should introduce myself properly. My name is Leo Azmith. You can call me Leo. Do you understand?" Leo said firmly.
"Hahaha... What did you just say, punk?" Flash felt extremely annoyed.
"You're brave little punk. Dare to come with me?" Flash challenged.
"Leo, you shouldn't get involved with him. He often bullies people," Gwen said, trying to persuade him.
Leo still followed Flash outside to fight.
Such a decision shocked the whole class.
Gwen felt helpless and followed behind them.
Soon they arrived at the playground. Many people came to watch with excitement.
"Leo, you should give up..." Gwen said worriedly.
"Thanks, Gwen, but he needs to learn some manners," Leo replied.
"But..."
"What if I beat Flash? How about coffee together afterward?" Leo asked with confidence.
Seeing the confidence in Leo's tone, Gwen was surprised.
"Alright, as long as that coffee isn't in a hospital," Gwen said with concern.
Flash felt ignored by the two of them and suddenly shouted, "What are you doing there, chatting? Your opponent is here!"
Leo and Flash were about to fight, surrounded by a group of students.
In terms of body shape and appearance, Flash was tall and strong. Leo was similar in height but looked lean built, not too muscular.
People around them began to cheer for Flash, while Flash enjoyed the attention. "Punk, are you ready to fight?"
Leo looked directly into his eyes. "Let's start."
"Very well. I'll put you in your place."
Flash swung his fist toward Leo's lower chest.
Leo saw it coming from a mile away. He sidestepped smoothly, letting Flash's momentum carry him forward. Flash stumbled slightly, confused.
"What—"
Before Flash could finish, Leo moved in close. Using his boxing skills, he delivered a quick jab to Flash's ribs—not with his full super strength, but just enough to wind him.
Flash gasped and swung wildly again.
Leo ducked low, sweeping Flash's leg with a calculated kick. Flash lost his balance and crashed onto the ground hard.
The crowd gasped.
Flash scrambled to his feet, his face red with anger and embarrassment. He charged forward like a bull.
Leo waited calmly. At the last second, he pivoted, grabbed Flash's extended arm, and used his own momentum against him. With a smooth throw, Flash hit the ground again—this time even harder.
Flash groaned, struggling to get up. His breathing was heavy, his confidence shattered.
Leo stood over him, calm and composed. "Had enough?"
Flash clenched his fists but didn't get up. He had no strength left.
---
A look of disbelief flashed in Gwen's eyes. "He actually did it."
Peter also felt envious of Leo. "If I was also this strong as Leo, I could be with Mary Jane," he thought sadly.
Mary Jane also felt relieved. "Maybe he can help me get rid of Flash," she hoped.
Flash felt humiliated and angry, but he didn't have the strength left to fight.
"I lost!" Flash admitted, breathing heavily.
"Remember not to bully others anymore. Otherwise, I'll beat you again," Leo warned him.
Flash felt overwhelmed by Leo's calm demeanor.
"I promise. I won't cause trouble again," Flash muttered.
---
The commotion wasn't small. It attracted a teacher's attention.
A teacher appeared in the distance, but students quickly scattered in different directions.
Leo turned to Gwen. "Hey, Gwen, do you have time for coffee together after school?"
After this incident, her affection for Leo had increased.
Gwen smiled. "Yes."
The two walked back to the classroom together.
---
After class, Leo packed his bag and waited to have coffee with Gwen.
He thought to himself, "Studies here are really easy."
Leo and Gwen walked toward the school gate together.
They chatted along the way to the coffee shop.
They found a table, sat down, and continued chatting.
"You're good at studies, handsome, and strong. You must have been very popular at your previous school, right?" Gwen asked with curiosity.
"It's okay, but I've never been in a relationship with anyone before," Leo replied honestly.
"Really?"
"There were always studies. I never got a chance to fall in love," Leo said.
They continued to talk on different topics, laughing and enjoying each other's company.
Suddenly, the door of the coffee shop opened, and two girls entered inside.
Their eyes caught Leo and Gwen sitting together.
Betty immediately said, "Hi, Gwen!"
Mary Jane smiled. "Classmate Leo, do you two mind if we sit here?"
"Definitely not," Leo said warmly.
Mary Jane and Betty sat down on both sides, facing each other.
Leo smiled. "Well, this is unexpected. Two more beautiful ladies joining us. I must be really lucky today."
Betty laughed. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?"
"I'm just being honest," Leo said with a grin. "It's not every day I get to have coffee with three amazing girls."
Mary Jane blushed slightly. "You really know how to make people feel good."
The atmosphere returned to normal. They chatted and laughed together.
After a while, Mary Jane's expression became serious. "Classmate Leo, I need your favor."
