During recess, Alex found his usual spot under the large oak tree at the edge of the schoolyard. The tree provided just enough shade to keep him cool and hidden from the prying eyes of his classmates. With a book in hand, he settled down on the grass, content to spend his break in quiet solitude, away from the noisy crowds of children playing in the sun.
As he opened his book, he felt a familiar calm wash over him. The words on the page were a welcome escape, a brief respite from the world he was trying so hard to blend into. Though his brother, Leo, was the center of attention, surrounded by friends and admirers, Alex was more than happy to remain in the background, unnoticed and undisturbed.
But today was different. As he began to lose himself in the pages of his book, a shadow fell across him, blocking the sunlight. Alex looked up, slightly annoyed at the interruption, only to find himself staring into the eyes of Elias, the S-class hunter who had spoken to the class earlier.
Elias, who appeared no older than twenty-two himself, stood with a relaxed posture, his expression curious yet unreadable. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, his tone casual, as though they were old friends.
Alex hesitated for a moment, surprised by the request. He had seen the way Elias had captivated the class earlier, how he commanded attention with his presence and words. But there was something in Elias's gaze that made Alex nod in agreement, closing his book as the hunter sat down beside him.
For a few moments, they sat in silence, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the distant shouts of children playing. Alex stole a few glances at Elias, trying to gauge his intentions. He was wary, always on guard, especially around someone as powerful as this man who hid behind an innocent appearance.
"You're different, Alex," Elias finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was soft, almost contemplative. "Not like the others."
Alex tensed at the words, his instincts telling him to be cautious. He'd spent years trying to blend in, to live an ordinary life despite the memories that haunted him. "I'm just like everyone else," he replied, keeping his tone as neutral as possible.
Elias chuckled, a sound that held no mockery but rather a hint of understanding. "You know, when I was your age—well, when I looked your age—I used to think the same way. Trying to convince myself that I could just be like everyone else, that I could hide what made me different." He glanced at Alex, his eyes sharp and probing. "But you can't hide forever."
Alex's heart skipped a beat. He knew there was more to Elias than met the eye, but the way the hunter spoke made it seem like he knew more about Alex than he should. "I don't know what you're talking about," Alex said, trying to deflect the conversation.
Elias smiled knowingly but didn't press the issue. Instead, he shifted the topic, his tone lightening. "Your brother, Leo, he seems to be the hero type, doesn't he? Always in the spotlight, eager to take on the world."
Alex looked over to where Leo was surrounded by his friends, laughing and talking animatedly. The contrast between them was stark, and it wasn't lost on anyone. "Yeah, he's always been like that," Alex replied, his voice carrying a hint of bitterness that he didn't intend.
"But you're not," Elias noted. "You'd rather stay here, under this tree, away from everyone else. Why is that?"
Alex didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stared at the ground, feeling the weight of the question. He had his reasons, reasons that went far beyond the comprehension of an eight-year-old, reasons tied to a past life that he could never fully escape. "I just like it here," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's peaceful."
Elias nodded as if he understood far more than Alex had said. "Peace is hard to come by in this world," he remarked, his voice thoughtful. "But it's worth holding onto if you can find it."
There was a pause, and then Elias leaned closer, his voice lowering. "You're just like me, Alex. The world won't accept someone they fear, even before they awaken. We live like monsters in the eyes of our own families."
Alex's eyes widened slightly, his breath catching. He had never heard anyone put it into words before, the exact thing he had been feeling since his reincarnation. The distance, the coldness from his parents, the way they looked at him, it all made sense. Elias wasn't just talking about himself; he was talking about Alex too.
They lapsed back into silence, but this time it was a more comfortable one. Alex felt a strange sense of ease sitting there with Elias, even though he was still on guard. There was something about the hunter's presence that was both comforting and unsettling, as though he saw through the facade that Alex had carefully constructed.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of recess, Elias stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants. "You have potential, Alex. More than you realize. Don't waste it."
Alex looked up at him, trying to decipher the meaning behind those words, but Elias just gave him a small, knowing smile before turning and walking away, leaving Alex alone under the tree, his mind racing with questions.
For the rest of the day, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that Elias knew something about him, something he wasn't ready to confront. But for now, he would continue his routine, blending in, and holding onto the peace he had found, no matter how fragile it might be.
*****
The living room was bathed in the soft, golden light of the late afternoon sun, casting long, gentle shadows across the floor. The scent of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of dinner simmering in the kitchen. It was a peaceful scene, the kind of ordinary, domestic tranquility that Alex had longed for since his reincarnation.
His mother sat on the plush cream-colored sofa, her attention wholly devoted to Leo, who was perched beside her, chattering excitedly about his day at school. She smiled, her blue eyes sparkling with warmth and pride as she listened to his every word, occasionally brushing a lock of his blue hair away from his face. Across from them, his father leaned back in his armchair, a newspaper in hand, but even he was half-listening to Leo's stories, nodding along with a proud smile whenever Leo mentioned something particularly impressive.
