The morning sun bathed the halls in gold, but the atmosphere in the Computer Science building felt heavy.
Axel entered the classroom, silent as always. Students parted as he walked in, whispers trailing behind him.
"That's the guy who beat Cy…"
"Didn't even break a sweat, they said."
"He's just a freshman?"
He ignored them all, sat down, and stared out the window.
Louise sat beside him, looking uneasy. The bruises on his face had faded, but the fear in his voice hadn't.
"You really shouldn't have messed with them," he said quietly.
Axel didn't answer.
"They're not just a group of bullies. They're part of the course hierarchy. Every department has a gang. Each course has a leader. It's… organized. Like a mini kingdom."
Axel glanced at him. "I noticed."
Louise leaned closer. "You beat Cy. That means… you're the leader now. At least for our course."
Axel scoffed. "I don't care about that."
"You should," a voice said behind them.
Axel turned.
Three students stood at the back of the room. They looked older—more serious.
One of them stepped forward. "We're from the Computer Science gang. Or… what's left of it. Since you beat Cy, you're in charge now. Whether you like it or not."
Axel stared. "Not interested."
The guy chuckled. "That's not how it works. Other courses are watching now. You've painted a target on all of us. If we don't have a strong leader, they'll crush us."
"I didn't come here to fight," Axel said.
"We didn't either. But if you walk away, we'll all pay the price."
⸻
Later that day, Axel walked through the campus courtyard. He could feel the eyes on him—Engineering students in groups, Archi majors whispering from benches, Criminology boys smirking as he passed.
His name had traveled fast.
As he turned a corner, someone blocked his path.
He looked up.
A tall guy with broad shoulders and a smug grin stood in front of him.
"Freshman, right? I'm Gelo. Civil Engineering," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Heard you beat Cy."
Axel didn't respond.
Gelo took a step forward. "Let's see if you're just a fluke."
Before Axel could speak, a voice called out.
"Back off."
A student from Axel's course stepped between them. Skinny, sharp eyes, and wearing a hoodie.
"You mess with him, you mess with Computer Science."
Gelo laughed. "Didn't know the nerds had a backbone now."
"I'm not warning you twice."
Axel raised an eyebrow. The guy was familiar. One of the three who approached him earlier.
Gelo scoffed and walked away. "This isn't over, freshman."
As soon as Gelo was gone, the student turned to Axel. "I'm Migs. I used to be Cy's right-hand. You should seriously consider taking this seriously."
Axel looked him in the eye. "Why do you care?"
Migs smiled faintly. "Because I've seen schools fall apart without someone to protect them. And because you're strong. Stronger than all of us. We need someone like you to survive."
⸻
That night, Axel sat alone on the dorm rooftop, staring at the sky.
He didn't want this.
He came here to live a normal life, to bury the past.
But peace was never made for people like him.
His father's words echoed in his mind.
"Live a normal life… walk a path you won't regret."
But what if this was his path?
What if fighting was all he was good at?
⸻
The next day
A meeting was called in the old Computer Lab—an unofficial "base" for the course's gang.
Axel walked in. Half a dozen students were already there—former members of Cy's group, now waiting for direction.
Migs stood near the front. "Everyone, meet your new leader."
Axel stepped forward. "I'm not here to lead you. I'm here to protect the course—if I must."
"That's good enough for us," Migs said.
Axel looked around. "Then if we're doing this… we need to prepare."
One student raised a hand. "Why? You planning to go after the other courses?"
Axel shook his head. "No. But they're coming for us. And I'm not gonna let them win."
⸻
End of Chapter 2