The Arrival of Jayden
The day was hot as I stepped in front of the new school, a place notorious for being a haven for delinquents. Broken walls, graffiti on every corner, and students walking around with no respect for their surroundings. St. Raphael High School, a school unlike any other. I knew that what awaited me here was not an ordinary school life. Within these walls, secret battles take place, not for honor or safety, but for power.
“So this is what this place looks like,” I whispered to myself, gripping the strap of my bag. Without fear, I entered the gate, but I immediately felt the stares of the students around me. Their eyes were filled with curiosity and questions. I knew what they were thinking who am I? To them, I was just another transfer student, an easy target for bullies.
I walked into the building and glanced around. Almost everyone was noisy; groups of students lingered at every corner. I could feel the tension. In Jeet Kune Do, Master always taught that the most important aspect of a fight is awareness. I needed to use that here, not just for physical confrontations but for every move, every reaction.
I hadn’t gone far when I heard footsteps behind me. Heavy, fast. When I turned, I saw a group of three boys staring at me, their faces full of arrogance and menace.
“You’re new here, huh?” said the one in front, clearly the leader of the group. “Looks like you won’t last long.”
I didn’t respond. I was sizing them up the way their bodies moved, the space around us. If something went wrong, I knew I could defend myself. One thing Jeet Kune Do taught me was the ability to adapt to every situation. But now wasn’t the time.
“I’m not looking for trouble,” I replied in a cold tone.
“You don’t have to look for it. It’ll find you,” one of them added. They laughed mockingly. I kept walking, ignoring their provocations. Discipline in martial arts is not just about fighting but also about avoiding it whenever possible. But I knew this wouldn’t be the last time I’d encounter them.
When I arrived at the classroom, almost all the seats were taken. No one bothered to greet me or even glance in my direction. I sat at the very back, near the window, my favorite spot as an observer. From here, I could see the entire room, as well as the movements of everyone inside.
As time passed, I noticed the strange dynamics among the students. This wasn’t like my previous schools. Here, there were silent battles. There were groups clearly led by the strong, those in positions of power within the school.
One name I kept hearing from the whispers of the students: Hanma. He was a well-known leader here, the head of all the chaos in the school. Every time his name was mentioned, there was a mix of fear in their voices. Who exactly was Hanma? And why was everyone so afraid of him?
The first class ended without much incident. As I walked out of the room, I felt someone following me again. When I turned, I saw a familiar face it was Bryan. He was the first guy I saw earlier. Tall, muscular, and with a look that said he was used to fighting. The build of his body and the confidence in his movements told me he was a boxer.
“Jayden, right?” he asked as he approached. I didn’t respond right away. I stopped and faced him.
“What do you want?” I asked coolly.
“Nothing,” he said with a smile. “I just wanted to meet the new student. They say you’re good at martial arts.”
At that point, I understood. This wasn’t just small talk. Bryan was looking for a fight, and this wasn’t going to end with words. 
“I have no intention of fighting,” I said. “I’m new here. I don’t need trouble.”
Bryan laughed, but it was clear he had every intention of challenging me. “Fine. But remember, in this school, you have to show who you are. If you don’t, the system will swallow you whole.”
I didn’t respond to him. I knew this wouldn’t be the last time we crossed paths. Guys like him don’t back down easily. With each passing day, the tension would only grow, and it might lead to trouble.
As I walked away, I could still hear whispers around me. “That’s Bryan, the boxer. He’s undefeated,” someone said. I just smiled to myself. I wasn’t scared, but I wasn’t one to be blinded by arrogance either. If the fight came, I would face it. But not now. I had bigger plans to accomplish.
In a school infested with delinquents, the biggest threat wasn’t the students themselves but the power structure they followed. And at the center of it all was Hanma. I knew that someday, we’d meet, and then it would be clear who truly ran things here.