"You're Eugene Roth, right?" The jock leading the group gave Eugene a once-over. His eyes glinted in mockery as if whispering, 'what a shrimp' at Eugene. He then met Eugene's eyes again. "Come with us."
"What about no?" Eugene had to back up against the locker. He also reached out to pull Claude, in case they shoved his friend out of the way. "Why should I come with you?"
"Don't make things harder for you." The jock glanced at Claude's glare. He huffed. "Are you trying to pick a fight with me, Lavallee? You're new, so you probably don't know. But don't get in the way of the Bull faction. Soft-bodied wolves like you don't have anything on us."
Claude didn't soften his glare. He did see these people at the brotherhood's party. Instead of leaving, he squeezed himself between the jock and Eugene. "We're supposed to uphold peace, right? Don't start a fight in front of me."
The tension in the air quickly suffocated most students. However, some took out their phones and started streaming the confrontation. They murmured to their viewers, equally nervous and excited.
A fight! A fight would surely break out!
Glancing around them, the jock realized a lot of people were watching. He stared at Claude again and smirked. "Do you think those cameras can save you from me? You're a freshman, a newbie. Give me a reason not to punch you out cold before asking your friend again. So, what if Dietrich flies to your side? He's certainly not here now."
"Maybe he thinks I can fold you on my own." Claude channeled courage to deter these people. He must have wolfed out under the same circumstances that night. However, he was shot first. Without the need to heal, he wouldn't consume flesh.
"Nasty little bitch. Let me teach you how to respect your seniors." The jock shot out his hand to push Claude back. If he were lucky, Claude would squash Eugene behind him.
It was just that… Claude deflected the jock's push with an arm. He then kicked the jock's abdomen, pushing him a meter away from them. The jock's friends quickly evaded the jock's body, not knowing what happened. Claude's kick was so fast only the jock knew he was hit by a foot.
Claude looked down at the guy squirming on the floor. "Don't touch me. Or Eugene. I'll just learn manners from someone who can only give respect."
Some teachers reached the locker hallway before the other person could get up and return fire. Claude and Eugene stepped back and flattened against the lockers as if evading confrontation. The jock's friends also helped him up from the floor. However, the whole scene was streamed by more than one student. Claude could only meet the dean.
…
The professor, who walked Claude to the Dean's office, handled Claude's Composition class. She kept glancing at Claude. "I know you're just trying to defend your friend, but a kick is a kick. We don't even know how bad the damage is. That guy couldn't even walk on his own."
Claude lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry. Eugene was already receiving backlash. I can't stand more people doing it to him before my eyes."
She smiled. "It depends on the dean if he will recommend a sanction."
They arrived at the office, and Claude entered the room after knocking. He saw their dean sitting at his desk, with Psi Saint Alpha's chapter president in another chair. Claude pursed his lips and walked closer, attracting their gazes on him.
"I have video evidence. No need to tell me a different version of what happened." The dean smiled, however. It was as if he were not looking at a troublemaker. He invited Claude to sit in the other chair before his desk. "Claude, please sit down. Joshua is here to offer support and stand as a witness. Do you mind us talking with him around?"
"No, sir." Claude glanced at Joshua Ryberg, the chapter president. He sat down and prepared for his disciplinary sanctions.
However, the dean continued smiling at him as if taking in his image. He then chuckled. "How do you find the school, Claude? Do you like it here?"
Claude's eyes flickered. He glanced at Joshua, but the other person only gestured for him to answer. He said, "I think the school is nice. Everything is okay… I just don't like some students. That guy from earlier had no right to drag Eugene out of sight. They were surely not looking to talk to him instead."
"Ah, yes… Psi Saint Alpha does bring out the worst in its members." The dean chuckled, attracting the glance of the chapter president. However, he continued speaking to Claude. "You are also part of that brotherhood, no? Do you think it's acceptable for you to break into fights out of nowhere because you're Psi Saint Alpha? You don't have a prior record of brawling and assault. This can't be random."
"I…" Claude lowered his gaze in shame. He took a deep breath. "No, it's not acceptable for us to fight. But I couldn't have allowed him to punch me or my friend."
"Is that why you dealt one decisive blow rather than prolong the confrontation?"
"Yes. I thought one kick was enough to send a message." Claude felt strange. He felt uncomfortable with this kind of scolding. He didn't even think he was getting scolded.
The dean nodded. He brought his eyes to the paperwork in front of him. "The wolf faction of Psi Saint Alpha is specially designed for this kind of fight between members. It just feels ironic that you are from the wolf faction instead. You should learn proper de-escalation methods from your seniors."
Claude nodded. He didn't normally dive into trouble. He even avoided speaking to Courtney about the violin incident. When exactly did he think getting physical was the only way to get out of trouble?
"Claude, I'm not giving you a suspension, but I'm recommending mandatory student assistance." The dean finished the document he filled in by signing it and a copy. He handed it to Claude. "Give this to the Student Conduct Board. Ryan should be there at this time. Don't worry. The disciplinary committee won't chew you out for one mistake."
"Thank you, Dean Halter." Claude received the letter. The dean gave a different file to Joshua, and the other person got off his seat. He invited Claude to leave with him.
…
"Do you think the punishment's too light?" Joshua spoke to Claude as they walked to the SCB's office in the Administrative Hall. "The dean doesn't really like the students to loiter in their dorm or the city after violating school rules. He'd rather cage them here where he could see them. As for that, Keller won't mind taking you in."
"Keller?" Claude glanced at the paper he held. The recommended student he should assist was named Ryan Keller. "Why does his name sound familiar?"
Joshua chuckled and patted Claude's shoulder. "Come on, don't give me that! You met him! He's the senior VP of Psi Saint Alpha. He picked up the phone…?"