Interlude: Ma'el
The project to implant the Vyra'i in sick bodies had proven to be a resounding failure.
Merak was the biggest proof of this. The man who was once part of the research team had become a relentless beast, almost impossible to take down.
Luckily, we managed to neutralize him before his corrupted and putrid form could unleash an unprecedented catastrophe.
I remember his power… the way he moved, thought, how his fury made him practically invincible.
Every aspect of that creature was pure violence, brutality, an animalistic instinct elevated to something I had never witnessed.
However, I can't avoid the weight of guilt. It was I who authorized the transfer of that "man" to the pathology lab instead of sending him to the maximum security area in the Positive underground.
If only I had ordered him to be placed in cryogenics indefinitely… maybe none of this would have happened.
The scene around me was desolate. My body was in tatters, as if it had been crushed by an anvil.
Beside me, Cobalteze and Kurusu were unconscious, their bodies completely pushed to the limit after the furious confrontation that set the greenhouse on fire.
I tried… I used the Vyra'i to heal them, but it wasn't enough.
Meanwhile, Kurusu's promise echoed in my mind. He trusted me.
And now, I could only imagine how his mother would react to finding out that her son almost died under my supervision.
All that was left for me at that moment were the lights of the ambulances and firefighters that were approaching, trying to contain the damage.
The explosion had been so intense that even access to the second sector was compromised.
The damage to the institution would be monumental, but I hoped my superiors would understand that I did what I could.
The paramedics started putting the boys on the gurneys. I decided to accompany them, but before I could get into the vehicle, a doctor blocked my way, his hand resting on my chest.
"Only responsible parties can ride in the car. Are you a relative? Educator? Babysitter?" he asked, with a bureaucratic, but disdainful tone.
"Babysitter? You've gotta be kidding…"
I took a deep breath, remaining calm.
"I'm their teacher. My name is Ma'el."
"Ma'el what?" he insisted, as if he wanted to write down my full name.
"Just Ma'el. Consider me an authority at Positive." I pushed the protocol aside and got into the vehicle, with no patience for formalities at that critical moment.
As the rain lashed the outside of the hospital, I watched Kurusu and Cobalteze asleep on their gurneys. At least they were alive.
But Kurusu's situation was more complicated: his right arm was severely burned, as if it had come into contact with something hellishly hot.
The doctors guaranteed that an amputation wouldn't be necessary, but he would need a cast and rest.
"If Merak had escaped…"
I felt a chill at that thought. The whole city would have suffered at the hands of that monster.
I can no longer see him as a human. Not after what I witnessed. Still, I'm glad he was finally able to rest.
As I reflected, something caught my attention: the crystal in Kurusu's hands. There was something strange about that glow.
Was it a divine coincidence? I wasn't sure, but he would need to keep it with him until we discovered more.
I heard footsteps in the corridor. A calculated, precise sound. My hands instinctively went to my pocket, grabbing my cell phone to call the boys' parents.
I was sure I would be reprimanded, but it was the least I could do.
Before I could complete the call, a voice echoed behind me.
"You seem to have been in a very unfavorable situation…"
The voice was familiar. The sound and tone made my mind work frantically, trying to remember where I knew it from. Maybe… from TV?
"What makes you think that?" I asked, without looking at her directly. I preferred to keep my gaze distant, disguising my curiosity.
"Nothing much… Just the fact that your clothes are trashed and you have some burns scattered across your body." she replied with a sarcastic tone, which seemed to carry an implicit provocation.
"You're right…"
I let out a long, painful sigh, finally deciding to look at my current conversation partner.
She was a black woman, with braided afro hair and a ponytail.
She was wearing gym clothes, so I could only deduce that she was a reporter because she was carrying a notebook and a pen in her hands, in addition to a small microphone attached to her top.
Something notable about this woman were her muscles. They weren't as big as a bodybuilder's, but they were certainly more developed than a regular gym rat's.
