The soft rumble of the train beneath me was the only thing that kept me grounded. Outside the window, the world was a blur of shadows and silver moonlight, streaking past like some half-forgotten dream. There was a comfort in the rhythm of the train, a steady reminder of why I was here and where I was headed: Protea High School, a place where Espers and Magicians supposedly coexisted, a place where I'd finally repay my debt.
I leaned back, closing my eyes for a moment, but it didn't help. Every time I did, I could still hear him—Evan. The last time we'd spoken was still so clear in my memory: his laugh, his casual grin, as if he had a whole lifetime ahead of him. None of us knew what would happen that day. How could we?
But somehow, I was the one left here. His life—no, his heart—was the reason I was even sitting on this train. My hand instinctively rested against my chest, where I could feel the faint, familiar thud of his heartbeat. The reminder of him was always there, even though I'd tried to push it down, to keep moving forward.
It was strange, the way the memories had dulled since the accident. I used to remember everything so clearly—the way he'd jokingly punch my arm when I got too serious, or the way he'd talk about his little sister, Violet. Violet Edina. The girl I was bound to protect.
I'd only seen her from a distance, always keeping my promise at arm's length, especially because she was enrolled at Lelore High. Lelore wasn't a place I could enter, not just because it was an all-girls school but because stepping too close would make me face feelings I wasn't ready for. So I kept my promise from a distance, waiting for a chance to do more.
And then, out of nowhere, it had come. I'd received the letter about the transfer to Protea, and I knew it had to be some kind of miracle, a chance handed down by whatever force was out there. A new place, a new purpose, and a way to keep Evan's promise alive. I'd take it, even if it meant starting over.
The train slowed as we approached a station. Outside, faint lights broke through the darkness, casting ghostly reflections on the glass. It was then that I caught a glimpse of my own face—a face that seemed more tired, worn down by the weight I carried. I hadn't planned for my life to be about someone else's sister or their safety. But that's what it was, and I was okay with that.
Yet, even in this solitude, something unsettled me. A feeling that I was missing a piece, that there was something Evan had left unsaid. In quiet moments, like now, I'd wonder about it. It was irrational, but sometimes I could almost hear his voice, words waiting just beyond reach. I didn't know if it was the heart in my chest or just the weight of the promise I'd made in him, but it kept me restless, kept me on edge.
The train jerked, snapping me out of my thoughts. An announcement came over the speakers. "Next stop: Protea Station."
I leaned forward, watching as the lights of Protea came into view.
The train slowed to a stop, and I stood, taking a deep breath as I prepared to step onto the platform. This was it. The start of something I hadn't chosen but couldn't walk away from.
And as I took my first step off the train, there was only one thought echoing in my mind:
Evan, I'll keep her safe. I'll pay back the debt, no matter what it takes.
The moment I stepped off the train at Protea Station, the air felt different—charged with something I couldn't quite place. I adjusted the strap of my backpack and surveyed my surroundings, but the glow of the station lights was disorienting against the sprawling darkness of the night.
"Okay, time to get my bearings," I muttered to myself, reaching for my phone. A quick message to Alysha would help ease my mind. I wanted to tell her I'd made it safely, but as I glanced at the screen, dread washed over me. "No battery?" I cursed under my breath. Great. Just what I needed on my first night in a new place—no way to contact my twin sister.
I stepped away from the station, hoping to find a map or some sign of direction. The area surrounding the station was unfamiliar, the streets branching off like dark, twisted vines. The only sound was the soft rustle of leaves, and for a moment, I felt like I was standing on the edge of something vast and unknowable. But as I walked, the feeling of isolation began to settle in my chest.
I roughly knew the address of my destination, but for someone who had never explored this area, relying on guesses was not a wise choice.
"Excuse me?" I called out, spotting the only girl in sight, standing at the corner of the street. She was wrapped in a long coat, and also wearing a Protea uniform, indicating that she was a student of the school, her dark hair framing her face, but she looked as confused as I felt.
"Excuse me, can I take a moment of your time?"
"Yes? Is there something I can help you with?" She smiled, showing friendliness, and I smiled back.
"I want to ask about this address." Reaching into my pants pocket, I handed her a piece of paper.
"Oh, this is the address of the special dormitory? Sure, I can take you there if you like."
"Can you? That would be very helpful. I'm not familiar with this area as it's my first time here." She chuckled lightly after hearing my words.
"That often happens. Most of the residents in the Protea area are students here, so not many outsiders visit frequently."
Before she could guide me, a group of guys strolled past us, laughing loudly, their presence filling the air with heavy tension. I could sense trouble looming before it even materialized.
"Look at this one," one of them sneered, glancing my way. "Fresh meat."
I felt a flicker of irritation. This wasn't how I envisioned my first night in Protea. I shot a glance at the girl beside me; her eyes widened as she took a step back. I could see it in her expression: fear. It pricked at my conscience.
"What do you want? If it's nothing important, we will go," the girl beside me asked irritably, her tone dismissive masking the fear in her chest.
The guys didn't seem to care much about the girl's words. They laughed sarcastically, and one of them even tried to push his shoulder against the girl, trying to intimidate her.
Unable to tolerate their behavior, I decided to intervene. With a firm step, I moved forward.
"Can you settle your business another time?" My words came out with a tinge of irritation.
Seeing my actions, they frowned, displeased with what I did. another delinquent chimed in, stepping closer, his friends closing in around me.
"You've got guts, but that won't do you any good here."
