Chapter 6:
"Get ready for school kids!" Kevin's chain of thought was broken by his mother's shout. He had to change his plans of training and get ready for school. The aroma of his mother's morning breakfast wafted into his room as he finish dressing, he quickly headed towards the dining room. As he began to eat Clarissa came out and greeted him, "morning big brother", a beautiful smile grace her face. Their mother interjected, "is it only your brother you see?", "morning to you to mother, thanks for the breakfast." Mrs. Lu smiled as she watched the kids enjoyed there breakfast. After finishing their breakfast, they left the house for school and on the way, they joined Leroy, Nathan, and Clarissa's two friends on their journey to school. As the bus stopped the school entrance while students were exiting, a shrill scream echoed from the back of the bus, it was Clair, one of the school's beauty, she was being accosted by a mugger. The students stood outside the gate frozen in fear, no one was brave enough to step in and help.
Kevin, was two minded on whether to help, on one hand it would be an ease to take down the assailant, on the other he could expose himself to the people from last night. He decided to hurry to the guard booth to find the guards, but they were nowhere to be found. The situation was spiralling out of control, Clair was being dragged as she held on to her bag. Kevin quickly rushed up to the assailant and with a powerful kick the assailant was sent approximately 20 metres before landing. Kevin had forgotten to control his power. The powerful kick had onlookers dumbfounded, Kevin however didn't see it as a priority. He just turned to Clair, picked her up off the ground, dusted her clothes off with a rag he had in his back pocket and asked if she was ok. The obviously dazed Clair took a while then replied with a subtle, "I am ok." Kevin took it upon himself to escort Clair to the school's Sick Bay for a few minor bruises he noticed on her legs.
While being escorted to the school's Sick Bay Clair kept her head down the entire journey, only looking periodically to capture the view of her saviours, profile. Clair had a very reserved, shy temperament even though being one of the school most promising students, she could also be considered to rival Kelly's beauty as well as she also came from a very wealthy family. Clair was set to have a bright future. At the school Sick Bay Kevin handed her over to the Nurse, explained what had happen and said bye to Clair. Clair, again replied softly "thank you," her head still bent, the sound of her voice muffled in her throat. Kevin the turned on his heels and made his way towards his classroom. As he passed by the bleachers he saw Leroy, and Nathan waiting for him to go to class. Nathan said, "Kevin, man that was awesome! Where did you learn those skills? It was like straight out of are action movie, you got to teach us!" Kevin replied, "Once you guys are willing to learn I will be your teacher."
Entering class the roll was being called by Mr Ford, everyone took to their seats and answered present to their names. Kevin was seated next to Kelly. Mr. Ford began his class lecture promptly after the roll call, Kevin who would normally daze off during lectures paid full attention. Mr. Ford took a keen notice to this as well, he was the class lecturer for quite some time and was astonished by Kevin's focus and attention. Kevin who normally seemed very absent minded at class was fully engrossed, but what they didn't know was the energy given by the 'Orb of Memories,' had changed his physical and mental state, to the point, where class room lectures was a breeze for Kevin. He also answered many questions and paid no attention to all the weird gazes his classmates were giving him. As class was coming to the end, Mr Ford reminded the students that there was only two weeks left before the Higher Education Entrance Examination. "Remember to keep up with your studies", Mr. Ford reminded.
The Higher Education Entrance Examination was significant to the Principal and the Teachers of the schools in the entire Jiangxi Province. That was because the school with the most First Tier Universities, that Principal would receive an award for being the top school, bragging rights for the year and also receive the most State Funding for that year. The competition was stiff. Wang Xian High School was not one of the top High Schools in the Jiangxi Province, most years they will placed third or fourth in the Province having less kids interested in joining their school. This year though, they had a good group of students and was hoping to clench the top spot. This would boost their school's reputation and make many younger ones want to enlist. With Mr. Ford's reminder etched in their heads, the bell rang ending class. The students had two weeks left until exams. Kevin and his friends exited the classroom and hurried to the bleachers to wait on Clarissa and her friends to head home. While waiting at the bleachers faith seemed to have charted its course; Garvin and his crew of lackeys were following Clair, as she walked towards the bleachers to meet up with her friends as well.
