Nikita went into one of the rooms inside the house.
After finishing his prayer, Aibar looked around and started searching for Nikita. While looking for him, he walked deeper into the house and noticed a certain room. There was a sound coming from inside.
Aibar quietly peeked through the doorway.
And then he saw it.
Instead of the male appearance of Nikita, there was a girl sitting there.
Maria.
Aibar recognized that Maria was Nikita from the clothes she was wearing.
For the first time, Aibar's expressionless face slightly changed. His mouth opened just a little in surprise.
However, he quickly regained his composure.
Then he noticed something else.
Tears.
There were tears in Maria's eyes.
In her hands was a framed photograph. It looked like a family picture.
When Maria was little, her parents had always favored her older brother rather than her. She received very little attention from them.
However, Alexei knew that his little sister was talented, extraordinary, and special. He supported her completely and gave her the love she lacked.
Their parents believed that a son would become stronger and achieve greater heights than a daughter. They were never truly happy about having a girl.
Then, one day, Maria's parents disappeared.
After that, Alexei and Maria moved to this town. Together they built a new life and created forged documents claiming that they had legal guardians, using the names of their missing parents.
After their disappearance, Maria made a promise to the photograph of her parents.
"I'll prove it... I'll prove that girls can achieve just as much as anyone else."
Alexei promised to support her no matter what.
To help her, Alexei enrolled in school first. Every day he would tell Maria everything he learned and bring home piles upon piles of books.
Because Maria possessed an extraordinary memory, she learned everything with incredible ease.
In simple terms...
She was a genius.
One day, however, Alexei encountered a newly transferred student.
Aibar.
Coincidentally, Alexei had planned to enroll Maria in school the very next day.
But after witnessing Aibar's unbelievable abilities, he became wary of him. He told Maria about Aibar and postponed her enrollment.
Alexei wanted to gather more information first.
He secretly observed Aibar, collecting data and sharing everything he learned with Maria.
As Maria listened, she became increasingly fascinated.
She began to see Aibar as the ultimate challenge.
Someone she needed to defeat in order to prove herself.
However, Alexei still refused to let her attend school immediately and continued postponing it so he could observe Aibar longer.
Eventually, after being delayed for too long, Maria acted without her brother's permission.
She contacted the school herself.
When Alexei discovered what she had done, he didn't get angry.
Instead, he told her that he would personally submit the documents and explain everything to the principal and teachers while ensuring that her secret remained hidden.
And that...
Was how Maria—
or rather, Nikita—
came to this school.
Now, sitting alone in the room, tears streamed down Maria's cheeks as she stared at the photograph.
In a quiet voice, she whispered:
"No matter what happens... I'll defeat him. I'll prove that girls can accomplish great things too..."
Outside the room, Aibar silently watched.
Then something strange happened.
For the first time in his life, he felt something other than anger.
A strange feeling.
A warm feeling.
And before he realized it...
He was blushing.
Aibar, who was only capable of feeling anger, was actually blushing from embarrassment.
While distracted, he accidentally bumped into a flower vase.
Crash!
The vase shattered on the floor.
Aibar became slightly irritated, but his face remained red.
"Damn... My reactions are usually perfect. Why did I fail at a moment like this...?" he thought.
Inside the room, Maria immediately reacted.
She quickly began restoring her disguise.
Moments later, she stepped out and saw Aibar standing there.
Looking at him calmly, she scolded him:
"What are you doing here...? If you had waited or called for me, I would've come."
Aibar immediately composed himself.
"I... was just looking for the bathroom."
Maria blinked.
"Huh?... Fine. The bathroom is over there."
She pointed down the hallway.
Aibar nodded calmly.
"Thanks."
As he began walking away—
"Wait."
Maria called out.
Aibar slowly turned around.
Maria narrowed her eyes.
"You didn't... spy on me or see inside that room, did you?"
Aibar maintained a perfectly calm expression.
"Huh? The room? Of course not. I didn't even know which room you were in. I was only looking for the bathroom."
Maria believed him.
Then Aibar casually added:
"Why? Is there something inside that room?"
Maria immediately became flustered.
"N-No. It's just... um..."
She quickly recovered.
"My personal belongings are in there."
