3RD PERSON POV

Y/N: Lose the gel hair. It's better messy.

John: But-

Y/N: Compare these photos. You with hair gel and you without. Which one's better?

He shows him the photos of himself, depicting the astronomical difference as John sighs.

Y/N: The ladies will like the messy hair. I know from experience.

John: Hmm.....I guess so actually.

Y/N: So I'll all your hair gel.

John: HELL NO IT'S MY PRIZED COLLECTION!

Y/N: YOUR UGLY ASS DOESN'T RECOGNIZE FASHION!

They were bickering amongst each other as they reach the front gate where someone was waiting for them.

Seraphina: *surprised* Is this your friend?

John: *grin* Yup! He sure is.

???: Y/N.

Y/N: Ah Gun!

Gun: You made friends I assume?

Y/N meets up with a friend much to the other two's confusion as Gun's eyes wander to them.

Gun: Hmmm.....I heard from the students coming out. Your friend's friends with the Ace of Wellston. And someone with no ability?

Y/N: Yeah that's like my only option. People try to bully me but now they're scared of me and my brother after sending like 50 people to the infirmary just this week.

Gun: *smirk* Any of them strong?

Y/N: No not really. The strongest is only an elite tier....I think his name is Zeke. I kinda cracked his head open.

Gun: How strong are the royals here?

Y/N: Very strong. You got someone who can manipulate lightning, time, shoots energy projectiles and can create barriers. Stronger than the other royals for sure. Rowden's pretty embarrassing though I have to admit. They all act like children.

Gun: You fought them?

Y/N: Zack fought them and folded them like origami.

They both chatted for a moment before he leaves and Y/N-

Seraphina: Does he have an ability?

Y/N: No. He's strong just like me.

John: *surprised* He's strong like you with an ability too?

Y/N: Can't people with no abilities be strong around here?

Seraphina: Not exactly. There's a hierarchy in place.

Y/N: From where I'm from it's not about the hierarchy. It's about strength.

John: Strength?

Y/N: It doesn't matter if you have an ability or not. If someone like a low tier loses to a mid tier, they're just weaker plain and simple. If they beat them however, they're stronger. People back where I'm from acknowledge strength no matter what tier you are. If you want respect, you'll work for it. I swear people here are pussies.

Seraphina: Not everyone is strong like you.

Y/N: It's probably the way society runs around here. But who cares? I have no ability, yet I made it this far. A society that doesn't value true strength won't keep me down......

Y/N: Boba?

Seraphina/John: *thumbs up*

Later

???: Boss?

Y/N: Ah Jerry! How's your day been?

Jerry tells about his day with a smile while the two others drank boba.

Seraphina: Is he strong too with no ability?

Y/N: Yup.

Jerry: Jake has some concerns about sightings in our neighborhood.

Y/N: Already talked with him. The white vans am I right?

Jerry: Indeed. And he also wanted to gift you this.

Jerry gives him a box of chocolates to which Y/N thanks him for before he left.

John: *perplexed* Boss?

Y/N: To be honest I'd rather be called my name but they just call me boss out of respect.

Seraphina: You're a gang leader?

Y/N: I wouldn't call it a gang leader really. We all make money legally and we do help the community a lot no matter what abilities they have. Key difference is that no one has an ability.

They were pleasantly surprised as Y/N explains.

Y/N: I'm the leader with my brother being the co-leader. The executives are the leaders of each branch, with each part doing their own thing.

John: Was the tall guy earlier at Wellston one of them?

Y/N: No he's a friend and an ally. He actually taught me how to fight.

Seraphina: *curious* He's stronger?

Y/N: More like equals though I may have an edge now. He's only a year older. Now onto the branches. There's 16 of them in total with each having more than a hundred and are led by a leader, their 2nd in command, and their executives as you'd say. The whole group was created really only a year ago along with our alliance because the war was weighing down on us. We did have to flee the country, and we could've chosen a better place to stay at though I chose here.

