I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but chuckle. It was amusing to see how quickly our reputations had changed. We went from being the quiet, unassuming guys to the school's fitness gurus overnight.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of whispers, pointed fingers, and curious glances. I was already used to the stares, but the difference now was that even the guys were looking at us, not just my friends in 11th grade, but seniors and juniors as well.
It was in the school backyard, IM and I were just chilling, skipping classes.
"Ahhh... Xian, can you imagine the wind cooling us down?" IM asked.
The wind blowing through, making our bodies cool, I imagined.
Just then, a gust of wind swept over us, just like a fan.
"Nice..." IM said, enjoying the breeze.
I smirked, "Heh."
We basked in the cool air for a few moments, relishing the tranquility of the secluded spot. It was a stark contrast to the chaos of the school day, with its constant chatter and prying eyes.
"Do you ever wish things could just go back to normal?" IM asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I pondered the question for a moment, watching a leaf dance in the wind. "Normal? What's normal anymore? Ever since I found out that my family was extraordinary and I'm one of them, then you came along... everything changed. There's no going back to normal."
"Haha, right, right..." he said, enjoying the day.
"So, any quests now?" I asked, propping myself up on my elbows.
"Quests? Like something to do?"
"Yeah, it's boring, you know. I know this world is extraordinary now, but... come on, there's gotta be something I can do, isn't there?"
"I don't know, it's not like what you think. It's not every day you can find a ghost or something," IM replied, chuckling.
"Ah, that's unfortunate... I would love to do anything to make myself stronger," I said, a hint of frustration creeping into my voice. "All this power bubbling up inside me, and nothing to use it on."
IM looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, I suppose there's always training. You could hone your abilities, learn to control your powers better."
"Yeah, I guess," I said with a sigh. "But it's not the same as a real challenge. I want something that pushes me to my limits, something that makes me feel truly alive."
IM smiled. "Don't worry, Xian. I'm sure something will come up eventually. This world is full of surprises, after all."
I nodded, a flicker of hope reigniting within me. IM was right. This world was anything but ordinary, and who knew what adventures might be waiting just around the corner.
"How about... tonight we go somewhere," IM suddenly suggested.
"Tonight? I can't, I have a gym session with Dove," I replied.
"Yeah, I know, but after that. Like, in the middle of the night."
"Sure, where?"
"The mountains..." he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
***
The night arrived, and we were at the gym, just like any other day.
"So, you guys are going to the mountains...?" Dove asked, wiping sweat from her brow after their gym session.
Both of us nodded.
"Hmm... I don't remember any mountains nearby..." Dove pondered.
"Don't worry, we're going to teleport using Xian's power, right?" IM declared.
"Right... but I'm still testing it. I need to imagine a place to teleport to," I replied.
Dove nodded thoughtfully. "Well, be careful. I don't want you two getting lost in the middle of nowhere."
"We'll be fine," IM assured her, flashing a confident grin. "Besides, Xian has a knack for finding trouble, so I'm sure we'll stumble upon something interesting."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't deny the thrill of anticipation building within me. After a quick shower and change of clothes, we said our goodbyes to Dove and headed out into the night.
The streets were quiet, the only sounds the hum of distant traffic and the occasional chirping of crickets. We walked in comfortable silence, our minds racing with possibilities. Where would we go? What would we find?
IM showed me a picture of a mountain on his phone. "This mountain. Imagine it."
I nodded and closed my eyes, starting to visualize the mountain.
"Teleport to the mountain," I imagined.
"Nice job, Xian!" IM exclaimed.
I opened my eyes and found both of us at the entrance of a mountain. "What mountain is this?"
"A mountain people used to hang out at," IM replied.
Why the hell did he choose this place...? I thought, a shiver running down my spine.
A sense of unease settled over me as we started to ascend the mountain path. The air grew cooler, the sounds of the city fading into the distance. The only light came from the moon, casting long, eerie shadows that danced around us.
"So, what are we looking for exactly?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
IM shrugged. "Nothing in particular. Just exploring, testing your abilities. You never know what we might find in a place like this."
My apprehension grew with every step we took. The mountain seemed to be closing in on us, the trees looming like menacing figures in the darkness. I couldn't shake the feeling that we weren't alone.
"Hey, IM," I said, trying to sound casual. "Have you ever... sensed anything strange in a place like this before?"
IM paused, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Now that you mention it... there is a faint energy here. It's not hostile, but it's... different. Ancient, maybe."
< Chapter 103 > Fin.