[Pov ???]
I sat in a dark room on a wooden chair, facing a man and a woman across the table. My hands rested calmly on the table, my face hidden behind a smooth white half-face mask—covering my eyes and cheek, leaving the lower half visible.
I smiled with my biggest smile and asked,
"So, as Kol's parents, what do you guys think about him? Please be honest with me."
The man ran his pale hand over his blonde, short curly hair. His eyes reflected the blue of the sea.You could still see that he was handsome in his youth. He scoffed and replied,
"That piece of shit? He's a waste of money and space. I had such high hopes of having a successor. Then… that happened."
The woman flicked her long white hair. Her eyes were the color of blood. Her face is beautiful, but she wears an expression of irritation.
"I regret giving birth to that trash. I carried him for nine months for this? He's never doing anything useful. He's just a F-rank."
I felt like laughing at their responses but no, I couldn't because it'll ruin the moment. Their words sounded almost… funny, in a twisted way.
[K̷̫̠̐̽̕o̸̙͙͑͝l̴̞̄̑ͅ'̸̾̿̎̕s̶̛̑̈́̐ pov]
I was always the best.
The best at pretending.
The best at studying.
The best at smiling even when it hurt.
Straight As. Perfect attendance.
I thought if I just kept being perfect… they'd love me again.
That maybe the world would finally see me—not the grades, not the performance—just me.
Kol Stard. A real person.
It started on that day.....
7 YEARS AGO...
It was my 10th birthday when IT happened. Everyone was happy in the morning.I was playing with Leah in the garden,mother was busy with planning the party and father had gone for work.
"Come on,Kol catch me if you can."
We are currently playing tag. Leah ran from me with speed of not of a normal of a 13 year old.
"Leah,that's unfair!"
I shouted trying to run after her. 3 years ago, Leah awakened her status screen which is the norm here. She awakened as an A-rank Light Spellblade and so she is able to bluff herself and other stuff but she had decided to cheat.
We played for a while and then it was evening. Then a servant called out,
Master Kol,the lady has asked that you get ready for your birthday party."
I made my way to the room and got dressed into a cute, simple blue suit. My hair was combed back with gel. I hated attending parties but I don't want mother's work to into waste so I made my waay to the party.
When I opened the door, noise erupted from the room and inside the large room were a lot of people. Nobles ,family, everyone I know. Servants weaving their way through the crowd serving everyone.
"Kol!"
A familiar voice cut through the crowd and I turned to see Leah walking towards me. She gave me a bearhug, nearly knocking me over with her A-rank strength.
"Happy birthday!" she said, grinning brightly.
I grinned
"Thanks, Leah. Where's mother?"
"She's talking to the guests."
I heard whispering and knew that who they're whispering about Leah. An A-rank Light Spellblade, one of the youngest in history .Even the court mages had looked stunned when they heard the news.
*Clink**Clink*
Everyone become silent at once and person clinking their fork on glass was my father.
"Thank you all for coming to my youngest birthday party.It is my hope that he grows strong… not only in body and skill, but in spirit. That he learns discipline, wisdom, and the strength to protect those he loves. Leah, you have already shown what dedication and heart can achieve. May your brother follow in your example—and surpass it.Let us raise our glasses.To Kol. May this year be filled with learning, growth, and a life worthy of the potential that now stirs within him.
"To Kol!"
Everyone looked at me and cheered. I nervously smiled.
"Now to start the awaken process.Kol, please come here and place your hand here."
I nervous made my way to the platform and placed my hand on the medium-sized blue orb.It glowed and show a hologram of my status.
[
Name: Kol Stard
Age: 10
Rank: F
Status: Active
Attributes
Strength: F
Agility: F
Endurance: C
Mana Output: F
Perception: F
Intelligence: A
Luck: F
Skills
{Hidden}
Traits
Overthinker Bookworm {Locked} {Locked}
]
"I'm a F-rank?"
I looked at the screen confused and looked at my mother.
Her smile fade and looked at me like I had done something wrong. Silence descended into the room and it was heavy. My father with a serious look on his face and he looked at my mother.Leah screamed,
"He's a F-rank?!"
After that everthing went into a blur.Father told the guest to leave and mother thanked them for coming.Father looked at me then Leah.
"Leah go to your room"
"Yes,father."
She didn't even look at me and left.
"Fath-"
*Slap*
The sharp pain burned across my cheek. His fury filled the room. I started tearing up, but I didn't cry. I saw… for the first time, his face twisted into fury.
"Don't call me that ,you worthless, piece of shit. After everything I did for you, you repay me with nothing."
I was shocked.Why is father not allowing me to call him and why is mother looking disgusted at me?
My father came home later that day and also found out about it my older sister who was always kind to me was now looking at me like a vermin.
"Maid take this shit and send him to the old building."
"Yes,my lord"
I looked at mother and looked at me like I was an insect. So the servant grabbed me and took me to the old building. Thus, I lived there with no servant and look after myself.They pay for my school fees but not the transport or anything else.
That day, it was birthday, it was supposed to be the happiest day of my life but I lost my family that day.
PRESENT DAY
But...
"Kol, you are a worthless fool."
Worthless.
"Kol? Nah, he ain't my brother."
Fool.
"He's just a waste of space."
Waste of space.
"I regret giving birth to you."
Never born.
So sit here in my room with a bottle of sleeping pills.
I'm tired. Life is too troublesome.
My black, curly hair covers my abyss-like eyes.
In my pale white hands are 5 pills, and on my wrists, both had lighter lines like cuts that have healed. As I was about to swallow, I felt dizzy and lost control of my body and fell.
The pills were scattered on the ground, and my eyes felt heavy. As I closed my eyes, I saw golden letters floating in the air, written,
⌘✦⧉
Then my eyes closed.