The year of 9984 is a time of high prosperity for Miyama City.
This prosperous city is nothing but a man-made island situated on the Azure Sea, isolated from neighboring countries and small islands. Miyama City is created by powerful and wealthy families, magicians who united under the supreme authority of the late king who was assassinated nine years ago. The new king, his brother, took over the throne afterwards and enhanced the city by using technology for his personal interests. As one can see, his power, including the united families is nothing compared to the masses, for they build the city in nine years.
Now look at it, remembering the time when I was young, it's different then compared to now.
Miyama City is currently breathing it's last.
The public is wild and incoherent. The laws are unrealistic, favouring the rich and neglecting the poor. Famine is of second nature here and anyone resort to commit crime to feed their desires.
However, because of this system that had been engraved in their hearts since youth:
"Power Is Eternal; Power Is Life, And Power Is A Blessing, therefore, Power is Absolute and must be Obeyed."
No one has the resolve nor demand to change this corrupted rule, therefore, no one decided to go against it.
I, at the very bottom of the system, must also obey this rule for my own sake.
I am considered Talentless in this unforgiving world and will be turned a blind eye if anything unfortunate happens to me.
Power is status. The stronger it is, the higher is your status.
A being without power will be the backbone of this country, a sacrifice for the public who is indeed blessed.
...
What a joke.
As if I let that law crush me....
...
As I thought about this, I hear laughter nearby.
"Hey. Ain't that guy cute?"
"Who? Him?"
"No, the man with the red eyes. Over there."
...
They must be referring to me.
I was born with these eyes. As far as I can remember, I don't recall anyone else having them.
I ignore them and open an app on my phone to play the latest song. A song called, "The Color Of Death", by the rising idol Necromancer X. She is not as popular as others, for her ideals does not match with the current trends. But, I like her theme.
It's... rather cute.
However, what they say next stop me from pressing play.
"Oh... He is Talentless. How unfortunate."
"Really? With his looks?"
"Yeah. I bet he gets picked on a lot."
"No doubt."
"At least it's not us! I don't want to be a slave for the rest of my life!"
"Shh! What if he hears us?"
"What? He gets that everywhere he goes. Look at him! He doesn't care in the slightest."
....
Can they at least show some restraint?
....
"Hey, can you get up? I'm taking this spot. Move out the way."
A man in his thirties look at me with clear distain in his eyes. He clearly does not like my kind.
I smile at him.
"Sure."
I got up and move out the way. I grab my bag from the shelf and slung it over my shoulder. I move to stand near the doorway, allowing him some room.
I hear a snicker.
"Disgusting."
"Why do I have to be in the same train as him?"
"Why do they just up an die?"
...
Thirty minutes has passed. I can feel cold stares resting on me as I wait for my destination.
A ring sounded from the speakers.
"Miyama Station will be arriving in five minutes. Please proceed to the doorway. Be careful not to leave anything behind."
After three minutes, the train began to slow down and stopped. The man got up and stand far from me. I can tell he is holding his breath. When the door open, he release it and walk out. I was about to head to the stairs to my next destination when I hear a stern voice up ahead.
I look at him.
He is furious.
"Why don't you do us a favor and board another train? Everyone hate breathing the same air as you."
He walk and then stop after a few meters.
Without turning back, he said something else.
"Better yet, don't come at all. It's better if your kind don't exist."
Then he left.
I stand there looking where he was. I chuckled.
"Why don't you guys do me a favor? Let me have my fun..."
No one was around. It's just me and the stifling heat wave.
After a few minutes of struggling to calm down, I tighten the grip of the bag and climb up the stairs to head to the place I hated the most: Miyama High.
...
....
After a few minutes, I finally stop at the entrance of Miyama High.
The white and glass building stand tall against the heat wave and the sun.
The cliques and familiar groups enter with those unconcerned smiles on their faces.
After calming my emotions and refining my expression to that of a non-expressive recluse, I step out of the shadows into the light.
The students stop and looked at me.
"It's him."
"Why did they accepted him? He's staining the school's reputation!"
"Don't look!"
"Just pretend you don't see him..."
"Nasty!"
"I really want to remove him from here!"
They move out of my way as I make my way to the school's open doors.
As I was about to head in, I felt something coming at my way.
....
Really? They are brave, I gave them that.
It hit my behind my head and fall to the ground. I turn to see a pebble.
"?!"
"Who threw it?!"
"..Wow..."
"I wish I was that cocky..."
"..you wish.."
I see a girl a couple of meters away. She has dyed wheat colored hair. She glare at me with those green eyes of hers which is wet with tears.
If you are that scared, why even bother?
A small smile form on my face.
"Next time, throw harder. That'll save you the trouble."
After I said those words, I went inside without looking back.
.....
