The mark was burning.
In the darkness behind my closed eyes, I could see it clearly — that swirling vortex on my left arm, pulsing with white-hot light. Images flashed through my mind: a figure wreathed in starlight, cosmic battles, a voice calling my name across the void.
The necklace around my throat grew hot, fighting against the mark's radiance. The pendant's infinity symbol flared with silver light, and the visions began to fade as the two forces warred within me.
Then everything dissolved into darkness.
Sunlight pierced through my bedroom curtains.
I jerked awake, cold sweat on my skin. For a moment, I felt everything — fear, confusion, desperation. The bracelet on my wrist pulsed once, and the emotions drained away, leaving familiar emptiness.
Just another nightmare.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Mom said as I entered the kitchen. "Sleep well?"
"Fine."
She placed a bowl of rice and seaweed soup in front of me. "I can't believe today's your last day of middle school."
Dad looked up from his tablet. "Have you thought about high schools? The application deadline is next week."
I shrugged. "Seoul Metropolitan. It's close."
"But Min-Jun," Mom said gently, "your grades are excellent. What about the Global Heroic Academy preparatory programs? With your condition, maybe they'd have resources to help..."
She meant the bracelet. The story we told everyone — that I had a rare mana disorder and the bracelet prevented fainting.
"I'm fine as I am."
Dad ruffled my hair. "Whatever you choose, we're proud of you."
"Fifteen years since we found you under that cherry blossom tree," Mom said softly. "Time moves so fast."
I finished breakfast in silence and grabbed my bag.
"Have a good last day," Mom called.
"See you tonight," I said, stepping into the morning air.
Hangang Preparatory Academy buzzed with chaotic energy. Students signed uniforms, took selfies, and made dramatic promises to stay in touch forever.
I found my locker and began the routine — outdoor shoes off, indoor slippers on. Around me, friends hugged and cried and celebrated.
"Min-Jun!"
Jae-Wook's booming voice cut through the chaos. He threw an arm around my shoulders, nearly knocking me off balance.
"Can you believe it? We actually made it! Three years and we're finally getting out!"
Behind him came the others. Tae-Min with his sharp analytical eyes and perfect hair. Hye-Jin practically glowing — literally, her light-based mana making her skin shimmer with golden radiance. So-Young trailing behind, clutching her bag like a shield.
"Look at this place," Hye-Jin said, gesturing at the celebrating students. "Everyone's so happy!"
"More like a prison break," Tae-Min muttered fondly.
"Don't be such a pessimist," Jae-Wook laughed. "This is a celebration!"
"Change isn't always bad," Hye-Jin said gently to So-Young, who looked wistful. "Think of all the new experiences waiting."
They looked at me expectantly.
"New schools to attend," I said.
It was bland and emotionless. Jae-Wook's smile faltered slightly, and I caught the concerned look between him and Hye-Jin.
"Come on," Hye-Jin said brightly. "Let's get to class."
The final bell rang at 3:30 PM, immediately drowned out by cheers. Students poured from classrooms like water through a dam.
"Min-Jun!" Jae-Wook called. "Group photo time!"
I joined them by the windows where afternoon sunlight created perfect lighting. Hye-Jin held up her phone.
"Okay, everyone say 'freedom!'"
"Freedom!" they chorused.
I opened my mouth but no sound came. The word felt meaningless.
The camera clicked.
"Perfect!" Hye-Jin declared. "We look amazing!"
"So," Tae-Min said, "have you all decided on high school applications?"
"Seoul Science High for me," Tae-Min announced. "Early admission, full scholarship."
"Sports academies for me," Jae-Wook grinned. "Coach thinks I could get a full ride."
"My parents want me to apply to the Global Heroic Academy prep program," Hye-Jin said uncertainly. "They think I have potential."
The Global Heroic Academy. The most prestigious institution in the world, training heroes to protect humanity from dimensional monsters.
"That's amazing!" Jae-Wook said. "Your light beam technique is incredible!"
"Your mana control is already E-rank level," Tae-Min added. "Most students don't reach that until second year."
E-rank. The classification marking the difference between ordinary students and potential heroes.
"What about you, So-Young?" Hye-Jin asked.
So-Young blushed. "I might apply to the academy too. My parents think it would help me become more confident."
"Your fire control is amazing," Jae-Wook encouraged. "Remember when you melted the volleyball?"
"That was embarrassing," So-Young mumbled.
"It was C-tier intensity," Tae-Min corrected. "If you could access that consistently, you'd be unstoppable."
They all turned to me.
"What about you, Min-Jun?" So-Young asked.
"Seoul Metropolitan. It's close to home."
Their disappointment was immediate and obvious.
"But Min-Jun," Hye-Jin said gently, "your grades are incredible. Why settle for regular high school?"
"I'm being realistic."
"Realistic about what?" Jae-Wook asked protectively. "Just because you have that condition doesn't mean—"
"It means exactly that. I can't use mana. I can't be a hero. No point pretending otherwise."
Heavy silence.
"The academy isn't just for combat," Tae-Min said carefully. "Support programs, research divisions..."
"I'm not interested."
"Don't you want to be part of something important?" So-Young whispered. "Make a difference?"
"I want to live normally."
"Normal is overrated," Jae-Wook said. "At least think about it. The deadline isn't for another week."
"I've already thought about it."
"Are you just afraid?" Hye-Jin asked, frustrated.
The bracelet pulsed, smoothing away any uncertainty.
"I'm practical."
