Chapter 58: First day at University. (2/3)

” Hi ”

Max nodded his head and extended his hand, his palm steady and warm. Rosie shook it first, quick and a little too enthusiastic, like she didn’t know how firm to hold, then Tamannah followed more carefully, her fingers light and shy. After that, the three of them naturally began walking toward the university building together, their steps slow and unhurried, morning voices and footsteps mixing around them.

Rosie started pointing at things almost immediately, talking as they walked, sometimes too fast, sometimes stopping mid-sentence to think. She pointed at one building and explained what it was, then pointed at another that was obviously just a café and still explained it anyway, then forgot what she was saying halfway and corrected herself, laughing awkwardly.

A few times she walked past something important and only remembered after two steps, turning back to point again. Tamannah stayed closer to Max now, not as nervous as before, adjusting her glasses and listening quietly, occasionally nodding like she was backing Rosie up.

” Yeah, so that’s it for here, I don’t know where the labs are for your department, though. ”

” That’s alright, I’ll know my way around, thank you so much ”

Max just smiled at their help. The three of them stopped at a small fork in the path where the walkway split into two directions, students passing by from both sides, Rosie and Tamannah needing to go left while Max had to go right, his classes starting soon. They stood there for a second longer than necessary, like the conversation wasn’t fully finished yet.

” You’re welcome, wanna exchange numbers? ”

” Sure ”

…

[Updated]

[Side Mission: Make Ten Friends] [Passed]

[Passing Grade: Fixed]

[Reward: Modern Modifier Card. (Item)]

[Press here to get the rewards]

Damn! What the hell is this again?

A system pop-up appeared right in front of his eyes as soon as he turned the corner. Max slowed his steps but didn’t stop walking, scanned the reward quickly, the corner of his lips lifting slightly, then dismissed it with a flick of his finger. He had a class to attend, this could wait.

Just as he was about to reach the building where his lecture was, he spotted Finn ahead. Finn was standing in the middle of a small group of girls.

Hmm? He got this many girls on the first day?

Max smiled faintly and walked toward him, boots steady against the pavement. But the closer he got, the more something felt off. The girls weren’t laughing or chatting, they were crowding him. Too close. One blocked his front, two on the sides, one behind. Finn’s shoulders were stiff, his smile forced, hands awkward at his sides like he didn’t know where to put them. He didn’t look confident. He looked trapped.

” Rich boy, how about it? Are you going to lend us your car or not? ”

” Oh, he’s not lending you anything ”

Max understood immediately the moment he heard that tone. It wasn’t teasing. It wasn’t flirting or anything, they were bullying him.

” Oh? Who are you? ”

As soon as they heard someone interfere, the girls turned around together. Heavy makeup, piercings, expensive clothes worn carelessly, the kind of rich and loud look that tried too hard. Their eyes scanned Max from head to toe. No fear. Only annoyance.

Max didn’t bother answering. He simply walked forward, stepped into their circle like they weren’t even there, reached out his hand, grabbed Finn by the sleeve, and pulled him out cleanly in one motion. No force, just direct. Finn stumbled back and ended up behind him without even realizing how he got moved.

Now Max stood between them with a fake smile on his face.

” It doesn’t matter who I am, I am telling you he won’t lend you his car ”

His hands stayed in his jacket pockets, posture relaxed, like nothing here could trouble him. Even if they tried something stupid, he could dodge without effort. He is wasn’t worried.

He simply watched them, curious how far bullies usually went in a big city, in such a good establishment.

” Hmm, I see you got savior complex ”

The leading girl with the excessive tan tilted her head slightly as she spoke, like she was studying him. Up close, the metal on her lips and eyebrows caught the sunlight, small piercings glinting every time she moved. Her eyes narrowed, sharp and unfriendly, but there was also a strange amusement there, like she had expected him to step in.

She held his gaze for a few seconds, then gave a slow nod, almost impressed. Without saying anything else, she flicked two fingers toward the others, the girls immediately understood.

They backed off one by one, heels scraping lightly on the pavement, still throwing looks at Max as they moved. She turned last, walking past him close enough that her shoulder almost brushed his jacket, then gave him a small, lazy smile before leaving like nothing had happened.

” Max, sigh! Thanks man ”

Finn finally breathed out the air he had been holding, shoulders dropping all at once. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, like his whole body had just come out of a freeze. Max didn’t turn fully toward him, just glanced sideways and gave a small nod.

” You’re welcome, did they know you or something? ”

They started walking toward the building together, steps slow and casual like it was nothing important.

” They were from my high school and they don’t even go here, came to bully me cause her boyfriend is a senior here ”

” Her boyfriend is a senior here? Ahaha, I think you should man up, get beaten first ”

Max let out a short laugh under his breath as they walked, hands in his jacket pockets, steps slow and relaxed like the whole thing didn’t matter. The tension from earlier was already gone from his face, like the scene had never even happened.

” Are you friend or enemy, suggesting me to get beaten up ”

Finn looked at him with disbelief, half annoyed, half confused, trying to keep up with Max’s longer strides.

” Oh! I am your friend all right. This happened to me when I was in the orphanage. I was a kid, as skinny as they come. Fat ones always tried to pick on me. I was also afraid like you were, but one day I decided, fuck it, let’s see what they can do, and got myself beaten up every single day for two months straight. ”

They crossed the walkway while Max spoke, students moving around them, bags bumping shoulders, morning noise everywhere, but his voice stayed calm and casual like he was just talking about the weather.

” Eh? Why? ”

Finn slowed a little, staring at him like he couldn’t understand how someone could say that so normally, his life was so different from his.

” Well, after two months, I got used to the beating and one day I fought back. I got beaten up anyway, so slowly but surely when I started to hit them back, they never looked for me to bully ”

Max shrugged lightly, like it was nothing special. He looked ahead and saw Olivia. She was waving her hand at him. He smiled and waved back.

” I can’t just hit a women ”

” You dumb fuck, you don’t need to hit them back, just get beaten up if they want your car, never give in to their demands, if her boyfriend comes, I’ll deal with him, if she hits you we call cops “

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