A Taunting voice was heard and a hand approached his shoulders " Hey isn't this our class's genius with the best close-quarter combat record while being good at academics ".
Standing next to him was Dennis Parker, a tall boy with blonde hair and a mid-grade elemental root of fire. He was also known to be a school bully and held a grudge against Daksh for constantly losing to him in close combat.
"What do you want Dennis," asked Daksh as he shrugged off his hand from his shoulder.
Dennis stumbled a bit as he put more weight on Daksh's shoulder to intimidate him.
"You fu*king Bit.." Dennis stopped midway & smiled while saying "No use cursing you, who already is down on his luck. You know, You're like a shooting star," he jeered. "At first, you burn bright and bring hope, but eventually your shine fades, and you're forgotten. You simply fade away in someone else's shine." he mocked.
Isn't it better to be like a shooting star than a magic mirror? A shooting star may bring hope and shine bright but eventually fades away. On the other hand, a magic mirror gives false hope and lures you in with promises, but ultimately leads to disappointment" retorted Daksh.
Listening to Daksh's taunt, Dennis was getting angry.
"What, are you angry already?" Daksh mocked once again. After that, he gave Dennis a slight push and started walking away.
"Angry at you? Why would I waste my anger on a nobody like you? I've joined the elite class for future hunters, while you're stuck in the ordinary class. I have the support of a powerful empire, while you're just a lowly orphan. Who even knows who your parents were? Perhaps they were involved in unsavoury activities, abandoning their child on the streets while they indulged in their vice.." before he could speak another word, a hand grabbed his throat and pushed him towards the door.
BANG
"Another word from your filthy mouth could be your last. You should apologize," Daksh spoke sternly. He despised anyone who dared to speak ill of his parents, even though he had never known them. He would never tolerate anyone disrespecting their memory.
"Why should I apologize to you, a nobody?" Dennis retorted, his nose bleeding from the impact.
" Because this nobody has a physical ability unlike yours. I can snap that little neck of yours quite easily " grunted Daksh.
"Go ahead and try snapping my neck. Do you think my parents, both of whom have reached the transcendence stage of awakening, would let you off easily? Unlike you, I have their unwavering support," Daksh responded, increasing the pressure on his hand. "ARGH, keep trying! Once you kill me, you'll find yourself in jail, where they will torture you endlessly. Not even your so-called friends will be able to escape this fate. In this world, money and strength reign supreme."
"I don't care, Dennis. You've always been on my back, taunting me endlessly, and I've been fine with that. But today, you crossed the line. Apologize and I'll let you go," Daksh compromised, acknowledging the truth in what Dennis had said about the world they lived in. However, he couldn't tolerate someone insulting his parents.
A captivating voice, carrying a hint of coldness, emanated from behind Daksh. "You should release him, Daksh. You're well aware that fighting on the school grounds is not the wisest course of action," it warned
Daksh released his hold on Dennis's neck and turned his attention to the person behind him. Standing there was a class beauty, Nangong Yumei. She possessed long, flowing black hair that cascaded down her back, complementing her striking black eyes. Standing at a height of approximately 165 cm, she exuded an air of elegance and confidence. Her hair was adorned with a blue ribbon, neatly tying it into a single ponytail.
Daksh and Yumei were not strangers to each other, as they were both recognised as the top students in hand-to-hand combat within their class. They had engaged in several sparring sessions together, showcasing their skills and pushing each other to excel. Beyond their shared interest in combat, Yumei also had a strong bond with Yukari, making her a trusted and valued friend within their circle.
Daksh and Yumei were not strangers to each other, as they were both recognised as the top students in hand-to-hand combat within their class. They had engaged in several sparring sessions together, showcasing their skills and pushing each other to excel. Yumei also had a strong bond with Yukari, making her a trusted and valued friend within their circle.
Before Daksk could reply, she continued " What he said is true about going to jail. You want to go to jail for killing such an insignificant person. Someone like him born with a golden spoon and a person who thinks the world revolves around him is not worth it. Pay no heed to their barks, just as an elephant disregards the noise of small dogs ".
Having expressed her thoughts, Yumei departed, leaving Dennis seething with anger and rendered speechless in her wake. Then, she stopped and turned around " Daksh we should leave, both of them are waiting."
"Right," Daksh affirmed, collecting his belongings and departing from the scene. As he left, he glared at Dennis, who remained rooted in place, bearing the weight of Daksh's intense gaze.
Before long, they reached the school gate and spotted Yukari and Carter waiting there.
" Man should have beaten that sh... Hm him more " grumbled Daksh.
"It's better that you did not do any more or else the school would have noticed and the school would have favoured him instead of you. " explained Yumei.
While both of them were talking, Yukari came running towards them and asked "What are you guys talking about".
" Not… nothing " answered Daksh as he did not want them to involve with Dennis. Looked at Yumei, if she answers or not.
" Really " Yukari looked at Yumei.
" Nothing just how things are going to change from tomorrow " answered Yumei.
"Yeah, that's why I'm suggesting we should all go to the arcade and then attend a party," Carter chimed in enthusiastically.
"Can't," all three of them replied in unison, their voices filled with a hint of disappointment.
"Let's celebrate, we all just awakened, let's have some fun before we are forced to train like maniacs" begged Carter.
" I have a family function, but next time for sure " answered Yumei.
