The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order Chapter 3

A youth possessing emerald eyes and dark hair navigated the corridors of what appeared to be an educational institution. Standing at one hundred and sixty-five centimeters, he was exceptionally tall for a boy who had only recently celebrated his fourteenth birthday.

While he might not have been considered classically handsome, the boy carried a stoic air, his gaze shimmering with an unwavering determination. This resolve, combined with a physically fit physique, typically would have granted him a certain level of charm.

In spite of this, every student he encountered in the hall glared at him with pure disdain. Some went as far as to hurl insults, not even bothering to muffle their mockery.

Having grown accustomed to such treatment, the young man ignored the hostile stares, continuing his steady pace toward the building's exit.

Just as he reached the threshold of the exit, a voice called out from behind him, halting his progress.

“Cain, are you really going to depart without offering a greeting to your old comrade?”

The speaker was a gaunt youth. He stood less than one and a half meters tall, and a persistent, arrogant smirk made his features seem particularly repulsive.

.....

In stark contrast to the way they treated Cain, the other students immediately adopted respectful postures upon seeing the thin youth; some even bowed their heads in deference.

Cain’s eyes narrowed as he pivoted to face the gaunt boy. He noted the two companions following him, briefly glancing at the sole female in the group before shifting his focus back.

“What do you want, Jonathan?” Cain asked, his voice dripping with frost, making his contempt for the thin youth unmistakable.

Before Jonathan could utter a word, one of his lackeys erupted in fury.

“You’re just garbage with a Low Tier 1 Wave Talent! How dare you speak to Lord Jonathan in that tone!”

The youth who bellowed was heavily built. He looked ready to start a brawl, yet Cain completely ignored his existence, keeping his eyes fixed solely on Jonathan.

Being dismissed only fueled the large youth's rage. He was on the verge of lunging at Cain when Jonathan signaled him to stop by raising a hand.

“Don’t be so impulsive, Kiron. However, I must admit, Cain, your cold behavior hurts my feelings. We were quite close last year, so I simply wished to bid you farewell now that our schooling has concluded.”

Though Jonathan’s words sounded polite, the malicious grin on his face only widened.

“By the way, do you plan on applying to a Wave University? I’ve already been accepted into Hellblazer University. They were kind enough to do me a favor and permit Cinthy to accompany me.” Jonathan placed a hand firmly on the waist of the girl beside him, his eyes mocking as he stared Cain down.

As Jonathan pulled her close, the girl let out a soft giggle. When she looked at Cain, however, her eyes mirrored the same revulsion held by the other students.

Cain’s gaze sharpened at the sight. Only a year ago, the three of them had been inseparable friends. He had often stood up for the scrawny Jonathan, and his bond with Cinthy had been deeper than mere friendship.

Everything had fractured when they turned thirteen and underwent the Wave Talent Test.

While Cain had only managed a Low Tier 1, Jonathan had achieved a remarkable Peak Tier 3. To put that in perspective, the next best score in the entire school was only a Middle Tier 2.

Cain had once been naive enough to think their bond would transcend a test score.

In this brutal world, where the human race was locked in an eternal struggle against supernatural threats, weakness was viewed as nothing more than a waste of resources.

The moment Jonathan realized he no longer required Cain’s protection, he dropped his facade. Breaking their friendship wasn't enough for him; he sought to actively torment his former friend and turned the rest of the student body against him.

Before Cain could respond, Kiron broke into a loud laugh, seizing the chance to further the humiliation.

“Hahaha, Young Lord. How could a piece of trash like this ever get into a Wave University? His only choice is to enlist in the Imperial Military Force, where he’ll end up as nothing but a war pup, just like his father...”

Kiron's sentence was cut short as his eyes bulged, a sudden sense of mortal peril washing over him. A fist was flying toward his throat, and he found himself unable to react in time.

Fortunately for the bulky youth, a sky-blue mantle flickered over Jonathan’s body before the strike could connect. Displaying speed far beyond that of a normal human, Jonathan intervened.

Cain’s fist was inches from Kiron’s neck when Jonathan’s palm slammed into his chest first. The impact was so powerful that Cain was sent flying, crashing violently into a nearby wall.

A mouthful of blood erupted from Cain’s lips. He didn't cry out, but his face twisted in visible agony.

“Hmph, you actually dared to strike one of my followers without provocation. I am a powerful Level 2 Wave Warrior, while you are merely trash. You should be grateful I showed restraint.”

Jonathan spoke with an air of self-righteousness as he shouted those words.

While everyone present understood that Cain had only reacted to the insult against his father, no one was brave enough to challenge Jonathan, and they all remained silent.

Having had his fill of entertainment, Jonathan turned and walked away, flanked by Cinthy and Kiron. The group laughed as they departed, though Kiron cast one final, venomous glance back at Cain.

It took nearly twenty minutes before Cain regained enough strength to stand. Wiping the blood from his chin, he walked out of the school, enduring the mocking glares of the remaining students.

Every step was a struggle, but he forced himself to walk upright. He had known the attack would likely fail with Jonathan there, yet he had no regrets.

Over a year of relentless bullying had forged Cain’s willpower into iron. He could endure much, but he would never tolerate anyone slandering his father—the man he held in the highest regard.

As he made his way to the station, he passed towering skyscrapers with sleek, futuristic designs that showcased the peak of human technological achievement.

Cain was in no state to appreciate the architecture. He boarded a levitating train that glided without tracks. Despite its high speed, the journey home took nearly an hour. He was among the last to disembark, and after a fifteen-minute walk, his destination came into view.

Cain resided in a modest apartment. Unlike the high-tech structures near the school, this building looked quite ordinary. However, while the exterior was weathered, the interior was kept perfectly clean and organized.

Upon entering, Cain went directly to a small shrine that held a photograph of a man.

The man in the photo shared his black hair and green eyes, which were filled with a similar resolve. He was dressed in a black military uniform.

“Good day, Sir.” Cain knelt before the image, bowing his head for a full minute before letting out a tired sigh.

“A.I. Chip, perform a body analysis.”

Immediately, a mechanical voice resonated within his mind.

[Bip... scanning host.]