I instinctively looked away when I noticed I was paying too much attention to her, which resulted in my face blushing a little.
"What brought you here? From the way you started the conversation, I assume you need something."
"Spot on!" she said, with a confident smile. "Rurika Rivera, from the Dune Tribune. But you can call me whatever you prefer."
"Ma'el… just that…" I murmured.
She held out her hand for a shake, which made me hesitate for a moment. Despite my distrust, I maintained my composure and returned the gesture.
What I didn't expect was the force she applied. Her fingers pressed my hand with such intensity that I felt my bones collide.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch… That hurt… like hell…" I blurted out, instinctively.
Rurika started laughing, pointing a finger in my direction.
"Haha! Look at you! You look like you need to eat more spinach to get to the level of these beauties here."
She flexed her arm, highlighting her muscles and, with an exaggerated gesture, kissed her own biceps.
That attitude had an arrogance that reminded me of a cartoon character…
I sighed again, trying to remain calm. "Anyway, what do you want? I'm out of time and I need to recover."
"Relax! It won't take long." she said, waving her hand in a carefree gesture. "I just want an interview. It's my job as a journalist to cover stories like this, and what happened today is simply perfect."
"Okay… Go ahead." I resigned myself, closing my eyes for an instant while tapping my foot lightly on the floor of the medical center. "Guess I don't have much of a choice."
"An informant in the Senate mentioned Positive's project to treat illnesses." she began, finally taking on a more serious tone. "I heard that one of the cases, Merak, completely lost his mind, becoming irrational and psychotic. He attacked you and the others this afternoon. Do you think this project will continue or will it be discontinued?"
I took a deep breath before answering. The memory of Merak was still painful.
"I can't speak for the institution as a whole, but I believe this is the end of the line for the project. The Vyra'i is a resource with great potential, but extremely dangerous. This mistake almost cost the lives of two children. I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that something like this never happens again."
Rurika shook her head, writing everything down in her notebook with impressive speed. Her hand holding the pen moved so fast it was almost hypnotic.
In addition to being strong, she clearly had a special talent.
"I see…" she murmured, without looking away from the paper. "How long has this project been in development? I heard that a private company is responsible for funding part of the experiments with the Vyra'i."
"Kitamura Tech." I replied, already expecting that question. "The main negotiator is an experienced man, who leads the negotiations for the expansion of the material. The project has been developed for years, with government incentives for something bigger. If all goes well, within two years we will have a prototype ready for use."
I allowed myself a brief pause, my thoughts wandering to a reliable figure within that company.
"If only he were in Mauritz now… he would know how to handle this situation."
"Two years, huh?" Rurika commented, her agile hand writing in the notebook. Her expression held a curiosity that seemed unshakeable. "And what will be Positive's next move regarding the development of this crystal? Don't you think it would be a mistake to simply remain silent after a disaster like this?"
I sighed deeply, running my hand through my head while closing my eyes for an instant.
"About that…" I began, with a tired tone. "I will request an emergency meeting with the high council. Even though my role is only that of an educator and researcher, I believe that, having witnessed everything, they will listen to me."
"Interesting…" Rurika said, stretching her arms casually, as if preparing for something more exciting. "I think this is going to be the controversy of the year!"
The animation in her voice and the confidence stamped on her face contrasted with the gravity of the situation.
"But, to be honest, you need to be stronger, just like these boys."
"Here we go again…"
"If this thing is so powerful, why don't you use its potential to the fullest? By the way…" A provocative smile formed on her lips. "I could train you. I have some free time, and it would be an easy favor."
The way she spoke, with that knowing smile of someone who knew her own worth, only reinforced my certainty: training with her meant being destroyed.
"That would be very kind of you…" I forced a slight smile. "But, to be frank, it's been a while since I last exercised. If I were to fight you without the Vyra'i, I think I would be destroyed in any martial arts modality."
