It wasnt quite the long ride to the University, even though it was at a completely different region from where I lived. Just around five hours later, we had arrived.
I was leaning against the wooden wall of the carriage, taking a brief nap.
"Did you see it, Ryzen?"
Another Nightmare. This one was no different from the ones I was used to. In it, I was laying inside a crib, the blurry face of a man I didnt know speaking down to me.
"Yes, i saw it."
My mouth moved by itself. The voice that came out being squeaky and high-pitched. I was a baby at this time, yet somehow knew how to speak. How to think.
"Do you believe me now, Ryzen?"
I knew how this went. The Nightmares i had when I slept varied, but they were never new. Just the same old ones I was used to seeing, which hardly gave me any information into my past.
"Yes, i do."
But maybe...
I can try and remember who this person was. I never tried this before, since the face was so blurry. And from this angle, I couldnt see his body clearly either.
Why was it like this?
This was clearly someone I have seen before. I should atleast remember the face of this person.
Think. Think. Remember who this was before the Nightmare ends again.
"So, what should we do, Ryzen?"
My eyes widened. That's something new.
"Its not time yet."
And with that, I gasped and stood up abruptly, my head hitting the ceiling of the carriage. A groan escaped my lips, my hand reaching upwards to rub the spot i hit.
I had woken up.
"Father, have we not reached our destination yet?" I called out, even though my mind was racing with other thoughts.
"Just a few more hours!"
With a huff, I sat back down and crossed my arms.
I just saw something different.... was it because I attempted on trying to remember that person? Or perhaps was it because I was getting closer to the University of GoldiBack? That place was known as a magical place, after all.
This was the first real progress i have ever made since waking up inside that dumpster.
My heart was thumping with excitement, maybe even fear. I couldn't quite place the feeling.
Eventually, a bit bored of waiting around, without any desire of falling asleep again, I joined my father at the drivers seat of the carriage.
Glancing outside for the first time in awhile, my eyes widened as I took in the city landscape, that was so much more advanced and beautiful compared to my hometown.
There were so many houses, I had never seen something so tall before.
Still, as a negative, there was alot of smoke around. The industrial revolution happening all the around world has not been helpful for the environment. Regardless, the novelty of visiting an actual city for the first time held its wonders.
"Dont stare at the people too intently, Ryzen." Joseph scolded. "You cannot let them see you're eyes."
I blinked, clueless to why I can't show them my eyes.
"Why?"
Joseph kept his eyes on the road, as he answered me. "That's you're Resonator Mark. Not many people have them. Most of the people in this world are ordinary people, including me, so you'll be drawing yourself too much attention. Thats not good."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why?" I repeated. "I thought you wanted me me to get attention for you're oh-so-important name."
"I did ask you to do that," Joseph admitted. "But for now, its safer if you just didnt. Plus, those crimson stars are pretty eye-catching and I dont want you to get into any trouble before we even reach the University."
"Okay, fair enough." I relented. "But how the hell am I supposed to stare at anything then? I was born like this. Am I supposed to wear a blindfold?"
Joseph sighed and shook his head. "Just stay behind inside the carriage. Thats all I ask of you."
"But i want to–"
"No."
With a sigh, I turned around and entered back into the carriage.
I had anticipated my arrival to be dramatic. But it seemed to be quite anticlimactic...
As much as I admired The City of Goldiback for its rich history and industrial advancements for the whole nation, seeing it for myself, there was nothing really special here. Besides the absurd amount of pollution, that is.
I couldn't imagine living here as the poor Lower-class. Heck, even Middle-class people would struggle here. Even still, its known as one of the most densely populated cities in the nation. Mostly due to the opportunities they offer to country boys like us, as a result bringing more people in.
It still was a developing city and had prestigious status. Say that you were from City of Goldiback and you'll immediately earn the respect and fear of the country boys. Weak ones, that is. Never me. I found the snotty city boys and girls to be just arrogant fools without any real power.
I could take this whole city on a fight and win.
Still, one thing good the City had going for itself, was its acceptance of Resonators. In some places, Resonators are hunt down and killed. Others face discrimination. While in others they are worshipped as deities.
Here, they are taught to use their power, to become stronger and train them to the military of the nation.
Majority of them are seen as Icon figures. Heck, even the king of this nation is said to be a powerful Resonator. Hence, it wasnt a surprise knowing most of our military and government was made up of powerful Resonators. The firepower of our nation was immense.
And the University of GoldiBack was a major contributor of that.
Perhaps the only real, legal major contributor.
And I was going there.
Finally, the carriage came to a stop.
"Alright, boy. Get off with you're Luggage here, im not going in any further."
I blinked, not knowing what he meant by those words. By the time I peeked out, I noticed that he had just parked near some random alleyway. Widening my eyes, i noticed that towering University, built like a palace of gold, still hundreds of Kilometres away!
"W–what?! Are you kidding me? Im not walking that far!"
Joseph pulled the curtains to the side and entered the carriage.
"Yes, you are."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why? Why can't you drive that far? Is this some sort of stupid test?"
