In a dimly lit corner of the school grounds, away from the chaos and reunions, Kael and Elias stood together, their conversation serious and urgent. Kael, with his youthful appearance and the air of someone who had seen more than his fair share of battles, maintained a relaxed demeanor. Elias, ever the calculating strategist, was visibly perturbed, his eyes fixed on the chaos that had unfolded.
Elias began, his voice low and intense. "That boy, Alex. Did you see what he did? He took down a C-class monster with no awakening. He's not just any child—there's something extraordinary about him. We need to recruit him before someone else does."
Kael raised an eyebrow, his expression inscrutable. "Extraordinary, indeed. But he's still just a child. And not an awakener or a contractor yet."
Elias' frustration was evident. "Exactly! He's shown potential beyond what we usually see. We need him in one of the guilds, and we need him now. If we wait too long, he'll slip through our fingers. Besides, he's already proven himself in a situation most adults would falter in."
Kael sighed, his gaze drifting toward the remnants of the battle. "Look, Elias, it's not that I don't see the potential. It's that Alex has to make his own choices. He's been through enough today. Pressuring him now might just drive him away."
Elias' eyes narrowed. "So you're saying you're willing to let someone like him make his own decision, even if it means he might end up with another guild or worse, become a liability?"
Kael's tone was calm but firm. "Yes. Alex is still a child, and he's dealing with a lot right now. We can't force him into something he's not ready for or doesn't want. Besides, he's not even a contractor or an awakener yet. That's a crucial point. We can't just draft him into our ranks based on potential alone."
Elias looked as though he wanted to argue further, but Kael's unwavering stance made him pause. "And what if he refuses to join a guild?" Elias asked, his voice a mix of frustration and concern. "He's shown what he can do in a crisis, but what if he just wants to stay out of it all?"
"That's his choice to make," Kael replied, his tone softer but resolute. "We can offer him guidance, and present the opportunities, but ultimately, he needs to decide his path. Forcing him into something he's not prepared for, especially when he's so young, could do more harm than good."
Elias sighed heavily, his gaze turning back to the scene of the aftermath. "I just hope that his potential isn't squandered because of our hesitation."
Kael nodded, understanding the weight of Elias' words. "We'll keep an eye on him. If he chooses to pursue the path of a hunter or joins a guild, he'll make that decision when he's ready. Until then, all we can do is respect his choice and be there if he needs us."
"Kael, you're not seeing the full picture," Elias said, his tone urgent. "Alex isn't just a child. His actions today, his strength, they're beyond anything normal. He's shown a level of power and control that's unsettling. He's a monster in potential, and if we don't intervene, he could become a threat."
Kael's expression remained calm, though his eyes betrayed a hint of weariness. "Elias, you're talking about a child who's just seen his school and world turned upside down. He's not a monster—he's a human being and a child at that. We can't judge him by the actions he's been forced into."
Elias shook his head, his frustration growing. "You're missing the point. We need to put a leash on this potential before it spirals out of control. Monsters like him need to be monitored and controlled. If we don't act now, he could become a danger to everyone around him, not just himself."
Kael's eyes narrowed, his voice firm but understanding. "Elias, I know you're concerned, but Alex is still just a child. He's facing a situation that no child should have to endure, and you're suggesting we treat him as a threat rather than offering him support. Yes, he has shown remarkable abilities, but that doesn't mean we should strip away his chance to choose his path. He needs guidance, not confinement."
Elias' expression hardened. "You think it's about confinement? It's about safety. His potential makes him a wildcard, and wildcards can't be left to their own devices. If we don't intervene, he might end up being a danger to himself and others."
Kael's demeanor remained steady, though a hint of frustration crept into his voice. "He's a child. We can't approach this with the mindset that he's a ticking time bomb. We need to offer him guidance and help him understand his abilities. Pushing him into a role he's not ready for, or treating him as a threat, will only push him away and potentially cause more harm."
*****
Elias stood at the edge of the chaotic scene, the remnants of the recent battle still fresh in the air. Kael, a figure of calm authority amidst the turmoil, turned to Elias, his voice steady but probing.
"Elias, you've seen many S-class individuals in your time. From what I've observed, Alex is different. Is he truly unlike the others when they were young?"
Elias glanced at Kael, his expression both grim and thoughtful. "Yes, Kael. The difference is significant. Most S-class heroes, when they're young, rely heavily on their instincts and raw power. They're driven by an inherent sense of duty or a thirst for battle. They work on intuition, learning through experience as they grow."
Kael nodded, his eyes searching Elias' face for more clarity. "And Alex?"
Elias' gaze hardened, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Alex is not like them. Despite his youth, he displays a level of intellect and strategic thinking that's unusual for his age. It's as if he's drawing from an unknown reservoir of experience, something beyond the norm. Talking to him feels like engaging with someone who knows everything and is several steps ahead."