"Haha!" Rurika laughed loudly, enjoying my statement. "What an exaggeration… But, if it ever happens, I promise to take it easy at first. After all, after facing a threat as great as the one you faced, any training will seem like child's play." She paused, as if pondering something. "You just need to find your fighting style, something that works for you."
"A fighting style…"
Those words kept echoing in my mind. Images of the fight from hours ago came to my mind. Maybe there was something I could take advantage of from all of that.
"Thanks for the tip." I tried to sound confident, with a smile of gratitude on my face. "But can we hurry up with the interview? I need to see how my students are doing."
"Sure, sure…" Rurika sighed, returning to seriousness. "The last question is a little more delicate, involving the institution."
I knew she was going to bring that up.
"We received information that Positive would be collaborating with the Kingdom of Nassau in the development of the prototype for the Vyra'i. Is this true?"
I swallowed hard, already expecting something like this.
"It's a fact. But it is not Positive's intention to betray the Republic." I said firmly, trying to dissipate any problematic insinuations. "The negotiations with Nassau are purely commercial, mediated by Kitamura Tech. There is no planning for invasions or conflicts with Mauritz."
I made a brief pause before continuing.
"Even so, part of this information is confidential, and I cannot reveal details or names for security reasons. I can only say that a man close to me is directly involved."
"Understood." Rurika nodded, writing something with her fast fingers. "I'll omit that part in the article. I don't want to create unnecessary problems."
I sighed with relief. "Thank you, Rivera. Is that all?"
"Yes, I have enough material now." She turned off her cell phone and put it in her pocket. "Well, I guess I'm going to turn all this confusion into something publishable. I hope to see you at the emergency press conference, it will be great to interview you again!"
Before I could answer, she smiled in a disconcertingly heartwarming way, making me feel a little awkward.
"A-ah… Right. I'll do my best to be there. See you later."
"Bye bye! Now I have to run. I just received a notification about an incident near the new sports arena."
With a provocative wink, Rurika walked away, leaving me alone again.
The way she looked at me was as if she were analyzing every minute detail…
Finally, I watched her disappear down the corridor, leaving me alone once more.
"What a curious woman…"
My mind remained focused on what was to come. I needed to prepare my reports for the council and ensure that a disaster like this would not be repeated.
"Merak was just the beginning…"
If something like this happened again, it would be even more devastating.
Still, when I looked at Kurusu and Cobalteze, I felt a glimmer of hope.
"These boys have something special… Only time will tell how far they can develop."
At that moment, I thought I could finally enjoy a rare moment of peace and tranquility after the conversation with Rurika had ended.
Then, I approached the window to watch the movement outside. However, what I saw made me freeze.
The two boys were awake. Not only that, but they had managed to get up and, somehow, pushed the stock of blood bags on the tripods until they were right there, in my line of sight.
Their faces were pale and their eyes, fixed, had that typical "fish look," as if they hadn't blinked in hours.
For a moment, I was paralyzed. Did they hear everything?
It was very likely. They must have heard my whole conversation with Rurika, absorbing every word as if it were something straight out of a soap opera.
Their movements were so disconnected that they reminded me of ghosts from horror movies: slowly turning their faces, as if they were analyzing me deeply.
A chill ran down my spine. Their eyes seemed to look beyond the surface, as if they were trying to see the bottom of my soul.
That's when I saw the little smile. That crooked and mischievous smile on their lips.
It was clear that they were interpreting everything in the most wrong way possible.
"What?! No! You're not thinking that, are you?" I exclaimed, raising my hands in a gesture of defense.
But they remained there, staring at me with that mocking air, as if I were some kind of protagonist of a romantic comedy.
It was obvious that they were imagining something very far from reality.
"It was just an interview between two adults!" I exclaimed.
But at this point, they had probably already created an absurd story in their heads.
I took a deep breath and scratched the back of my neck, frustrated.
"How am I going to explain this to my superiors at Positive?"
Not enough with all the chaos of today; now I had to deal with the distorted perception of these two.
Still, I couldn't help but let out a tired smile.
"They are strong. They survived something that would have finished off anyone else."
