Dust

Clatter...clatter. Ethan's bag rolled over the pavement as he headed towards a small building. A sign hung in front, reading 'Dust' on it. Students lived in one of three buildings, 'Dust', 'Pebble' and 'Stone'. Dust and Pebble were located to the left side of the school, while Stone was located on the right side. Stone took up as much space as the other two combined, so the difference in treatment was apparent.

Classes 7 to 10 stayed in Dust, while Classes 3 to 6 stayed in Pebble. The tope two classes stayed in Stone. This applied for second and third years as well. Altogether, around 1500 students were sprawled across the buildings.

Ethan headed inside as he made his way up. He glanced at his watch. 'Room-324'. After getting into KGS, his father had given him a brand new AWAKENwatch as a present. Of course, it was much better than his previous one. It wasn't from a posh brand like most people here, but it worked just as well as theirs.

Ethan headed up a fleet of stairs as he made his way into a room. "Ahhhhh!" He sighed loudly as he crashed into an empty bed. He had his own room! At least KGS didn't force them to stay with each other! He scrolled through his watch, trying to find his dad's number. Beep! "We're sorry, the number you are dialing is out of your network coverage. Please try later."

Ethan smacked his head. KGS was disconnected from its surroundings. There was probably a jammer or something to stop people from calling anybody. He'd only be able to call home once a week, through special phones provided by KGS. His conversations would most likely be heard.

Ethan sighed. Well, this was how KGS was. It wasn't like he could do anything about it. At least KGS was under the APF, a government faction, so they didn't favour any of the five families more than the others. His info wouldn't be leaked to anybody.

Knock...knock! Ethan could hear somebody knocking on his door. Maybe it was a neighbour coming to say 'Hi'. He got up and walked towards the door. Creak! "Yes?" A tall, dark haired boy stood in front of him. "Head to the back of Dust House in 5 minutes. If you're late, we'll kill you."

The boy walked off as if he was done talking. Ethan looked at him in bewilderment. Why was this guy so rude? And why'd he think that threatening people would make them care? Maybe he was sent by a teacher?

Ethan could see a bunch of students walking down the hallway towards the stairs. "Well...might as well se what's going on. Doesn't hurt to check it out." He walked out of his room as he headed down. He could see a bunch of first years gathered downstairs.

Ethan shifted through the crowd as he tried to get a better view of what was going on. Bang! Bang! Bang! A boy slammed somebody against a metal rod as blood spewed from his forehead. Bang! Bang! He slammed his head vigorously as he kept on beating him. Bang.....thud.

He threw the boy down and looked up towards the crowd gathered. "Now listen up here! Dust House is the territory of Class seven and Class seven only. Anything you use here is borrowed land. Any place you go to is owned by us. Every second spent in here is owed to us. So you'd better compensate us for letting you stay here."

The boy grinned evilly. "I want to see 50 credits each from you guys everyday. No exceptions. Oh, and don't bother telling the teachers. They won't do anything to us." He kicked the limp boy right next to him. "This boy decided to be a smartass and run off his mouth. So we decided to teach him a little lesson. Now he'll be paying double."

He placed his foot on the boy's head. "So will anybody else who tries to mess with us." The second years gazed pitifully from their windows. The school never allowed higher years to attack lower years, but they didn't bother stopping violence among students of the same years.

This 'entrance ceremony' was something they'd experienced themselves. At one point, they'd dreamt of rising to class seven and paying back those who'd oppressed them. But they never got the chance. Classes were practically set in stone in Keystone. Rising in classes was something that happened rarely.

Ethan stared at the scene in front of him. He was disgusted. He'd been on the receiving end of this torture too many times. He'd been beaten too often to hope for something as luxurious as help from the authorities. He clenched his teeth.

Ethan's father had been overjoyed to hear that he had gotten into KGS. He had practically broken down crying in front of him. After suffering so much, hearing something good had broken the damn, letting all the feelings welling up inside him flow. He'd used up his life's savings to send Ethan to KGS.

