The Alchemists

"I can forgive you if I could hit you three times ... on the schoolyard," Charles blurted. "It's only fair."

Crazy! Three times?? Altair's eyes went round in anger.

This was not fair at all, especially since he was innocent.

"Ugh.. Once," the teenager said hurriedly. "I can accept one hit to settle this issue. But not more!"

"What?" Nicolae turned to Altair with a baffled expression. He didn't expect Altair would be willing to take one hit to get rid of this problem. Jeez ...

"I can't take three. They will leave marks. Father would be suspicious," Altair whispered to Nicolae and explained his decision. "One punch is fine. I can hide the bruise."

Only then did Nicolae understand what Altair meant. The boy did not want to continue his problem with Charles, but he also did not want to take more hit since they would leave marks and make his father would become suspicious.

"You ... will you be okay with that?" Nicolae asked, holding Altair's hand, trying to make sure his son was okay.

"Ah ... Dad, it's okay. It's normal for a man to only get hit once or twice. As long as it doesn't leave marks on my handsome face," Altair answered casually.

"You!" Charles was very annoyed to hear that. He felt Altair looked down on him by acting so laidback. "You're so arrogant!"

"Hey .. I only give you one chance. It's up to you whether you take it or not," said Altair.

Charles turned to his father. "Dad.. please just call the police."

With a snort, Ron Gilbert immediately took out his cellphone to call the police station. Altair let out a long sigh, and his face seemed very irritated.

"Ugh! Fine. TWICE. That is all. Don't you dare test my patience by asking for more. If you continue this problem, you will be the one to regret it." Altair immediately raised his hand and gave a sign that he was willing to negotiate.

Charles seemed to weigh his options. Actually, as long as he could hit Altair on the schoolyard, in front of many people, he was satisfied. His reputation would recover because his friends could see that he got his revenge. They had been insulting him for losing a fight from his junior since yesterday.

If Altair was sent to jail, his friends might consider him a coward for relying on his father's influence to punish Altair.

Besides ... he could still put this brat in jail anytime. He could do it later. The important thing was now he would get satisfaction by hitting Altair. Ha. Twice was fine too. He would hit with all his might.

"All right. I agree," Charles rubbed his nose and snorted again. He then turned to his father. "Father ... we will give them a chance to redeem himself. If he did make another trouble, we could send him to jail."

"There will be NO next time," blurted Altair. "Starting today, if you see me, you have to act like we don't know each other. If something happens like yesterday, YOU will regret it."

Altair told the truth. If Charles bothered him again, he would not stay still, and inevitably, Alaric would know. If that happens ... then we could be sure the Gilbert family would understand what regret means.

"You sure talk a lot. Let's go to the yard now," Charles said impatiently.

"Ouch ... violence is not the solution, kids. Why can't you just talk and make peace with each other?" asked Miss Haney nervously.

Nicolae smiled thinly and tried to calm her down. "It's okay, Miss. This is a problem between two boys, let them solve it in their own way. The important thing is, Altair has made sure that the problem is settled here. I hope Charles will respect their agreement today."

Finally, the homeroom teacher could not do anything. Altair excused himself and immediately walked out of the principal's room, followed by Charles and his father. Nicolae walked with Miss Haney to follow them to the schoolyard, in front of the library building.

There were many students hanging out in the schoolyard. Some were getting ready to go home, others were just hanging out to chat with their friends. As soon as they saw Altair and Charles, they all started making noise.

Yesterday, the fight was actually unequal because Altair was far stronger than Charles, and he managed to beat up Charles mercilessly. Now the young man's face was full of bruises, and his lips were still swollen.

Yikes... there was a teacher here too? And there were some a.d.u.l.ts? Were these men their parents?

Students who were interested in what would happen soon formed a circle with Altair and Charles in the center. With enthusiasm, they paid close attention to what would happen.

"Okay ... you can start," said Altair in a cold voice. He did not care about the students around him, who were shouting encouragement or ridicule. Some female students seemed to shudder and cry when they realized what was about to happen.

"Vega ... hey ... let's go to the schoolyard!" Tatiana entered their class and called Vega. The girl was busy writing down some assignments in her book.

"What is wrong?" Vega asked without looking up from her book.

"Charles and Altair seem to be fighting again ... Come on, hurry up !!" said Tatiana, shaking her friend's shoulders.

"Altair won't be okay, really ..." Vega replied without looking remotely interested. She was still busy writing.

"But, this time, it looks like your brother won't fight back. I heard a rumor that Charles would force him to take three punches to punish him for what happened yesterday; otherwise, his father, who was a famous lawyer, would send Altair to jail."

"What? Really?" Vega looked surprised. She quickly closed her book, cleared her bag and hurried out of the classroom to the schoolyard.

When they arrived, Altair only received the first hit. The other students shouted in unison as Charles's fist struck Altair's cheek with all his might. Altair felt his left cheek with his right hand. His expression was calm. He did not want to be provoked by anger and hit Charles back.

"Hmmm ... that's one. You have one more chance," the young man said calmly.

"Ugh ... you're still so arrogant," Charles said, grinning. "Let's see if you can still talk after my next punch..."

He clenched his fist and prepared to beat Altair once more.

YAAA.S.SHHH

Altair could see that Charles's fist this time was wielded with all his determination and hatred, directed at his nose. Even though he could endure the pain ... he was suddenly worried that Charles's fist would break his nose.

He would not be able to hide a broken nose from his father, Alaric. Yikes...

"Hey!! You jerk!! Don't hit my brother!!!" Suddenly Vega's scream was heard, and at the same time, the girl had attacked Charles with a swift kick towards his waist ... just as Charles's fist almost touched Altair's nose.

In an instant, the situation changed. Charles suddenly lay on the ground with Vega's right foot stomping on his waist, and Altair stood frozen in his place, closing his eyes, ready to receive Charles's fist on his nose.