Despite the pain and exhaustion, they were there, still full of enough energy to put me in embarrassing situations.
"I hope my superiors understand my point of view…"
I needed to focus on the essential: their recovery and the next step with the Vyra'i.
The season was just beginning, and something told me that the challenges were far from over.
Epilogue
That dream again? Everything around me seemed to be made of clouds.
The walls, the corners… everything surrounded by that infinite white. The pure nothingness.
It was already familiar, but that didn't make it any less irritating. For weeks this strange dream has been haunting me.
No matter how much I try to change, I sleep and always come back to this same empty place. Alone. Always alone.
How I wanted to feel my mother's tight hug or hear my dad's advice. But here?
Here I had no one to help me.
"This place again…" I murmured, frustrated. My footsteps echoed as I walked through that infinite space, hoping to find something, anything.
I kept walking until, suddenly, I tripped. I fell flat on my face with the elegance of a turtle turned on its back.
Pathetic, I thought. Good thing it was just a dream. The last thing I wanted was to feel real pain.
When I looked up, I noticed what had made me fall: a glowing crystal.
It shone strangely, radiating a bluish light. Could it be the Vyra'i?
I picked up the crystal carefully, holding it in my right hand, and immediately felt small electrical shocks running through my body.
It was as if the crystal were trying to connect with me.
"Awesome…" I whispered, unable to contain my fascination.
There wasn't much time to admire it. I put the crystal away and moved on, my instinct guiding me.
The scenery began to change. Instead of emptiness and clouds, now I was in a place that resembled a factory.
Old furnaces, saws on tables, and everything surrounded by that same whitish glow.
Strange how everything seemed well preserved, as if it had been left there yesterday.
Soon, I spotted something in the distance: two figures. Small, almost imperceptible on the empty horizon. Finally, something alive!
Without a second thought, I ran towards them. Each step felt like a battle against the wind. My heart was racing, and for a moment I thought: is this what they call a lucid dream?
I knew I was dreaming, but everything felt too real. Was I going to wake up at any moment?
Maybe I'd wet the bed again out of fear… just thinking about it was embarrassing enough.
When I got closer, I could finally see what they were. The first figure looked like a man. An adult, with his face obscured by something I couldn't decipher.
He was leaning over a group of crystals. Twelve, to be exact. The man was holding one of them, his curious expression illuminated by the intense glow.
"What does this mean…?" he asked, his voice resonating in a strange way. It was familiar, but at the same time, it seemed distorted, like an edited recording. "I… can only understand that it was a mistake to get my hands on this… but how did it all come to this?"
"Mistake? What kind of mistake was he talking about?"
"Maybe the boss has the answer… but should I ask him? I'm tired of being scolded all the time…"
For a moment, I felt sorry for him. Being an employee seems difficult, even in dreams.
I stood there, motionless, watching the scene. He didn't seem to notice me, as if I were just a shadow in that place.
That's when I noticed the second figure. And, honestly, I preferred not to have seen it.
That… That wasn't human. The creature had a body that resembled a woman, but it was distorted, like a malformed image in water. Her presence gave me chills. It was as if looking at her brought back fragmented memories that I didn't want to access.
The man turned slowly, perhaps noticing the creature, but before he could react, she moved. Her presence was oppressive, as if the air around her was being sucked away.
The man's scream was loud, but it didn't last. The creature silenced him before he could finish, leaving us in a silence that seemed to weigh more than all that emptiness around.
"What the hell was that?"
I didn't know, but I felt like I didn't want to find out.
"If I were you, I wouldn't do that… at least not at this moment."
The voice sounded calm, but at the same time so full of authority that it was impossible not to feel a chill run down my spine.
It seemed that those words invaded the man's mind, as if they had a weight that held him in place.
Then I saw it. A scarlet, pulsating aura outlined the mysterious figure, illuminating that void with a terrifying glow.
It seemed alive, charged with something… wrong. My heart raced, and I took an instinctive step back.
