Episode 12

"Alright, children, work on the problems in front of you, I need to step out for a moment," said the teacher.

"Sure, ma'am," replied the students listlessly. They always behave like this when given problems, preferring to have them as homework, which they then neglect to complete.

Ferzo began to work on the problems, with all eyes turning to him, hoping for assistance. Ferzo paid no attention to their gazes; he was tired of being everyone's go-to person, always needed then quickly forgotten.

Yun approached Ferzo, pulled his book away, and tore it.

"Damn it!" yelled Ferzo, kicking Yun until he stumbled to the floor. Everyone, especially Yun, was shocked by Ferzo's actions, not expecting him to fight back, as he usually conceded and wept.

"You... how dare you kick me!" exclaimed Yun, eyes wide with surprise.

"And why not? Am I not allowed to retaliate?" Ferzo asked with an indifferent expression.

"You..." Yun rose, attacking Ferzo again, but Ferzo caught his hand and shoved him onto the table, causing Yun to hit the table and fall to the floor in pain, clutching his back and hips, groaning in agony.

Iyan and Mul helped Yun to his feet. "Are you okay?" Iyan inquired, checking on Yun's condition.

"Damn! It hurts like hell! I am not okay, hurry and help me!" Yun commanded, the pain evident in his voice.

They sat Yun down in a chair, with Iyan fanning him with a book while Mul massaged his aching back.

"That must really hurt," a student sitting behind commented, grimacing with sympathy.

"Ferzo is kind of cool, standing up for himself now," his friend complimented.

"Don't praise him like that; if he really becomes strong, how are we supposed to get him to do our work?" the student nudged his friend.

"Right, if he gets strong, he definitely won't let us boss him around," his friend agreed with a nod.

Ferzo returned to his seat, tearing up the partially ripped book from Yun and straightening out its crumpled pages, before continuing with the problems in front of him.

Yun glared at Ferzo. "Ha! He has no idea his bike is damaged; just wait until he tries riding home," Yun said with a malicious grin.

"So you can still smile? Was my kick not strong enough?" Ferzo asked, smirking back at Yun. Yun was taken aback, realizing Ferzo was also looking at him.

Yun quickly turned his face away, not wanting to lock eyes with Ferzo anymore.

The teacher re-entered and took her seat, with Iyan and Mul returning to theirs as well.

"How is it going? Anyone finished yet?" she asked.

"Not yet," the students chorused.

But suddenly, Ferzo stood up and brought his book to the teacher's desk.

"Ferzo is always the best," the teacher praised with a smile, taking Ferzo's book and checking it—all the answers were correct.

"Excellent, Ferzo, you get another 100. You should all take an example from Ferzo—be diligent, not lazy. Otherwise, how do you expect to advance to the next grade?" the teacher said while returning the book to Ferzo.