Alaric kept glancing at the large clock at the front of the classroom he was in, his fingers tapping impatiently on the desk. He shifted his gaze to his wrist watch, 11:10. Time was crawling, and no amount of focus could shake the anticipation in his chest.
But, he was able to distract himself but occupying his attention to the paper in front of him. He reached for his pencil and continued scribbling onto the paper. He had a small art project in his class, he was tasked with creating his very own flag if he owned his own country. Thanks to his previous art knowledge he was able to create something unique and masterful compared to his classmates. As he reached for one of his nearby crayons he glanced at the clock again, letting out a soft huff.
He grabbed the crayon and began to color the picture. He had a concentrated expression, this was how he focused when it came to art. It was something he took very seriously. As the boy continued, it wasn't enough to distract him as he once again checked his watch, his eyes glazing over the hands that showcased the time, 11:11.
He frowned, but he was called upon by his teacher who sat at the from of the room. "Alaric, how's your work coming along?" She asked the boy as he raised his head to look at her, beads of sweat formed at his temples due to the attention brought to himself.
"I-It's coming along well..." He replied as the teacher gave a curious look, as she leaned forward in her chair, her body leaning a bit over the desk.
"Oh? I'm sorry I couldn't tell because when I looked at you I see you looking at the clock, or your watch." She said, making Alaric cheeks flush with embarrassed, as he heard a few laughs and giggles from students around him.
She sat up, "So, what's got you so distracted?" She asked.
Alaric decided there wasn't a reason to hide it. So he decided to be straight up, "Well, it's actually my birthday tomorrow." He said as she gave a surprised expression, as the class was quiet. He glanced around, again feeling nervous with all the attention. "And well...I turn ten and so...I'll be visiting the subspace." He said, spacing out his worlds.
Suddenly the class erupted with cheers as this caused Alaric to jumped, clearly startled. The students around began to cloud around his desk, all of them beginning to scream out their excitement and questions. He shrank back in his seat.
"Are you really going to visit the subspace!?"
"Do you know what statue you're going to choose?!"
"I can't wait till I can visit it!"
The whole thing just overwhelmed Alaric was he was never a social person during his previous life. He didn't even know what to do but sit there as everyone screamed at him. His face began to turn red due to his embarrassment, and he wanted to melt into the floor.
But someone he recognized pushed his way to the from. It was a boy, with short brown eyes and big blue eyes. He turned towards everyone and threw his arms up, "Alright everyone! Enough!" He shouted as Alaric just watched. "How about we wait till after he gets his powers to question him?!" Alaric just blinked, that's not what he wanted! The boy turned and winked, holding up a thumbs up. Alaric gave a small smile, that was Arthur Ambrose for you.
Arthur Ambrose, a young boy that was currently the same age as Alaric. He has auburn colored hair that is short and spiked up. He was someone that approach Alaric during a time when he was by himself. He found Alaric interesting since he felt more mature than any other kid he's been around. He's a very outspoken kid, someone that was the opposite of Alaric. Not to mention, he kind of reminds him of someone from his past live. But, when he died having no many friends, he figured this was a good thing to do for this new life.
With order restored, the teacher clapped her hands. "Alright, class, back to work!"
As the other kids returned to their seats, Alaric released a long breath. His heart still racing, but he couldn't help feeling a little excited too. This was the day he was waiting for ever since he learned about this world. And tomorrow, was the big day.
Alaric balanced his tray of food. He glanced at the students around him, some where simply eating food and others were playing with their abilities, small bursts of fire, glowing lights, and floating objects danced in the air. He couldn't take his eyes off the displays, his expression a mixture of awe and longing.
He found an empty seat and sat down, his eyes still stuck on the other abilities. But, he felt an arm around his shoulders, and he jumped slightly. He whipped his head around there stood Arthur.
"Alaric!" He said. His voice was vibrating with energy. "Can't believe you'll be visiting the subspace tomorrow!"
Alaric blinked and he was slightly overwhelmed with Arthur's boundless energy and enthusiasm.
"Y-Yeah...I was honestly waiting for so long," he mumbled, trying to push down his nerves.
Arthur looked at him, and his face contorted into mock-serious, "I hope you get a strong statue, or else we're not friends anymore." He said, his tone clearly kidding.
Alaric's stomach twisted, was he being serious he wondered? His body stiffened and he focused his attention to his tray of food and picked up his fork.
Arthur noticed his discomfort and gave him a light shove, "Come on, I'm kidding! You're obvious a very smart kid so I'm confident you'll pick a powerful statue!" He said, as he put his arm around his shoulders again.
