I'm a villain within the hero's party

Gabby glanced at him, unimpressed. "I don’t want to be associated with a lunatic," he thought.

With a calm voice, he replied, "I refuse."

The criminal grinned, clearly expecting the answer.

"The old way, then. I guess I’ll have to beat some sense into you."

The examinee glanced at Professor Odel, but he simply shrugged as he didn’t care whether someone is bloodied.

The criminal raised his fist and swung a wide punch toward Gabby’s face.

Gabby flinched, covered his face and stumble to the ground.

But before it could land—a hand caught it mid-air.

The hand belonged to a short, muscular man, barely five feet tall. He wore simple brown linen clothes, his sleeves rolled up to reveal thick, veined arms. His messy black hair framed a round face with large, curious eyes.

He uttered, "That’s enough. I’ll partner with you."

The criminal willfully let go of his fist and stepped back, smiling with a wild glint in his eyes.