His mother's smile widened as Leo animatedly recounted the events of his school day. "And then, during gym class, we had this huge obstacle course," Leo said, his voice rising with excitement. "I was the fastest, Mom! I climbed the wall in less than a minute! Even Mr. Hargrove said he's never seen a student move that fast."
His mother's laughter filled the room, light and musical. "That's wonderful, Leo! I'm so proud of you," she said, her voice brimming with pride. She reached out, tucking a stray lock of Leo's blue hair behind his ear. "You've always been so strong and quick. I'm sure everyone was amazed."
Leo beamed, his blue eyes shining as he soaked in the praise. "Yeah, and after that, we had this team game, and my team won because I caught the ball right before it hit the ground! I think I might try out for the school team next year."
His mother's eyes widened slightly, her smile unwavering. "That's a fantastic idea, sweetheart. I'm sure you'd be a star player."
Across the room, Alex's father finally lowered his newspaper, folding it neatly on his lap as he joined in the conversation. "A school team, huh?" he said, his tone carrying the weight of fatherly approval. "I think that's a great idea, Leo. Being part of a team will teach you leadership and responsibility. Plus, with your skills, you'd stand out."
Leo grinned, a flush of excitement coloring his cheeks. "I was thinking the same thing, Dad! Mr. Hargrove even said I should consider it. He thinks I have a lot of potential."
Their father nodded, his expression a mix of pride and contemplation. "Mr. Hargrove's a smart man. If he believes you've got what it takes, then you should go for it. We'll support you all the way, won't we, dear?"
"Of course," his mother agreed without hesitation. "We'll be there at every game, cheering you on. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be a professional athlete!"
Leo's eyes widened at the thought, his mind already racing with possibilities. "A professional athlete… That would be amazing! I could be on TV, and everyone would know my name!"
His mother chuckled softly, her gaze warm and tender as she looked at Leo. "You could be anything you want to be, Leo. With your talent and determination, the sky's the limit."
Leo's grin was infectious, his enthusiasm filling the room with a palpable energy. "Thanks, Mom, Dad! I'm going to work even harder now. I want to make you both proud."
"You already do, son," his father said, his voice firm with conviction. "Every day."
Alex sat on the far end of the sofa, his small frame nearly swallowed by the cushions. His hands were folded neatly in his lap, his posture stiff and quiet as he stared at the patterned rug beneath his feet. The soft hum of conversation filled the room, but it was as if he were listening from underwater, distant and muffled.
He couldn't help but glance at his parents, watching the way they leaned toward Leo, their entire focus centered on him. There was a time when this might have hurt—when he might have felt the sting of being ignored, the ache of wanting to be noticed, to be included in their warmth. But now, after years of this same scene playing out again and again, the hurt had dulled into a muted acceptance. This was his life, and he had learned to live with it.
Leo was the star, the golden child who embodied everything their parents valued. He was bright, energetic, and charming—a natural hero in the making. Alex, on the other hand, was the quiet one, the child who blended into the background, always observing, never quite participating. And that was fine by him. It had to be.
As his mother laughed at something Leo said, her voice light and musical, Alex found his thoughts drifting back to the conversation with Elias. "You're just like me," Elias had said. "The world won't accept someone they fear, even before they awaken. We live like monsters in the eyes of our own families."
Alex's eyes flicked to the side, catching his reflection in the glass of the living room window. His dark green hair fell slightly into his face, his emerald eyes staring back at him, too old, too knowing for someone his age. A shiver ran down his spine as he remembered the way his mother's gaze sometimes lingered on him when she thought he wasn't looking—how her smile would falter, how she would quickly turn away as if trying to forget what she had seen.
Just like a monster, he thought, the words heavy in his mind.
But Elias's words had carried a strange comfort, a recognition of something Alex had always felt but could never put into words. He wasn't alone in this, even if his family would never understand.
His father finally put down the newspaper and joined in on the conversation, asking Leo about the upcoming school projects. The room seemed to brighten with their laughter and shared excitement, a perfect family scene in every way—except for the small boy sitting quietly on the edge of it all, lost in his thoughts.
Alex sighed softly, sinking deeper into the cushions. He could see the way his father's eyes lit up when he looked at Leo, the pride that was so evident in every gesture. It was a look Alex had never received and one he had stopped yearning for long ago. His place was here, on the sidelines, where he could watch and listen, unseen and unremarkable.
And that was fine. He didn't need their attention, their praise. He had made a promise to himself when he was reborn in this world—to live a peaceful life, free from the burdens of power and expectation. He had no desire to be a hero, no wish to draw the eyes of the gods or the world.
So, he sat quietly, listening to the distant hum of his family's conversation, letting their words wash over him like the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind. He would continue to play his part, staying in the background, blending into the ordinary. Because in this life, that was all he wanted. Peace, and nothing more.