The morning sun struggled through the thick clouds over Auren City, casting a dull silver glow on the wet streets. The city hummed with life, but for one boy, it felt muted, almost distant. Students rushed past the school gates, laughter and chatter filling the air. Backpacks bounced, shoes squeaked, voices echoed. Among them, he walked alone, shoulders slightly hunched, hood drawn over his head. His steps were quiet, almost deliberate, as if he wished the world wouldn't notice him at all.
He passed laughing groups, their words a blur. No one glanced his way. No one ever did.
Inside Classroom 2B, he slid into his usual seat at the back. His desk, scarred with countless scratches and names, felt familiar. He traced the marks with his fingers, feeling a strange comfort in their permanence. The teacher's voice floated over the classroom, commanding, but without warmth.
"Everyone, open your textbooks to page thirty-two," the teacher said, glancing at the students but never at him.
He flipped the pages, pretending to read, though his mind wandered far beyond the classroom. The whispers, laughter, and chatter around him all existed in a world he couldn't touch. He had grown used to it. Invisible, he thought, always invisible.
At lunchtime, the cafeteria was a storm of sound. Students clustered at tables, shouting, laughing, sharing snacks. He carried his tray to a quiet corner, placing it on a table away from everyone else. The smell of fried food and warm soup filled the air, but he barely noticed. He ate slowly, observing the life that moved around him—vivid, alive, and completely out of reach.
A group of boys laughed nearby. One pointed at him and whispered something. He did not react. Years of being ignored had taught him the only way to survive was silence.
Why am I always alone? he wondered. What is wrong with me?
By afternoon, clouds thickened and the first drops of rain began to fall. He walked home through the bustling streets of the city. Umbrellas bloomed like dark flowers, neon signs reflected on wet asphalt, people rushed by, oblivious to him. Yet, as he passed them, a flicker brushed against his senses.
It was subtle, almost like a ripple in the air. A shimmer. A distortion of light. He stopped and looked around. The street appeared normal. The puddles reflected the neon lights of the shops. Everything seemed ordinary—but he felt it, deep in his chest: something was not right.
He turned down a quiet alley, rain soaking his jacket. The city's usual noises faded here, replaced by the soft patter of water and the distant hum of traffic. His hands were buried in his pockets. He felt the familiar weight of loneliness pressing on him, but this time, it carried a new tension, a thrill he didn't understand.
Suddenly, a soft glow appeared before him, hovering in mid-air. It was faint at first, almost like a reflection on the wet asphalt. The light pulsed gently, drawing his gaze. He stepped closer, heart pounding.
What… is this?
The glow expanded, forming a floating screen of shimmering symbols and numbers. Letters scrolled across it, forming patterns he couldn't comprehend. Then a voice, gentle and melodic, spoke directly into his mind.
"Host detected. Potential unlocked."
He froze, eyes wide. Is… someone there?
"Do you wish to see… your true self?"
The voice was soft but carried authority. Fear and curiosity battled inside him. The rain fell heavier, dripping down his face and jacket. He looked around—empty alley. Just him, the rain, and the strange, hovering light.
The screen shimmered brighter. A small, holographic figure appeared, delicate and ethereal. She had long hair, warm eyes, and a presence that felt both comforting and commanding.
"Greetings, Host," the figure said. "I am Aurora, your system guide."
He stumbled back. "System? Guide? What… what are you talking about?"
"Your potential has been recognized," Aurora replied. "You are no longer ordinary. Your emotions, your pain, your loneliness… all of it can be transformed into strength."
He laughed bitterly, a short, hollow sound. "Strength? Me? You don't even know me…"
"I know more than you realize," Aurora said gently. "This is only the beginning. Do you accept?"
He hesitated. Every instinct screamed to run, to deny, to ignore. But a tiny spark of hope—a whisper in his chest—made him nod.
"Very well," Aurora said. "Let us begin."
The symbols on the screen danced faster, glowing brighter. His vision blurred, and when it cleared, a faint spark of energy flickered across his fingertips. A tingling warmth spread from his chest, crawling along his arms.
I… I have power?
He looked around. The alley was still, wet from rain, city lights reflecting on puddles. Yet everything felt different. He was not the same boy who had walked these streets moments ago.
He raised his hand hesitantly. The spark reacted, moving, twisting, following his slightest command. Excitement, fear, and disbelief mingled in his chest. He could feel his heartbeat echoing in his ears, a rhythm syncing with the energy thrumming within him.
"This is only the beginning," Aurora whispered, her voice warm and unwavering.
For the first time in his life, he did not feel invisible.
He stood alone in the rain, yet for the first time, he felt seen. And he knew, without fully understanding how, that nothing in his life would ever be the same again.
The city stretched out below him, neon lights flickering, rain dripping from rooftops. Somewhere in the distance, a faint shimmer appeared—like a gate opening just beyond his sight.
"Is it the end… or just the beginning?" he thought, feeling a thrill of anticipation deep in his chest.
And as the rain poured, he realized the lonely boy who walked unnoticed through the streets of Auren City had finally awakened.
TO BE CONTINUED....