Kael's brow furrowed. "So, you're saying he's more than just a powerful child. He's like a king of monsters who's already mastered knowledge beyond his years?"
Elias nodded, a hint of frustration in his eyes. "Exactly. If we consider typical S-class heroes as dangerous due to their raw power and potential, Alex is on another level entirely. He doesn't just have power; he has an unsettling depth of understanding and a strategic mind that's far beyond what one would expect from someone his age."
Kael's expression softened, his concern evident. "That's precisely why we can't treat him as merely a threat or a potential monster. He's not just a child with immense power; he's someone who's already showing signs of extraordinary insight and control. If we approach him with fear or coercion, we risk pushing him into a corner."
Elias' frustration was palpable, but he couldn't deny the validity of Kael's point. "And if we don't intervene, what then? He could become a significant danger to everyone around him, with or without his consent."
Kael sighed, a mix of resolve and empathy in his eyes. "We offer him support and guidance. We give him the chance to navigate his path with our help, rather than forcing him into a role he might not be ready for. His intellect and experience might make him seem like a king of monsters, but he's still a child who deserves to find his own way."
Elias considered Kael's words, his expression shifting from frustration to reluctant understanding. "Fine. We'll let him choose his path. But we need to be vigilant and prepared for any eventuality."
Kael nodded the weight of their conversation hanging heavy. "Agreed. We'll respect his choice and be ready to support him. After all, he's not just a threat; he's a child with the potential to shape the future. How we handle him now will determine that future."
As they parted ways, both men carried the gravity of their discussion with them, their thoughts clouded by the uncertain future of Alex, a child whose remarkable abilities and unsettling wisdom had already begun to challenge their perceptions.
*****
The house was eerily quiet after the chaos of the alien invasion, the once vibrant atmosphere now subdued by the aftermath. The living room, usually a place of comfort and warmth, now felt cold and unwelcoming. Alex sat on the edge of the sofa, his clothes still stained with purple mucus, his mind numb from the day's events. The chaos outside seemed like a distant memory, overshadowed by the storm brewing within his home.
His mother, usually the pillar of strength, was now crumpled on the floor, her blonde hair disheveled and her blue eyes wide with a mix of fear and anger. She was sobbing uncontrollably, her tears streaking down her flushed face. Her hands clutched at her dress as if trying to hold herself together, but the effort was futile.
"You… you're a monster," she choked out between sobs, her voice breaking with each word. "I gave birth to a monster. I knew it… I knew it all along."
Alex, his heart heavy with a mixture of confusion and guilt, remained silent. He had tried to process everything that had happened—the battle, the rescue, and now this relentless torrent of blame from his mother. He could see the pain in her eyes, the pain he felt helpless to alleviate.
"Leo is my only son," she continued, her voice rising in a desperate, almost hysterical crescendo. "He's the one I've always wanted… the one I've always loved. You're just… different. Cold. You don't act like a child. You don't need comfort. You don't need us."
Her words cut through the air, sharper than any blade. They were a painful reminder of the gulf that had always existed between her expectations and Alex's reality. Her eyes, once so full of warmth, now glared at Alex with a mixture of accusation and sorrow.
She was nearly incoherent, her voice trembling as she continued to speak, "It's not just today. It's always been like this. You've always been so distant, so… unnervingly calm. Even as a baby, you were different. I thought it was just a phase, that you'd grow out of it. But no, it's not a phase. It's who you are."
Alex's gaze dropped to his lap, his fingers gripping the edges of his stained clothes. He was unable to find words, unable to offer solace or even a simple explanation. The flood of his mother's anguish was overwhelming, and he felt powerless in the face of it.
The room seemed to contract around him, the walls closing in as his mother's breakdown continued. She clung to the remnants of her composure, but the weight of her grief and anger was too much. Her sobs echoed through the room, a haunting melody of despair and disillusionment.
His father, standing in the doorway, looked on helplessly. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by a strained expression of frustration and sadness. He moved closer to his wife, placing a hand on her shoulder, trying to offer comfort, but the depth of her pain made it clear that his efforts were inadequate.
"Please, just… just leave me alone," his mother finally said, her voice muffled by her tears. "I can't… I can't deal with this right now."
Alex stood up slowly, his heart heavy and his mind clouded by the tumultuous emotions swirling around him. He wanted to reach out, to bridge the chasm that had opened between them, but the weight of his mother's words and the impossibility of the situation left him feeling more isolated than ever.
As he turned to leave, the finality of the moment hung in the air. The home that had once been a sanctuary was now a place of sharp pain and unspoken conflicts. Alex walked out, leaving behind the fractured remnants of a family struggling to come to terms with a reality that seemed more alien than ever.