"Geisler? Are you a Geisler? You don't look like a Geisler, you look like a slave!"
Jonas found himself surrounded by five fellow young Mages who wore similar uniforms. The one who talked down on him had his arms crossed, chin up, and looked terribly smug. He recalled his name was Alexios.
"Yeah! Tell him, Alexios!"
The group started to cheer for Alexios, who had his guts out. The buttons of his shirt were near to breach.
Jonas stood there sheepishly, not knowing what to do. Before, he would let Adolf bully him into submission. Now that he is free, he doesn't know what to do with his peers and their attempt at banter.
The Imperial Academy is infested with young Mages like Alexios. Children of aristocratic nobles and freeborn bureaucrats. Jonas thought, if Adolf were here, he'd be friends with this kid.
This is not Jonas's first encounter with bullies, and it wasn't his first time in school either. In his past life, he attended a public school and knows how to navigate this swamp of bloodsuckers.
But it was a long time ago. Too long. Plus the fifteen years of being a slave. The only interaction he had before was with fellow slaves and other poor people back home.
Yet, Jonas thought he must make a good impression, one that could last, but nothing too memorable. He wanted to blend in, hide his secrets, and survive another day for his parents.
"How do you do, fellow kids?" Jonas stuttered.
The young mages stared at him unimpressed. Alexios smirked and looked over his shoulder, his finger pointed at Jonas.
"This kid is a loser!" Alexios laughed, and his posse followed.
Jonas could only chuckle. His posture slumped and weak. He waited for them to finish.
As soon as their laughter faded, Alexios quickly grabbed Jonas by the collar.
"Listen here, Geisler," Alexios had his face near Jonas, "My name is Alexios Komnenos. My family is from the east, the Blood Mage did a lot of nasty stuff back there, and even though our parents have forgotten about it, we lost a lot of good people, and I will never forgive him, and I will not go easy on anyone related to him!"
Komnenos? Is he related to the High Lord of Lygos province? Why is he picking on me?! Jonas thought.
"What are you talking about?" Jonas asked. When it came to the exploit of the great Hans Geisler, he found himself genuinely clueless, since all his life he had known him only as the abusive master of the household.
"Oh, you think you're smart, huh?" Alexios grinned and raised his fist. "Let's see how tough you are!"
"I seriously don't!" Jonas winced and braced himself.
"The Blood Mage was involved in the Antioch Disaster. He murdered and pillaged just to survive the siege!"
"Why are you taking it all out on me?"
Alexios immediately dropped Jonas on the floor, "Remember this, Geisler. I will bring justice to my people and put a Geisler behind bars!"
Jonas gulped, "But I had nothing to do with it!"
Alexios kicked Jonas in the stomach. His entourage cheered him on. "It doesn't matter. I hate your family. Let the whole Empire know that Alexios Komnenos declared you as my rival!"
Rival? This kid's crazy! School hasn't started yet, and he's already looking for drama! Jonas said to himself.
Jonas stood up, and he staggered as he did so. But he faced Alexios and looked him in the eyes. Alexios was ready for him, and the young mages behind him stepped away to watch the two fight.
"Look, I don't want to fight you," Jonas said. Much to the spectator's dismay.
"Well, tough shit, Geisler! You must defend your honor!" Alexios pumped his arms and assumed a stance.
"For what it's worth, Hans Geisler is dead, and his House died with him. His legacy merely survived!"
"His legacy is his atrocities. I bet whoever did that destruction in Vechta was just trying to exact their revenge on the Blood Mage. He had it coming! Now fight me, coward! Status check!"
"Huh?"
—
[ Mage: Jonas Geisler ]
[ Specialization: None ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Affinity: Atomic ]
[ Level: 4 ]
[ Intelligence: 1 ]
[ Strength: 1 ]
[ Constitution: 1 ]
[ Dexterity: 1 ]
—
"Ha! Level 4? Pathetic. When I was awakened, I was level 10!" Alexios shouted. The cheers behind him grew loud. "First Refinement." he cast a spell.
"Uh, status check," Jonas said weakly.
—
[ Mage: Alexios Komnenos ]
[ Specialization: None ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Affinity: Hyperpyron ]
[ Level: 10 ]
[ Intelligence: 10 ]
[ Strength: 1 ]
[ Constitution: 1 ]
[ Dexterity: 1 ]
—
"You can use your attributes?" Jonas asked, his thoughts absent, and he didn't have time to avoid the punch Alexios sent his way. He stumbled a few steps back.
"Yeah, stupid. I noticed you didn't do anything with your freebie," Alexios approached with his knuckles covered in gold plates. It appeared like sharp gold nuggets that protrude from his skin.
"I don't know how," Jonas wiped the blood that trickled down his nose.
"Pathetic. I was expecting more."
"Wait, wait! Your spell gives you a buff?"
"Why do you care? The Hyperpyron is my family's affinity. It covers its user in gold, but I use it differently. With a plus in intelligence, I can beat the living shit out of anyone! I haven't mastered it yet, but once I get the spellbooks I need in the Holy Land vaults, I'll be more powerful than the Blood Mage!"
Jonas let out an exasperated sigh, "Hans Geisler is dead!"
"And you're next!" Alexios skipped forward swiftly, his fist pulled back, ready to strike Jonas.
Jonas covered his face with his arms. He thought about whether to cast his own spell. But the punch didn't come through.
The cheers stopped, and what followed was only terrified gasps.
Jonas peeked his eyes out and saw Lord Stein. Alexios and his fist were stopped by the noble's palms.
"Kids, I think it's time for your first class! Indeed, run along now." Lord Stein gently released Alexios and patted him on the head.
Alexios and his crew bowed and ran away. He looked back and shot Jonas a scornful grimace.
Why are they that scared? Jonas asked himself, And why is he that mad at me?
"You too, young Geisler." Lord Stein said.
Jonas glanced, and he saw Lord Stein idly smile at him. It was innocent and harmless, but there was a heavy aura that triggered his instincts to run away.
He wanted to cast a status check on Lord Stein, but Jonas hesitated. In the end, he bowed and ran as fast as he could.
Lord Stein sighed. He slouched, "Kids."