"This glow scares me more than clowns…" I murmured, trying to stay calm, even feeling the sweat running down my face.
Who or what was she? Nothing there made sense.
The man in front of her seemed frozen, his eyes fixed on the ore he was holding. His voice, trembling, tried to sound firm:
"Who… who are you? Or rather, what are you looking for?"
The mysterious figure answered without hesitation, her voice resonating like a controlled thunder:
"What I am, you ask?"
There was a tone of mockery in her words, almost as if she was amused by his ignorance — and mine too, to be honest.
"I won't give you many details, but I know your existence. Every action you've taken, from the first seconds of your life."
My legs gave out. Has she been watching us since we were born?
"Despite your insignificance, you have the potential to stand out in a universe as vast as this one."
The man seemed confused, frowning as he absorbed those words.
"Huh? What… do you mean by that?"
The figure took a step forward, and the intensity of the scarlet light around her seemed to increase.
"As little as your knowledge is at the level of the universe, you are still able to understand the meaning of this glow. Discover your purpose. Become someone. From this point on, destiny will be entirely in the hands of your deepest desires."
I swallowed hard. That man seemed like a normal person, but was there something I didn't know?
He started to laugh. A loud, almost disturbing laugh that echoed through the void. After a few seconds, he composed himself, slowly opening his eyes.
He was a common person, not very tall, but there was something about him that I couldn't understand.
"My… desires?" he repeated, still a little confused, but now with a more serious tone. "I'm just a metalworking factory worker. My main interest is in another area… in becoming a great leader. How can this add anything to my life?"
Leader? Did he want to be some kind of politician? Or… a cheerleader like those girls on the school team? I held back a laugh at the idea.
The figure maintained her unshakeable posture, but her answer came quick and direct:
"What exactly do you wish to achieve in your personal goals?" there was something strange about the way she asked. It wasn't a common question. "I won't force you to tell me if you don't trust me."
To be fair, who would trust someone with such a bizarre appearance?
"But there is something you can trust until your last breath, and it's right in front of you."
The ore. He was still holding that gleaming crystal.
"Free yourself, human."
These words resonated heavily, almost as if they carried a hidden meaning that I couldn't understand.
"Free yourself…?"
What exactly did she mean? Disconnect from the world? Abandon everything we know? Separate the soul from the body?
My mind raced with questions, but, despite all the mystery, something about that figure commanded respect. It wasn't just fear.
It was as if she were talking about something much bigger than the two of us could understand.
As soon as those final words were spoken, the mysterious figure disappeared as if she had never been there.
The man, in turn, slowly got up, still holding the crystal.
I noticed that electrical sparks began to dance around him, especially on his arms, like snakes made of pure energy.
My eyes widened. It was as if a monstrous force was awakening inside him, a dangerous force, capable of destroying everything.
I knew I needed to do something. If I didn't stop that, something terrible could happen.
He pressed the crystal with so much force that blood began to flow between his fingers. That's when I decided to act.
With the crystal I had in my hands, I ran to him and tried to hit him with a punch.
But, before I could reach him, I was thrown away, as if a thunderclap had exploded right in front of me.
My body flew through the air, and all I could feel was the overwhelming pressure of his energy.
Well… at least I tried, right?
The man screamed. Not a common scream, but a resounding one, full of hatred, that echoed throughout the void around us.
The energy around him intensified until it culminated in a small explosion. Everything went black.
When I regained my senses, the scenery had already changed completely.
Now I was in a devastated city, a gray and desolate battlefield, where ruined buildings and scattered corpses told stories of horror.
The wind carried a smell of iron and dust. And there, in the middle of it all, there were only two people: myself — but from a distant future — and a strange figure, a cybernetic ninja.
I had no idea how I had gotten there. I just knew that the chaos was absolute.
The other "me" was thrown against a nearby building, creating a colossal crater in the side of the building.
Even getting up right after, you could see that he was at his limit.
