**God Child**
It was a new day, and Ethan made a conscious decision to put the events of yesterday behind him. Rising from bed, he made his way to the bathroom. Having gleaned knowledge from Lucifer, he felt a newfound sense of calm and assurance.
After freshening up and dressing, he descended the stairs and settled in for breakfast. Despite enjoying the meal, he couldn't ignore the persistent gaze of the girl seated across from him.
"I can't believe how much you've changed. Is it true what that lady said? Are you really the antichrist?" she inquired, causing a shiver to run down Ethan's spine, swiftly halted by his mother's reproach.
"Lia, let your brother eat in peace. Don't dwell on nonsense. Ethan is a kind soul, not the antichrist," his mother interjected reassuringly.
Ethan smiled gratefully and finished his meal. Gathering his school bag, as Lucifer had called it, he readied himself for the day ahead. Adapting to this unfamiliar world, he knew he had to blend in.
Leaving the house with his sister in tow, Ethan paused, allowing her to take the lead.
"So, Ethan, what do you anticipate at school today? Have you considered addressing the bullying issue with Mom? Ignoring it won't make it disappear," she advised earnestly, urging him to take action before it was too late.
Ethan gazed at his sister, a fleeting thought crossing his mind: had he always been the target of bullies at school, and if so, why?
"Are you okay?" Lia's touch brought him back to the present, but Ethan merely smiled in response.
"It's nothing. Let's continue," he said, pushing forward.
Their journey led them to a massive building, where Ethan stood before the imposing gate, his eyes wide with wonder. It was a sight unlike any he had seen before, a surreal experience that felt like a dream.
Entering the building, a sudden force knocked him off balance, sending him crashing to the floor.
"Sorry, lover boy," a mocking voice rang out as Ethan looked up to see a figure laughing and walking away. Anger surged within him, yet he chose to remain silent, brushing off the incident and moving on. Lia had mentioned his class was on the third floor, in room 2A.
As he continued down the hallway, the stares of onlookers bore into him, intensifying his discomfort. The weight of their gazes made him acutely aware of his surroundings, casting a shadow over what should have been a moment of excitement.
As Ethan reached the stairs, a group of boys caught his attention, their laughter ringing out as their eyes met his. Perplexed, he couldn't fathom if this was the school's way of welcoming newcomers.
Ascending the stairs, he found himself face-to-face with the group of boys who promptly blocked his path. Attempting to maneuver around them, he was met with further obstruction, leaving him trapped with no clear way forward.
Surveying the situation, Ethan chose a path of non-confrontation.
"I believe you are blocking my way," Ethan spoke calmly, prompting whispers among the surrounding students.
"He's got a big mouth. Let's teach him a lesson," one of the boys sneered, advancing towards Ethan. In a swift move, Ethan deftly seized the boy's hand, twisting it behind his back and drawing him close, delivering a stern warning in a low voice.
"I may not care about the past, but tread carefully with the new Ethan. Cross me at your peril."
Releasing the boy, Ethan's bold action stunned the onlookers. Before another boy could strike, Ethan swiftly intercepted, deftly guiding him down the stairs, a cry of pain echoing through the corridor. Turning to face the remaining boys, Ethan's eyes bore a steely resolve as he advanced towards them, their frozen expressions mirroring their shock at his unexpected display of strength and determination.
"Anyone feeling brave enough for another round?" Ethan's challenge echoed through the corridor as the remaining boys scattered, fleeing from his unwavering demeanor. With a resolute stride, he continued up the stairs in search of his classroom.
"Ethan, Ethan!" A familiar voice called out, prompting him to turn and see the girl from the previous day hurrying towards him.
"Impressive, Ethan. I didn't know you had it in you to stand your ground like that," she praised him, admiration evident in her voice.
Ethan remained silent, his gaze fixed on her before deciding to walk away. He couldn't comprehend why she persisted in following him, finding her presence bothersome.
Arriving at the classroom Lia had mentioned, Ethan entered to silence, commanding the attention of all present.
Moving through the room, he noticed each desk labeled with a name. Approaching a desk bearing his name, he prepared to sit down, only to find it littered with trash, provoking laughter from his classmates.
"Who is responsible for this?" Ethan's voice reverberated through the room, fueling the laughter to a crescendo.
Fury flickered in his eyes as he glared at the amused faces around him, until a girl stepped forward, a smirk playing on her lips.
"I did it. What are you going to do, hit me?" she taunted, her laughter ringing out amidst the chaos.
In a tense moment, as the girl attempted to walk away, Ethan seized her by the hair, yanking her back and gripping her by the neck, cutting off her breath.
"You fool, I'll make you regret this. Learn to mind your own business," he hissed through clenched teeth, his anger palpable.
The classroom fell into a hushed terror, with Lora attempting to intervene. In her attempt to pull Ethan away, she pushed him in the chest, causing him to stagger back in pain. His eyes flashed with a dark intensity before returning to their usual brown hue.
Preparing to unleash his fury, Ethan's voice caught in his throat as he beheld a strange sight: white flames enveloping Lora.
A wave of paralysis washed over him, an unseen force holding him back. Unable to comprehend the surreal scene before him, he hesitated, a sense of unease gripping him. Why was she surrounded by white flames? Who was she, and what was happening?
"It can't be," a voice spoke behind him, prompting Ethan to turn and face Lucifer.
"At last, I have found the child of God," Lucifer declared, his presence casting a chilling shadow over the bewildering turn of events.