Then she pointed toward the hallway again and said sharply:
"Are you going to the bathroom or not?"
Without another word, Aibar turned around and quickly entered the bathroom.
Maria exhaled in relief.
"Thank God... He didn't see anything..."
Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Aibar stared at his reflection.
His face was still slightly red.
Yet his voice remained calm as always.
"What is this feeling...?
It's pleasant...
But at the same time...
It's strangely uncomfortable..."
After leaving the bathroom, Aibar said goodbye to Maria and hurried out of the house.
On the way home, he remained lost in thought.
"What if... I intentionally acknowledged my defeat and made her the Guardian of Order instead?
No matter what...
Everything will be decided tomorrow."
The next morning arrived.
As usual, Aibar and Nikita arrived early and prepared the classroom together.
Looking at Nikita, Aibar calmly said:
"Today is the day the weekly Outstanding Student rankings are announced. I assume you still think you have a chance of beating me."
Nikita looked annoyed, yet a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Of course."
The weekly examination for Outstanding Student began.
The test covered every subject being taught that day and was held during the first lesson.
Once the exam ended, the remaining classes continued as normal.
During the break before the fourth lesson, the results were posted on the school's Exemplary Student Board.
A crowd immediately gathered.
There were ten spots on the ranking.
Third place:
Symbat.
Second place:
Aibar.
First place:
Nikita.
The entire school was stunned.
Ever since Aibar had transferred to the school, nobody—not even Symbat—had ever taken first place from him.
Nikita stared at the rankings.
Then he suddenly looked at Aibar and burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! You were the one who challenged me first.
Looks like today isn't your day.
And it never will be.
As long as I'm here, you'll never be number one again."
A wide grin spread across his face.
Aibar lowered his head.
He deliberately acted angry.
A crimson aura slowly began emerging from his body as he glared at Nikita.
Even Nikita felt intimidated.
Still, he gathered his courage.
"You might scare everyone else...
But you can't scare me."
Inside, however, he was thinking:
"That terrifying red aura...
Every time I see it, it feels like I can't breathe..."
The day continued.
After classes ended, everyone was preparing to leave when the Student President announced a mandatory assembly in the event hall.
Soon, the assembly began.
Aibar walked onto the stage.
"I'll only take a moment."
The entire hall fell silent.
Aibar calmly began speaking.
"There are people here who want to defeat me.
People who don't want me to remain Guardian of Order.
People who want my position."
His voice became colder.
"I know you're here."
The atmosphere immediately grew heavy.
Many students became nervous.
Aibar continued:
"If you're brave enough...
Come forward.
Prove that you can defeat me.
Prove that you can become a better leader than I am.
There should be plenty of you, right?
Then come.
Let's see what you're capable of."
Nobody moved.
Even students who disliked him remained frozen in fear.
Then Aibar's glowing crimson eyes swept across the audience.
Eventually they landed on Nikita.
"You.
Come."
His voice echoed through the hall.
"You've always wanted to defeat me, haven't you?
Or are you afraid?"
Nikita's eye twitched.
"That bastard..."
Still, he calmly walked onto the stage.
Aibar continued scanning the crowd.
"Don't think I don't know.
Many of you dislike me.
Many of you want my position.
Then come up here."
Silence.
Nobody moved.
Symbat remained seated.
"Hm.
I do want to become Guardian of Order someday.
But Aibar is better suited for it than I am.
I have no objections."
Aibar finally nodded.
"Good.
Since nobody is coming...
Let's begin."
He looked directly at Nikita.
His eyes glowed with an intimidating crimson light.
Although afraid, Nikita stood his ground.
The audience whispered among themselves.
"This newcomer is finished."
"I actually feel bad for him."
"Poor guy."
Suddenly—
Aibar turned toward the audience.
His glowing red eyes sent chills through the entire hall.
"Silence."
His voice exploded throughout the room.
The hall instantly became quiet.
Then he turned back toward Nikita and slowly approached him.
Nikita instinctively closed his eyes.
When he gathered enough courage to open them again—
Aibar was standing directly in front of him.
Without saying a word, Aibar removed the badge from his chest.
The badge that read:
Guardian of Order.
