The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order Chapter 3

A youth with dark hair and emerald eyes traversed the corridors of what appeared to be an academic institution. Standing at one meter 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 possessed a stoic demeanor and eyes that shimmered with an unwavering light. These features, combined with his physically fit physique, should have rendered him quite appealing to others.

Instead, he was met with nothing but contemptuous glares from those he passed in the hall. Some students even voiced their mockery openly, not bothering to keep their insults quiet.

Accustomed to such treatment, the young man ignored the stares and continued his steady pace toward the building's exit.

Just as he was about to depart, a voice called out to him from behind.

“Cain, are you really going to leave without greeting your old friend?”

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

.....

In stark contrast to their treatment of Cain, the other students adopted postures of deep respect upon seeing the skinny youth, with several individuals even bowing as he passed.

Cain’s eyes narrowed as he turned to face the newcomer. He noted the two companions following the boy, briefly letting his gaze linger on the only female in the group before looking away.

“What is it you want, Jonathan?” Cain asked, his voice dripping with coldness that revealed his true feelings toward the skinny boy.

Before Jonathan could respond, one of his lackeys erupted in a fit of rage.

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

The shouting youth possessed a massive frame. He looked ready to start a brawl, but Cain didn't even acknowledge his existence, keeping his focus entirely on Jonathan.

Infuriated by the lack of attention, the large youth was on the verge of lunging at Cain when Jonathan raised a hand to stop him.

“No need for haste, Kiron. Still, I have to say, Cain, your icy attitude really hurts my feelings. Given how close we were last year, I simply wanted to bid you farewell now that the school term has concluded.”

Though Jonathan’s words were polite on the surface, the maliciousness of his smirk only intensified.

“Tell me, do you plan on enrolling in a Wave University? I’ve already been accepted by Hellblazer University. They were even kind enough to let me bring Cinthy along.” Jonathan placed a hand on the waist of the girl beside him, his eyes brimming with mockery as he observed Cain.

The girl merely giggled at Jonathan’s touch. However, when she looked at Cain, her eyes held the same expression of revulsion shared by the other students.

Cain’s gaze sharpened at the sight. Only a year ago, the three of them had been inseparable. He had been the one to protect the frail Jonathan from bullies, and his bond with Cinthy had been deeper than mere friendship.

That reality shattered when they turned thirteen and underwent the Wave Talent Test.

Cain had only achieved a Low Tier 1, while Jonathan had reached a stunning Peak Tier 3. To put that in perspective, the next highest score in the entire school was only a Middle Tier 2.

Cain had been naive enough to believe their bond would transcend a mere test score.

In this brutal world where humanity fought a losing battle against supernatural entities, weakness was viewed as a waste of resources.

The moment Jonathan realized he no longer required Cain’s protection, his true nature emerged. Severing their ties wasn't enough; he made it his mission to torment his former friend and turned the rest of the student body against him.

Before Cain could retaliate with words, Kiron burst into laughter, seizing the chance to further the humiliation.

“Hahaha, Young Lord! How could a piece of trash like this 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...”

The words died in Kiron’s throat as his eyes widened in sudden terror. A sense of lethal danger washed over him as a fist lunged toward his windpipe, moving too fast for him to block.

Fortunately for the hulking youth, a sky-blue mantle suddenly enveloped Jonathan’s body. Moving with a speed far beyond that of a normal human, Jonathan intervened.

Cain’s strike nearly connected with Kiron’s neck, but Jonathan’s palm slammed into Cain’s chest first. The impact sent him flying backward until he collided violently with a wall.

A spray of blood erupted from Cain’s mouth. Though he didn't cry out, his face twisted in visible agony.

“Hmph, you have the nerve to attack one of my followers without provocation? I am a powerful Level 2 Wave Warrior, and you are nothing but trash. Be grateful I showed restraint.”

Jonathan adopted a self-righteous pose as he shouted his condemnation.

Everyone present understood that Cain had only lashed out because Kiron insulted his father, yet no one dared to challenge Jonathan’s narrative. They all remained silent.

Having had his fill of amusement, Jonathan walked away with Cinthy and Kiron. The group laughed as they departed, though Kiron cast one last insidious look back at Cain.

It was nearly twenty minutes before Cain found the strength to pull himself up. Wiping the blood from his lips, he exited the school grounds under the mocking gazes of his peers.

Though every step brought a fresh wave of pain, he forced himself to walk with a straight back. He had known the attack would likely fail with Jonathan there, but he felt no regret.

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

As he headed toward the transit station, he passed towering, futuristic skyscrapers that served as monuments to humanity's technological prowess.

Cain was in no mood for sightseeing. He boarded a levitating train that glided silently without tracks. Despite the high-speed travel, it took nearly an hour to reach his neighborhood. He was among the last to disembark, and after a fifteen-minute walk, his home came into view.

Cain resided in a modest apartment. Unlike the high-tech structures near the school, this building looked quite common. Although the exterior was somewhat dilapidated, the interior was kept perfectly clean and organized.

Once inside, Cain immediately approached a small shrine dedicated to the photograph of a man.

The man in the picture shared Cain’s black hair and resolute green eyes, and he was dressed in a black military uniform.

“Good day, Sir,” Cain whispered. He knelt before the image and bowed for a full minute before letting out a weary sigh.

“A.I. Chip, perform a body analysis.”

Immediately, a mechanical voice resonated within his mind.

[Bip... scanning host.]