Shinju Fabien woke to the gentle yet insistent shake of his shoulder. The remnants of a dream clung to his mind, but the reality of the empty classroom quickly pulled him back. Blinking away the fog of sleep, he looked up to see the stern face of Mr. Tanaka, his history teacher.
"Fabien, the lesson ended twenty minutes ago. You slept through the entire class," Mr. Tanaka said, his voice a mix of annoyance and concern.
Shinju stretched and yawned, glancing around at the deserted room. His classmates had left, their absence leaving an eerie silence. He shrugged nonchalantly. "Sorry, Mr. Tanaka. The lesson was a bit… repetitive."
Mr. Tanaka sighed, shaking his head. "You might find it repetitive, Shinju, but there's always something new to learn. Don't waste your potential."
Shinju gave a half-hearted nod, already packing his bag. He knew Mr. Tanaka meant well, but he couldn't help feeling detached. He had a knack for absorbing information quickly, often finding himself leagues ahead of his peers.
As he stepped out into the corridor, the afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows on the floor. Shinju made his way to the bike parking lot, his thoughts drifting to the upcoming Phenomenal Skill Test. Paragon Academy was the goal, the beacon that all ability-wielding students aspired to reach.
Lost in thought, he didn't notice the sudden gust of wind until it was too late. The force knocked him off balance, sending him and his bike sprawling to the ground. Groaning, he looked up to see Davi Lazaro, his perennial rival, standing over him with a smug grin.
"Nice of you to join us in the real world, Fabien," Davi said, sarcasm dripping from every word. "Still as slow as ever, I see."
Shinju's eyes narrowed. He hated Davi's arrogance. "What do you want, Davi?" he snapped, picking himself up and dusting off his clothes.
"Just testing my superhuman speed," Davi replied with a casual shrug. "You know, for the Phenomenal Skill Test. Unlike you, some of us actually have abilities worth honing."
The jab stung, but Shinju didn't let it show. "Speed isn't everything, Davi. Maybe you should try using your brain for once."
Davi's grin widened, his eyes glinting with malice. "And maybe you should stick to your books, Fabien. That high IQ of yours is the only thing you've got going for you." With a final sneer, he sped off, leaving a cloud of dust and a trail of insults in his wake.
Shinju watched him go, a mixture of anger and determination simmering within him. He scoffed, shaking his head as he unlocked his bike chain. "We'll see who gets into Paragon," he muttered, mounting his bike and pedaling away.
Home was a modest apartment on the edge of the city, where his sister Hana and her boyfriend were already engrossed in a spirited karaoke session. Shinju smiled as he walked in, the familiar sounds of laughter and off-key singing filling the air.
"Hey, seventh boyfriend this year?" he teased, dropping his bag by the door.
Hana, a year older and blessed with Telekinesis powers, paused mid-song to glare at him. "Watch it, Shinju," she warned, her voice playful but firm. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a pillow flying across the room, hitting him square in the face.
He caught the pillow, laughing as he tossed it back onto the couch. "Where's Mom?"
"She had to work late again," Hana replied, her tone softening. "You know how it is."
Nodding, Shinju grabbed a drink from the fridge and made his way to his room. The space was small but comfortable, filled with books and posters of various scientific achievements. He flopped onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling.
The Phenomenal Skill Test loomed large in his mind. It was the gateway to Paragon Academy, the place where the best and brightest honed their abilities. Shinju knew he had to succeed, not just for himself, but for his family.
His thoughts drifted to the shrine in the corner of his room, dedicated to his deceased father. Every night, he spoke to him, sharing his thoughts and dreams, seeking guidance and strength.
"I'm going to make it, Dad," he whispered, feeling the weight of his promise. "I'll pass the test and get into Paragon. I'll make you proud."
The hours passed, and soon it was time for dinner. Their mother came home, looking as tired as ever. Hana greeted her with a warm hug, while Shinju helped set the table.
"How was work, Mom?" Hana asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Tiring, as always," their mother replied, forcing a smile. "But we manage, don't we?"
Shinju nodded, his heart aching for her. She worked so hard to support them, sacrificing so much. He knew he had to make her proud, to give her something to smile about.
After dinner, Shinju retreated to his room, lighting a small incense stick at the shrine. He knelt before it, closing his eyes and bowing his head.
"Dad, today was tough," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I won't give up. I promise I'll pass the test and get into Paragon. For you, for Mom, for Hana… I'll make us all proud."
As the incense burned, filling the room with its calming scent, Shinju felt a sense of peace wash over him. The road ahead was daunting, but he was determined. He would overcome every obstacle, outsmart every rival, and prove that his intelligence was just as powerful as any superhuman ability.
The night wore on, and Shinju finally lay down to sleep, his mind buzzing with plans and possibilities. Tomorrow was a new day, another step closer to his goal. He closed his eyes, letting the promise he made to his father guide him into a restful slumber.
The test was coming, and Shinju was ready to face it head-on.