The day for other students seemed to have progressed smoothly except for Impar and a couple of others involved. Impar was currently sitting outside the principal's office beside Lin who had a nervous look on his face. "sorry for getting you involved...Fend had it out for me the whole term."
Impar softly sighed before scratching the top of his head "All good he got what was coming to him it felt good too hah" Impar couldn't help but laugh as it was really lovely to vent despite the consequences, he could have chosen to let it happen, but something inside didn't want to make it go after watching Fend bully others for a few years.
As the two continued to talk for a few more minutes the door to the principal's office opened with Fend walking out, his face and nose bandaged, beside him a man in a suit with slick hair and glasses giving Impar a cold glare. Fend, of course, wanted nothing more than to pulverize Impar with his fists, but he was pushed along by the man until they vanished down the hall.
a middle-aged lady followed afterward with wrinkles on her face seemingly from stress "Impar come in" she spoke soundly before heading back inside her office.
Following her inside and taking a seat with his hands on his lap impar was seated in front of her desk, the office nothing special regarding furnishings it was how one would expect it to me for a school principal.
"You caused quite a bit of trouble for me today" she got straight to the point. "sorry ma'am" he wasn't sure what else to say he knew his principal Ms. Lelin didn't like to beat around the bush she had other things to worry about.
"Sorry isn't going to get the pressure off my back. look I know that little brat did a lot of bad things I was building up a bit of a case to get him expelled but what you did threw it all out the window...his dad well I'm sure you heard the stories right?"
Impar nodded he was also looking a bit nervous "that man was their family's attendant he threatened legal action if things aren't taken care of. I'm sorry impar the school can't afford to bend at this stage."
Impar sighed quietly "suspension at the end of the term I'm guessing?" he suddenly uttered. Ms. Lelin raised her hand as if to continue. "Suspension is obviously on the table for Fend of course, but for you, unfortunately, expulsion is the answer..."
Impar's heart shuddered, and his mind blanked out for a moment, he clenched his hands into fists while his eyes twitched somewhat. "but..." he wasn't able to continue before she gave a sigh "There is nothing I can do, following my meeting with those two I received a call from the superintendent of the school district personally to have you expelled can you imagine that? his family has their connections who would care for a nobody like you in their eyes."
Impar frowned before standing up "Understood" he had nothing more to say if expulsion was the answer. Lelin remained quiet for a moment but seeing Impar stand up she was about to say something before he walked out no longer caring it seemed, she could only sigh as to her a student left while she was forced to keep a bad apple. In this broken world it was harder to survive she would have to see what she could do.
Impar wasted no time in packing up his locker it was currently 10:30AM the school day had barely started yet he had been expelled he was reluctant and trying to plan how he would handle things "More time for work" he whispered to himself it seemed bit by bit his heart was becoming colder the anger he had thought he vented had suddenly risen yet again.
He saw several students walking by, 3 of them dressed in neat white uniforms with the emblem of a falcon on it. Three girls one boy who was, of course, Fend who seemed to be chatting up one of the girls that seemed to enjoy the attention.
The girls apparently were a bit more special the uniforms represented them being admittees into a unique university known as the Falcon Prospective it was more so an organization rather than a university for people with incredible talents located on the Moon these people were geniuses in their rights with a vast majority of these so-called students adding significantly to mankind's progression.
It had been around for over 79 years founded by the inventor of the Aether helmet the first virtual reality helmet that allowed significant freedom. It became the gateway for many things including a new age of MMORPGs one could only imagine the money that rolled in, more so with such a large population.
This allowed the creator to create Falcon Prospective and raise talents while also controlling shares in what they build the Falcon Prospective was second only to the current Unified World government, and even then its tendrils extended deep into the latter.
The female in the middle was the girl that not only many had confessed to and had their hearts broken but the one that Impar had also confessed to in middle school when he didn't know better.
Long blonde hair in a ponytail that went down to the middle of her back, perfect curves that pressed from beneath her uniform, jade-like legs and an ideal yet cold gaze that could pierce into the hearts of many.
she treated Fends words with no real interest of course fend didn't get upset at all he knew he couldn't afford to offend this girl. "Elena, my father, secured a contract with Aethernet recently heh I was wondering if you wanted to go to Red Hall (1) and celebrate with me...your friends are also welcome to join us!"