Then—
he pinned it onto Nikita's chest.
The entire hall froze.
Nobody could believe what they had just witnessed.
Aibar turned back toward the audience.
"From this day forward...
Nikita is the Guardian of Order.
The only person capable of taking my place."
The crowd erupted into shocked whispers.
"Impossible..."
"What?!"
"No way..."
Then Almaz, one of Aibar's biggest supporters, stood up.
"Guardian of Order...
How can this be?
He's not worthy of replacing you.
If you wanted to rest, there are many others who could temporarily take your place.
People far more qualified than him.
Why him?
Especially when he's your enemy."
His voice grew firmer.
"I refuse to accept this."
Aibar calmly looked at him.
"You truly think he's unworthy?"
Then answer me this.
Why did none of these frogs have the courage to stand before me?
Why couldn't they tell me to my face that they disagreed with me?
A Guardian of Order must possess courage.
Must be able to make others listen.
For Nikita...
This is nothing."
His gaze swept across the hall.
"And tell me...
Is there anyone in this school—
No.
In this world—
Who can challenge me in combat?
Even with weapons?
Anyone who can rival me intellectually?"
Nobody answered.
Almaz lowered his head.
Aibar continued.
"Has anyone here ever defeated me?
Even once?
He has.
Not once.
Not twice.
Now three times."
The hall fell silent.
"I also believe he is the most fair-minded person here.
And I trust him.
As for me...
I can finally rest.
I've had more than enough responsibilities already."
Then he turned toward Nikita.
Extending his hand, he said:
"Congratulations."
Nikita stared at the hand.
This was everything he had wanted.
The title of Guardian of Order.
The highest and most respected position in the school.
Yet—
he ignored the handshake.
Instead, he brushed Aibar's hand aside and took the microphone.
Aibar showed no reaction whatsoever.
Before stepping away, however, he leaned close to Nikita's ear.
And quietly...
Privately...
He acknowledged his defeat.
Only for Nikita to hear.
The next day, Aibar and Nikita arrived early as usual and began organizing the classroom.
Looking at Nikita, Aibar spoke calmly.
"Very few people still acknowledge you. Be careful. If you want, I can stay by your side as your assistant."
Without hesitation, Nikita shook his head and refused.
Aibar continued anyway.
"You're skilled with weapons, that's true. But this school is full of scumbags. They might trick you, set a trap, or simply use force. And in an unarmed physical fight... you're weak."
Nikita immediately took those words as an insult.
"Huh? What are you trying to say? I've mastered seven martial arts."
Aibar remained calm.
"Even so, if you ever need help, tell me. Especially if someone asks you to go somewhere. Don't forget to inform me."
Nikita had no interest in listening. Wanting to end the conversation, he simply nodded so Aibar would leave him alone.
The second lesson ended.
During the break, a group of students who opposed Nikita gathered and began planning something.
After the third lesson, during another break, Nikita stepped out of the classroom.
At the same time, Aibar sat quietly inside, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a younger student ran up to Nikita.
"Guardian of Order! Quick! Two classes are about to start a huge fight! Please stop them!"
For a moment, Nikita remembered Aibar's warning.
He almost informed him.
But the younger student immediately added:
"Hurry! There's no time! They might kill each other!"
Nikita nodded.
"Alright."
Then he followed the student.
Meanwhile, Aibar finally stood up and walked toward the window to get some fresh air.
As he looked outside, he noticed something strange.
The student was leading Nikita toward the school's massive storage warehouse.
Aibar without saying a word, he immediately left the classroom and rushed downstairs.
Meanwhile, Nikita entered the warehouse.
Inside, a large crowd had formed a circle.
Believing a fight was taking place, Nikita stepped into the middle to stop it.
The moment he entered—
CRACK!
Someone struck him across the head with a baseball bat from behind.
His vision spun.
He lost his balance and fell to one knee.
Before he could recover, one of the delinquents kicked him hard in the jaw..
They didn't allow him to stand.
Every time he tried, another blow forced him back down.
Then the crowd parted.
Meirzhan stepped forward.
A twisted grin appeared on his face.
He slowly began unfastening his pants.
Nikita's eyes widened.
"No..."
He turned his face away.
