Lego finished his boxing session and took a quick shower to wash away the sweat and grime. He packed his bag and headed out for school.
Taking the bus, he stared out the window at the streets. The city didn't look much different from his old world, except everything was far more advanced, featuring high-tech gadgets he had never even imagined.
The bus pulled up to the school gates, and Lego stepped off.
"Oh, look, it's Lego! He's actually back," a booming voice called out.
Kai, a chubby classmate, walked straight toward Lego with a wide grin, clapping a hand firmly on his shoulder. "You've got guts, man! I heard you actually tried to take on a teacher. You know our teachers are Awakened, right? You must have a death wish."
Kai leaned in close, whispering curiously, "Tell me the truth—what did you 'take' that day to go that crazy? Are you using? A lot has happened while I was playing hooky." Kai chuckled, his eyes narrowing into slits.
Lego shoved the heavy boy away. "Back off," he snapped.
Despite his cold reaction, Kai was one of Lego's only true friends in this world.
"Well, if it isn't our 'F-Rank' genius," a mocking voice sneered. "I'm surprised you still have the face to show up. Why don't you just drop out and go be a lackey for your old man? Oh, wait, I forgot—your dad is already a lackey himself."
It was Leo, Lego's longtime bully and romantic rival. Hearing his father insulted, Lego's blood boiled. He was about to lung forward when Kai held him back.
"Take it easy. We're on school grounds. The teachers are everywhere," Kai muttered, privately stunned by Lego's new attitude. He hadn't believed the rumors about Lego attacking a teacher, but seeing the murderous glint in his friend's eyes, he was starting to reconsider.
Leo stepped into Lego's personal space, his voice dropping to a low hiss. "Stay away from Mina. She's going to be my girlfriend soon. Stop following her around like a lost dog with those cheap gifts; they belong in the trash."
Lego was fuming. "Damn it," he thought, "that was the previous owner of this body, not me. I don't want anything to do with that cheap drama."
Kai dragged Lego toward their classroom. Once seated, Kai leaned over and whispered, "You okay? You seem a lot more hot-headed than usual."
Lego turned to him with a scowl. "I'm far from okay. You want to go get into a fight later?"
"Fight... fight who? Don't tell me you're planning to jump Leo," Kai stammered.
"You scared? Fine. I'll go by myself."
Kai sat there, stunned. Was he really going to let himself be more cowardly than Lego? Growing up in a notorious gang family, Kai suddenly felt a surge of excitement. He let out a low whistle. "I can't wait to see you in action."
During recess, Lego found a sturdy wooden stake on the playground and tucked it into the back of his waistband. He marched straight toward Leo's classroom with Kai trailing behind to watch the show.
Reaching the door, Lego took a running start and delivered a thunderous kick.
BAM!
The noisy classroom went dead silent. Everyone stared in shock as Lego stormed in, his face a mask of pure aggression.
"I heard you were missing me. Well, here I am."
Leo gasped, "What the hell is this?"
Without a word, Lego grabbed a nearby chair and lunged with the speed of a gale, swinging it at Leo's head. Leo dodged, but the chair slammed into his shoulder, the impact making him wince in pain. Leo countered with a sharp right hook that caught Lego across the jaw, leaving him dazed for a split second.
Lego staggered back, spitting a curse. "You son of a bitch!"
He hurled the chair with all his might. Leo ducked, and the chair shattered against the wall as students scrambled to get out of the way. Leo snapped a roundhouse kick toward Lego's head. Lego raised his arms to block.
CRACK!
The force was immense, leaving Lego's arms numb. Leo's lackeys started to close in, but Kai blocked the doorway. "Let him solo this coward. Let's see what he's made of!"
Lego's arms were deadened from the repeated strikes, but he stayed focused. Catching a opening, he grabbed Leo's leg mid-kick and held on tight. In a bizarre display of strength, he dragged Leo out of the classroom by his foot. Leo lost his balance and crashed to the floor, being hauled down the hallway as his pants shredded against the concrete. Leo's face turned purple with humiliation; he never imagined being dragged like a dog by a guy everyone considered a loser.
Leo thrashed to get free, but Lego's grip was like iron. Lego dropped onto him, pinning Leo's legs with his own in a UFC-style lock, and drew the wooden stake. Leo's eyes widened in terror.
THWACK! THUD!
Lego rained blows down on Leo's head and shins. The agony was so intense Leo couldn't even scream; he felt himself slipping toward unconsciousness.
Seeing their leader about to be pulverized, Leo's gang finally snapped. They charged in with clubs and sticks. A rain of blows fell upon Lego's back, but he gritted his teeth and took it, refusing to let go.
Just then, Kai grabbed a large wooden crate and charged like a bull into the crowd.
CRASH!
The impact sent the lackeys flying. They scrambled to their feet, bruised and snarling, pointing their weapons at Kai. Kai helped Lego up as Leo crawled toward his crew.
"Kill him! Kill them both!" Leo shrieked.
As the gang prepared to rush them, a deafening sound shook the halls.
BANG!!
The gunshot echoed through the entire school. Kai was standing there, a smoking pistol in his hand, aimed directly at the crowd. Everyone froze, faces turning pale.
"He... he brought a gun to school?" someone whispered in terror.
The teachers, using their supernatural speed, reached the scene within seconds. Seeing the authorities, Kai calmly lowered the weapon and raised his hands in surrender.
"They started it. We were just defending ourselves."