Fend seemed grubby as he tried to smooth talk her but she seemed disinterested, her friends also wanted to laugh but fend had some backing.
"contract? Arent you just supplying some materials in the local area? It's nothing to brag about there are a dozen different companies here that can do a better job... it's only because your grandfather went to Falcon Prospective that they are giving your family some benefits."
Her words cut Fend deep he couldn't help but feel anger within, but he didn't dare show it because not only was Elena the #1 beauty within this district but her family could step on his own like an ant. She had just come here out of choice because she wanted to experience the public school system
Impar, felt that a girl like this obviously liked to be a swan in a cage of dirty hens despite the cold temperament she apparently wanted the attention he couldn't believe he fell for such a girl before he had at least been tempered by hardship that had maturely opened his mind, he was still young but at least his point of view was broader than many his age.
Fend who had been angry from Impar's beating before and now Elena's words was furious on the inside, he glanced around before noticing Impar in the distance at his locker he grinned before making his way over.
Impar could hear the footsteps of fend heading towards him, the three girls also stopped and glanced over with interest. Impar sighed on the inside before closing the locker door after packing all his things in his bag, not surprisingly fend right behind it.
"Hey, bastard... I heard you got expelled, serves you right for butting in and being a coward....loser imps like you should stick to the curb...i don't want to see your shit face again understand?"
He suddenly grabbed Impar by the collar of his uniform and pushed him against the locker while glaring at him. The two girls looked a bit shocked while Elena remained calm.
Impar grunted somewhat it seemed Fend wanted to start more. Since Impar was more or less expelled, he might as well go out with another bang. "Fend take it easy..your nose is bleeding bad dude..."
Fend was surprised and let go as he suddenly placed his hands on his nose "Huh where?.." he had fallen for it he wasn't bright. "Right here.." Impar laughed as he replied before tensing his right arm and plowing his fist right into Fends nose knocking him flat on his ass, blood began to gush down his face as he screamed like a crying baby struggling and wriggling like a fish screaming for help.
"AHHH MY NOSE YOU BROKE IT!!!" he uttered while Impar continued to laugh and was about to run out, Elena suddenly called out. "Hey you, aren't you the one that asked me out in the last year of middle school?..." she looked at impar with some contempt.
"Mhm I'm also the only one who did this as well!" he suddenly stuck his middle finger up towards her before rushing out like a thief who had just ransacked a bank.
This clown dumbfounded the girls and made them feel disgusted by what just occurred. Elena was also stunned she had never had someone do this to her before she was always treated like a saint wherever she went, but this nobody had stuck his finger up at her.
To her, this was a dirty pleb, but he still disrespected her like this, only her parents had barely disciplined her in her life. She felt anger for the first time in a long while. "y..you!.." she wanted to give chase but stopped as it wasn't in her character she would have to figure things out later.
"Elena...can you help me up please...." Fend at least took the chance to seek pity from her after seeing impar do that, his eyes were teary, Elena simply looked at him with annoyance "urgh disgusting let's go..." she turned around and left leaving Fend with nothing but the sight of her nice rear end."
--
Impar had received a few calls from the school a half hour later, but he merely blocked the number, there were no more ties between them, he did, of course, get a text message from Ratan, a smiley face a thumbs up and the text "If you need help to let me know dude way to go that donkey was leaking like a blood bag hahaha"
Seeing his friend say that Impar smiled he had no particular feelings towards the school, so it wasn't a real loss to him it's not like graduating would have allowed him a better job he came to realize his grades were average no matter how hard he tried.
Glancing up the clouds were dark and dense, and one could hear thunder as well "Rain today? Odd" he spoke before heading home first it was a bit quieter as all the kids were sent to their schools with the parents out to shop for low priced ingredients.
Impar returned home and sat down on the small slightly torn couch, he turned on the tv and skipped over the channels, he felt a headache come up suddenly and sighed as he rubbed his temple it seemed although he tried to pass it as nothing the stress of the events within the span of two hours had finally hit.