His clothes were torn, and his movements were slow, as if the weight of each battle had exhausted him.
"There's still time to rethink your convictions… what will happen to our fight for freedom? For our brothers?"
The other "me's" voice was cold, full of determination, but the ninja just sighed upon hearing his words.
"The fight is over, Kurusu. We were defeated before we even started. Look around you! Mauritz is just a memory now. The war took everyone away. You'll be just another one, like the millions who perished. There's nowhere left to run."
I could feel the sadness in those words, as well as something more… a deep regret, despite his actions.
But there was no turning back, on that occasion…
"Are you really going to give up on everything?" my other version retorted. "This immoral mentality disgusts me. I'd rather die than live in a bloody dystopia, like that bastard's!"
That bastard? Who was he? Everything seemed interconnected, but no answer was clear.
"Even if I have to relive the past over and over again…"
"Relive the past? So, all this had already happened before?"
"You're really a lost cause…"
These words, as always, resonated with a terrible weight. The battle continued fiercely, and I, unable to intervene, could only watch as the ground beneath my feet trembled.
I already knew what was to come. That colossal creature that seemed to have come from a nightmare: a kaiju.
As the two of them fought frantically on top of the monster, I took the opportunity to grab onto its tail.
With difficulty, I started to climb that giant, determined to get to them.
The kaiju's roar was deafening, and every movement made my heart race. But I couldn't give up.
I needed to reach those two. They needed to stop before they destroyed everything.
As soon as I finally reached them, the cybernetic ninja tried to land the final blow on the other "me."
But, before that, he jumped, taking advantage of what he called "high ground."
"And now, what are you going to do? This is my favorite strategy!"
Did I get so arrogant in the future?
"Do you underestimate my power? Fool… so foolish. You will never defeat me like this."
The ninja's words were harsh, but true. Before I could process what was happening, my eyes began to blur.
That's when I realized: the ninja was changing.
His cybernetic figure gave way to something… more human, but at the same time terrifying.
He looked a lot like the man I had found in the whitish void before, only older, dressed in a scarlet armor that exuded pure violence.
"What kind of demon are you?" I whispered, unable to contain the fear.
That man seemed to be enveloped in an aura of blood, a murderous energy that seemed to scream with the voices of the victims of some forgotten war.
"Stop!"
I screamed with all my might, pressing the crystal I was holding to activate what seemed to be a weapon embedded in my arm.
A buster.
As both of them were preparing for the final blow, I ran with everything I had, firing at them to interrupt them.
The impact was enough to wake me from that nightmare.
Suddenly, I was back in my room. The sun was shining outside, and everything seemed normal again.
My breathing was heavy, and my heart was still beating fast.
Weeks had already passed since the beginning of that year, 2X12, and my birthday was approaching.
As I turned my face, I saw my mother sitting next to me, with a welcoming smile.
She had left a plate with breakfast on the small cabinet next to the lamp.
At that moment, I knew that there was still much to do. Dreams or not, my journey was just beginning.
"Mom…" My voice came out weak, almost a whisper.
Before I could say anything else, she hurried and wrapped me in a warm hug.
By reflex, I returned the gesture, closing my eyes as I felt the security that only she could give me.
At that moment, I needed someone close, someone who could help me understand what was happening.
The questions were still bubbling in my head: Who was that man? What did he want? That entity… was it really evil?
And what if I was hit by the same fury I felt in that dream?
As these thoughts tormented me, her sweet voice cut through the confusion.
"It's okay, son. I'll be here to protect you…"
These words were engraved in my memory, as if they had been written with indelible ink.
My mom had this special way of calming me down, even when everything around me seemed like a complete chaos.
I didn't know how, but I needed to find a way to prevent the world of that dream from becoming a reality.
But how?
Time passed. In fact, it flew by. And, with it, the strange dreams also disappeared.
Or, at least, they took a break. Now I was 10 years old, and, honestly, the best birthday present was the silence in my mind.
