Chapter:3 Detention

The sound of desks scraping and students yelling filled the hallway.

Another ordinary day at Eastford College — until Leon’s best friend decided to throw the first punch.

Now, the entire campus buzzed like a storm ready to burst.

Leon stood in the middle of the commotion, his crimson hair glinting under the fluorescent light, his knuckles tight around the strap of his bag. His sharp red eyes flicked toward the group shouting at him from across the hall — Rico’s gang.

Rico shoved through the crowd, anger flashing in his eyes. “You think you’re some kind of hero, Leon?! Your stupid friend beat my guy up for no reason!”

Leon smirked, that lazy grin that always made people’s blood boil.

“No reason? He insulted him first. If you bark at a wolf, don’t be surprised when it bites.”

“Watch your mouth!” Rico snapped, pushing him.

Leon stepped closer, his smirk widening.

“Or what? You’ll cry to your mom?”

Laughter rippled from the crowd — students loving the drama. Rico’s jaw clenched, his pride cracking in front of everyone.

“You think you’re untouchable just because everyone’s scared of you? You’re nothing but a street punk trying to act tough,” Rico hissed.

Leon tilted his head. His eyes — sharp and unreadable — locked on Rico.

“Maybe. But at least I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not.”

Rico didn’t wait another second. He swung his fist.

Leon caught it midair.

Then, without hesitation, punched him square in the face. The crowd exploded — some cheering, others screaming. Rico stumbled back, wiping blood from his lip, fury blazing in his eyes.

“You bastard—!”

“Language,” Leon mocked, ducking another punch and kicking his rival’s leg. Both crashed into a desk, breaking it apart with a loud crack.

That was when the teacher stormed in.

“LEON! RICO! ENOUGH!”

The chaos froze instantly. The crowd dispersed faster than lightning, leaving the two of them to face the wrath of authority.

Detention Room:

The room was quiet except for the ticking of the old wall clock.

Leon sat slouched in his chair, arms crossed, his cheek red from a bruise. Across the room, Rico sat fuming, glaring daggers.

“Unbelievable,” the teacher sighed, massaging his temple. “You two again. I should just make a permanent seat for you here, Leon.”

Leon shrugged. “Wouldn’t mind. It’s peaceful here.”

The teacher groaned. “You’re hopeless.”

Rico muttered under his breath, “More like brainless…”

Leon’s gaze flicked to him, lazy but sharp. “You say something, princess?”

Rico stood up. “Yeah, I said you’re a damn menace to this college!”

Leon smiled faintly, eyes darkening. “And yet, you still can’t stop losing to me.”

“SHUT UP!”

Before Rico could lunge again, the teacher slammed a ruler on the desk.

“Both of you — silent! Or I’ll suspend you for a month!”

Rico glared down at his desk, fists trembling. Leon sighed, resting his head on his arm, pretending to nap — though his mind wasn’t quiet.

This again… Why does it always end like this?

He’d promised himself he wouldn’t cause trouble this semester. That he’d focus on music, on rap — his escape. But the moment someone provoked him, his temper took control. Fighting was the only language he knew how to speak.

And now, all he had to show for it were bruised knuckles and a one-way ticket to detention.

After Detention – Outside the Building

The rain had started again, faint and cold. Leon walked alone down the empty corridor, hands shoved in his pockets. He tilted his head back, feeling a raindrop hit his face as he stepped outside.

Behind him, Rico’s voice echoed.

“I seriously hate you, Leon.”

Leon turned slightly, a grin tugging at his lips.

“Feeling’s mutual.”

Rico frowned. “You act so damn cool, but deep down, you’re just lonely.”

Leon froze for a second.

He didn’t reply. Didn’t turn around. Just laughed — a bitter, hollow sound that echoed in the rain.

“Guess that makes two of us,” he muttered before walking away.

That Night — Anos's POV:

Inside a black luxury car parked near the college, Anos sat quietly, a cigarette burning between his fingers. The glow from the city lights reflected in his dark eyes — cold, sharp, and unreadable.

His underling handed him a file. “Boss… here’s everything on that college kid. Leon Valentine.”

Anos flipped through the photos — Leon mid-fight, Leon rapping on a small stage, Leon’s detention record. A faint smile ghosted his lips.

“He’s trouble,” the underling said cautiously. “Hot-headed. Reckless. Not exactly the type you’d want to deal with.”

Anos chuckled softly, smoke curling from his lips.

“Reckless men often make the best deals — when you know how to control them.”

The underling swallowed. “Should I approach him again?”

Anos’s eyes flicked to the photo of Leon, drenched in rain, bruised but smirking like the world couldn’t touch him.

“No,” he said finally. “Let him come to me.”

He leaned back, voice low and calm.

“After all… I like watching wild dogs try to bite.”

The rain outside grew heavier, matching the low hum of the car engine as Anos’s smirk deepened.

Leon Valentine,” he murmured, “let’s see how long you can keep defying me.