I had to admit, I looked damn good in the school uniform if l have to say so myself. Black trousers, maroon blazer, and a crisp white shirt underneath—classic.
Surprisingly, Sharon was a student too. Turns out she attended school every day, then spent her evenings raiding dungeons to earn money and pay off our family's debts. Honestly, I felt bad about it. A cute girl like her didn't deserve to work that hard.
She showed me to my class—apparently, I was a first-year—before heading off to her own, as a second-year.
The moment I stepped into the classroom, a group of guys sitting in the corner suddenly jumped up and rushed toward me, grinning like maniacs. One had purple hair, glasses, and a slim build. The other two had black hair, though one was noticeably chubbier.
"Asherman!" the purple-haired one yelled, throwing his arms around me and lifting me off the ground.
"It's really you, bro! You're back!" the chubby one added.
Who the hell were these idiots?
"Guys... wait, put me down!" I protested, but they ignored me, carrying me all the way to the back of the class before finally setting me down.
"Bro, it's been too long. When I heard Shazzy say you regained consciousness, I was like, 'Finally! Asherman is back!' And now, it's time we finally do something about our virginity!" the guy with glasses declared.
...The hell?
"Whoa, hold up there, Four Eyes. What do you mean, 'doing something about our virginity' just because I'm back? You're not saying... you don't mean..."
"What? No!" He laughed. "Wait... don't tell me you don't remember what we talked about before you went into a coma?"
"Yeah, I don't. Matter of fact, I don't even know who the hell you guys are."
"Shazzy did mention you lost your memory, Asherman. No worries. We'll introduce ourselves again."
The three of them stood up dramatically, with Four Eyes at the front and the other two behind him.
"I am yours truly, Adrian, the leader of our group—The Virgin Boys—and your most trusted advisor!" he announced with so much enthusiasm I nearly cringed. How could someone say something so embarrassing with a straight face?
The chubby one stepped forward. "I'm Brian. And I like cookies." Then he stepped aside. Not much of a talker, huh? Perfect. I hated obnoxious idiots.
"I'm Derrick, the only C-rank hunter in our group... but I'm still a virgin."
My eye twitched. The entire class was staring at us now. What the hell was wrong with these guys and the word virgin?
Adrian, the most obnoxious of them all, threw an arm around me. "It's time, Asherman! We made a promise—to work hard, rank up to C, and then finally smash some C-rank girls. All this time, while you were unconscious, we kept our word. We didn't rank up without you. Because when we lose our virginity, we agreed to do it on the same day! Bros before hoes!"
Idiots. Absolute idiots. But they were obviously close to the former owner of this body. As much as I hated being around morons, I figured I'd keep them. Better to have some fools around than to be alone.
Suddenly, the classroom door swung open.
An astonishingly gorgeous red-haired girl strode in, her heels clicking against the floor as her hips swayed with every step she took. Two girls followed closely behind her, almost like attendants.
The room fell silent, save for the hushed murmurs of the boys. Not gonna lie, she was stunning, slightly shorter than me with an athletic body—flat tummy and an attractive ass. I have to say, she is easily the most beautiful girl I'd seen in this class so far. She piqued my interest.
"Who's the slay queen?" I asked Adrian.
He raised a brow. "Dude... that's Lorraine. Your all-time crush."
"Crush?" I frowned.
Wait... wasn't she the one Mom mentioned this morning?
The two girls behind her pulled small towels from their pockets and wiped the dust off her desk and chair before she sat down.
Were they her servants or something? I got curious. Why did the atmosphere shift the moment she walked in? Why did everyone treat her like some kind of royalty? I activated my Appraiser skill.
Holy shit!
She was a B-rank hunter with affinities for water and earth magic. Impressive.
I scanned the rest of the class. Most of the girls were C-rank and on the boys' side, only Derrick was C-rank while the rest were D's and F's.
So that's why she acted so high and mighty. She's the strongest of us all.
I glanced at her again, and this time, our eyes met.
She frowned. "Oh... you. You're back. Come here." She gestured with a single finger.
The hell did she want?
I walked over. "What do you want?" I asked flatly.
The entire class erupted into gasps and whispers.
"You've come back a little stubborn, huh? Is that any way to greet your superior?"
I let out a dry chuckle. "What, you want me to bow?"
Her expression remained dead serious.
"That's exactly what you're supposed to do."
The fuck? Was this chick serious?
"Nah, I'm good. If that's all, I'll be going now." I turned to leave.
But before I could take a step, she grabbed my shoulder hard and yanked me to the ground.
Not gonna lie, her grip was like a damn vice. It felt like I was being manhandled by a giant.
"I hate undisciplined brats in my sight... and you know that! So behave before you end up on my bad side."
I scoffed and pushed myself up. There was no way in hell I'd ever bow to a woman. Never.
Gasps filled the room.
"Asherman! The hell do you think you're doing, bro? You got a death wish?" Adrian muttered.
I didn't get it. Was standing up for myself that shocking?
Whatever! I met Lorraine's gaze head-on and said. "Never do that to me again, little girl."
Her face darkened instantly, like I had just spit the worst insult in existence. Her breath hitched, and I could see her anger boiling over.
Before I could react, she swung a devastating slap across my face that sent me sprawling backward into the classroom furniture.
Shit. It felt like my ribs cracked from that one hit. So much strength in a single person? What is she, a damn gorilla?!
I knew right away that I was no match for her. My body was too weak and powerless.
But bowing?
That was one thing I'd never do. Not in this lifetime. Never bow to a woman. It's better she kills me trying to fight back than bowing!
But l never imagined my stubborn behavior would get me in so much trouble as it did next.
Tbc