Alaric forced a small smile and his eyes scanned around the large cafeteria. There were hundreds of students, and there weren't many that had the systems abilities, while the rest we just like him, waiting for their time.
Alaric decided to break the silence, "When you turn ten, what kind of powers do you envision you want?" He asked, his voice quiet almost overshadowed by the loud background noise of the cafeteria.
Arthur put his hand to his chin and looked up. "Hm, having fire would be super cool! Oh, but having ice would be cool too! Or maybe a mix of the two!" He said as Alaric glanced at him, giving a curious expression.
He shook his head and gave a small smile, finding his indecisiveness funny. But Alaric looked forward, 'Though, it would be impossible to think about what power you want, considering you don't know what you could possibly get.' He thought to himself.
His fingers tightened around the straw of his juice box.. 'But, I won't rush it. I'll take as much time as I need. This is my own chance, and I can't afford to mess it up. This is important.'
He closed his eyes for a moment, steeling his resolve.
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Alaric opened the front door after coming off the bus. He stepped inside and hung his backpack on the row of hangers near the entrance. As he closed the door, his mother came in, her face clouded with a smile.
"Hey sweetheart!" She said as Alaric looked up and was suddenly dragged into a warm embrace. Over the years, he honestly disliked being treated as a child, but, he's began to push past it. Maybe it was his mothers influence?
He silently hugged her back, before speaking, "Hi, Mom." She released him and crouched down to meeting his eyes. "How was school, dear?"
"One of my most painful days." He replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.
His mother laughed, "Can't wait for your birthday huh? I know you can't." she rubbed his snowy white hair affectionately, and placed an arm behind him, leading him into the living room.
"Come on, I'm gonna bake your favorite cake like I do every year!" She cooed, excitement dripping from her voice. "Do you want to help?"
Alaric hesitated, the thought of homework looming in his mind, but something in his mothers enthusiasm nudged him to agree. "Sure," he said.
His mother lead him towards the kitchen where she would begin rummaging through the fridge and cabinets for the ingredients.
As he silently watched her, his eyes darted around, and his ears twitched. He listened, but there was no signs of his father. "Where's dad?" He asked, as she turned to him.
"Oh you know, out there working trying to hunt Aliens." she said with a dismissive wave.
He nodded, that's right, some Aliens had inhabited earth during some attacks. They even have little dungeons that they inhabit. While it may seem dangerous, people can actually use them for leveling up with their system, like in a video game.
Alaric was snapped out of his thoughts by a loud clank, a large silver bowl laid on the counter top. Aerith placed down the many ingredients for this cake. She tightened the apron around her waist and handed Alaric his own. He quietly took it and did the same, they almost looked like twins, movements and poses synchronized.
"Ready, sweetheart?" she asked, a gleam of anticipation in her eyes.
"Ready," Alaric replied, his voice steady as he focused on the task ahead.
The warm and familiar kitchen, the comforting presence of his mother, and the simple task of baking seemed to momentarily chase away the weight of his decision that'd he'd have to make later. As he prepared to help, a small smile touched his lips, maybe this wasn't such a bad way to spend the evening after all.
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The room was lit up by a dim candle, shaped like the number ten. Alaric's face glowed under the candle flame, a birthday hat perched atop his head. His eyes stared deeply into fire, as singing filled his ears, the familiar melody of 'Happy Birthday'.
His parents sang him happy birthday as today was finally the day. Their voices was filled with enthusiasm.
"Happy birthday to you!" They finished the song and, Alaric finally blew out the candle, the room darkened due to the only light source being blown out.
Then, claps thundered throughout the room as his parents let out a few laughs and congrats. His father switched the light on and Alaric had to blink, his eyes strained against the light. Once he was used to the light, he looked at himself.
He gave a confused frown, clenching and unclenching his fits. "So, how do I enter the subspace?" He asked, as his mother simply smiled at him, "Closer your eyes honey," she whispered as his father nodded. "Yes son, close your eyes and imagine the subspace." Alaric hesitated, his brow furrowing in confusion, how was he suppose to imagine something he's never seen?
He simply sighed and began to think of space, the vast and endless darkness, the shining and twinkling stars, the various planets.
He let out a breath and opened his eyes, and suddenly, thousands upon thousands of statues were lined up stood tall almost like they could touch the stars above the space, even a few shooting stars, it was honestly unreal. The statues towered over Alaric, and he began to scan the various statues.
A beat of sweat dripped down his head, and he was slightly shaking. But, that was overshadowed by his overwhelming sense of excitement. His lips twisted into a smile, his heat racing with anticipation, 'Now, is my chance. Time to make this life worth living!'