Eo could hear Kyros and some others talk during brunch.
"So, Kyros, how does it feel having two affinities? I think it's really cool!"
"Uh, I'm not too sure… I don't really know how to use this properly… yet…"
Eo heard the table laugh. Just then, he saw a large red-jacketed gang of people walk up to them.
"Hey, hero, think you're so special?"
"Huh?"
Everyone turned their heads to look.
"I said, you think you're so special, hero? I bet you can't even synthesize!"
A girl in the back yelled "knock it off, Utaris. Most people can't synthesize a drop of their element until their second week at best."
Utaris laughed.
"No one cares, Nainto."
Then Utaris cleared his throat and glared at Kyros.
"So what? He's the hero, right? People like him apparently have a lot of 'potential', so let's see him synth up something on his second day here!"
The other red-jackets laughed.
Eo saw Kyros narrow his eyes.
"What's your point? Just leave us alone."
That was when Eo realized Utaris was the typical protagonist's first antagonist. It was the bully, jealous of the potential and fame that the main character got. Eo thought those types of characters were sort of bland and boring, but then realized he himself was one of them.
Utaris walked over towards Kyros menacingly.
"I said, prove to me you're the savior. Do something cool and special. Come on, little boy."
"Leave us alone."
Utaris grabbed Kyros by the collar and lifted him up. In Utaris' other hand, he saw a ball of fire erupt. Definitely a heat user.
Utaris started yelling.
"You think you're powerful enough to seal the Horde Chasm? Huh?! TELL ME!"
To the other people, Utaris looked like some crazy big kid with anger issues, but Eo saw something else. There was anger, but there was also sadness. Sadness from an unspoken tragedy regarding the horde, and sadness that Utaris himself couldn't do anything about it. Rage from the fact that he wasn't strong enough to avenge whoever he lost to the horde. Misery from the fact that he wasn't determined as the savior. Most of all however, infuriation from the fact that someone who looked like this wimp was the actual "savior".
All of these feelings and emotions culminated into a roar which sounded more of pain than anything else. Eo could hear Nainto scream in slow motion as Utaris swung his flame-smothered fist towards Kyros' head.
Eo blinked. Why was he sympathizing with an antagonist? He was going to lose anyways. Eo patiently waited for the protagonist to take care of Utaris.
Just as Utaris' flames fanned Kyros' hair, a strange yell was heard from Kyros' throat.
Everyone's eyes (except Eo's) slowly widened as a huge amount of water formed around Kyros' body like a protective blanket. It congealed, twisted and turned, and then turned into a giant fist which slammed right into Utaris' own hand, and then his face.
Utaris was sent flying, completely drenched.
Everyone (except Eo) stood there, openmouthed. This person had summoned water from his whole body, when he didn't even take the tattooing test. On his second day. Utaris' terrified gang ran all the way to the other side of the room.
"D-did you see that?!"
"Whoah, amazing!"
"Kyros… he's truly the savior."
"He'll definitely seal the chasm!"
Everyone (except Eo) crowded around Kyros, who had collapsed. They were worried about him, and quickly rushed him into the health office. Dozens of rumors would seed from that incident.
Eo, on the other hand, was facepalming.
(A giant fist. Really? REALLY?! That's so inefficient! What's a "thumb" supposed to do in water punch! All the knuckles are just a useless aesthetic! It would've been far more easier and faster to visualize a water sphere!)
Eo sighed in exasperation. He had no doubt that Kyros could've generated a water punch far more larger in volume or concentration had he been more efficient about the essence molding.
"Hey, kid, why are you still there? Everyone left, except my gang."
Eo looked around. There was no one except Utaris and 2 of his gang members. He looked down. Utaris was on the floor, blood flowing from his nose and ears. The other Red Jackets looked ready to fight at a moment's notice.
Eo gave Utaris a curious look.
"I'm not too sure. Maybe because I kinda expected that."
Utaris laughed.
"Me too, actually."
Eo gave Utaris an even more curious look.
"Why did you attack him then?"
Utaris leaned his head back on the floor and covered his hand with damp hand.
"I'm not too sure. Maybe it's because I'm assured a safe future from the monsters. Maybe because I just hate the savior."
Eo raised an eyebrow.
"The prophecy only stated that the savior had potential to seal the chasm."
"Maybe it's because I don't have potential then."
Eo chuckled.
"Who knows."
Eo turned away when Utaris responded.
"Wait."
Eo stopped.
"Hey, kid, what's your name?"
"Eo."
"Eo, you're pretty cool. I might wanna invite you to the Red Jackets."
"Thanks, but sorry."
"You in another gang?"
"No, but I don't intend to be one."
"Join mine then. We're strong."
"Judging by the way things are going, I don't think so."
"Hahaha, you're a funny one."
"I agree. I'm gonna go now."
Eo left the room when Utaris called out again.
"Fine then."
"Hm?"
"Eo, right? Eo, I'll join you."
Eo blinked. Huh?