"What if there's more to you than you realize?" So-Young asked suddenly, staring at me intensely.
"What do you mean?"
She blushed and looked away. "Nothing. I just think you're stronger than you give yourself credit for."
"Strength isn't just about mana," Jae-Wook added. "Intelligence, determination, loyalty..."
"None of which matter when power is everything."
"That's not true!" Hye-Jin protested. "There are plenty of ways to be a hero—"
"I don't want to be a hero."
The words cut through their arguments. My friends stared with hurt and confusion.
"Why not?" So-Young whispered.
I couldn't explain the dread I felt, the fear that went deeper than rational thought.
"I just don't."
Jae-Wook stepped forward seriously. "We've been friends since elementary school. Don't you want to keep that going?"
"High school doesn't last forever. We'll go separate ways eventually."
"Not if we don't have to," Hye-Jin said urgently. "We could all be there together..."
"Your dreams. Not mine."
"Then what are your dreams?" Tae-Min asked. "What do you want, Min-Jun?"
I searched inside myself but found only void.
"I want to go home."
"Okay," Jae-Wook said heavily. "If that's what you really want."
"But," Hye-Jin started, then stopped. "Would you at least consider taking the exam? Not to get in, but just to be with us? One last adventure?"
"Come on," Jae-Wook jumped in. "What's the worst that could happen? You don't pass, then go to Seoul Metropolitan. But we'd be together a little longer."
"And who knows?" Tae-Min smiled slightly. "Maybe you'll surprise yourself."
"I won't pass."
"Probably not," he agreed, earning glares. "But that's not the point. The point is friendship."
"Please?" So-Young asked barely audibly. "For us?"
Something stirred beneath the bracelet's suppression — warmth, connection, a desire to make her happy.
Then it was gone.
"I'll think about it."
Not yes, but not no. My friends exchanged hopeful glances.
"That's all we ask," Hye-Jin said, brightening.
"But don't think too long," Tae-Min added. "Deadline is next Friday."
"And remember," Jae-Wook said, arm around my shoulders, "we just want you with us."
We headed for the exit, joining the stream toward the doors. The hallways buzzed with subdued excitement as reality set in.
At the shoe lockers, we reversed the ritual — indoor slippers off, outdoor shoes on.
"Last time," Jae-Wook said, holding up his slippers. "Should I keep these?"
"They smell like failure," Tae-Min observed. "Throw them away."
"Harsh."
"Honest."
I closed my locker for the final time.
"So," Hye-Jin said, "what's everyone doing tonight? We should celebrate!"
"PC bang?" Jae-Wook suggested. "Like old times?"
"I'm in," Tae-Min said.
"I'd like that," So-Young said softly.
They looked at me expectantly.
"Sure."
"Awesome! Just like old days!"
We pushed through the entrance into afternoon sunlight. The courtyard filled with students taking final photos.
"Freedom!" Jae-Wook shouted, throwing his arms wide.
"You're embarrassing," Hye-Jin laughed, glowing brighter.
"I'm celebrating!"
I watched their banter with detached interest. They were so alive, so present. I envied that, in the distant way the bracelet allowed.
"Hey," So-Young said quietly, falling beside me. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You seem distant. More than usual."
"I'm the same as always."
"That's what worries me."
Before I could ask what she meant, Jae-Wook stopped walking.
"Wait! Before we go, I have something to say."
"Oh no," Tae-Min muttered. "He's getting sentimental."
"Shut up and listen," Jae-Wook smiled. "I want you guys to know... these have been the best three years of my life. You're not just friends, you're family. No matter what happens next, that never changes."
"Jae-Wook..." Hye-Jin's voice thickened with emotion.
"Min-Jun, I know you think you're different. But you're wrong. You're the smartest, most loyal person I know, and I'm proud to call you my brother."
The words hit like physical blows, each carrying emotional weight the bracelet struggled to suppress. For a moment, something cracked — warmth, connection, belonging.
Then the bracelet pulsed, and it was gone.
Jae-Wook continued praising each friend in turn, his voice growing stronger.
"So here's what I propose. Let's all apply to the Global Heroic Academy. All of us. Together. One last adventure."
"You belong with us," he said, looking at me. "So what do you say? Will you try?"
Silence stretched between us. My friends stood in a semicircle, faces filled with hope and love.
I looked at So-Young, saw tears on her cheeks, saw her looking at me like I held the power to make or break her dreams.
The bracelet pulsed harder.
"I don't want to disappoint you."
"You could never disappoint us," Hye-Jin said fiercely. "Never."
"But I will. I'll fail, then you'll move on without me anyway."
"Maybe," Tae-Min said bluntly. "But even if you fail, at least we'll have tried together. Isn't that worth something?"
I looked at each of them — these four people who had somehow become my world.
"Okay."
"Okay?" Jae-Wook's eyes widened. "Yes?"
"I'll take the exam."
The explosion of joy was immediate. Jae-Wook whooped loudly. Hye-Jin's glow flared bright. Tae-Min actually smiled. And So-Young looked at me like I'd given her the greatest gift.
"Really?" she whispered.
"I'll try."
"This is amazing!" Hye-Jin squealed. "We're all going to be heroes together!"
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Tae-Min said, still smiling. "Acceptance rate is less than one percent."
"Details," Jae-Wook waved dismissively. "We're legends in the making!"
I watched their celebration with something that might have been fondness. They were so young, so hopeful.
Maybe they were right. Maybe I was wrong to be so cautious.
Or maybe I was about to make the biggest mistake of my life.