Garvin and his lackeys didn't seemed to sense the dangerous situation they were in, as they hurled insulting and lewd comments towards Clair. Clair, still shaken from the day's earlier incident with the mugger, felt very afraid and anxious. She frantically scanned the crowd searching for someone she knew, raising her head, her eyes connected with a familiar silhouette. She quickly scurried across and stood next to him, with her head hung she whispered, "Hi". Kevin was hyper focused and couldn't process Clair's greeting; his eyes were fix on Garvin and his minions, his anger mounted as remembered what they had did. He had to get some form of repatriation. He could have died at the end of their hands, if not for the mysterious and miraculous, "Orb of Memories," he found. Garvin and his lackeys were thunderstruck. The moment their eyes met, electricity and sparks of hatred filled the air. Garvin felt more rage seeing Kevin, he had already celebrated his revenge victory with his cousin Lin. He spent a good amount of his tax collection money on Lin for his help, only to have Kevin standing in front of him safe and sound as if nothing had ever happen.
"Kevin, it seems you have a nag for saving the damsel in distress," Garvin said, through gritted teeth. Kevin smirked, then taunted, "long time no see, seems you really miss me," he chuckled. The onlookers felt nothing was out of sorts, everyone carried on around them as usual. Clair and Kelly were worried, Kelly came from class to the bleachers with Kevin and his friends Leroy and Nathan. Kelly noticed the suffocating tensions between Kevin and Garvin, she knew about their earlier run-ins and felt that the situation was about to explode. Kelly stepped forward, "Garvin if you know what's good for you take your lackeys and get away from here," Garvin sneered, "Kelly who do you think you are, ordering around me and my crew!" Kelly replied, "It was just a suggestion Garvin, you knew what took place previously when you faced Kevin, I'm offering you an out, since you don't appreciate my kindness then proceed." Offering me an out?" Garvin scuffed, "Kevin, is in no shape to face us now, all he could hope is to make it out alive again!" Garvin taught that Kevin, may have been hiding his injuries well, from the previous beating he had received when they ambushed him on his way home from the river. Little did Garvin know his scheme was both a blessing and a curse, he unknowingly helped in Kevin transformation, and changed his life trajectory.
"Attack," Garvin shouted, to his lackeys. Clair who was at Kevin's side slid in front of him, stretched her arms forward and shouted "I will pay Garvin let's ignore this fighting!" Halting Garvin and his crew and blocking Kevin's path "what did you say, let me hear that one more time," Garvin joked. Clair didn't believe Kevin could take on Garvin and his crew in a four to one fight, the odds were stacked against him. She knew he was brave and strong and she was deeply grateful to him for saving her from the mugger on the bus but this was too much, she reiterated, shaken but determined, "I will pay, just forget this!" Garvin chuckled, "Double, or no deal! "If you wish for me to spare his life! What do you think of my suggestion?" before she could respond Kevin place his hand over hers and scooped her body to the back of him, while facing Gavin he directed to Clair, his hands still clasped in hers, "No need to pay these bullies I can deal with them by myself", with a reassuring look he strode towards Garvin and his lackeys
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Four loud sounds echoed under the bleachers followed by for loud screams. Garvin and his crew were thrown about ten meters away with those slaps. The students were fuddled. Clair, Kelly, Leroy and Nathan mouths were left agape. They thought the brawl would have lasted longer however it ended before anyone could intervene. Kevin stood like a God looking down at his followers, the scene became eerie and quite. The only sounds were the chorus of wales from Garvin and his lackeys. They were curled up on the ground in serious pain, tending to their throbbing heads and swollen cheeks. Kevin poised and unscaled looked to Garvin and his minions, "I will give you two ultimatums, kowtow to the girls for disturbing their afternoon peace and show sincerity!" He moved close to Garvin, crushing his shirt in his fist and spoke into his ear, "Tell me the name of your friend, the one who helped you ambush me!" Kevin released Garvin who fell to the floor. "Or don't apologize and leave here crawling from the bleachers to the school gate." "Come on, give me your answers, I don't have the time to waste on you guys, I'm showing you mercy here."
Garvin and his minions though feeling greatly shamed, opted for the first option, disregarding the stares from the surrounding students. They disclosed everything fluently like poetry, they revealed Lin's named, alias, address and even gave directions to the club that he frequents. They then hurriedly dashed away before Kevin could make anymore request. The students cheered as the group wobbled away, many of them were bullied by Garvin and his crew and were grateful that someone finally stood up to them. As Clarissa approached the bleachers the scene was clear but she knew something happened. Other students were whispering and giggling and she also saw Gavin running in the distance. She perked up and squinted at her big brother, "Kevin what's going on?" Kevin dismissed, "nothing much, everyone's just happy. As seniors, we get a break before exams." "Come on lets head home." The crowd of students knew not to say anything about the incident to Clarissa and Kevin's stares conveyed that message. Kevin, Clarissa, Leroy, Nathan, Kelly and Clair left the bleachers and exited the school compound.