"No... its not."
Joseph had a weird pause there.
Wait a second...
Why does he look slightly embarrassed?
"Dont tell me you're afraid of getting this old piece of junk judged by them snobby noble children!"
Joseph went red, his eyes widening.
"No, im not! This is just to train you for toughness!"
I shook my head. "Why do you care, anyway? Its not like you."
"I told you–"
"Yeah, drop it. You never get embarrassed. Why now, suddenly?"
Joseph stared at me for a brief moment, before walking off, he grabbed my luggage and jumped out of the carriage.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" I ran after him. Grabbing his shoulder. "You're serious about this?"
"Yes, i am. Now, off you go."
He patted my back and got back into the carriages drivers seat.
"Wha–"
Without a word, he drove off. The sound of the horses heels clicking echoing, fading into the distance, mingling with the busy city.
"This cannot be real...."
I stood there for a few minutes. Just stunned. Joseph really abandoned me like that? In this city? Where its easy as hell to get lost?
I was the type to hold grudges, but this one, I decided to let slide. With a sigh, I unclenched my fists and turned around to face where I could see the University in the distance.
"Well... time to walk, i guess."
And walk i did.
For the next hour, I walked endlessly, to the point I hardly knew where I was going. The tall buildings, the endless corridors and streets, certainly didnt help with finding my way.
And I couldn't ask any stranger for help, either. Just a look at my eyes and they will just try to take advantage of me, or even run away, drawing unnecessary attention to myself.
As such, my only option was just to try my luck. Maybe even find a map.
But then...
"Arghh! Help me! Please...!"
A high-pitched voice of a female calling for help echoed from an alleyway i passed by while trying to find my way through the city.
'Who...?'
I peeked inside and saw three men ganging up on an helpless, ordinary women. They were beating her, taking her stuff and ripping her clothes.
My anger flared.
Quickly enhancing my body with the same crimson aura from my Resonance Ability, I quickly dashed forward towards the attackers.
It was my time to shine.
But just when my punch was about to land on all three of them....
I blinked.
And suddenly all three of them was on the floor, unconscious. The women was gone too.
'Wha–?'
Thats when I looked up and saw a refined young boy standing on the roof, cradling the same women in his arms like a princess. He was dressed like a noble, white high-collar dress shirt, tucked in dark pants, gloves and high-end shoes.
The boy was handsome. Extremely so. His blond hair was medium-length, framing his face ever so nicely. His skin was a flawless porcelain, his eyes aqua blue and had an expression i simply couldn't look away from.
He was.... perfect.
"There, you should be safe now..." His smooth voice soothed the women, as he jumped down from the roof and put her down.
The women thanked him profusely, blushing, before turning around and leaving.
Then, finally, he turned around and faced me, as if just noticing my existence. Well to be fair, I had been somewhat silent...
"You were really brave," The young man said. "Not many people would of rushed to save a stranger like that."
I narrowed my eyes. Brave? I was just doing that to test my own skills, but whatever.... its not like I lose anything from being misunderstood anyway. Might as well play along with it.
"Uh... thanks." I muttered awkwardly. "And you are?"
The young man chuckled lightly and waved a gloved hand dismissively.
"Ah, yes. My apologies. I still haven't introduced myself." He placed a hand over his chest and gave a slight bow. "My name is Theodore Gun GoldiBack."
My eyes widened.
"But you can just call me.... Theo."
GoldiBack? Someone from the Family of GoldiBack was standing right infront of me?
I almost fainted.
I kept my composure to the best of my ability, but couldnt hide the way the crimson stars of pupils i had dilated visibly.
"Shocked?" Theo chuckled. "But I must say...."
He glanced intently into my eyes.
"You have an interesting pair of eyes."
Something about the way he stared at them didnt feel right.
"Is that a Resonator Mark?"
I narrowed my eyes, fearless.
"It is."
....
We both stared each other down for about thirty seconds, until he broke into a wide smile.
"And what about you? What's you're name?"
I blinked, a bit taken aback by the sudden change in attitude.
"Uh.... its Ryzen Olisey." I managed to creak out awkwardly, never having shared my name with anyone before. This was a first.
"Oh? Quite the unique name as well..." Theo seemed pleased. "Nice to meet you, Ryzen. Are you also coming with me to the University of GoldiBack?"
My eyes widened. "How did you know?"
"I can just tell." He stated with a mysterious grin.
I did not trust this guy.
"Yes, I am."
Theo smiled. "And let me guess, you are lost?"
".... Yes, I am."
He chuckled. "Haha, no worries. Follow me, im also heading there. Just had to make a stop and teach these bad boys a lesson..."
I rolled my eyes. "A hero, aren't you?"
"Might be," He played along with my sarcasm.
He turned around and started making his way out of the alleyway.
After some thought, I sighed and decided to follow him.
There wasn't anything else I could do anyway. I'll miss the opening ceremony, if i try and find the way to the University all by myself.
Accepting a little help wouldnt hurt.
Atleast, I hoped so.