Chapter 3 - Alex

Lucas stared at Ethan's phone, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation to come.

"Right, becoming Ethan can't be that hard, can it?" he mused, trying to reassure himself.

 

Ethan Allen, Lucas's new identity, has a personality that's as dynamic as his athletic prowess. Known for his laid-back and easygoing nature, Ethan is the kind of person who can make friends in any situation. His charm and charisma make him popular, but it's his genuine care for others that truly endears him to his friends.

Ethan is also incredibly loyal, a trait that shines through in his friendship with Alex. He's always there for his friends, ready to lend a hand or offer a word of encouragement when needed. His unwavering support and steadfast loyalty are part of what makes his bond with Alex so strong.

Despite his outgoing personality, Ethan also has a thoughtful side. He's introspective and often spends time reflecting on his experiences. This ability to self-reflect allows him to learn from his mistakes and continually strive to be a better person.

But Ethan is not without his flaws. He can be impulsive at times, acting on his emotions without thinking things through. This impulsiveness often leads him into tricky situations, but his quick thinking and adaptability usually help him find a way out.

 

With Ethan's personality in mind, Lucas took a deep breath and answered the call.

 

"Alex, my friend, how are you?" Lucas said, trying to keep his voice steady and casual.

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Alex responded. "Ethan? You sound... different. Are you okay?"

'....Shit'

Lucas had to think fast.

"Ah, just woke up, still a bit groggy," he replied, hoping that would explain any perceived differences in his voice.

"Ah, gotcha," Alex replied, sounding convinced.

"Well, I was just calling to check in. We're still on for training later today, right?"

Training. Of course. Lucas remembered writing about the rigorous training sessions Alex and Ethan would have together.

"Absolutely," he replied, trying to sound as enthusiastic as Ethan normally would.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, right?."

"Great!" Alex replied, sounding relieved.

"I'll see you at the usual spot. And Ethan... don't forget to bring your gear this time."

"Yeah,yeah I won't," Lucas promised, even though he had no idea what 'gear' Alex was referring to. He'd have to figure it out.

"Alright then," Alex said, sounding more cheerful.

"See you later, Ethan."

"See you, Alex," Lucas responded, ending the call. He let out a sigh of relief.

He had navigated his first interaction as Ethan, and it had gone relatively well. Now, he just had to figure out what he needed for training and where the 'usual spot' was.

Lucas, now in Ethan's body, looked around the room, his gaze sweeping over the scattered clothes and sports equipment. He was trying to figure out what 'gear' Alex was referring to. Given their rigorous training routine, it was likely to be sports equipment of some sort.

Ethan and Alex, despite not having officially awakened their Aether abilities, were known for their athletic prowess. Their training sessions were a mix of different sports and physical activities, designed to keep them in peak physical condition.

Looking around Ethan's room, Lucas spotted various pieces of sports equipment - a pair of boxing gloves, a skipping rope, and even a basketball. But what caught his eye was a bag tucked away in the corner of the room, a bag that looked like it was often used for their training sessions.

Walking over to the bag, Lucas opened it to find a variety of sports gear. There were running shoes, a sweat-wicking shirt, shorts, a water bottle, and even a towel. It seemed like Ethan was well-prepared for their rigorous training sessions.

Lucas felt a sense of relief wash over him. He had found the 'gear' Alex had referred to. Now, all he had to do was to figure out where their usual training spot was and what kind of training they usually did.

The reason behind the rigorous training sessions was clear.

It is because Alex, aware of the supernatural world he was destined to be part of, was preparing himself. He was building his physical strength, readying himself for the challenges that lay ahead. And in his journey, he had invited his best friend, Ethan, to join him.

Alex, despite being a Spirit Bearer, was unaware that his best friend was also an Aether Bearer. He had invited Ethan to train with him, thinking it would be more enjoyable to have a companion. Little did he know that Ethan was also preparing for a similar destiny.

'I made a mistake.'

This realization made Lucas reflect on his writing. He had crafted this world, created these characters, and set them on their paths, but he had overlooked one crucial detail. Ethan, like Alex, had a seal on his wrist - the Aether's Sigil, a mark of a potential Aether Bearer. And yet, Alex was unaware of Ethan's potential.

This was a mistake, Lucas realized. A plot inconsistency he had overlooked while crafting his story. 

'Now that I lived in this world,will he noticed it?'

He thought curiously.He doesn't know the answer but he need to avoid any risk of being known.

'Wearing a watch should be fine.'

Before he go out,Lucas know that he need to clean the room.

He surveyed the room, his gaze taking in the scattered clothes and disarray. He let out a sigh of frustration. As an author, he had given Ethan certain traits for the sake of the story, but now, living as Ethan, he was beginning to see the consequences of those choices.

Ethan was written as a bit of a lazy character, except when it came to sports. He was also a bit of a flirt, his good looks and charm often getting him into interesting situations. But now, as Lucas looked at the messy room, he realized how these traits translated into real life.

"I mean, he's good-looking, but his personality makes him not so great," Lucas mused, echoing the sentiments of those who knew Ethan from afar. "Well, at least that's what anyone who doesn't really know him would say."

But Lucas knew Ethan better than anyone. After all, he had created him. He knew that beneath the lazy exterior and flirtatious demeanor, Ethan was a loyal friend and a reliable ally. His laid-back nature often hid his quick wit and keen intelligence.

With a determined nod, Lucas decided to start cleaning the room. As he picked up clothes and tidied up, he thought about how he could improve Ethan's character in the story. He wanted to bring out the qualities that made Ethan more than just a lazy sports enthusiast and a flirt.

He was Ethan Allen, and he had a life to live and a character to develop.

'But sudden change should be too suspicious.'

Lucas paused in his cleaning, a thoughtful look on his face. He was right. A sudden change in Ethan's behavior would definitely raise eyebrows. It could lead to questions, suspicions, and unwanted attention. He needed to be careful.

 

"Puberty could be a good excuse," Lucas mused, considering the idea.

At fifteen, it was common for people to go through changes - both physically and personality-wise. It was a time of growth and self-discovery, a time when people often started to break away from old habits and develop new ones.

But even so, Lucas knew he had to tread carefully. Changes needed to be gradual, subtle. He couldn't just wake up one day and be a completely different person. He needed to slowly incorporate these changes into his behavior, making them seem like a natural part of his growth and development.

With this in mind, Lucas continued cleaning the room. He decided to start with small changes - keeping the room tidy, being more responsible, maybe even showing a bit more focus and dedication in other areas apart from sports.

As he tidied up, Lucas couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. He was Ethan Allen, and he was on a journey of self-discovery and growth. He had a life to live, a character to develop, and a story to complete.