Two years had passed. Time moved mercilessly, turning a boy into a young teen. My name is Muhammad Zidane Agato, and I am now eight years old. It's been two years since Ritsuki disappeared into the Jaggra Forest, leaving behind a strange emptiness beside me. At first, it felt wrong—but like a scar that slowly closes, I got used to it.
Every morning, my route to school always passes by his now-empty, silent house. I stop for a moment in front of the rusting gate, staring at the dark window of his bedroom.
"I hope you didn't end up as some monster's dinner, Ritsu," I muttered with a faint smile. "You weakling." Though it sounded like mockery, it was more of a prayer.
"Hey, Zidane! You don't usually come this way!"
A sharp voice broke my thoughts. Herman, my classmate whose house wasn't far from here, jogged toward me.
"Yo, Herman. Just… enjoying the view," I replied casually.
"The view of an empty house? Weird taste," he joked. "Oh, by the way, you remembered the Indonesian homework, right?"
I froze and slowly turned toward him with a horrified look.
Herman grinned. "The teacher's strict, you know. Wanna race the school bell?"
"Good idea," I said instantly. "I was busy taking care of my little sister last night."
"I was busy watching anime," Herman replied. "Let's do it at school!"
We ran, taking a shortcut through a crowded construction site. Ahead of us, the road was blocked by large concrete slabs. Then, I noticed one of the workers moving those slabs—without touching them. Telekinesis, a Spell-type Potential. Rarely seen in public.
"I'VE GOT AN IDEA!" I shouted to Herman.
I ran around, tapping the worker's shoulder as I passed. "Excuse me, sir—borrowing this for a sec!"
A spark of energy ran through my arm. My Mimic ability activated, copying the Telekinesis Potential's data. I hurried back to Herman.
"Damn, the base version's weak. Only one object at a time," I muttered, focusing.
"So now what!?" Herman gasped.
"Easy… we just need a little upgrade." I closed my eyes, channeling a surge of Mana from my core. "EVOLVE!"
The copied Telekinesis Potential shone bright in my mind, its structure growing more complex. By sacrificing a large amount of Mana, I enhanced it. Now, I could lift two objects at once.
"Hold on tight!" I shouted, lifting Herman into the air.
"AAAAH! ZIDANE, I DON'T WANNA DIE BEFORE SEEING THE ENDING OF *TWO PIECE!*"
"Relax, you're on Agato Zidane Airlines!" I laughed, floating both of us above the construction area—but my Mana drained fast. Spell-types were always energy-hungry. "Okay, plan change—back to running!"
We landed roughly. Ahead, a drawbridge was starting to close. "The bridge!"
"Leave it to me!" Herman grinned, reaching toward the control panel. A wave of invisible energy rippled from his hand. The lights flickered and the bridge halted mid-motion. Herman's Potential—Wave Jamming—disrupted radio and electric signals. Perfect timing.
We made it to school fifteen minutes before the bell. Thanks to Herman's friend Ira, we copied the homework in the bathroom and reached class just in time.
---
**After-School Duty**
School was over. Unfortunately, today was my cleaning duty. "I'm out first! Don't forget under the desks!" Herman yelled, running off.
"DIE, YOU TRAITOR!" I shouted after him.
I sighed and started sweeping, only accompanied by two girls—Putri, the strict cleanliness queen, and Aura, the shy one. I could hear them whispering, glancing at me occasionally.
Suddenly, the classroom door slammed open, nearly breaking off its hinges. A tall, muscular sixth-grader strode in arrogantly. His face was familiar—Rangga, the school bully.
"Yo! Aura here!?" he barked, eyes locking onto the trembling girl.
"Hey! Show some manners!" Putri snapped, stepping forward.
*SLAP!* Rangga smacked her face, knocking her aside. "Shut up!" he growled. "Aura, come with me."
Before his filthy hand could reach her, I stepped between them. "She said no. Leave."
Rangga looked me up and down, smirking. "Wanna play hero, punk? You even know who I am?"
"The rude senior who bullies younger students?" I shot back dryly.
His face turned red with anger. "You little brat! I'm Rangga, Combat-type! Move before I crush you!"
"Putri, take Aura and get the teacher," I ordered. They ran out, leaving me alone with Rangga.
"You've got guts," Rangga said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what you've got."
He lunged, a quick punch aimed at my gut. I leapt back, countering with a high kick. But Rangga only grinned. As my foot neared his face, his fingers twitched—an invisible thread shot out, wrapping tightly around my ankle.
"Gotcha!"
He yanked hard, flipping me upside down. Then he unleashed a storm of punches, each one hammering into my stomach and chest like iron. My vision blurred. Pain pulsed through every nerve.
"Hahaha! You must be a useless Buff-type without friends, huh!?" he mocked.
One final hit sent me crashing into the wall. Blood filled my mouth. I stood slowly, smiling through the pain. During the beating, when he grabbed my collar—I'd already taken what I needed.
"Thanks for the demo," I whispered.
Purple and gold light flared around me. From my fingertips, dozens of identical threads burst out.
Rangga's eyes widened. "W-what!? That's impossible! Potentials can't be copied!"
"Threads alone are boring," I said, smirking. "Let's spice it up."
I activated my second stored Potential—Telekinesis. Instantly, the threads came alive, writhing like snakes under my control. Rangga panicked, trying to form more threads, but he was outmatched. Within seconds, he was cocooned and hanging upside down, exactly like I'd been moments ago.
"H-how!? Are you… a Spell-type!?"
"No. Here's a hint," I whispered, tightening the threads each time he guessed wrong. "My type's… very rare."
Fear filled his eyes as realization dawned. "N-no way… you're… you're a—"
"—Divergent," I finished.
I was a Divergent. My Potential broke the world's rules: I could copy others' abilities through touch.
I loosened his bindings slightly. "I can only store two Potentials at once, for now," I said calmly. "And keep this secret. Got it?" I patted his pale cheek.
At that moment, the teacher and the girls arrived. I released my Telekinesis, letting Rangga dangle helplessly, grabbed my bag, and walked out.
Outside, my legs gave out. I leaned against the wall, panting. Using two Potentials—especially one Evolved—drained everything. But I'd won.
At least now, I could go home and watch the *Defenders* trailer in peace.
[TO BE CONTINUED]