John: Isn't it better elsewhere?

Y/N: Here we can keep a low profile while improving our lives. And don't worry, everyone's really nice.......well maybe not so much some of our allies.

Seraphina: It's pretty interesting to know you lead a whole army of cripples.

Y/N: It's like I'm more of the de facto leader when there's conflict with outsiders or amongst us. Wait......did you two visit the mall?

John: Recently?

Y/N: Did you happen to get a teddy bear?

Seraphina: I mean high tiers and above get one-

Y/N suddenly had a serious look on his face as he whispers.

Y/N: *whisper* There's a tracking chip in it. I've talked with Jichang and chances are it's related to the high tier kidnappings recently.

John: *startled* Tracking chip?!

Y/N: Did you happen to stay somewhere for an extended period of time other than Wellston?

Seraphina: I mean I went to John's home-

She froze, hearing what he was implying as Y/N adds him to her contacts.

Y/N: If you're in trouble you should message me.

John: *panic* Wait so does that mean my home's potentially-

Y/N: Someone might be watching your home John.

He warned them carefully, giving them instructions as they listen intently.

Later

???: *confused* Where's Wellston's King?

Y/N: He's late. Do you wish to start now though?

The guy looks around, only seeing John and Sera next to Y/N while his brother and a random mid tier healer stood on the sidelines trembling in awe.

Y/N: I'll be the de facto king at the moment.

???: Name's Broven. *relieved* At least you're not that much of an ass like your king. 1v1 or 3v3?

Y/N: 1 v 1. Daniel?

Daniel: I'll go first.

Daniel proceeds to take his top off, revealing a white shirt underneath as he steps forward along with their Jack, Gou.

Daniel: Ready when you are.

Gou: *tch*

*BAM*

Daniel let's the guy charge at him, dodging his punches and such before kicking him away casually.

Gou: 'So he's a melee fighter. But why isn't he using his ability?'

Daniel: You're wondering why I'm not using my ability right? Well me and my brother don't have one.

This shocked the entirety of Agwin as Gou charges forward once more.

Daniel: Like I said.

*BAM*

Daniel: I have no ability.

Daniel clocks Gou hard, knocking him out with one massive punch as Agwin's king trembles and has the healer bring him back to their side.

???: R-Rein! You're up!

Now Y/N was quite curious upon seeing the girl as he has Daniel step back and he enters the show.

Y/N: John, watch me fight closely.

???: BEGIN!

*BOOM*

Y/N grabs a chunk before throwing it at the queen, and to his curiosity spider legs shot out of her back.

Rein: No ability Huh? This should be easy for me.

Y/N: So your ability is designed to keep me at mid range combat where I can't get close. I see.

*BAM*

He swiftly dodges all her spider legs, her side surprised at how he wasn't even using an ability and yet he wasn't sweating while evading their Queen's attacks.

Y/N: You're fast.

He dodges one of the legs before grabbing onto it and pulling it with enough force to have the girl flying right to him.

Y/N: But can you take a hit?

*BOOM*

Rein manages to block his punch with two appendages while the others aren't grazed Y/N's shirt, cutting into the fabric though she was immediately blasted far away.

*THUD*

Rein: *wince* 'Damn it. What kind of power was in that punch?! If I didn't block it I would've been knocked out or had my skull cracked open!'

She felt blood trickle from her nose, her arms shaking from the force of the punch though to her shock the two arachnid legs she used to block Y/N's attack was cracked now-

Y/N: I'M HERE!

*WHOOSH*

Rein wasted no time, turning around after she missed Y/N only to strike thin air as well-

*BOOM*

She was suddenly suplexed straight into the ground, forming a wide crater as she was knocked unconscious after another half hearted blow to the chin.

???: W-WITHOUT AN ABILITY STILL?!

Y/N: *scoff* I have no ability! She may be fast with her appendages, but she's not fast physically with her own body. She was too careless. So you want to fight-

???: No I'm good. I forfeit.

