Madison Montgomery didn't believe in empty threats. She believed in immediate action.
She raised her hand and delivered a slap that echoed through the hallway.
Crack!
Lily stumbled back, clutching her stinging cheek. She stared at Madison—who looked as calm as a summer breeze—with a mix of shock and fury.
Rollin watched from the sidelines, grinning. As expected of the Supreme Bitch. High-level gameplay.
He had no intention of stopping her. First, Madison wouldn't lose; she was a witch, and an awakened one at that. Second, he enjoyed watching catfights.
Lily was shaking with rage, but one look at Rollin's imposing frame kept her frozen. She didn't dare retaliate.
But her boyfriend, Sean, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally stormed over, bristling with indignation.
"Hey! You can't just hit people!"
Sean stepped in front of Lily, pointing an accusing finger directly at Rollin's face.
Rollin's brow furrowed. "I hate it when people point at me."
Sean glared, refusing to back down. Instead, he took a step forward, invading Rollin's personal space. "Fuck you. Who do you think you a—"
Before the sentence could finish, Sean felt his right arm vanish into a vice grip. An immense, crushing pressure clamped down on his forearm. It felt like his bones were grinding against each other.
"Oh, god! No!"
Rollin squeezed. Sean's knees buckled. Cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead. He frantically used his other hand to pry at Rollin's fingers, but it was like trying to bend solid steel.
The bystanders watched in stunned silence.
Rollin was fit, sure, but Sean was 6'1" and athletic. Physically, they shouldn't be worlds apart. Yet in Rollin's grip, Sean looked as fragile as a porcelain doll.
"My hand... ah! Let go! You're breaking my arm!"
Tears streamed down Sean's face. Rollin finally released his grip, shoving Sean back with zero sincerity.
"My bad. I don't know my own strength sometimes. When I get emotional, I lose control."
Rollin patted Sean's shoulder—hard. "Next life... I mean, next time, be careful."
He signaled Madison to leave. As they passed the trembling Maria, Rollin flashed a warm smile.
"Maria. Walk with us?"
Maria looked at the sobbing Lily and Sean, then back at Rollin. Part of her wanted to apologize to Lily, but seeing Rollin's genuine smile, her body moved on its own. She nodded.
The crowd of students parted like the Red Sea. They looked at the trio as if they were seeing ghosts.
Maria scurried behind Rollin like a lost puppy. She felt the heavy gaze of the crowd. She knew they were looking at Rollin, but she couldn't help her thoughts from wandering.
Did Rollin... do that for me?
She quickly shook her head. No. He was defending his other friend. He just beat up my 'best friend' and her boyfriend.
Should I be angry? Even a little?
But a darker, sweeter thought crept in: If I were Rollin's girlfriend... no one would ever dare bully me again.
Her fantasy was cut short by a sharp, mocking voice.
Maria froze. She recognized the voice instantly. It was Mike, the school bully, flanked by his two lackeys.
"Yo, isn't that Maria? Tsk. Found some new 'friends,' huh? And look, it's a yellow mon—"
Mike was prepared to deliver his usual racial slur and mockery. Rollin didn't let him finish.
Rollin didn't speak. He simply kicked.
THUD!
Mike flew three meters backward, landing hard on the linoleum floor, gasping for air.
His two goons exchanged a glance, nodded, and rushed Rollin simultaneously.
Madison's eyes narrowed. She prepared to flick her wrist and use her telekinesis.
But before she could cast, Rollin moved. Slap. Slap. It was casual, dismissive—like swatting flies. The two lackeys hit the ground instantly.
Rollin walked over to Mike. Under the bully's terrified gaze, he grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off the ground with one hand.
Mike's face turned purple as he clawed uselessly at the iron arm holding him aloft.
"I don't know who you are," Rollin whispered, his voice dangerously calm. "And I don't care."
"But remember this—"
"If I see you, or hear about you, disrespecting Maria ever again..."
Rollin leaned in close, his voice dropping to a murmur only Mike could hear. "I promise you, I will shove your head so far up your own ass you'll be able to chew your dinner twice."
"Trust me. I keep my promises."
Rollin released his grip. Mike slid to the floor like a wet noodle. He was furious, humiliated, but paralyzed by fear. He couldn't even muster a comeback.
His two lackeys stared at him with weird expressions, deepening his humiliation.
As Rollin walked away, Mike clenched his fists. Trembling, he reached into his bag and pulled out a heavy glass bottle, glaring at Rollin's exposed back.
Suddenly, without turning around, Rollin stopped and glanced back over his shoulder. His eyes were cold, dead.
CLANG!
Mike flinched violently. The bottle slipped from his sweaty hands and shattered on the floor.
Shattered along with his courage.
"M... Monster!"
In the crowd, a raven-haired beauty watched Rollin's retreating figure, her eyes shimmering with interest.
Oh my god. He is so hot.
He has to be the strongest guy in school.
I need him.
Maria followed Rollin and Madison to the parking lot. They stopped in front of a sleek car.
Madison, despite being a C-list celebrity, had burned through her earnings on a nice ride. In the US, a learner's permit at 16 and a full license at 17 meant freedom.
Madison slid into the driver's seat and revved the engine. She put on her sunglasses, looking impossibly cool. "Maria, where do you live?"
Maria gave her address, staring at Madison with envy.
That's what I want to be.
She wanted a car. She didn't want to squeeze onto the school bus, forced to endure the mockery and isolation. She had asked her father for a car for her 17th birthday.
Her father was a famous plastic surgeon. A car was pocket change to him. He just didn't care enough to buy one.
"Um... thank you," Maria whispered, turning to the boy next to her. She fought back the urge to cry.
"Don't worry about it," Rollin waved his hand dismissively. "And honestly, drop that Lily girl. From now on, I'm your friend."
"If you have any problems, come find me."
"Friend..."
Maria repeated the word. A small, hopeful smile touched her lips. "Really? I mean... a messed-up girl like me? Can I be your... friend?"
"Of course. Don't sell yourself short. You're great," Rollin smiled at her. "From today on, you're my friend."
Maria stared at him for a long moment before nodding vigorously. "Okay. From today on, you are my best friend!"
[System Alert: Anomaly Target 'Maria' Registered.]
[Reward: +500 Anomaly Points.]
[Map Editor Upgraded to Version 1.5.]
[New Features Unlocked: Visual Effects (VFX), Friend-or-Foe Identification.]
[Current Anomaly Points: 0/600.]