I felt that familiar stir of annoyance bubbling up. I didn't want unnecessary trouble, but these guys were acting like they owned the night. I took a breath, trying to keep my cool. "You really want to do this?"
They laughed, but it was a hollow sound, and I could see the way they shifted their feet, ready for a fight.
I was outnumbered, but that didn't matter. I focused on them, my mind racing with the possibility of their skills—each of them a different type of Esper, showcasing their powers in ways that were crude and unrefined.
The first punch came toward me, but I sidestepped, allowing their momentum to carry them forward. Looking from the side, I lightly swung my foot at his legs. As he was off balance, his legs tripped over each other and he fell in his butt. I felt their confusion and shock—their powers now my own, for just a moment.
"Damn kid. How dare you do that?"
Their boss seemed very angry because his underling was just humiliated. Even in the dim light of the night, his face was visibly red with anger.
After saying a few words, he raised his palm in front of him. A ball of light slowly emanated from it, followed by heat, and then a fireball the size of a baseball appeared. After a few seconds, the fireball continued to grow until it was the size of a basketball.
"Hey!! It's forbidden to use powers without permission outside of school!!"
Unlike me who was calm, the girl beside me shouted, warning the guy not to use his power as he pleased. That's exageration considering it was just a fireball.
"So what? Given its size, it's no more than level 7."
His eyes widened and his jaw dropped, a mix of shock and disbelief etched across his face as he processed my words.
I understood the reasons behind his behavior; I just wanted to play it cool and project a bit of confidence around him.
"Do you think there are many people above level 7!?"
Yup. He looked very upset with what I just said.
"I don't care. It's already night, can you move aside?"
Crack.
Reflexively with what I saw, I dodged it by tilting my body, and the fireball flew past where I had been standing.
"Aghh!!"
A scream was heard from where the fireball landed earlier.
It was the guy I had tripped earlier, watching my back, and the girl beside me, a friendly fire happened.
Once again, they didn't seem to be easily satisfied with events that were completely unexpected for them.
The boss once again formed a fireball in his hand, but this time he wasn't alone. The friend beside him also used the skill he had.
A white-blue spark appeared from one of the guy's hands, accompanied by sparks and flashes, along with the buzzing sound of electricity.
Electrokinesis? Electromaster? So he is someone who controls electricity.
Without a proper warning, they launched their attacks simultaneously. Reflexively with that, I tried to dodge, but unlike what I expected, the attacks were not directed at me alone. The girl beside me was also a target of their attacks.
Unconsciously, those words slipped from my lips in low voice.
Another flash of light moved with me, shifting in front of the girl. Extending my hand forward, a hiss of electricity was heard.
The fireball shot past and nearly hit the guy lying on the ground who had been hit by the fireball earlier.
He hugged his body and held his head. If he got hit again, the impact might not be trivial.
Meanwhile, the previous electricity attack just sizzled and gradually dissipated in my hand without even leaving a scratch in me.
Meanwhile, the previous electricity attack just sizzled and gradually dissipated in my hand without even leaving a scratch in me.
"Are you okay?"
Within minutes, the delinquents lay on the ground, groaning and defeated, while the other guy that lunch the attack before and the girl stood by, wide-eyed and speechless. I brushed off my hands, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins.
"You... You're a high-level Esper!?"
"Hmm? Ah... if you say so, maybe that's true." I just answered ambiguously without giving her a clear answer.
Turning my face away from the girl, my gaze fixed on the two guys who had attacked earlier.
A rather bad situation, judging by their faces. Panic was evident in their expressions, mixed with fear. It seemed they were like prey just realizing what was in front of them.
What was before them was not something to be taken lightly as they had thought. Knowing this, they knew that what they had done was a mistake.
"Can I go now?" Handling someone like them wasn't my business, so I would just let it be.
As the girl beside me said earlier, using powers without permission was forbidden. If I forced myself to beat them up, this case wouldn't end just like that, so maybe another time. I wouldn't mind beating them up if I'm honest.
Their expressions shifted in surprise, eyes widening at my words. They shook their heads, clearly reluctant to escalate the tension. With hesitant movements, they stepped aside, creating a path for us. I took a confident step forward, and the girl beside me matched my stride, her resolve evident as we moved together.
A mixture of relief and astonishment show on her face. "I… I can't believe you did that. You were amazing!"
I shrugged, trying to downplay the moment. "It wasn't a big deal. Just… don't let people like that intimidate you."
With that, I finally turned my attention to the dormitory directions I'd been seeking. "Now, can you tell me how to get to the dorms?"
Her smile was bright, the fear evaporating into a newfound confidence. "Yeah, follow me. It's not far from here."
Not long after the dormitory came into view.
"Thank you."
I smiled at her to ease her mind, and seeing my expression, the girl smiled back. Only then did she turn and leave.
I turned and knocked on the door. It soon opened, revealing a beautiful girl with blue eyes.
"Ah... Big brother's here? Come in."
As I stepped into the house, I couldn't help but voice my frustration. "I should have agreed to your suggestion earlier, Alysha."
"What's wrong?" she asked, her brow furrowing with concern.
"I got lost and ran into some delinquents."
"First, sit down." Alysha took my bag and motioned for me to plop down on the sofa.
"But weren't they just delinquents? You won't lose to anyone in this city if you don't want to." Her smile radiated confidence, easing some of the tension in my chest.
"Of course," I replied, mirroring her grin.
But as I sank into the cushions, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was just the beginning.