Y/N had a surprised look on his face as the guy scoffs.

???: I'm not stupid. Even if I defeat you and your brother, I'm not winning against the girl there. I'll be cutting my losses here.......*impressed* but never thought I'd find cripples to be so strong. Never seen that before, but I'd be damned it's a refreshing sight.

Y/N: There's plenty of us out there.

???: Oh really? Well then, I'll be looking forward to seeing them.

They all waved goodbye to each before going their separate ways.

Y/N: As a fighter with no ability you have to play to your strengths. You analyze, adapt, and overcome. Train your body to its damn limit and you can be stronger than anyone out there with an ability or not. Use their arrogance to your advantage.

John: I see.......'He's strong. Can he really fight a god tier though? I want to see that...'

???2: H-HOLY SHIT THAT WAS COOL!

Y/N: Damn right! *grin* This your first time?

???2: I mean I heard of turf wars but to see it with my very eyes.....*awe* And to think you have no ability, and yet you're strong and fast! Wish I was like that.

Y/N: Just train!

???2: It's not like anyone would take you seriously. You beat someone up? They got a whole gang ready to do the same to you later.

Y/N: Like that group of 12 mid tiers I whooped yesterday?

???2: Well besides that. *happy* But it's been an honor to witness this with my very eyes!

He runs away quickly as Sera looks at him.

Sera: The mid tiers are warming up to you.

Y/N: Well some of them are envious. Some of them are just plain assholes. But they're starting to acknowledge me.

Daniel: And the girls.

Y/N:............

John: *smirk* You two got the eyes of more than half the females of the school.

Y/N: *depressed* I'm bad with girls. I mean I've been on a few dates before but they're all assholes.

???: Y/N!

Y/N: Wha- *turns* Gitae?

Y/N turns to find a large crowd of people in a hundred of two there with a familiar face grinning.

Y/N: Gitae what are you doing here?

Gitae: *grin* Can't say hello to the leader of my brother Jake?

Y/N: Well turf wars had just finished.

Gitae: They were damn weak anyway. I'm just passing through to the other side.

Members of his crew all waved to Y/N before making their way across the field.

Y/N: He's an ally. Not necessarily a friend but mutual allies. He's strong like me but weaker.

Meanwhile

???: HOLY SHIT DID YOU SEE THAT?! THE CRIPPLES TOOK DOWN THE JACK AND QUEEN EASILY!

???2: He's the one that pushed me too!

???3: Hey what are you planning?

???4: *smirk* Interesting.....a cripple whose strength defies everything the hierarchy stands for.

???5: I WANT TO BE PUNCHED BY HIM!

???6: HE'S SO HANDSOME!

???7: Well they're weird.

Later

Y/N: So? What do you think of my training?

John: Your training is suicidal.

John was horrified as Y/N lifted a 3 ton weight on his back, having been carrying it for the past 45 minutes before dropping it off.

Y/N: Yeah most of us have to go through suicidal training to get this strong. You need experience. Experience to achieve strength.

Y/N: You have an ability don't you?

John was taken aback as Y/N presses on.

Y/N: I've seen what this society offers. A cripple never acts like you. Even with your seemingly weak strength you were never scared. You were never fazed at all. Something like that is only given through experience with fighting other ability users and outright beating them.

Y/N said his part though thought of some way to reassure him.

Y/N: Are you perhaps scared of using your ability? People were scared of me too. I beaten high and god tiers before. I killed before too.

John: *shock* K-Killed?

Y/N: Yes I've killed before. People back where I'm from don't refer to me as Y/N but refer to me as my title. Copy Genius, A Masterpiece, Killing Machine. But do you what they really refer to me as?

John stood there silent as Y/N spoke.

Y/N: Demon Dragon, King of the Generation of Fighters, and the Strongest of the 2nd Generation. Get this. There were God and High tiers there. Plenty of them. And they respected me. They feared me. But I did all that because I wanted to protect my friends. I wanted to be strong enough to handle my own issues, confront my own demons, and to be able to solve my own problems and not have people help me. I've fought hundreds at once before and won. Don't be afraid of your own capabilities. Now tell me John, do you have an ability?