Ethan couldn't afford to give up half of his monthly allowance to these bastards. He prepared to raise his voice. He would rather get beaten up everyday rather than pay these assholes even a single credit. Suddenly, the boy spoke out.

"Oh, and is there an Ethan Miller here?" Everybody stiffened. Ethan Miller. They'd remember this name. They wouldn't associate with a guy who'd attract trouble on the first day he was here. "I asked where Ethan Miller was. I'll count to five. If he doesn't appear here by then, I'll beat every one of you up until I find him."

He cracked his knuckles. "One...two...three...four..." "I'm Ethan. What do you want from me?" Ethan stepped forward. The boy smiled at him. "Ethan....Ethan. There you are. Hello. My name's Zack." Ethan stared back at him. Whatever this guy was up to, it couldn't be good.

"The reason I've introduced myself is because you're a very special person. I've gotten orders from above just for you." He punched a fist into his palm. "After all, we'll be spending a loooot of time together."

Ethan didn't waver. He was ready. "Bring it on, asshole." He smirked. "Let's see how long you can hold on to that throne of yours. I wonder how you'll look when you'll have to call me your senior." Slam! A fist pounded into Ethan's gut.

He was thrown away instantly. Zack rushed towards him and sent a fist flying towards his face. Bang! Ethan brought his hands up as he guarded his face. "I'm going to enjoy this." Zack shook his fist. "Somebody with F rank potential could never catch up to me. Keep dreaming, weakling."

Zack punched Ethan's stomach. "Oof!" Ethan grunted as he fell to the floor. He could hear the whispers of everybody staring at him. Douglas wanted to make his life at Keystone hell even before it began. Now everybody would look down on him for having F rank potential.

He smiled at Zack. "Come at me with all you've got. Every hit you land on me, I'll pay you back tenfold when I reach you. It's only a matter of time. So do your worst." Zack froze. This guy was crazy. He was still acting like he was in control of the situation, even though he was the one getting beaten.

Zack clenched his teeth. How dare a piece of shit like him make him feel threatened. Overtake him? Hah! This untalented weakling wouldn't be able to do that even in a hundred years! Thud...thud...thud. His leg smashed into Ethan's side as he fell to the ground. Thud...thud...thud. Zack kept on attacking Ethan as he continued his assault.

That's right. Ethan wasn't the one in control. He was. He was the one doing the beating right now. After today, Ethan would be left friendless and without any connections. Yet, why was he smiling. As if he knew the futility of his actions. As if Zack were staring at his own funeral.

Thud...thud...thud. Blood poured out of Ethan's chest as Zack kept attacking him in the same place. "Shut up, you weakling! Wipe that grin off your face. Or I'll break your arms and make sure you never walk again."

"All first years assemble in front of Dust House in 15 minutes." A loud voice echoed through the entire building. Zack abruptly stopped. Beating people was ignored, but nobody was stupid enough to do it in front of the teachers. That was basically asking to be expelled.

"Tsk...I'll let you go for now. From today, you have to pay triple. Or else..." He crack his knuckles threateningly. "Let's go, nothing we can do for him" "He'll only amount to an F rank gatekeeper. No point in sticking your neck for him" "Glad that wasn't me. I wonder who he offended" "Poor guy. I guess he won't last long"

"Those bastards...after I saved their asses." Ethan could hear the whispers of the students as they slowly left. Huff...huff...huff. He breathed heavily. That bastard Zack sure packed a heavy punch. He groaned as he got to his feet. He was burning with fury. Douglas was like a tumour he couldn't get rid of. That damned guy targeted him wherever he went.

Ethan smiled. "Keep it coming, Douglas." Torturing him everyday. Burning his house. Assaulting his father. And bullying him in KGS. The sins were piling. But Ethan didn't care. "Keep them coming, Douglas. When I have my revenge, I'll make sure to tear down every single thing you love. You'll regret messing with me." He dusted his pants as he walked forward. He didn't stay on the floor. This time, he stood up and walked ahead.