A Beating for Damian

Conan staggered when Damian shoved him and adjusted his glasses, thoroughly exasperated.

Kids these days have no manners at all.

At the front of the group, Teacher Aizen was explaining the Ninja Academy's history to Mikoto Misaka and the other students. His gentle voice held most of their attention, and no one noticed the little disturbance at the back.

When Anya didn't answer at once, Damian leaned in even closer, his face almost touching her nose. "You love tattling, don't you? Just wait, ugly little shrimp! I'll make you cry every day at the Ninja Academy!"

Ewen and Emile snickered beside him, pointing at Anya.

Anya glanced nervously toward Teacher Aizen. He wasn't looking their way.

Her little hands clenched at her sides as she recalled her mother Yor's advice during training:

Anya, if someone bullies you, don't be afraid. Wait for your chance, then fight back with everything you've got!

"Hey! I'm talking to you! Are you deaf?" Damian reached out to shove her.

Just as his hand was about to touch Anya's shoulder—

Bang!

A straight punch she'd been winding up, powered by Yor's personal instruction and every ounce of little Anya's anger, slammed squarely into Damian's face!

"Aaah!" Damian cried out. He stumbled backward several steps and landed on his backside, his nose stinging and stars bursting across his vision.

"Master Damian!" Ewen and Emile cried. They rolled up their sleeves and rushed to teach Anya a lesson.

"Stop! What happened?" Teacher Aizen's gentle but authoritative voice cut in. He and Mikoto Misaka had heard the commotion and hurried over.

Ewen and Emile immediately pointed at Anya. "Teacher Aizen! She hit Master Damian!"

Aizen looked at Anya's frightened face and frowned slightly. "Anya Forger, did you hit Damian?"

*Oh no, oh no! I hit someone, and the