John:..............

Y/N: You don't have to admit it now, but-

John: I do have an ability.

John admits it straight away as Y/N nods.

Y/N: Are you scared of using it?

John: Kinda.

Y/N: Did people fear you?

John nods his head as Y/N turns around before walking away.

Y/N: Don't be afraid to use it. This society really only values powers, and they'll continue to crush down on you if you don't prove yourself. Don't let them look down on you, but don't let them control who you become. Be yourself, and be better. Alright?

John:.......Alright. Thanks.

He leaves without another word as Y/N heads to the east courtyard of Wellston-

???: *smirk* Why I've been wanting to meet you.

Y/N: So you're Arlo.

Remi: Remi.

Y/N: What do two of Wellston's royals want with a cripple?

Arlo: *smirk* You aren't an ordinary cripple. I seen you beat Agwin's Queen and your brother defeated their Jack. You can become a Royal at this rate too. However.

A barrier was erected around him, and Y/N raises a brow as Arlo steps forward.

Arlo: Turf Wars is for royals. A cripple like you should know his place so bow down.

Y/N: 'Well I guess there's no holding back then.'

*BOOM*

His muscles flexed before he punches the barrier with some force. Pain shot form his arm as it bled from the reflective damage and he flexes it gingerly.

Y/N: *amused* That actually hurts.

Arlo: *COUGH* H-He cracked my barrier?!

Arlo's barrier was greatly cracked, blood coughed from his lungs as Y/N punches the barrier again.

Y/N: So you want a fight.

Y/N: THEN COME AT ME!

*SHATTER*

The barrier shatters with another blow at his full strength and Y/N's arm bleeds profusely, yet he didn't give a fuck in this world as he charges at Arlo.

Arlo: 'D-DAMNIT I CAN'T ERECT ANOTHER BARRIER!'

*BOOM*

Their fists slammed against both their faces, yet Arlo found himself flying into the school walls as Y/N was already in front of him.

*BOOM*

Arlo: *shocked* 'What kind of monster is this cripple?!'

He tries to move but finds his foot stomped on as Y/N grins.

Y/N: Gotcha.

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

Arlo: 'I HAVE TO GET AWAY-'

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

Y/N: JUST BECAUSE I'M HURT DOESN'T MEAN I CAN'T KEEP GOING!

*BOOM*

He batters the King with a multitude of blows, shattering the area around him as-

*SHOCK*

Remi: THAT'S ENOUGH!

She shocks Y/N, making him stop as his fist was inches away from an unconscious and battered Arlo.

Remi: *stern* You won!

Remi: *shocked* You won without an ability.

Y/N: So what does this mean?

Arlo: *cough* This means.....you're the King now of the royals.

He begrudgingly gets up and groans as Elaine heals him while looking at Y/N with an expression of fear.

Arlo: This makes me Jack huh.

Y/N: I guess so.

Arlo: *cough* How the hell are you so strong yet you use no ability?

Y/N: Pure torturous training from my childhood till today. From where I'm from it's like survival of the fittest. If you want to live up the hierarchy, you have to prove yourself with your strength no matter how strong your ability is? You want privileges? Prove that you earn the promotion. Otherwise people will have to know their place. That's what I've followed all my life.

Arlo: *curious* A variation of the hierarchy  I see.

He had a smirk on his face as he gets up and shakes his hand.

Arlo: *smirk* I'll be teaching you the responsibilities of being a king then. Though I'm thinking......is your brother strong like you?

Y/N: He is, but I have much more experience in terms of combat. I've been thinking of putting up multiple positions for an ace and maybe a joker one.

Arlo: Multiple aces and a joker? Who will be the joker?

Y/N: I have an idea. JOHN!

John: 'Oh shit.' Y-Yeah?

Next Chapter:

Settling Matters