Leo felt surprised, wondering why she needed help.
Gwen also looked surprised.
"I'll definitely help if I can," Leo said.
Mary Jane was always straightforward. "It's because of Flash. He's still pursuing me. I've rejected him multiple times, but he won't give up. I need your help. Can you pretend to be my boyfriend? I'm sure he'll definitely give up then."
She paused. "I know it's a strange request, but I only found this way to deal with him."
Betty supported her. "If Leo helps Mary Jane, Flash will definitely give up."
Pretend to be the boyfriend of Mary Jane?
Leo was sure this pretending relationship might eventually come true. But there was someone else on his mind.
"Mary Jane, I don't think anyone would refuse a beauty like you," Leo said gently.
"It's just that the person I like is Gwen, and I planned to pursue her. And I don't want her to misunderstand something."
Leo's words shocked all three of them.
Betty and Mary Jane turned their heads toward Gwen, who looked embarrassed.
Although she also had a little liking for Leo, it wasn't to that point yet.
Gwen's face turned red. "Well... I don't mind. Mary Jane is my friend too. She needs help."
Hearing this, Leo had nothing more to say.
"I have no objection if Gwen won't misunderstand," Leo agreed.
Mary Jane was a little envious but remained calm on the surface.
"Thank you, Leo," she said sincerely.
"Actually, this won't take too long. Just until graduation."
"If you want to pursue Gwen, I can even help you," Mary Jane offered with a smile.
Gwen showed surprise. "You're my friend. Are you serious?"
"Leo is excellent, isn't he? If I got a chance, I'd never miss it," Mary Jane said honestly.
They continued chatting. Two hours passed quickly.
Betty looked at the time. "I'm sorry, I'm getting late. I have to go home."
Leo also said, "It's getting late. Let's go. I'm also happy to meet three beauties at coffee today."
The four of them left the coffee shop. Because they lived in different places, they went in different directions.
As they left, Betty, Mary Jane, and Gwen took the lead and said goodbye, then turned and left gracefully.
Leo also turned and left.
---
Leo walked toward his home, taking a shortcut through a quiet street.
After a while, he heard sounds a few meters away.
"Hand over the money and valuables. Hurry up! Don't force me to do something!" a harsh voice demanded.
"Okay, I'll give it all to you. Please don't hurt me," a woman's frightened voice replied.
Leo ran toward the next street.
"Hurry up! Don't stall!" In a small alley, three young men wearing hoodies were carrying out a robbery together.
"Take off that necklace from your neck," one young man demanded.
"No, don't do that! I'll give you all the money, but this necklace was a gift from my husband," the woman pleaded.
"Ah—" Before she could say more, a young man grabbed her necklace. Just as he was about to snatch it, a voice sounded behind them.
"Hey, do you need my help?"
The thugs turned around.
"Don't bother us, kid. Leave immediately," one snarled.
"Why should I leave?" Leo asked calmly.
"Because of this." The young man drew out his gun, aiming the black muzzle at Leo.
"You better put away that gun," Leo said firmly.
"What if I don't?" the young man sneered.
"Motherf****r, if you leave now, you still have a chance to survive," the burly man said threateningly.
"And I also warn you—if you leave after putting the robbed things here, I'll let you go," Leo said evenly.
"Hahaha..." Suddenly, all of them started to laugh loudly.
The strong man among them attacked Leo without warning, swinging a heavy fist.
Leo sidestepped effortlessly. The man's fist hit nothing but air.
Before the thug could react, Leo grabbed his wrist and twisted it sharply. The man screamed in pain and dropped to his knees.
The second thug charged with a knife.
Leo moved like water—fast and fluid. He caught the knife hand, struck the thug's elbow with precision, and the knife clattered to the ground. A quick punch to the stomach, and the second thug collapsed, gasping for air.
The third thug, the one with the gun, raised it shakily.
Leo was faster. He closed the distance in a blink, knocked the gun from the thug's hand with a precise strike, and followed up with a punch to the jaw. The thug crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
The entire fight lasted less than ten seconds.
The woman stood frozen, eyes wide with shock and relief.
Leo picked up the stolen items and handed them to her. "This is your stuff. Put it away."
"Thank you so much! God bless you!" the woman said excitedly and left quickly.
"Well, you guys wait here," Leo said to the groaning thugs.
He pulled out his phone and called the police. "Hello, is this the police? Note the address." He gave the location.
After the police arrived, he handed over the thugs and went to the police station with them to give his statement. He returned home late at night.
---
After Leo returned to his house, he took a bath and lay down on the bed.
He stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had happened today.
"A new life, new abilities, and now... new complications," he thought with a little smile.
---