Reincarnated as an Energy with a System

Chapter 2028: Bullies

Later in the evening, Ning once again returned to the cafeteria for dinner. He stood in line and got his food a few minutes later before making his way to the losers’ table to sit across from Jason.

"So, why exactly do they call you a loser?" Ning asked. "There has to be a reason, right?"

Jason noticed him immediately, and the expression that crossed his face made it clear he had been hoping Ning would choose somewhere else this time.

"You really came back," Jason said, lowering his voice as Ning settled into the seat. "I already told you that sitting here is going to cause problems for you, so if you have any sense, you should take your food and find another table before someone decides that you belong here."

Ning picked up his utensils without any sign that he intended to move. "I’m not going anywhere, so you might as well stop trying to get rid of me and answer the question. Why does everyone call you a loser?"

Jason looked uncomfortable almost immediately. "That is exactly the kind of question you should not be asking while sitting here, especially when half the cafeteria can see who you are talking to."

"Then answer before the other half notices."

Jason gave him a frustrated look, but before he could respond, several students approached the table.

Ning turned just before they arrived and looked through them. He recognized two of them.

They had been among the men Naysha fought earlier that day, and although both had made a decent effort to hide the bruising with makeup and treatment, Ning could still see the traces of what had happened. One had discoloration along the side of his neck where Naysha had struck him, while another carried faint swelling around his face that had not completely disappeared.

Ning glanced at the other two, but these ones were new.

"Hello," he said in a friendly manner, giving them a pleasant smile. "Are you guys looking for a place to sit? There’s plenty of room here."

One of them looked Ning over before asking, "Who are you supposed to be?"

"Ning," he answered calmly. "I transferred into the academy today."

The man’s expression changed slightly at that, but not enough to make him any friendlier. "Then nobody has explained this place to you yet. This table belongs to the losers, and anyone stupid enough to sit here voluntarily gets treated the same way."

"Loser?" Ning gave a confused look. "What do you mean by a loser? You mean the sort that messes with other cadets and their equipment? The sort that tries to beat up a beggar? Surely not the kind that gets beaten up by a single person when they were in a group of four."

The two men seemed to panic suddenly.

"What the hell are you trying to say?" the one with the neck injury asked in such a loud voice that it drew the attention of others in the cafeteria. The two who appeared unaware seemed confused by the sudden aggression.

"What do you mean, what I’m trying to say?" Ning asked. "I’m just asking what makes me a loser."

He looked around the table as though he were checking whether he had missed some official marking. "The table certainly doesn’t have a name on it, so surely it’s not just because I sat down here that you’ve decided I’m a loser."

"That’s exactly what we mean," one of the other two said. "This seat is designated as the loser seat. So, if you don’t want to be considered one, then you should find another place."

Ning placed his utensils down and looked at the man properly. "Are all of you really stupid enough to decide a person’s value based on which chair they happen to sit in during dinner, or is there some deeper logic I’m supposed to be missing?"

The mood around them changed immediately.

Jason lowered his gaze toward his food, while the men in front of Ning stared at him as though he had just crossed a line no new student should have known existed.

The man in front stepped closer. "You should apologize."

Ning raised an eyebrow. "For asking whether you’re stupid?"

"For insulting us."

"And if I don’t, what happens? Are you going to beat me until I change my opinion?" Ning asked.

The man’s jaw tightened, seemingly ready to hit him.

Ning leaned back slightly in his seat. "I’d actually like to see you try."

One of the others moved forward, but the first man stopped him with an arm.

"You’re lucky there are cameras in here," he said. "That is the only reason you can sit there and run your mouth without consequences, so enjoy it while you can. Just make sure we never find you somewhere alone."

Ning stared at him for a moment before pushing his chair back and standing.

The movement made Jason look up sharply. The four were also confused by Ning’s actions.

Ning stepped close enough that there was barely any distance left between him and the man who had just threatened him, then looked directly into his eyes.

"Then come with me now," Ning said. "We can find somewhere private and settle it properly. If you’re too frightened to come alone, bring the rest of your girlfriends with you so you feel safer."

Light snickering came from all around the cafeteria, though no one openly laughed.

The man looked around, his face flushed with anger.

For a moment, Ning thought he might actually accept. Instead, the man scoffed and took a step back.

"You’re going to get exactly what you deserve eventually."

Ning smiled. "Your words sadly lack impact now that you’ve refused my invitation. What a shame."

The others glared at him, but none of them moved.

"I’ll let my actions do the work," the man said.

"Sure, sure," Ning said. "But before that, what is your name? I would rather not fight a no-name man. Feels bad, like I’m beating up a henchman."

"My name is Liam. Remember that."