"Screw this world that only benefits those with talents and the rich....I'm not going to let myself be devoured by it." He switched to another channel one that showed a popular female idol performing a famous song of hers, he ignored it and changed to another. It was Falcon Prospective's channel.
A young man 25 years of age with short brown hair and blue eyes with a smile worth a million credits or at least to the girls who would fawn over him was seen with his hands behind his back while speaking.
"Here at Falcon Prospective we are leading humanity to greater heights, the Ion thruster technology that enabled the shuttle launch to mars is one of many creations of Falcon Prospective " he seemed to like the name as he wouldn't stop saying it, behind him complex traces and images detailing many inventions were flashing by every few seconds.
"If you think your heart and mind are locked onto humanity's future and making this future better for everyone then apply now at your local branch for a test."
After it cut out a voice began to quickly read the more delicate details that were too harsh to say in a proper commercial. Impar scoffed he wouldn't take the test even if he were intelligent enough because their goal of helping everyone was a pile of shit.
He lived in the slums more or less and what he saw was the poor get poorer, and the rich get richer in the end family connections, reputation and money made the world spin, and when humanity branched out into the stars, it would make the galaxy spin to.
He put the control for the tv on the side of the old wooden table he had picked up that someone had thrown out. Checking his phone as he laid on the couch he set the alarm to wake him up 20 minutes before work. He felt quite tired at least he could sleep in until work.
Giving a quick call to his boss, he managed to get more hours starting at 1:00 pm, so he readjusted the alarm. After his boss asked why Impar wanted more hours he just said the end of term and didn't mention his expulsion.
When business was handled he changed the channel to the weather before laying on his back, Impar soon fell asleep minutes later hoping to ease his headache, he silently drifted into his dreamland, the weather was reporting about normal regional situations such as rain downpour in western Australia increasing a few millimeters and such but after a half hour the forecast suddenly cut off and it went to a news anchor who began to speak.
"ladies and gentlemen, it seems something strange has been going on recently for Earth. Strange Aurora esque lights that had been secluded in the Northern Hemisphere have suddenly begun to spread at a rapid rate towards all sides of the globe.
Scientists are unsure of the occurrence, but all flights have been grounded due to electrical interference.
It will engulf the entire southern hemisphere in 3 hours, the global consensus is that this is a once in a lifetime phenomenon and won't happen again it appears to be completely harmless some say it is related to last weeks solar flare others attributing it to religious topics, folks, you better enjoy it and take some pictures because this won't happen again"
The news anchor downplayed it as it didn't seem to cause harm and didn't want to incite panic, orders passed down by the top in truth even they thought it was nothing much.
Eventually, the tv shut itself off after an hour due to inactivity; something Impar added to it to save on bills. Impar seemed to be quite calm while sleeping yet his dream seemed odd.
The vast universe shifting and changing condensed within what seemed to be a bubble like cage it appeared like a jewel that sparkled with bright light, suddenly a hand formed with what appeared to be of stars and space suddenly appeared out of nothingness within the empty void outside this bubble.
A ripple of white light pulsed out from the index finger of his heavenly hand that engulfed the universe like a bubble for a single moment. The hand vanished into nothingness fading into the darkness as if nothing had ever existed in the void when suddenly a voice which shook this void but not the bubble like universe called out.
"Rapture has come. The Dimensional gate has been opened. Soon those chosen few will have first access to my Heavenly field. Pearls of Nirvana are your key, parting with your destiny, parting with your current existence, yet do not part with Nirvana."
This voice which seemed as clear as day echoed in his dream Impar suddenly woke up with fright, his alarm going off, his heart beating quickly. Impar didn't realize that his nose was bleeding until the drops fell on his hand.
"That was freaking intense...." he could remember every detail of that dream and had never felt so frightened before in his life he might have even pissed his pants had it not been that he already went before sleeping.
Thankfully to him, it was just a dream, hearing his alarm he wiped his nose a little before it made a mess with blood. Twenty minutes later after tiding himself up, wearing the shops uniform and cleaning the blood, he looked into the mirror again.