Meirzhan laughed.
Then, standing over him, he began urinating on him.
"No..."
Nikita repeated quietly, refusing to look.
Meirzhan smirked.
"Hm... You're actually not ugly at all."
Then his smile widened.
"So why don't I just rape you?
That way you'll learn your place.
And maybe you'll become our favorite little sex toy—
Oops.
I mean our Guardian of Order."
The entire group burst into laughter.
Then—
BANG!
The warehouse doors slammed open.
A powerful voice echoed throughout the building.
"What is going on here?"
Every single person froze.
That voice...
They knew it instantly.
Aibar.
He stepped inside.
"What is going on here?"
This time his voice carried visible anger.
Panic immediately spread through the room.
The delinquents lowered their heads.
Some even began apologizing.
Without being told, they parted and created a path for him.
Aibar walked forward.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Until he reached Nikita.
Looking down at him, he asked quietly:
"Are you alright?"
Nikita looked up.
"Yeah... I'm fine... It's just that my clothes—"
Before he could finish—
Aibar exploded.
"I TOLD YOU TO INFORM ME!"
His voice shook the room.
Then he stopped.
Took a slow breath.
And regained control.
"Fine.
We'll fix this."
At that moment—
Something horrifying happened.
A monstrous crimson aura erupted from Aibar's body.
It resembled a monster.
A nightmare.
The atmosphere itself became suffocating.
Everyone began trembling.
Even Nikita stared in shock.
"What... is this...?"
Aibar slowly extended his hand.
No words were necessary.
Everyone understood.
He wanted the bat.
Meirzhan, shaking uncontrollably, hurried over and handed it to him.
"P-Please forgive me! I—"
He never finished.
Aibar grabbed him by the head.
And slammed him into the wall.
CRASH!
Blood immediately poured from Meirzhan's nose and mouth.
Aibar didn't stop.
Again.
CRASH!
Again.
CRASH!
Again.
CRASH!
Again.
CRASH!
The warehouse echoed with the sound of flesh and bone colliding against concrete.
The other delinquents were on the verge of tears.
"I knew this would happen..."
"I told you idiots..."
"It's all your fault..."
"Stay still! If you move, he'll kill you too!"
Finally, Aibar released him.
Meirzhan collapsed to the floor.
His face was covered in blood.
Half-conscious.
Barely breathing.
Then Aibar raised the bat.
And began beating him.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Meirzhan tried to beg.
Tried to apologize.
Tried to cry.
But Aibar continued.
Maria's heart tightened.
For the first time, she actually felt sorry for Meirzhan.
"Aibar... that's enough."
She wanted him to stop.
Wanted him to forgive him.
Aibar looked at her coldly.
"He still hasn't apologized to you."
Then he continued.
Only stopping when Meirzhan was on the verge of losing consciousness completely.
The warehouse was silent.
Nobody dared speak.
Aibar slowly turned toward the rest.
His voice was ice-cold.
"So this is what happens when I stay silent.
You thought you could walk all over people."
Nikita looked at Meirzhan.
Despite everything...
He still felt pity.
Then he looked back at Aibar.
For the first time—
he pleaded.
"If you're going to hit him...
At least use your hands.
Not a weapon."
The other delinquents instantly paled.
"No..."
"That's worse..."
"Aibar is showing mercy by using the bat..."
"His hands are far more terrifying..."
Nikita stared at Aibar.
"Stop."
A direct order from the Guardian of Order.
But Aibar calmly replied:
"No.
People like them shouldn't be forgiven."
He finally stopped hitting Meirzhan.
Then Aibar slammed the bat onto the ground with a loud thud, but to everyone it looked as if the blow had hit Meirzhan's manhood.
Slowly looking around the room, he asked:
"Who's next?"
Every delinquent froze.
Some were already crying.
Others looked ready to collapse.
Then—
A sharp sound echoed through the warehouse.
SLAP!
Nikita had stepped forward.
And struck Aibar across the face.
The entire warehouse froze.
Everyone stared.
Nobody could believe what they had just witnessed.
Aibar slowly turned his head back.
A faint mark remained on his cheek.
For the first time in his life—
someone had slapped him across the face.
And that person...
Was Nikita.