Sean As Richard, the author of the story, observed Alex, the main character he had crafted, he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration bubbling inside him. There the protagonist stood, embodying the very essence of strength and chrisma he had envisioned in his mind. He had a fairly fit frame, deep blue hair and eyes, with sharp eyes just like Richard's, and a nice jawline.
"Man, I gotta say, he's looking pretty cool," Richard thought to himself, trying to hide his excitement. He had spent countless hours writing and molding this character, and now seeing him in the flesh was a surreal experience.
The protagonist's confident stance and serious gaze impressed Richard, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in his creation. It was like watching a piece of his imagination come to life, and he found himself marveling at the depth he had infused into this character.
"Yeah, that's him—the hero I dreamed up," Richard thought, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He had given the protagonist a unique blend of flaws and virtues, and seeing how it all played out before him brought a sense of fulfillment.
As Richard and the protagonist locked eyes, the hero broke the silence, asking, "Are we going to have a problem." Richard let out a weary sigh, deciding it was best to handle things calmly.
Nodding towards the unconscious bully, Richard took a deep breath and walked over to the fallen troublemaker. He hoisted the guy up on his feet, giving him a stern look, and then motioned towards the orientation hall.
"Let's head to the orientation hall," Richard said to Emma, trying to defuse any tension.
Looking back at the protagonist, Richard added with a serious tone, "You should probably stay away from me, for your own well-being."
With Emma close by his side, Richard led the way to the hall, hoping that Alex would follow his advice.
Richard gave the bully a few firm slaps on his cheeks, urging him to wake up from his unconscious state. "Hey, Jarmin, wake up," Richard called out, his voice firm yet composed.
Jarmin slowly opened his eyes, trying to make sense of his surroundings. He blinked a few times before finally focusing on Richard's face. "What... what happened?" he mumbled, his head still spinning from the impact of the punches.
"You picked on the wrong person, man," Richard replied, his tone stern. This is Jarmin, his appearance showing off his sturdy, slightly bulky frame. He had that classic blond hair, neatly styled, and those unforgettable lime green eyes that always seemed to hold a mix of mischief and loyalty.
"Thanks for picking me up, boss," Jarmin said, his gratitude could be felt in his voice
"Hey, no problem," I replied with a smile, acknowledging the thanks. "We look out for each other, right?"
In the original novel, he had been Richard's most loyal friend, always willing to carry out his bidding without question, especially when it came to causing trouble for the protagonist.
As we made our way towards some free chairs in the orientation hall, I decided to shed some light on the history between Jarmin and Richard.
"Jarmin and Richard are childhood friends, in fact. their fathers where good business partners throughout the entire novel. The bond between them ran deep, that even when Richard turned down a darker path, he remained one of the few who continued to support him."
It was true that Jarmin had a slightly taller frame than mine, but little did most people know that I was actually older than him by a few months. That little fact had always given me a playful upper hand in our banter, but it was all in good fun.
As we settled into the chairs, surrounded by the buzz of excited students, I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and comfort in Jarmin's presence.
As the principal finished her speech, she surprised everyone by calling out my name. "Richard! You scored the highest in the entrance exams! Come on up and give a speech!" she announced with a beaming smile.
Me? Giving a speech? I felt a mix of excitement and nerves as I made my way to the podium. But as I walked over, I couldn't help but think about something that might be a little funny.
You see, in the original novel, the other Richard—the one I wrote about—gave a speech that made the protagonist hate him. Now, here I am, standing in the protagonist's world, and I've got to decide whether to give the same speech or not.
"What should I do?" I thought, scratching my head. "Should I switch things up and say something different? Maybe sprinkle in some jokes? Or should I stick to the script to avoid any unintended consequences?"
But then, it hit me. Words have power, right? If I want the plot to go the way it did originally, maybe I should give the same speech. After all, it did have a certain impact on the protagonist. Because for me to be able to predict the future a little, I have to act the same way the original Richard did.