"Every time I gaze here why do I feel like I die a bit more?" he smiled bitterly to himself before grabbing a quick meal to eat, it was simply cup noodles beef flavor it wasn't as if he had much else left, he didn't know how to cook despite wanting to learn the neighbors next door didn't bother with him like how in most cases they would help those less fortunate.
But he was okay with that after all everyone in this slum was struggling to live a day longer he didn't want to intrude, so he didn't blame them for their thoughts, every bite more was an extra kick of energy for their tiresome day.
Making his way outside his apartment, he heard people talk about some strange phenomenon he thought nothing of it as it might be some viral thing or some weird science news, heading outside the smog covered the sky and with the thunder clouds it made it seem like the night was nearly here to a reasonable degree.
It made him want to puke with how disgusting it looked. This place was where most factories were placed in the past years with workers wanting their families closer the apartments were a good thing for those who worked these low paying jobs that barely put meat on the table if any at all.
He rubbed his hands together and breathed a cold mist. "why did it get so cold all of a sudden?.."
He considered it as some freak thing before making his way towards his job it was a half hour away in the meantime he thought about his dream, the heavenly hand these pearls of nirvana and this dimensional gate that the voice talked about he wouldn't mind welcoming some end of the world at least it would end his misery.
Five minutes away he received a call from his second boss at the gas station. "Hey Impar don't worry about coming in later tonight haha I sold the place to some bigshot he was interested in the area I got quite a good deal! I put your pay for yesterday in your account, good luck!" Before Impar could reply the phoneline closed and he was left stunned. "Just like that? " He thought nothing much of it after all developments were no big deal these days it just meant he needed a second job.
After arriving at the small convenience store run by an elderly man whom he worked for and that he had befriended awhile back, he noticed the man signing something with two other men in suits and dark glasses on the side the man seemed a bit annoyed as if he were forced into this.
When the men left Impar came over and spoke. "Mr. Arizu is everything ok?" The man sighed before turning to Impar "my boy sorry it seems there won't be work today or again....these big shots suddenly came in today and paid the contract break fee I had with the landlord the place isn't mine anymore... I have to get started and pack everything...weird they paid 30% extra..." the old man suddenly pulled out his phone which was significantly better then Impars and hit a few keys.
"I paid your wage and some for your troubles today...sorry kiddo" the man sighed in reluctance before heading back inside and changing the open sign to closed.
Impar was stunned both his jobs were suddenly lost within 10 minutes. He felt something odd happening, so he went to some nearby stores and asked them about men breaking the contractor wanting to buy the shop. He was told nothing happened, but one store owner beside him said he saw their car earlier it was part of Lesley Metalworks.
Impar looked angry it made sense now, Lesley metal works was the company that Fends father owned the metal works was no way near this place it was at least 2 hours away they had no business here in a slum place wanting to build here was more trouble then it was worth, no doubt this was revenge on Fend's side.
"Damnit to hell!" Impar roared silently before he punched a brick wall nearby causing his right hand to bloody somewhat. He clenched his teeth in anger it seemed that fend was being ruthless by making him lose his jobs no doubt he had other plans in store compared to fend Impar was a fish in a barrel.
Impar was given a total of 50 credits from his second job and just now received 150 from his first with his savings remaining of 400 credits prior he had a total of 600 credits he needed to use what he could and start job hunting again carefully.
he didn't want to ask Rattan for a job with his dad or mom as not only would it intrude but he had no doubt Fend would step in to cause them trouble as well he didn't want his friend to suffer because of the target on his back.
Impar headed back home the streets were a bit emptier he could hear thunder in the distance roaring as if it felt his anger and sorrow his misery in this life.
Impar had a feeling Fend might try to get him evicted, so he most likely needed to plan a relocation. As he was taking his usual shortcut through an alley, he noticed a figure in front of him. It was Fend.
"Huh?..." Impar was surprised. He saw the smirk on Fend's face as if one of victory, he had more bandages on his nose and looked psychotic. "Finally here little shit...."
