Chester Owen shoved Chester Baroli hard, sending him crashing to the ground. The boy’s face turned deathly pale with pain.

“No? Then why stay silent just now? Enjoying watching me get humiliated? How did I end up with a worthless brother like you?”

Chester Owen snarled, his voice dripping venom.

“It’s not true! I didn’t—”

Tears welled in Baroli’s eyes as he shook his head frantically.

“Still denying it? Beat him!”

The gentle mask Owen wore earlier shattered completely. He was a ravenous wolf now, barking orders at his two lackeys. They kicked and punched Baroli’s limbs—carefully avoiding lethal spots.

Baroli’s body was already riddled with old injuries. Under the brutal assault, his vision blurred. Leyang’s words echoed faintly in his foggy mind:

*“Others’ help is temporary. The only person you can always rely on is yourself. If you don’t want to be bullied, grow strong and fight back. Only real power makes bullies think twice.”*

*I won’t be bullied anymore. I’ll fight back!*

Seizing a split-second opening, Baroli lunged and sank his teeth into one thug’s calf. He bit down with every ounce of strength left, the coppery tang of blood flooding his mouth.

“AAAAH! He’s biting me! My leg—he’s gonna snap it!”

The boy shrieked, kicking Baroli square in the chest. Baroli gagged, forced to release his grip.

“Damn rabid dog! I’m bleeding! I’m dying—wahhh!”

The thug wailed, face twisted in panic.

“Shut it. A little blood won’t kill you. Med room later,” Owen snapped coldly.

Baroli staggered upright, eyes burning crimson as he glared at the trio.

“I’ll get stronger. I’ll fight back. Why do you keep hurting me? What did I ever do wrong?! Come on! I’ll bite you all to death!”

“Rebellious little pest! Daring to snarl at me?”

Owen bared his teeth, magic flaring. Vines erupted from the grass beneath Baroli’s feet, coiling around his ankles and tripping him hard.

Both Chester brothers wielded wood-element magic. Owen’s talent ranked Tier 3; Baroli’s was Tier 4—a genuine prodigy. Owen’s pride couldn’t stomach being outshone by his own brother. The twisted envy festered into sadism.

*Plainly put: a sick mind. Couldn’t stand his sibling’s success. Utterly warped.*

“I’ve got him pinned! Hit him! Crush this rebellion!” Owen roared.

The two thugs charged—only to fly backward mid-swing. A sharp kick to their backsides sent them sprawling face-first past Baroli.

“Such vicious hearts in children. What kind of parents raised you?”

A cold voice cut through the air. Everyone froze.

Leyang and Phoenix hadn’t intervened earlier because Leyang needed to see Baroli’s resolve. If the boy just curled up and took the abuse, saving him would be pointless—he’d only suffer worse later. But Baroli’s final defiance? That was worth protecting.

“You again?!”

“Leyang?!”

“This is Chester family business. Stay out of it,” Owen growled, eyes icy.

“Normally I would. But you attacked my Class A student. As vice monitor, I protect every member of Class A. You hurt my people, then tell me not to interfere? You think that’s funny?” Leyang’s smirk held pure disdain.

“You—! Want a fight? Fine!”

Owen lunged, fist aimed at Leyang’s jaw.

“Harm Leyang-sama? Over my dead body!”

Phoenix intercepted him. She caught Owen’s fist mid-swing, deflected the force, then drove an open palm upward into his chin. Owen reeled, dazed.

*Of course—Phoenix came from a knightly lineage. Her combat skill was never in doubt.*

Owen shook his head, warm liquid dripping from his nose. He touched it—blood. His blood.

“Blood! I’m the Chester heir! You’ve doomed yourselves!” he shrieked.

“Phoenix. No mercy. I’ll handle the consequences,” Leyang ordered calmly.

“Yes, Leyang-sama.”

Phoenix obeyed instantly, moving like his shadow. She closed in again.

Owen, pampered and soft, stood no chance against a warrior up close. Mages needed casting time—Phoenix gave him none. And in raw magical skill? He was outmatched in every way.

Leyang knelt beside Baroli, drawing his Silver Blade Dagger. With two swift cuts, he severed the vines binding Baroli’s ankles. He glanced at the remaining thugs. Seeing the gleaming blade, they burst into tears and fled.

“Kids will be kids,” Leyang muttered, sheathing the dagger.

“You really came… I thought you were lying…” Baroli whispered, eyes shimmering with complex emotions.

“I keep my promises. Watch quietly. Med room after this,” Leyang said flatly.

“Okay.”

Meanwhile, Phoenix reduced Owen to a swollen pulp. The delicate-looking girl showed zero hesitation in her strikes.

“That’s enough, Phoenix. Release him.”

“Understood.”

Phoenix stepped back. Owen’s face was unrecognizable—a deliberate choice by Leyang. The injuries looked brutal but were carefully superficial. Phoenix knew exactly how hard to hit.