The first day of class at Positive had finally arrived, and I was ready.
My old clothes, torn in that confusing event, had to be replaced. My dad insisted that the new set should maintain the "original essence."
He said that this was important for me to "have personality." I thought it was strange, but I ended up agreeing. Still, for now, no school uniform.
Walking towards the campus, my eyes sparkled with the city's landscape. The energy of the place was incredible.
Everywhere I looked, there was something interesting: tall buildings, busy streets and… that gigantic construction. The infamous Positive arena.
The workers were in full swing, erecting that impressive structure. It was the first time I had seen anything like it.
For a moment, I wondered: will I ever watch a City of Nassau game there?
The idea excited me. But it also made me worried. Would it be very expensive?
As I got lost in these thoughts, I realized that the future was a field full of possibilities. No matter what was in store for me, I was determined to face everything with courage.
After all, life, just like that campus, still had a lot to show me.
♪ "Natal has changed… It's a pleasure to see! It's become more beautiful for us to live! That's why this song… is full of emotion… It was made for you!" ♪
That song started playing again. It's always the same melody that announces the city's great works.
I don't know why, but there's something about it that makes me think of the workers here striving to transform our city into that "futuristic New York".
Maybe I even like it, but just a little.
Today the weather was very different. The heat of the sun even seemed gentle, a total contrast to the sinister storm of that day… that day when my life changed in a strange way.
I didn't want to think too much about that now. The important thing was that I was there, at the campus entrance, with my dad. He stopped the motorcycle and looked at me.
"And here we are… What do you think?"
I looked at the building. From the entrance, it looked like a small place, but you could tell that inside it was huge.
Without a doubt, the location was privileged, in the middle of everything that mattered in the city.
"It's much cooler than I was expecting… I like it here!"
I replied, excited, holding my backpack as if it were my greatest treasure.
"I have to go to work now. I'll figure out a way to pick you up when classes are over. Time will pass quickly, you won't even notice."
I hoped he was right about that.
"No problem! See you later, dad!"
I smiled before running to explore my new environment.
My dad sped off on the motorcycle, as always in a hurry. The life of a delivery man is not easy.
I hope I never have to live at that pace.
The campus was huge, and I was determined to see everything.
I passed by service desks, cafeterias, little stores full of cool — and expensive — things. It was easy to imagine my money disappearing there.
Then I went to the classroom sector. I needed to find my name on the room list, but it was a real labyrinth.
I probably would have gotten lost if it wasn't for him.
Cobalteze. There he was, standing in the middle of the way with that hoverboard. Seriously, what does this kid think he is?
I was going to walk right past, but his voice made sure to stop me.
"Hey! Don't take another step. I already know it's you by the smell, you know?"
"Huh?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Now you go around smelling people? Are you a dog or something?"
He ignored my comment and pointed at me with a mischievous smile.
"How about a race? Your first day has to be memorable, and as a veteran, it's my duty to show you the campus!"
A challenge? I wasn't going to refuse.
"Heh!" I laughed. "Only if it's now! But you can't use nitro on that 'flying skateboard,' you hear?"
He sighed, feigning disappointment.
"What a demanding little guy… Okay, only because I'm in a good mood today."
"You seem to have recovered from the beating from that day." I commented, just to provoke him a little.
"At least I didn't risk getting my arm amputated because of an overload…" He retorted with a sharp smile.
That annoyed me, but I preferred to stay quiet.
"On the count of three, deal?" I suggested, already knowing he would accept.
"Hehe! You're starting to speak my language…" He smiled confidently, looking forward.
The sun illuminated the campus, almost like a warning that a new chapter was beginning. We counted to three together.
On "go!", we ran off, each giving their all.
The race marked the beginning of something bigger. Although I was excited about this new phase, a part of me knew that things wouldn't be so simple.
If the chaos of the past returned, I would be ready to use that crystal again, without hesitation.
Maybe, somewhere in the distance, other people shared the same fears as me.
But, for now, my story was just beginning.