Chapter 11

Icarus frowned and carefully observed Ruth's expression. She didn't seem to be lying. With Ruth's background, how could the headteacher possibly refuse her request? Someone was clearly interfering behind the scenes. Nevertheless, this wasn't something Icarus needed to worry about. "I'll just say this—your grandfather needs an acupuncture treatment once a week. If you don't keep your promise, I can stop any time," Icarus said. "I know. I'll find a way to switch seats as soon as possible." Ruth's face flushed with anger. Then, she muttered under her breath, "It's not like I want to be deskmates with you anyway!" During the break, Icarus wanted to go to the restroom. So, he walked out through the back door of the classroom. Just as he stepped out, a tall and handsome young man blocked his path. "Hey, I'm looking for Ruth. Could you help me ask her to come out?" he asked. Icarus glanced at him, finding his approach a bit odd. Several people had walked out the back door before him, yet this young man hadn't asked any of them to help him. But the moment Icarus stepped out, he stopped him. It seemed like he had been waiting for Icarus specifically. "My name is Xavier Young. I'm a student from the class next door and an old classmate of Ruth's," he said with a bright smile. That charming and sunny smile would make most people assume that Xavier was a kind and friendly person. Unfortunately, Icarus, who was standing before him, had lived for nearly five thousand years. Despite Xavier's attempt to conceal his true feelings, Icarus could still see the hostility and disgust in his eyes. Icarus said nothing and turned around. He walked back into the classroom and tapped Ruth on the shoulder. "Someone's looking for you at the back door." Ruth was startled but stood up and followed Icarus out of the classroom. When she saw Xavier, her expression immediately turned sour. Icarus was about to head to the restroom but was once again blocked by Xavier. He looked at Xavier with an irritated frown. "What do you want?" Ruth asked impatiently. "I heard that you specifically requested to sit with this guy in front of the whole class. I was just curious and wanted to meet your new deskmate," Xavier said, still smiling in a way that could charm many ladies. "What does that have to do with you?" Ruth asked, feeling annoyed. Xavier ignored Ruth and turned to look at Icarus. Then, he shook his head and said, "He's simply too ordinary. I don't see any appealing qualities in him... I tried, but I really can't." Then he turned back to Ruth, narrowing his eyes as he said, "Of course, I don't think you like him. Even so, I don't like other guys getting too close to you. Understand?" Ruth's face paled with anger. "Who do you think you are? This is none of your business—" "I know I can't interfere with your business, but I can get others to stay away," Xavier said with a cold smile while giving Icarus a warning glance. "It's almost time for class, so I'm leaving now," Xavier said with another grin before turning and walking away. After Xavier left, Icarus looked at Ruth expressionlessly. "Sorry, Xavier is not right in his mind. I… I have nothing to do with him. He keeps chasing after me, but I've rejected him many times..." Ruth stammered, flustered by Icarus' gaze. "You, take care of the transfer as soon as possible," Icarus said before resuming his way to the restroom. Ruth stood where she was in a daze. Then, she gritted her teeth in frustration. Michael wanted her to get along with Icarus, but with Icarus' arrogant attitude, it was impossible for her to do that! When Icarus returned to the classroom, the other students were whispering among themselves. Occasionally, they would cast gossipy looks in his direction. "Icarus is doomed this time. Offending Leon was one thing, but now he's pissed off Xavier Young from the honors class. He's a scion from that Young family, you know?" "Yeah, Xavier is a big deal. His family background is on par with Ruth's, and he's her most persistent pursuer so far." "But it's hard to say. Icarus seriously injured Leon and got away with it. Maybe..." Emily, who was sitting in the front row, let out a mocking laugh when she heard her classmates' discussion. "Do you seriously think Icarus has some powerful backing? Let me tell you, he's only safe because of Ruth. Now that he's offended Xavier, even Ruth can't protect him." "I heard that Xavier has a very powerful sister who dotes on him," added Shania, who was sitting nearby. Emily glanced at Icarus, who was seated in the corner and scoffed. "We'll see if this nobody knows his place. If he voluntarily gives up or changes his seat, Xavier might let him off. Otherwise, we'll be in for a good show." With Icarus' sharp hearing, he heard everything. He didn't see any point in getting angry with these kids. However, he now had a better understanding of how much trouble Ruth could cause him. He had just been deskmates with her for two days, and she had brought him two troublesome love rivals. Meanwhile, his classmates resorted to mocking and scorning him out of jealousy or envy. Icarus had kept a low profile for over two years. But in just two days, he had become the talk of the class, and soon he would likely be known throughout the school. This influence would be long-lasting. Even if Ruth switched classes now, these repercussions wouldn't disappear. In fact, the gossiping and mocking might even increase. Such was human nature. This was something Icarus had learned long ago. "Forget it. I'll just let things take their course," Icarus thought. Since he couldn't keep a low profile, he decided not to bother trying. As Icarus was about to leave after school, Ruth asked hastily, "Icarus, I want to talk to you about the medicinal formula you gave my grandfather the other day. We can't find two of the medicinal herbs... We've asked around at many stores, but they said they don't have them." "That's your problem. I've already told you some medicinal herbs are rare. If you can't find them, there's nothing I can do," Icarus replied. With that, he walked away. Ruth pouted and started packing her books. ... Icarus walked home as usual. A medium-sized truck was parked by the side of the road, and Icarus walked past it on the sidewalk. The driver, a bald, muscular man with a tattooed arm, was Benny—the same man Icarus had kicked so hard yesterday that he couldn't stand up. When Benny saw Icarus, his eyes were filled with malice instantly. Yesterday, Icarus' kick not only injured his abdomen, but it had also humiliated him. He had to settle the score personally. So, despite the pain in his abdomen, he insisted that Walter let him handle today's task. Benny stared at Icarus' back and picked up the walkie-talkie. "Walter, that bastard just showed up." "Good, proceed as planned. I want that punk dead and gone!" Walter replied venomously. Benny tossed the walkie-talkie onto the passenger seat and focused on Icarus. Ahead of him was a traffic light. Judging from Icarus' usual route home, he would soon come to the zebra crossing. When that moment came, Benny would floor the gas pedal and ram the truck into him. "So what if you're a good fighter? Can you withstand a truck?" Benny sneered cruelly. A minute later, Icarus reached the zebra crossing just as the light turned green, so he began to walk across leisurely. Benny stomped down on the gas pedal. A ten-ton truck came rushing toward Icarus at full speed. Behind Icarus was a beautiful woman wearing a black teacher's uniform who was also about to cross the road. Upon hearing the engine roar, she turned and saw the truck speeding toward the crossing. It wasn't slowing down despite the red light. The woman's face turned pale with fear. When she noticed that Icarus was already in the middle of the road, she screamed, "Watch out! Run!" A loud metallic crash drowned out the woman's scream. The woman's long hair was tousled by the rush of air from the truck as it skidded to a stop. She looked at the truck, which was now about 30 feet ahead, with a black tire mark trailing behind it. Her face turned even paler. A student from Hindale High had just been killed by a truck right before her eyes! The woman's mind went blank. She didn't even notice that the truck's four rear wheels were still grinding against the ground, making a loud, screeching noise. But despite the humongous horsepower of the truck, it couldn't move forward at all. There was a noticeable dent on the truck's hood! In the driver's seat, Benny was bleeding from his head due to the impact. At the moment, he was frantically stepping on the gas pedal and turning the steering wheel. "What the hell is going on? What's happening?" he yelled in frustration. His plan was to run over Icarus and then speed away. But when the truck hit Icarus, it felt like it hit an iron wall! Now, his truck was stuck against that iron wall!