"That fast? Can I try it out as soon as it's done?"
Yolan grinned, her enthusiasm returning. "Absolutely!" she exclaimed.
***
Vroommm!
The wind whipped through my hair as I twisted the throttle, the powerful engine roaring beneath me. The speedometer needle climbed rapidly, hitting 90 km/h in a matter of seconds.
Whoa, this thing is fast!
I thought, my heart pounding with exhilaration. Yolan had definitely outdone herself with this custom bike.
As I cruised through the city streets, reveling in the feeling of freedom and power, a red light appeared up ahead. I slowed to a stop, the engine's rumble subsiding.
Shit, I don't have a helmet, I realized, a wave of anxiety washing over me. But I quickly reminded myself that I was an Unveiled, with powers beyond the comprehension of ordinary humans. If I could manifest a gun from a watch, surely a helmet wouldn't be too difficult.
I glanced at the watch, noting the time: 3:00 PM. School would be ending soon. I needed to head back, grab my backpack, and then go to Lenna's house to talk to Hana.
I waited at the intersection, my eyes fixed on the traffic light as it blinked from yellow to red.
After a few minutes of driving through the bustling city, I arrived back at the school gates.
Vroom!
The guard looked at me in surprise. "Now what? You brought a motorcycle?"
I nodded, a smirk playing on my lips.
The guard opened the gate wide, allowing me to enter with the bike. I drove it to the empty parking lot, feeling a surge of pride as I admired its sleek lines and matte black finish.
I pressed a button on the keyless ignition, and the bike locked with a satisfying click.
The guard approached me, his eyes wide with admiration. "A custom bike, huh?" he said. "It's really cool."
"Yeah," I replied casually. "Just got it."
"Really?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Yep," I confirmed, leaving out the details of its miraculous creation.
I ran my hand over the smooth surface of the tank, marveling at the craftsmanship. It was truly a work of art, a testament to Yolan's incredible power.
"Shouldn't school still be in session?" I asked the guard, a flicker of guilt surfacing amidst my excitement.
"Yeah," he replied, checking his watch. "The final bell should ring in a few minutes. You've been gone for quite a while."
"Heh, well, I had a lot to do," I mumbled, not wanting to elaborate on my extracurricular activities.
"See you around," I said, waving goodbye as I headed towards the school entrance.
The school was eerily quiet as I walked through the halls, the only sound the distant murmur of voices from classrooms still in session. I made my way upstairs, peeking into my classroom as I passed. My classmates were dutifully taking notes, their heads bent over their textbooks.
I think I'll go to the rooftop, I decided, needing a moment of solitude to process everything that had happened.
I turned and headed for the stairs that led to the roof, my footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.
As I pushed open the heavy rooftop door, a cool breeze greeted me, carrying with it the scent of rain. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. I leaned against the railing, gazing out at the sprawling city below.
The rooftop was deserted, the usual lunchtime crowd long gone. A sense of peace washed over me as I took in the panoramic view, the noise of the city fading into a distant hum.
"Xian Ying."
The voice startled me, its deep resonance sending a shiver down my spine. I turned to find the Harbinger standing behind me, its shadowy form blending seamlessly with the encroaching darkness.
"What is it?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.
The Harbinger's smile widened, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. "It seems your training has already begun," it said, its voice filled with a chilling amusement. "But are you truly prepared for what lies ahead?"
I met its gaze, a flicker of defiance in my eyes. "I'm learning," I replied. "And I'm not afraid."
The Harbinger chuckled, a low rumble that echoed across the rooftop. "Good," it said. "Because the true test of your strength is yet to come."
Before I could ask what it meant, the Harbinger vanished, leaving me alone with the fading sunlight.
"Is it truly going to begin...?" I whispered to the wind, my gaze fixed on the city below.
The sprawling metropolis, with its twinkling lights and bustling streets, seemed so far removed from the hidden world of the Unveiled. Yet, I knew that the two were inextricably linked, that my destiny was somehow tied to the fate of this city, this country, this world.
"I guess so," I sighed, a sense of acceptance washing over me. "At least I have this..."
I raised my wrist, the sleek black watch gleaming in the fading light. It was a symbol of my power, a reminder that I was no longer an ordinary teenager. I was an Unveiled, a descendant of ancient kings, a wielder of magic.
And my journey was only just beginning.
Hah... maybe that was a bit too dramatic.
I thought, a self-deprecating chuckle escaping my lips. I took a deep breath, the crisp evening air filling my lungs.
I looked up at the darkening sky, the stars twinkling like a million tiny diamonds.
I wonder what my future self will be like, Will I become a powerful mage, a skilled warrior, a wise leader?
I mused, a sense of curiosity and anticipation bubbling within me.
I found a bench and sat down, leaning back and closing my eyes.
Ahhh... after all that tension, just standing there watching Yolan assemble the bike...
I chuckled to myself. At least I got a new bike out of it, without even having to pay.
< Chapter 044 > Fin.