Waking up in the morning, Daron gathered his school bag and went out the door to go to school. With the advent of ability domains, there was a change to how schools operated. Though the previous subjects such as history and mathematics were still taught, it was not the focus anymore. Instead, the focus became the research of ability domains, special body physiques, and the other powers that had popped up.
Daron was lucky enough to at least have a special body physique he inherited from his parents. He never learned where they got it, and he just assumed it happened early in their career, a few years before he had been born. This was the only reason he could be considered not the weakest at his school. His body's constitution, strength, and healing capabilities were all enhanced greatly because of the special physique. A stab in the heart might not even kill him. However, an injury like that would keep him in bed for at least a day before being recovered.
Though he had this body physique, it was not as good as having an ability domain. Special body physiques were much more difficult to improve than an ability domain, and would eventually need time beyond the years someone could live to improve upon further.
All the kinds of powers discovered could be inherited from one's parents, so many other students had abilities and physiques. The other kinds of powers were more difficult to find. Daron didn't know if anyone at his school, teacher, administration, or student, had another kind of power. Nor did he care to find out.
Entering into the school, Daron went to his first class of the day, Physique Power, taught by Mr. Gail. Sitting in his seat, he closed his eyes and waited for class to start.
Before it started, he focused on his body and felt the energy throughout it. This was his special physique. Feeling the energy, Daron willed it to expand and retract over and over again, a technique taught to improve the power of the physique. But this technique could only go so far, and didn't go far into focusing power to one point if one was to go into combat.
Daron knew he was already at a point where it would take years to improve his physique in a significant way again, but he wanted to keep up the practice of these skills just in case something went his way. His thoughts drifted to the strange quartzite tablet, but he focused on another technique soon after.
He focused the energy flow into all his internal organs, making all the energy collect in his head and torso. A life saving technique taught as a cautionary measure if they were ever in a life-threatening situation and didn't mind losing their ability to move and focus entirely on healing, or keeping alive, the individual. Of course, when not in a life-threatening situation, it could just be used as another technique to improve your physique.
"Alright, let's start!" Mr. Gail said.
Releasing his energy into its normal flow, Daron opened his eyes and looked to the front of the classroom.
"As you all should know, a competition is held between those with physiques and those with ability domains every year among the fourth-years. This year is no different. I will be selecting two students from this class to participate and represent the physique side." Mr. Gail said.
Daron gave a frown. He knew of the competition but hadn't given it much thought. But now that Mr. Gail said he'd be choosing the representatives he had a bad feeling. His was one of the best physiques, at least for such a competition as the school held. It would make sense if he was chosen for it. He just hoped he was wrong.
"For the first round, Sarah Lussie will be representing."
Daron looked across the room and saw a girl high-fiving a few people who sat next to her.
"As for the second round, Daron Finley will be representing."
Daron gave a sigh in his mind. He knew it was coming, but he had still hoped otherwise. It's not as though he feared losing, he expected to lose against someone with an ability domain. But though his physique was good, he didn't have combat experience. It was agreed upon by the governing powers that combat experience would only be taught at the college level. Even so, that didn't stop the parents from teaching their kids themselves, or sending them someplace to learn.
Daron's parents, being away from home frequently, didn't have time to teach him, and they felt uncomfortable sending Daron to learn such things at a young age. But the thing he was most worried about was the attention being on him.
Though the teachers tried their best to keep bullying to a minimum, they couldn't stop it all. For those with wealthy families, it was even more difficult to stop them from bullying. If you were in the spotlight, people were bound to go after you.
Daron had done his best to stay under the radar even with one of the best physiques in his school, but now it seems like that time would come to an end. At the very least, he was glad it happened near the end of his last year before college.
The rest of the class was uneventful, or rather, unimportant for Daron who had advanced too far for the normal course employed at his school. He still paid attention in case something could inspire him on how to unlock the power of the tablet, but to no avail, and the class came to an end.
His next two classes were of normal subjects and went by with no notable occasions during them. But as he went to the cafeteria for his free period, he was interrupted on his way there.
"Hey! You're that Daron Finley kid, right?" A male of two meters tall stood, a veritable giant even in the age they were in now.
Daron looked at him and grit his teeth. "Yeah, why?"
The kid smiled as he took a step towards Daron. "I hear you're gonna be in the competition coming up. Thought I'd deliver a message."
He deftly grabbed Daron's arm, his back facing towards Daron. "Here's the power of an ability."
In an unnatural manner, the arm holding Daron's sped up and dislocated his shoulder. Daron grit his teeth harder as he kept his scream in.
"Well, see you in the competition." The boy smiled as he walked away.