I open the door to homeroom and went to my seat which is at the back next to the window. I sat down and open one of the text books I have and study today's assignment.
Everyone eyes my suspiciously and frowned at my existence.
Suddenly, I hear five footsteps approaching the room.
I shut my eyes, close the book and sigh.
I know those sounds...
They must be coming here to give me a job. The same job over and over. What a pain....
The door slammed open and they rushed in.
"Isao! We are hungry!"
"Yeah! Buy us something after class, will ya?!"
They approach me with a smirk. One of them wrap around his arm around my neck and give me a painful knuckle rub on my cheek. He smell of smoke.
"Kanjiruo Morukawa. What do you want? The same as usual?"
Kanjiruo Morukawa is a delinquent. The many years I known him, he always pick on the Talentless and extort them for food, money and entertainment by torturing them, including myself. He has a muscular build, more so than his lackeys. He has a rather dark complexion. Must be from the smoking.
The Talentless fear him, but as for me, I found him boring but tolerable. As long as he doesn't go overboard or do something moronic, I allow it.
"Nope. It's different today, pal! Bring us ten Melon Bread, five Yakisoba and twelve bottles of Milk Tea. Meet us at the usual spot. Got that?"
"..."
This guy eats a lot.
"Are you sure you want to eat this much, Kanjiruo? I worry about your health...."
...
There was silence for a moment. The atmosphere intensifies.
"What did you say?!"
He grab me by the collar.
I look at him with my expressionless face.
I gave him a small grunt and look away.
This made him pissed.
*Wham!*
He landed a punch on the side of my face. I fall to the ground. I touch the side of my face. I grit my teeth. It stings.
"What the heck, man?!"
"You tired of us, ain't ya?"
"You should just curse the one that gave birth to you!"
Why that...
I glare at him.
"Kanjiruo Morukawa. Please don't diss my mother."
He sneers.
"Or what? You'll fight for her?! Ha, as if! You got nothing against me! You're Talentless!"
The class burst into laughter.
...
"...trust me....I'll destroy you all..."
"Huh? What is that? Say it again!"
I know he heard what I said.
I sigh and got up while dusting myself off.
"Relax. I was just joking."
I give him my best smile.
"I'll get what you ask for. During lunch, right?"
He look at me with a dazed expression for a moment. Then, he revert back to his old self. He spit at me and head to the door.
"Don't be late!"
He and his group is gone.
The teacher came in afterwards.
"Settle down, settle down everyone. Head to your seats. We are starting class."
He look at me and saw the spit on my clothes. He roll his eyes.
"Please clean yourself up after class, alright?"
He does not care, at all. He just want to keep things tidy. He's a clean freak.
...
After third period, during pass time.
I was putting books into my bag, when the door open and somebody walked in.
"Why is she here?"
"The witch's daughter...."
"The one in the scandal?"
I smell a sweet scent near me. My blood rise slightly. This scent, it can only be her.
"Hey."
I turn to her. Her lavender hair is tied to the back by a red ribbon with a flower on it. Her vibrant grey eyes never shift from their coldness.
"What is it?" I coldly asked.
I don't want to be bothered. I just want to get the lunch and resume my boring life. However, fate has another plan for me.
"There is something I need to tell you. Can you meet me on the roof during lunch? You will be buy me food. No questions from you, nor answers from me."
The class tense up and froze in shock. No sound is made. Not even the noise outside the room can be heard.
What... the heck...
"I have an appointment with someone. It can wait."
I head to the door, but she stop in front of me.
"I don't want to hear it. You have no right to refuse."
My lip twist in pure hatred. I really hate that line.
I feel my blood increase in flow. My mind and thoughts is starting to get muddled. My vision is also starting to get hazy.
Her scent...is irritating me. If I don't leave soon, I'll loose control.
"Can we... do it another time? I can't go with you."
Her eyes flash in cold light.
*SLAP*
A sharp pain resonated throughout my body. My face stings a second time.
The dizziness increased in an instant.
Before I can regain my composure, she grab my by the necktie, pull me down and whisper to me.
"Do as I say. This is about you. Understand?"
I sigh.
I'll get another beating from Kanjiruo after school.
"... alright... can you let go, now?"
She look me in the eyes. Seeing no resistance from me, she left the room and close the door behind her.
Her scent subsides, allow my senses to return to normal.
As if her presence itself stilled time, the noise resumes and everyone take a deep breathe.
Confused by what happened, they question themselves.
"What was that all about?"
"Who knows..."
"Maybe she'll confess her love."
"Ew, gross!"
The conversation resulted in countless theories. But, none of them interested them more than Kanjiruo being pissed and torture me to the point of near death.
...How exciting for them...
Bracing for what's to come, I pack my things and head to the cafeteria.