"As I stood before my mother, I couldn't help but think about the futility of the situation. Her arms were crossed, and her expression was stern—a futile attempt to assert her authority.
"'Aster, you've skipped school for three months! It's time to return,' she said, her tone firm but lacking in conviction. I responded with a mixture of apathy and annoyance, 'Mom, please don't make me go! I'd rather train.'
But she stood firm, or at least, attempted to. 'Education is essential for your future. You start tomorrow.' I groaned, not out of frustration, but out of disappointment in the inevitability of it all.
The next morning, I reflected on the pointlessness of school. A place where they teach useless facts and skills, ignoring what truly matters—strength, discipline, and self-reliance. My training had taught me that. I don't hate school, nor do I like it. It's just that it feels useless to attend, and I always feel like a non-existent person, no matter how hard I try to convince them to accept me.
I got out of bed and put on my uniform, neatly stored in the wooden closet. The uniform consisted of a white, long-sleeved dress shirt with a stiff collar, dark gray fitted trousers with a thin navy blue stripe, a slim silver tie with subtle dark blue stripes, black polished dress shoes, and a navy blue blazer with the school's crest.
As I put it on, I wondered if it would still fit me after three months. The answer, much like the outcome of my return to school, was predictable."
"As I put on my uniform, I noticed it fit me perfectly. The fabric, once loose, now clung to my physique, concealing my toned muscles. I was mildly surprised, but it wasn't particularly noteworthy.
After breakfast, my mother and I headed to school. As we walked, I thought about the day ahead. 'What insignificant knowledge will I be forced to absorb today? Will it be even remotely comparable to the lessons my father taught me?' I doubted it.
When we arrived, my mother gave me a cursory hug. 'Have a good day, Aster. Make some friends.' Her words were a mix of genuine concern and obligation. I nodded, pretending to be enthusiastic, and watched as she walked away. Another unremarkable day at school was about to begin. I would simply need to endure it."
As I navigated the school hallways, my demeanor remained unchanged, but my physical transformation was evident. My peers couldn't help but notice, their whispers and glances a testament to their surprise. "Wow, this weakling is actually looking buff," someone whispered. "I'm sure he's still a weakling, though," another student sneered. I ignored their inane chatter, my focus unwavering.
During recess, I stood alone, observing the social chaos around me. The bullies, Ryder, Jake, and Max, approached me, their smirks radiating malice. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here," Ryder sneered. "The little weakling thinks he's tough now." Jake and Max snickered, forming a menacing circle around me.
Ryder's gaze lingered on my physique, particularly my arms, which were concealed by my uniform. I wondered if he would have reacted differently had he seen my true physical form. His expression remained unchanged, however. "You're still the same pathetic Aster," he taunted.
I remained calm, my eyes locked on Ryder. "Let's wrap this up quickly, boys," Ryder said, cracking his knuckles. Jake charged forward, aiming a vicious kick at me. But I caught Jake's leg mid-air, my grip firm. "You shouldn't have done that," I said, my voice low and even.
I dispatched Jake with a swift kick to the groin, followed by a kick to the face. He crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from his nose. Ryder and Max exchanged nervous glances, but their bravado remained intact.
"You think you're tough? We'll show you what tough really is," Ryder snarled. The two bullies lunged at me simultaneously, but I dodged their clumsy attack with ease, and they ended up punching each other instead. I seized the opportunity, delivering a precise kick to Ryder's face.
Max stumbled backward, and I took advantage of the momentary distraction to send him crashing into the wall. The sound of crunching bone and splattering blood made the other students gasp.
Ryder attempted to flee, but I tripped him and unleashed a calculated series of punches to his face, each one landing with precision. The students around me cried out in alarm, but I didn't relent.
"Aster, stop!" the teacher shouted, rushing over to intervene. I halted, my chest heaving, my eyes still blazing with intensity. The situation had been resolved with the necessary amount of force.
The teacher approached me cautiously, her hand grasping my arm. "Aster, it's over. You've made your point." I turned my gaze to her, my expression cold and unforgiving. She took a step back, intimidated by my demeanor.
"I think we need to have a talk with the principal," she stammered. I released Ryder, who lay motionless on the ground, his face a bloody mess. The scene fell silent, with only the sound of heavy breathing and muted whispers.
I stood tall, my transformation complete. My eyes, once devoid of intensity, now burned with a fierce inner strength. The students around me gazed in awe, their faces pale with fear.
Just then, Max struggled to his feet, his eyes blazing with anger. "You're going to pay for this, Aster!" he snarled, charging towards me. I didn't flinch, my eyes locked on his. With a swift kick, I sent him crashing to the ground once more.
The teacher's eyes widened in horror. "Aster, stop! This is madness!" But I just gazed at her calmly, my expression unyielding. I had asserted my dominance, and they knew it.
As the school day drew to a close, the crowd of students surged forward, eager to escape the confines of the school. My mother waited outside, scanning the crowd for me. Spotting me alone, she hurried over.
"Aster, what are you doing outside? Let's go home," she asked, concern etched on her face. The teacher approached, her expression serious.
"Aster got into a fight with someone," she said, her eyes fixed on me. My mother turned to me, her eyes narrowing.
"Aster, what happened?" she asked, her voice firm but controlled. I thought quickly, weighing my options. It would be unwise to reveal the true extent of my actions.
"Mom, I didn't do anything," I said innocently. "I just tripped and accidentally kicked their legs." The teacher intervened, her expression skeptical.
"Aster's actions were quite aggressive, ma'am," she said. My mother turned to the teacher, her voice firm.
"I apologize, my son won't cause trouble again," she said. The teacher nodded, seeming to accept my mother's assurance.
"I'll need to speak with the principal about this incident," she said. "Aster, please report to the principal's office tomorrow morning." I nodded, my expression neutral.
"I understand," I said. My mother turned to me, her eyes still narrowed.
"We'll discuss this further at home, Aster," she said. I nodded, knowing that I would have to tread carefully to avoid arousing her suspicions.
As we walked home, my mother asked, "Aster, was the training with your father to fight someone?" I replied hastily, "No, Mom, for real! It was an accident." My mother raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical.
"Don't think you're escaping this, Aster," she said, her voice tinged with amusement. I panicked, thinking, I better think of something fast.
"Mom, you don't believe me?" I asked, feigning hurt. My mother chuckled, her expression softening.
"I believe you, son. I was just joking," she said, smiling. I exhaled in relief, feeling a sense of accomplishment at having deflected her suspicion.
"I love you, Mom," I said, smiling back at her. My mother's expression turned warm, and she replied, "I love you too, Aster."
In her thoughts, she mused, I'm not sure what's more surprising, the fact that Aster got into a fight or that he managed to talk his way out of it. I suppose I'll just have to keep a closer eye on him.
I broke the silence, "Mom, I'm sorry for stressing you out." My mother looked at me curiously, "What do you mean?"
"I'm a big boy now, so you don't have to pick me up from school," I said, trying to sound mature. My mother laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"No, I'll pick you up until you're 15," she said, smiling. I pretended to pout, "Mom, you don't trust me?"
My mother reassured me, "I do trust you, sweetie. But I just want to make sure you're safe." I smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
In my thoughts, I celebrated, I'm safe from trouble! Mom's not going to kill me, and I managed to change the subject. Now, I just need to make sure I don't get into any more trouble... at least, not until I'm ready.
At home, Mom didn't say a word to Dad because she believed what I said. But she had told Dad that I now have to go school alone.
As night fell, I changed into my comfortable ash shirt and black pyjamas. My father returned home from his training, dressed in his usual black shirt and trousers. My mother greeted him, saying, "Tomorrow, Aster will be going to school." She paused, a hint of a smile on her face. "I've made a new change."
My father raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of change? You usually say Aster will start going to school alone when he's 15." My mother raised her finger, silencing him. "That's why I said I've made a new change." My father chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Well, I suppose Aster is mature enough to go to school alone," he said, turning to me. "You're growing up, son." I smiled, trying to appear confident. "Yeah, I am. I can protect myself."
My mother continued, her expression serious. "I wanted to tell you something that happened in school today." I swallowed hard, my heart racing with anxiety. Why is she bringing this up now?
My mother's expression softened, and she said, "Aster did quite well in school today. People seem to admire his physique." My father chuckled, ruffling my hair.
"I knew it. He's got my genes, after all. He's strong, just like me." I forced a laugh, trying to play along. My father said, "Alright, time for bed. You've got school tomorrow, and you're going alone."
He headed to his room, leaving me alone with my mother. She winked at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Gotcha, you." I sighed, shaking my head.
"You got me there, Mom. But it's not funny." My mother chuckled, her expression unrepentant. "Oh, come on, Aster. I'm just trying to keep you on your toes."
I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself. "I guess I deserved that, Mom." My mother smiled, her eyes warm with affection.
"Goodnight, Aster. Sleep well." I nodded, heading to my room. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but think that my mother was more cunning than I gave her credit for.
I woke up to the warm rays of the morning sun streaming through my window. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I remembered the new reality that awaited me: going to school alone. "Ugh, I have to go to school by myself now," I muttered, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "All because of yesterday's incident, I now have to go to school alone."
My mom knocked on the door, her voice cheerful. "Good morning, sweetie! Get ready for school." I stood up, stretching my arms. "I'm up, Mom."
As I dressed, I examined myself. My uniform was immaculate. Downstairs, Mom handed me a nutritious breakfast - Solar Flapjacks. "Eat quickly, Aster. You don't want to be late," she reminded me.
"Mom, don't worry. I'll be fine," I reassured her. Mom's eyes sparkled with concern. "I know you'll be okay, but promise me you'll come home safely."
"I promise, Mom. I can handle this," I said confidently. Mom hugged me. "I love you, Aster."
"Love you too, Mom," I replied. As I walked out the door, Mom called out, "Have a great day!" I smiled, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Another boring day at school," I whispered to myself as I walked through the school gates. My thoughts drifted to the previous day's events. Had my transformation truly begun?
After school, I walked home on autopilot, lost in thought. "Another lonely day at school," I muttered. "Some are afraid of me now. Was it because of yesterday's incident?" My expression hardened. "At least I won't be bullied by those cowards again."
Upon reaching home, I pushed open the door and announced, "I'm home, Mom and Dad!" Mom rushed from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.
"Aster's home!" Dad emerged from the living room, smiling. "Hey, kiddo! How was your day?"
"It was fine, Dad. No incidents." Dad's eyes sparkled with pride. "That's my son!"
Mom intervened, concern lacing her voice. "Aster, I was worried sick about you. You're walking home alone now."
"I told you, Mom, there's nothing to worry about. I'm home safe." Dad chimed in, "Hey, buddy! Want to continue our training today?"
My face lit up. "Yeah, Dad! I want to become an expert fighter like you!" Mom's expression turned cold.
"Not today, Aster. Let's eat dinner first." During dinner, Mom reminded me, "From now on, you'll be walking home by yourself, so be careful."
I nodded, determined. "Alright, Mom. I'll be careful." Dad added, "And don't forget to keep your wits about you. You never know what might happen."
I smiled, feeling a sense of reassurance. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll be fine."