As Mr. Thompson spoke, Alex's thoughts turned inward. The heroes of the past, chosen by the gods and endowed with divine powers, were just legends to him. The similarity is that they represented the life he had hoped to leave behind, a life of constant vigilance and conflict. His promise to live a normal life seemed increasingly difficult to uphold as the realities of his new world became more apparent.
Mr. Thompson concluded the lesson with a brief overview of the training and selection process for potential heroes. "Today, we have systems in place to identify and train those with potential. These individuals are prepared to handle the challenges of closing dimensional rifts and defending against any threats that may emerge."
The bell rang, signaling the end of the period as the recess begun. Students began gather, their conversations buzzing with excitement and curiosity about the day's lesson. Alex, however, remained seated for a moment longer, his thoughts swirling with a mix of apprehension and determination.
He had always sought to distance himself from the extraordinary, to live a life of average normalcy. But with each lesson about the heroes and the ongoing threats, the weight of his past life and the responsibilities it entailed pressed down on him. The dimensional cracks and the role of heroes were a stark reminder of the world he had hoped to avoid.
"Alex, what do you think, do you want to be a hero too?" A small innocent voice caught his attention as he saw a cute young girl, asking him innocently. Her hair is silvery white in contrast to her red eyes. Such an innocent yet hopeful answer, unaware of the darkness hiding behind that path.
Alex looked at the little girl and smiled, his expression softening at her innocent curiosity. "Heroes are pretty amazing, aren't they?" he replied, his voice light and playful, just as any child his age might sound.
The girl nodded eagerly, her red eyes shining with excitement. "Yeah! My brother says heroes are the bravest people in the world. They fight aliens and save everyone. I want to be just like them when I grow up!"
Alex's smile remained, but there was a flicker of something in his emerald eyes—an emotion too complex for a child, hidden beneath the surface. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms casually as he looked out the window, feigning a carefree demeanor. "Being a hero is cool, but it's also really hard. They have to train a lot and fight scary monsters. It's not all fun and games."
The girl tilted her head, considering his words. "But they get to be famous! Everyone knows who they are, and they get to help people. I think that's worth it."
Alex chuckled softly, his tone still light. "Maybe. But you have to be brave, and not everyone can do it. Some people... just want to live a quiet life, you know? Like a farmer or a baker."
Another boy from their class, who had been listening in, piped up, "But if you're a hero, you get to go on adventures! You can travel to other worlds and meet all sorts of cool creatures. I think that's way better than being a farmer."
Alex nodded, playing along with the conversation. "Yeah, I guess it would be cool to see other worlds. But adventures can be dangerous too. What if you got hurt or couldn't come back?"
The boy shrugged, his expression undeterred. "That's why you train hard and become strong. So you can protect everyone and yourself."
The girl leaned in closer to Alex, her voice dropping to a whisper as if sharing a secret. "Do you think we'll get powers when we're older? Like the heroes? My brother says everyone gets a chance, but I'm scared I won't be strong enough."
Alex glanced at her, seeing the mixture of hope and fear in her eyes. He felt a pang of sympathy—such innocence, yet already tinged with the harsh realities of their world. He wanted to comfort her, to say something that would ease her worries, but the weight of his knowledge held him back. Instead, he smiled again, this time with a bit more warmth.
"You never know," he said, his voice gentle. "Everyone has something special about them. Maybe you'll be strong in a way that doesn't involve fighting. There are lots of ways to help people."
The girl seemed to consider this, her brow furrowing in thought. "Maybe... but I still want to be a hero. I want to protect everyone, like my brother."
"That's a good dream," Alex replied, his tone encouraging. "And I'm sure you'll be great at whatever you choose to do."
The conversation drifted to other topics, the children sharing their dreams and ideas for the future. Alex listened, contributing here and there, his demeanor as unremarkable as he could manage. But as he engaged with them, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that no matter how much he tried to blend in, the world would eventually force him to confront his past and the powers he had once wielded.
For now, though, he would continue to play his role, just another child in a classroom, dreaming of a life that he knew all too well wasn't as simple as it seemed.
As the classroom emptied, Alex gathered his things and stepped out into the hallway, the cool air brushing against his face, and took a deep breath. He was determined to stick to his promise of living a normal life, even as the echoes of his previous existence continued to resurface.
At recess, Alex found a quiet spot under a tree, away from the clamor of his peers. He pulled out a book and began to read, using it as a shield to keep himself distanced from the social interactions that he found draining.
