SSS Cultivation: I Can Conquer Earth's Rank System
Chapter 54: Rejection. Chance

Chapter 54: Rejection. Chance

Leo’s steps echoed through the dimly lit hallway as he made his way toward the staff quarters. His body ached with every movement, reminding him of the fight that still weighing on his muscles. Jose had healed the worst of his burns, but exhaustion still clung to him like a second skin. He doubted if Josedid a good job.

He exhaled sharply, rubbing a his arm as he approached the heavy wooden door marked STAFF QUARTERS. It wasn’t his first time standing in front of this door, and even if things went the way he expected, it wouldn’t be his last either. There was something about this staff quarters that was always calling him. Like, pushing him to get into trouble so he could be judged by one of the teachers.

Leo squared his shoulders and pushed the door open. Inside, the office smelled of old books and stale coffee, typical of the grey Mr. Al.

Mr. Al, the smart and intelligent grim and old teacher sat behind his cluttered desk, scribbling something on a stack of papers. His dark-rimmed glasses slid slightly down his nose as he glanced up, already looking frustrated before Leo even spoke.

"You again? What do you want this time?" He asked.

Leo took a deep breath. "I want to request a room change."

There was no way he’s sleeping in the same dorm room with Jade after what just happened. It’s now what Jade’s intentions was. He didn’t want to bully him. He wanted a fight.

And that took Leo’s memory back to the scene at E-73 FOR EARTH, the academy ay planet Luxus. The first time Jade saw him standing beside Loca, he had even requested a fight. If not for Loca, Jade might have gotten his satisfaction then. "Is he born to fight me or what?"

Mr. Al sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Again?"

"Yes, again," Leo replied, trying to keep his frustration in check. "I just fought the ’almighty’ Jade Morningbolt today. You know, the same guy I’m sharing a room with? And he nearly burned me alive. Imagine what would happen if we sleep in the same dorm overnight, Mr. Al."

Mr. Al waved his hand dismissively. "Aha, you fought Jade Morningbolt and yet, you’re still standing here, very much alive. You must be stronger than this."

"Well, the academy guards came to my rescue, otherwise I i really might not be standing here. But that’s not the point, Mr. Al. I can’t stay with him any more, see? He hates me."

"I doubt so. Nobody hates a play thing. He likes you I bet," Mr. Al laughed.

Leo’s jaw clenched. "This isn’t funny."

"It’s not meant to be," Mr. Al replied, leaning back in his chair. "Listen, kid. You’re in the VIP dorms. Those rooms are assigned based on rank or family influence, not personal preference. I thoight you’d be a lad with one of those qualities since it was Loca that recommended you. I’ve never been so wrong, oh my... Jade is A-rank. You? D-rank. You should be grateful you’re even in that building in the first place."

Leo crossed his arms. "So, I should just be okay with living next to the guy who sees me as a punching bag?"

"How many times has he tested this fight move on you?"

"Just today," Leo replied.

Mr. Al shrugged. "Look, if he wanted to take you out, he would have done it already. The fact that you’re still breathing means he either doesn’t care enough to finish the job... or he sees you as a play thing, or he respects you in some weird, twisted way, which I don’t think think is so."

Leo scoffed. "Yeah, well, I’d rather not test any of those theories."

"Too bad," Mr. Al said, already turning back to his paperwork. "Room change denied. Again. Now, unless you have an actual emergency, I have work to do."

Leo opened his mouth to argue, but he knew it was pointless. He had been through this before, three times, to be exact. The answer was always the same.

Clenching his fists, he turned on his heel and left the office.

"This man makes my blood boil..."

The walk back to his dorm felt longer than usual. Every step felt heavier, as if the weight of his situation was pressing down on him. It wasn’t just about the fight anymore. It was the fact that no one seemed to care. No matter how hard he tried, no one would give him an inch.

He reached the VIP dormitory and pushed through the grand entrance. The common room was dimly lit, the glow of a device showing a television screen casting flickering light across the leather couches. He saw Sil lounging on a sofa, but Leo’s eyes locked onto one person in particular. Just Jade.

He was sitting on one of the couches, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the screen. The soft hum of an action movie played in the background, but Leo barely noticed. He stood frozen near the doorway, half-expecting Jade to turn, to sneer, to make some kind of comment about their fight earlier that day.

But Jade didn’t even glance his way.

"Is he trying to keep it hidden from Sil?"

Leo took a cautious step forward. Nothing. No glares, no smirks, no threats. Jade just sat there, completely unbothered.

"Is he... ignoring me? Well, this might be better..."

It didn’t make sense. After everything that happened, Leo had braced himself for some kind of confrontation. But this? This was worse in a good sort of way. It’s hard to explain.

Because if Jade wasn’t mad, if he wasn’t out for revenge, then what did that mean?

Leo swallowed hard and forced himself to keep moving. Whatever this was, he wasn’t about to stand around and question it.

He made his way to his room, shutting the door behind him.

Leo let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. The tension of the day settled into his bones as he flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.

"What the hell was that?"

Jade wasn’t the type to let things slide. The fact that he hadn’t acknowledged the fight at all only made things more unsettling.

Leo rolled onto his side, rubbing his temples. He needed to stop overthinking. There were more important things to worry about...like how he was supposed to survive in a dorm with an outraged A-rank fire wielder while secretly using a fake quirk.

As if the universe wanted to pile on more problems, the AI device by his bed popped open a notification.

He reached for it, expecting a message from Jose or maybe even a school announcement about the fight. Instead, his screen displayed a notification:

[Beast Weapon Classes Will Commence Next Monday]

[Combat Classes Will Commence Next Wednesday]

[Quirk Control Classes Will Commence Next Friday]

[Anticipate These Classes with Determination]

[Your Journey To Becoming Your Best Version Is Starting]

[Good luck]

Just like it had been displayed in the lobby. Leo sat up, reading the message again.

Combat classes. Quirk control training. Beast weapon classes...

A strange mix of excitement and dread bubbled up in his chest. On one hand, this was exactly what he needed—an opportunity to improve, to get stronger, to stand his ground against real fighters. And above all, discover his strange quirk, even when he doesn’t know if these classes will help him discover it. But he must anticipate it really.

But on the other hand...

He didn’t have a quirk.

Every other student would be working on refining their abilities, mastering their powers. Meanwhile, Leo would have to keep up using a piece of laser device strapped to his wrist. He knew he would get caught if he ever tried using the device in a Quirk control class. There are always tech detectors in those classes to tell off those rich students who have hidden devices to enhance their quirk strength and all.

He exhaled slowly. This was going to be a nightmare.

But... it was also a chance.

A chance to prove he belonged here. A chance to get better. A chance to make sure that the next time he faced someone like Jade, he wouldn’t just be stalling for time... He would be fighting to win.

So he has decided. Since there’s an area where students can choose to major, Leo decided to opt for the Combat classes. At least, they don’t be using their quirks for the training until it gets to the point where they incorporate one’s quirks with different fighting styles. Until it gets to that level, he’d be safe from being caught using the device as a fake quirk. Plus he’ll be getting better at close combat if he took those classes seriously. It’s not bad to at least be good at one thing, so he’s going to be serious with those combat classes... Maybe then secretly train himself by combining his fighting skills with using the device, until he discovers his own real quirk.

"That sounds good..."

Leo lay back down, staring at the ceiling with renewed determination.

Next week couldn’t come fast enough.