A gold coin slid inside the vending machine's slot, and the machine spat out two drinks—one was hot coffee, and the other was a cold soda.
Kiernan put them inside the paper bag and then took a seat on the bench by the vending machine.
He retrieved his phone from his pocket and went to check the message.
[Cold Shade: I visited my friends. One of them knew more about this Maraketh guy. By the sound of it, he used to be a soldier of the Lazarus Empire. You might not know anything about that empire because it has fallen a long time ago. That empire used to be in Dead World]
'Dead World… so when that continent was still the paradise, the Lazarus Empire was at its peak of power and influence. When that continent died and became Dead World, the empire died at the same time.'
Another message came.
[Cold Shade: It means it is a relic of that old world. However, this Maraketh guy was just an ordinary guy. Ordinary soldier. Nothing special about him]
[Revenant: So, did they purchase it?]
[Cold Shade: My friend did, yes. It went for 19,500 gold coins]
Kiernan rolled his eyes.
This meant that he wasn't making any profit off it. He wasn't even making the money back since the money was going fifty-fifty with Cold Shade.
'I receive 9750 gold coins. Disappointing, but at least something good came from this. I've now established my identity with Cold Shade, and by the sounds of it, she has some wealthy friends.
'She might also be quite wealthy. I have another risky plan, but if it works, I might be able to cheat the system a little bit.'
[Revenant: That's fine. Thank you. Will I receive my money through the trade ceremony?]
[Cold Shade: Yes. Are you available to do it or not?]
Kiernan checked the time on his phone, and he had to be back at the classroom in five minutes.
There was no way he would be able to do the ceremony in time.
[Revenant: No. I am slightly occupied now. I'll contact you when I am free]
[Cold Shade: Very well]
He then quickly pocketed his phone, stood up in a hurry, and walked around the corner, but then he accidentally bumped shoulders with someone.
The student cried out. He wasn't wearing a Karuza High uniform. It was brown with a white tie and a brooch of a bell around his neck.
It was Montclair High's uniform.
"My bad, I didn't see you."
Kiernan apologized, and he thought that was it, but it was clear they didn't plan on allowing him to leave that easily, especially after seeing that he was from Karuza High.
"My shoulder could've broken, you asshole!"
Mateo shouted, seething with anger.
He wasn't weak—an energy of Middle Stage Martial Fighter seeped out of him like a raging tidal wave.
"I already said I was sorry. What else do you want?"
Kiernan's voice deepened as he started to feel annoyed.
"You know exactly what you did, and an apology won't fix it."
Lazaro, Mateo's friend shouted. He was at the same martial rank as his friend.
"You managed to purchase those drinks, didn't you? Pay me for the damages you did to me, and I'll let you leave."
'These two are fairly powerful. Are they part of Montclair High's team? If I hurt them, that might be bothersome.'
Kiernan scratched the back of his head, took his cold soda from the paper bag, and tossed it over to Mateo.
"Sorry, I spent the last of my money on these drinks."
Mateo looked at the cold soda in his hand, dropped it to the ground, and stomped on it. The soda exploded and sprayed everywhere.
"I don't want your fucking soda. Empty your pockets."
Kiernan showed his empty pockets. He didn't carry his money around. It would be stupid since he had his system.
"Hand over that other drink too!"
Lazaro reached his hand towards the paper bag, but Kiernan pulled back the bag to keep it out of reach.
"This drink is not for you. I have a class to attend to, so unless you have something intellectual to say, piss off."
"Are you hearing this motherfucker?"
Mateo looked at his friend, laughed mockingly, and then wildly swung his arm at Kiernan. He was trying to backhand him across his face!
Kiernan pulled his head back, dodged the wild backhand, and then jabbed him in the face.
Mateo stumbled backward, and with that simple jab, his nose started bleeding.
"Argh! You motherfucker!"
After seeing his friend get a nosebleed, Lazaro rushed over to help and threw a wild overhead punch that completely missed.
Kiernan swept his leg out from under him, causing Lazaro to fall to the ground. His elbows scratched against the concrete, making them bleed.
With a pained grunt, Lazaro tried to stand back up, but Kiernan put his foot on his back to keep him down.
Mateo wildly swung his fists at Kiernan, but he simply used his left hand to swat them away effortlessly.
'What the hell? How is he this strong? Karuza High shouldn't have anyone that strong, unless he is…'
Mateo's eyes widened in fear and shock.
"Hey, what's going on over here?"
A voice came, which immediately brightened Mateo's expression. He looked over with a giant smile and shouted happily.
With his hands inside his pockets, Zachary strolled over to them with his lips cracked into a grin. He heard some shouting, so he came to look and came across a very interesting scene.
"Mateo. Lazaro. You two sure look pathetic."
Mateo and Lazaro choked on their words. They were happy about Zachary appearing because they're of the same school, so they should be on the same team, but they forgot one thing.
Zachary only cared about himself!
He wouldn't help them unless there was something in it for him.
"I only know one person from Karuza High that should be strong enough to make these two into his bitches. You must be him, right? Kiernan Hunter~"
Kiernan looked over with a bored look.
"Name's Zachary Lokiah, the future winner of the nationals."
Zachary grinned through his white teeth.