"I need to go to work," Daksh stated, indicating his reason for needing to depart.
"Skip it for today, man. They'll understand," Carter suggested, offering a solution to Daksh's predicament.
" Can't, need the money " replied Daksh.
"Isn't the government providing you with money since you awakened?" Carter inquired.
"Yes, but it hasn't been credited yet, and it looks like I'll need to buy a new phone soon," Daksh replied.
Carter persistently pleaded with Daksh to join the party, but Daksh continued to decline. Meanwhile, the two girls giggled, thoroughly entertained by Carter's persistent begging.
As they revelled in the amusement, a sleek black hovercar named Ramses glided into view. It bore the signature style of Bentley, one of the renowned classic car manufacturers from the old generation. Resembling a Bentley Mulsanne, this hovercar exuded elegance and sophistication in its design. Seeing this Yumei said " Carter we can have that get-together later, once we are able to control our powers, what say around after our training is over. "
Carter looked dejected but was instantly smacked lightly on the head by Yukari " Let's plan this one, no one will ditch, so cheer yup".
" Yes." Carter acknowledged.
" Yukari I'll drop you to your house since we like close by " asked Yumei.
Yukari agreed and got into the car. Soon after waving goodbye to the boys they left.
" Man it would have been so fun if we had the party today " Carter sighed.
" Yeah, but we will enjoy it once we hang out again," said Daksh as he got ready to run.
"Hey, I can drop you on my motorbike, " said Carter as he revved his triumph engine.
"No, man. I need to warm up anyway before I start my work, so it's best if I run from here to work. It's only about 5 kilometres," said Daksh as he started jogging, waving goodbye to Carter.
He worked at a small construction company specializing in small remodelling projects. His role there was that of a demolition man, tasked with breaking down walls, removing floor tiles, and smashing concrete. It was unusual for someone of his age to be given such a job, but his exceptional strength, nearly double that of an average person without awakening, made him an exception. He had joined the company initially as a regular labourer, but circumstances led to him taking on the role of a demolition man. The previous workers in that position had injured him badly, breaking his back during a demolition job. Despite the risks involved, it was a well-paying job, offering higher wages compared to other positions. The sledgehammer he used weighed approximately 12 kilograms, making it a challenging tool to handle. However, due to his exceptional strength, the previous demolition man had specifically chosen him for the job, having witnessed his capabilities while working together. He had been working in this role for approximately six months, gaining experience in the demanding field of demolition.
After approximately 10 minutes of jogging, he arrived at the site—a dilapidated three-story bungalow. There, he met his manager, a middle-aged man in his forties, who assigned him the task of demolishing a false wall and removing bathroom tiles. His manager was actually the previous demolition man. After a quick brief, he changed his clothes to his working clothes and started his work.
********************
It was 8:30 pm in the evening, and Daksh had just completed his work for the day. He walked home, holding a burrito in his hand, which served as his dinner. His school bag was slung over his shoulder, and if you looked closely, you could spot a few more burritos tucked inside his bag. His apartment was approximately an hour's walk away from his workplace. Along the way, there was a bustling street food market where he often enjoyed his dinner while continuing his journey.
His apartment, spanning 257 square meters, consisted of a single room and a kitchen. Situated near the outskirts of the city, it was in close proximity to the city boundary. Although efforts were made to clear out the wild beasts that occasionally wandered into the area, sometimes a few managed to slip through, causing occasional chaos and disruptions.
As Daksh entered his apartment, a musty scent greeted his nostrils. The sparsely furnished space consisted of only a bed, a table doubling as a computer and TV stand, a small cupboard for his clothes, and a compact refrigerator. He casually tossed his bag onto the bed before making his way to the bathroom for a refreshing bath, swiftly freshening up.
Afterwards, he grabbed a bottle of beer from the refrigerator. It had become increasingly common for 18-year-olds to consume alcohol, particularly beer, which was often perceived more as a carbonated beverage than an alcoholic one. Despite this perception, the beer Daksh had contained 12% alcohol. While he typically didn't indulge much, he needed a drink on this particular day.
Daksh's hopes were shattered when he received his awakening result. With his naturally strong physique, he had anticipated gaining a unique ability related to his physical body. However, the fact that he didn't possess any elemental root was a major disappointment. His overall result of the E+ rank was disheartening, considering that individuals with such ranks had a high mortality rate in the dangerous wilds. If his result had been more favourable, he might have joined Carter for the party, leaving his work behind. But his disappointment held him back.
Yukari and Carter, being aware of his disappointment, tried to console him in their own ways. While one attempted to distract him from his thoughts, the other gave him space to be alone with his feelings. Daksh knew that eventually, Yukari would reach out and talk with him, providing comfort and support. As for Yumei, she was merely an acquaintance, albeit a strikingly beautiful one. The thought of her made Daksh's cheeks flush with a blush, although their relationship was still at a relatively early stage.
Deep in thought, Daksh refused to accept a fate of insignificance and obscurity. As his mind raced, his fingers absentmindedly played with the pendant hanging around his neck. This pendant was a cherished possession, the only tangible reminder of his parents. It held immense sentimental value for him, and he always kept it close. Crafted from a blackish gold material, the pendant was circular with a groove running through its centre, resembling a flattened ring. Inscribed in small letters on its surface was his name, "Daksh".