CHAPTER 153: UNTOUCHABLE BULLY

After finishing his studies with Mrs. Manu, Kai returned to his room to change clothes and begin work in the servant quarters.

At that moment, a young man blocked his path, standing right in front of him.

"Is it true that you are His Majesty’s favorite?" the young man asked suddenly.

By now, almost all the students had gone to the servant quarters. Only a few were still there for the next assignment. And those who heard the young man’s words stopped and stared in their direction.

Kai stopped walking, hugging his math book to his chest. He stared at the young man in front of him. He didn’t understand what made someone the king’s favorite.

"I don’t want to believe it. But they say you are His Majesty’s favorite. Is that why you managed to enter the palace with such a crippled leg? With such severe disabilities?" said the young man, glaring at him with annoyance.

Kai looked down, but he remembered Mrs. Manu’s words to hold his head high. He looked at the young man, took a breath, and tried to calmly put together the words he wanted to say.

"What do you want?" asked Kai. He couldn’t change the fate of his crippled leg or deny that he was the king’s lover. But he didn’t want to cause trouble for Sylas.

The young man in front of him looked scornful. "You’re joking, right? You’re asking me what I want? I’m sick of seeing you here," he said softly, right in front of Kai.

From a distance, Ian was seen walking past them. "If he really is His Majesty’s favorite, shouldn’t you be careful, Clark?" said Ian, looking at the young man named Clark and then at Kai.

Clark raised the corners of his lips. "If the rumors are true, I will worship him. This cripple, His Majesty’s favorite? He’ll be put to death for daring to dream so big."

Kai stood still. He didn’t understand why Clark’s words hurt him so much. Was he really that bad for loving the king? He was still lost in thought when Clark suddenly grabbed his hand.

"How about we play for a while?" said Clark. From the end of the dormitory corridor, several young men could be seen waiting with their arms crossed.

Kai screamed because Clark squeezed the bandage on his hand very hard, causing him pain. The young man’s grip was so tight that Kai had trouble walking. He was almost dragged to the floor.

Kai groaned and looked around. He wouldn’t ask for help; he was used to situations like this at Omino where no one helped him. But he looked at Ian, who was walking behind them. He never expected that everyone wanted to hurt him.

"P-Please, it hurts!" Kai tried to resist. For the first time in his life, he wanted to break free. He pulled his hand away.

Clark was surprised by Kai’s strength. Kai himself was shocked when Clark fell to the floor because of the pull. But that only fueled Clark’s anger, and he grabbed Kai by the collar.

"Don’t you know who I am?" hissed Clark. "My father is the head of security in the capital. If you mess with me, you’re done for. You’d better come with me quietly," he continued.

Kai stared at Clark. He didn’t care. He didn’t want to cause trouble or get involved in any problems. But this time, Clark and his friends dragged him under the oak tree where he usually studied with Mrs. Manu.

For the first time in the dormitory, Kai was subjected to violence. He was used to receiving punishment, but this time his body felt broken from the blows of five young men at once. He still didn’t understand why they did it.

Ian followed because he was worried something might happen to Kai. Even though he didn’t like the young man, he didn’t want to see violence. Especially from Clark Barn. Everyone knew who that young man was. No one knew how many students had withdrawn from schools in the capital because of Clark’s bullying. No one dared to reprimand him.

Ian saw Kai cornered. He cursed the young man for not fighting back, even though if he wanted to, he was strong enough to defend himself.

"Hey, stop! You guys don’t want to get in trouble at the palace, right?" Ian shouted, frowning as if he felt the pain from the blows hitting Kai’s body.

Clark gasped, chuckled, and looked at Kai who was curled up before turning to Ian. "You better keep quiet. I’m not touching you because you’re useless to me. You’ll just be a lowly servant. But this kid pisses me off," he muttered, kicking Kai in the ribs.

Kai groaned softly, feeling excruciating pain all over his body. His lips were bleeding, and several kicks to his stomach made him want to vomit. His body was shaking. He cursed himself for not being able to avoid the blows. Weakly, he looked at Clark, who was now arguing with Ian.

Ian was defending him?

"We’re no longer in training school. We’re in the palace. You can’t act like this anymore!" said Ian, hurt by Clark’s words.

Clark chuckled. "What a model student. What are you going to do? Report me? See what happens if you do," he said arrogantly.

Ian’s eyes widened when he saw Kai curled up and vomiting blood. "Look what you did to him!" he shouted, trying to get closer.

Clark quickly blocked him, pushing him away. "Stay away!" he said threateningly.

Ian looked at Clark, a little intimidated. He shouldn’t have interfered. He had gone through many hardships to get to this point. He shouldn’t have risked everything. But seeing Kai like that, for some reason, he couldn’t bear it.

He had seen how many times Kai had been punished that day. The young man just stood there and accepted it, even though it was caused by students who hated him and wanted to see him destroyed.

"Please, stop. He’s dying," said Ian, trying one last time. But his body was pushed hard, and he fell to the ground.

"If you don’t leave here, you know what will happen. You’re starting to piss me off," said Clark. The other four young men just stood around Kai.

Clark turned back to Kai, who was curled up on the ground. "If you’re still here tomorrow, you know what will happen. I don’t want to see you anymore. Whoever is backing you, tell them that I, Clark Barn, am kicking you out."

They kicked Kai and punched him one last time.

"I can’t believe I met a rat in the palace. Disgusting!" Clark cursed before leaving.

"Never mind. If he still wants to live, I’m sure he won’t dare to stay in the dormitory any longer. Let’s go back to our rooms. I don’t feel like going to the servant quarters," said one of Clark’s friends.

Clark shook his head. "We have to go to the servant quarters. We can’t afford to lose points. We have to pass the test no matter what."

They sighed, but they knew Clark was very serious about points and grades. The young man had disappointed Dionar Barn by failing the royal security guard entrance exam. Because he had once broken a bone, he didn’t even pass the initial stage of the palace guard exam, even though he was now healed.

Therefore, Clark tried to prove that he could enter the palace, even if it was only as a servant.