Impar had a bad feeling he began to think in his mind "-The only person who knows I take a shortcut through here is-.." while turning around his thoughts stopped dead, the two people who he had seen buying the store from his boss were there, including a third individual it was Rattan.
He had a troubled look on his face as if he did something terrible. "Impar....he said if I told him where you go and live....that he will give my parents contracts for real estate near the metal works...nothing personal right?."
Impar smiled and sighed regrettably. "All good....you did what you need to do" Impar replied, his friend betrayed him all for a bit of profit for his family. In the end, if someone wouldn't take a bullet for you, they weren't trustworthy.
"You did good Rat now piss off I got business here..." Rattan nodded before heading off after he was handed a contract by one of the men in suits that just needed his father to sign for it to be valid.
Rattan then scampered off with it tucked away he gave Impar a slight pitiful glance before heading off, Impar was left bitter yet stood strong he wouldn't let this world devour him.
Fend took several steps forward, Impar took a fighting stance he had seen once on tv in a self-defense course, but a moment later he was shoved forward by one of the men behind who snuck up on him, Fend took the chance to start kicking Impar again and again.
A couple of minutes later Fend proudly spoke out "hahaha! This is great look karma came and hit you back Imp shit!!! You want to act like the hero!! poor people like you need to know your place!"
Impar was bruised and his face bloody he didn't cry or call out in pain he took every beating as it came while focusing on other things, he had lost consciousness once but was awoken by the pain, no doubt he had a few fractures around his body and was having trouble breathing due to blood in his nose, he even coughed out some blood a sign that his innards were injured to.
Fend wanted to continue, but one of the men stopped him "Young master if this pleb dies it will cause some complications for your father..." Fend yanked his arm away then gave one more kick to impar's back before tidying his jacket.
"Fine I'm done with this dumbass anyway....don't let me see you again or you're going to end up missing" he threatened before walking away. Impar laid motionless for nearly a half hour before his ragged breathing could be heard, he weakly crawled over to a nearby wall and pushed himself up his body felt like it was going to crumble apart.
He hadn't eaten well in his life and wasn't as fit as Fend, so he was much weaker. Leaving a trail of blood from the small drops and puddles before he focused his sight forward and remained silent his stare in a daze.
"-Maybe I should just end it all...-" he uttered contemplating suicide it seemed his life was getting worse and worse, his dad leaving him as an infant, his mother suffering than dying, having to live alone and suffer every day.
A couple of tears were forced out of his eyes not ones of sadness but anger at the unfairness of his life as he was about to cry out in frustration, reaching over for a jagged piece of scrap metal beside him the sound of thunder suddenly cleared
The clouds parted rapidly, and the entirety of the country and the world was engulfed in lights of aurora that seemed to cause a beautiful glow. glancing up at the sky with pain Impar's eyes widened at sight he saw before him, he had never seen anything like it before it warmed his heart and calmed his mine although it was silent he swore he heard an angelic symphony
The entire world seemed to freeze as the lights of aurora grew more intense, people stopping what they were doing glancing up into the sky, traffic also freezing as people got out of their vehicles no one uttered a world it was deathly silent.
It was then that suddenly spheres of light the size of marbles began to rain down all over the world followed by a rain of light washing away the grey. Impar was confused at this sight as he wasn't sure what to think his mind was empty.
That was until a single rainbow-colored sphere dropped right in front of him emitting a beautiful swirl as if a galaxy was contained within. His mind shook he wasn't an idiot because there was a sentence that came into his mind from his dream after glancing at it.
"Pearls of Nirvana are your key, parting with your future, parting with your existence, do not part with Nirvana" he spoke the sentence word for word before weakly rushing over and clutching onto the pearl as if his life depended on it.
The moment he grabbed it, a beautiful rainbow light lit up the alley, Impar had vanished and reappeared in a pure vortex of light, his mind going silent and he blacked out before a voice spoke out to him in a mechanical tone.
: Starter Kit Acquired:
: Temporary Safety Field Acquired Duration 24 hours:
: Activating Starting Location Map:
: Zone name:: Plains of Hope:
: Welcome To God's Heavenly Field, Impar Liaus: