Liam stretched as the soft hum of the ferry's engines stirred him from his nap. Blinking against the sunlight filtering through the window, he peered out from the cabin, taking in the flurry of activity on the deck as students rushed to board the ferry, each wearing a tailored uniform that set them apart by dorm.
The Founding Fathers Academy, a prestigious institution where appearances are as important as abilities, and the uniforms are sharp and commanding; each student wore a long, dark blue coat reaching mid-thigh over dark pants and a white shirt, paired with polished dress shoes.
There were detail difference from the four dorms in their uniforms, though subtle, were enough to convey their status. Liam's own coat had black accents on the vest, collar, cuffs, and lapels, marking him as part of the General Dorm.
Students with white accents on their coats were from the Elite Dorm, standing with an aura of confidence. Those with green accents represented the Corp Dorm, often seen in smaller groups of their races, their camaraderie evident.
Finally, a handful of students wore uniforms with red accents, marking them as members of the prestigious Council's Dorm. As he observed, he could tell by their brisk strides and authoritative presence that they had significant backing, since they were all sponsored by the Council of Archmages for special circumstances.
Liam stared at the screen, his heart pounding as he read the text message over and over, each word feeling like a twist of the knife. The Noahs. The family who had discarded him, left him alone and defenseless in the woods as a baby, now wanted to reconnect.
And on top of that, they had the audacity to pretend it was a normal, loving invitation. They were trying to reach him as though they hadn't abandoned him, hadn't left him to be raised by strangers. Worse, Adrian, the very twin who had stolen everything, was part of the message.
CeceliaNoahNB: Liam, we would be thrilled if you could join us for the ferry departure to Founding Fathers Academy. We're eager to spend time with our son (and brother) before the school year starts.
CeceliaNoahNB: If you can't make it, please reply with a text message.
CeceliaNoahNB: If you can, send us your location and we'll pick you up at 7:30 AM.
CeceliaNoahNB: With love, Mom, Dad, and Adrian.
He gripped his phone tightly, the edges digging into his palm as he grappled with a flood of conflicting emotions. His past experiences echoed in his mind, tempting him with two distinct paths that felt even more real now: either mend the broken connection with his family and play the long game to their downfall, or kill them all, seeking revenge for the years they'd taken from him. But the memories of his childhood and of him struggling to survive in prison, surged forward, feeding the anger burning in his chest.
They might have thought they could reach him, but Liam wasn't a child they could pull back into their orbit whenever it suited them. Taking a deep breath, he quickly typed out a response:
LiamNoahPO: I don't know how you got this number, woman, but don't reach out to me again. The "son" you're looking for is right there next to you.
Liam hit send, feeling a rush of satisfaction as the message was delivered. Let them feel the coldness he had felt all these years. He then blinked in surprise at the sudden notification in his field of vision. The faint glow of the system's text was somehow both surreal and a stark reminder of his strange, new reality. He scanned the details quickly, his pulse quickening as he read the objectives.
Ding!
[Main Quest: The Chosen One's Party]
[Objective: Meet the Chosen One]
[Bonus Objectives 1: Befriend the Chosen One]
[Bonus Objectives 2: Join the Chosen One's Party]
[Bonus Objectives 3: ??????]
...
Ding!
[Main Quest: Intervene in the Chosen One and Party]
[Objective: Become enemies with the Chosen One]
[Bonus Objectives 1: Bully the Chosen One]
[Bonus Objectives 2: Slaughter the Chosen One's party]
[Bonus Objectives 3: Slay the Chosen One]
The notifications faded, leaving Liam with a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Two quests—both revolving around the same person, the "Chosen One." It was almost as if the system were challenging him to choose his path before he even understood what it would mean.
He could try to befriend the Chosen One, a path that might open doors for alliances, power, and possibly friendship. Or he could take the dark path, one marked by deceit, hostility, and violence. The implications of either path were starkly different, but they each seemed to come with their own rewards.
Liam took a deep breath, his attention shifting back to the other students on the ferry, any of whom could be the Chosen One. He knew he had to decide on his path eventually, but for now, he chose to be cautious and cast the Clairvoyance spell.
This spell conjured a trail of blue energy that led to the caster's current objective. The spell had to be renewed periodically to keep the illuminated path active in the quest to find the Chosen One.
Liam's heart skipped a beat as the Clairvoyance spell cast a faint trail of blue energy, weaving through the crowded ferry deck. His eyes followed the shimmering path, which snaked between students and drifted toward a figure at the far end.
Standing at the center, exuding a magnetic aura, was a 14-year-old girl with white hair and red eyes, Dorothy Vanderbilt. The sight of her sent an electric chill down his spine. She stood confidently over a few boys sprawled on the ground, her expression a mix of triumph, cold amusement, and disdain.
But then, his gaze dropped to one of the boys on the ground—a familiar face that twisted his emotions into a painful knot. Adrian. His twin. The one who had stolen everything, right down to the role Liam should have held. It was as though fate was taunting him, placing Adrian in his path once again.
A surge of anger flared within him, sharp and unyielding. Adrian, the so-called "Chosen One" of his past life, who had taken Liam's rightful place as the real 'Chosen One,' was now at the red-eyed girl's mercy. It was a scene that could fulfill either quest option he'd just received.
He was at a crossroads: to ingratiate himself with the Chosen One by letting Adrian be humiliated, possibly even crushed under the fury of the girl with white hair and red eyes. On the other hand, he could intervene, risking his relationship with the Chosen One, and seek to reconcile with his twin brother Adrian. That latter option was as probable for Liam as the day when hell freezes over.
Liam's fists were clenched as he wrestled with the turmoil within. The system's quest had presented him with a choice, yet the prospect of confronting Adrian again added layers of complexity. Maintaining a facade of calmness over his inner chaos, he resolved to assist the girl with white hair and red eyes, the newly anointed Chosen One. He moved forward, his voice a deliberate study in control.
"Hey, girly."
He called, his tone casual but edged with firmness.
"Mind easing up? I think they've had enough."
Dorothy glanced up, her eyes meeting his. She raised a brow, her gaze flicking over him with curiosity and a hint of challenge.