As Alex sat under the shade of the tree, the gentle rustling of leaves above him provided a soothing backdrop to his reading. He had chosen this spot carefully—far enough from the noise of the playground to find peace, but still within sight of the schoolyard, where he could watch the world move around him. The book in his hands was more of a prop than a genuine focus; it was a tool he used to create a barrier between himself and the rest of the world.
His eyes occasionally lifted from the pages to observe his classmates. Among them, Leo, his twin brother, stood out as the center of attention. Leo's bright blue hair caught the sunlight, making him appear almost as if he were glowing. He was surrounded by a group of students, all vying for his attention, hanging on his every word, and laughing at his jokes. Even at this young age, Leo had a magnetic presence that drew people in—a natural leader, full of confidence and charm.
Alex watched quietly, his expression unreadable. It wasn't jealousy that filled him as he observed his brother, but rather a deep-seated resignation. Leo was everything Alex was not: outgoing, fearless, and eager to embrace the destiny their world seemed to have planned for him. And while Leo thrived in the spotlight, Alex was content to remain in the background, where the shadows provided a safe haven from the expectations that came with their family name.
Just as he was about to return his attention to his book, a shadow fell over him. Alex looked up to see Ethan, his current best friend, standing there with a curious expression. Ethan was one of the few who didn't mind Alex's quiet nature and had, over time, become someone Alex could tolerate and even enjoy spending time with.
"Hey, Alex," Ethan said, plopping down beside him with the casualness of someone who didn't need an invitation. "Why don't you ever hang out with the others? Or, you know, try to be more like Leo?"
Alex closed his book, marking his place with a finger, and glanced over at his brother once more before turning his gaze back to Ethan. The question wasn't new. He had heard it countless times, from teachers, students, and even his parents. But coming from Ethan, it lacked the usual judgment or expectation. It was just a genuine curiosity from a friend.
"Leo's good at being the center of attention," Alex replied, his tone calm and measured. "He likes it. He's... suited for it."
Ethan tilted his head, his brow furrowed. "But you're just as smart as him. Maybe even smarter. If you tried, you could be popular too. Don't you want to be noticed?"
Alex looked at his friend, contemplating how to answer. He knew Ethan wouldn't understand the full truth, but there was no harm in giving a piece of it. "I'm not really interested in that. I like things the way they are. Less complicated, less pressure. Just... quieter."
Ethan nodded slowly, as if trying to process this. "But isn't it lonely? Sitting here by yourself all the time? I mean, don't you want to be out there, having fun like everyone else?"
Alex shrugged, giving a small smile. "I have fun in my way. It's not that I don't like people. I just don't need to be in the middle of everything like Leo does. Being alone doesn't mean I'm lonely."
Ethan seemed to mull this over, then nodded, accepting Alex's explanation in the way only a true friend could. "I guess that makes sense. But if you ever want to hang out more, you know I'm around, right?"
"Thanks, Ethan," Alex said, his smile growing a bit warmer. "I'll keep that in mind."
Alex opened his book again, his focus returning to the words on the page. He had made a promise to himself when he was reincarnated—to live a normal life, free from the burdens of power and responsibility that had defined his previous existence. He had no desire to chase the glory that his brother seemed destined for
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the recess. Alex reluctantly closed his book, tucking it into his bag with a practiced, deliberate motion. The quiet under the tree had been a welcome refuge from the boisterous energy of his classmates. As he stood and stretched, he glanced around at the now-emptying playground. The laughter and chatter that had filled the air moments before were giving way to the calm of post-recess stillness.
He walked slowly back towards the classroom, his footsteps echoing softly in the hallway. The other students were gathered in small groups, exchanging stories about their break, their faces flushed with the excitement of the past half-hour. Leo was among them, animatedly recounting a game of tag he had played with his friends. His blue hair and bright blue eyes seemed to shine with an infectious energy, drawing others to him.
Alex moved past the clusters of students, keeping his gaze fixed ahead. He avoided eye contact, making his way toward the classroom with the same quiet determination that had marked his day so far. He found a spot at the back of the room, settling into his seat as the students filtered back inside.
The teacher entered shortly after, signaling the start of the next lesson. Alex pulled out his notebook and pen, ready to immerse himself in the academic distractions that had become his sanctuary. He focused intently on the lecture, his emerald eyes scanning the notes as Mr. Thompson began discussing a new topic. The words and diagrams on the board became his escape from the cacophony of social interactions he had learned to navigate with practiced indifference.
Despite his efforts to remain absorbed in his studies, Alex could feel the occasional glances from his classmates. Whispers and sideways looks were not uncommon, and he had grown accustomed to the feeling of being slightly out of place. He was often a passive observer in the vibrant world around him, a silent participant in a life he had chosen to keep at arm's length.