Chapter 1 – The beginning (I apologize if there are any mistakes, I don't know English, so I used ChatGPT to translate, but it might have made some errors)
The morning at the school always began with the same noisy ritual. Students scattered in groups through the hallways, discussing the events of the previous day or laughing at something only they found funny. Arthur walked silently through the chaos, the strap of his backpack firmly in his hand, skillfully dodging others as if he were a stranger in a crowded city.
Entering the classroom, he took his usual seat in the corner, near the window. It wasn't the best spot to hear the teacher, but it provided a view of the school garden, where the leaves swayed in a rhythmic dance to the wind. He opened his notebook before the bell even rang, scribbling something to avoid the gaze of his classmates, who passed by without even noticing his presence. When the teacher entered, the room quickly fell silent.
The teacher, a tall man with graying hair, stood before the board, where he drew a diagram with colored chalk. He pointed to the center of the drawing, where several lines converged.
— You already know that we all have a unique power. But why? The answer lies in mana and how our brains deal with it.
He turned to the class, his eyes scanning each face.
— Mana is an invisible energy that permeates the world. Plants, animals, even rocks—everything is touched by it. But what makes us special is how our brains process this energy. Think of mana as a universal melody. Each of you has a mind that interprets this melody in a unique way, creating a power that only you possess.
A student in the back raised his hand.
— So… no one will ever have the same power as mine?
The teacher smiled with satisfaction.
— Exactly. Everyone's brain processes mana differently, almost like a key and a lock. The way mana interacts with your brain and defines your power is unique and only yours.
He turned back to the board and drew a small figure with swift strokes.
— Now, here's the part we all share. Anyone can use mana to fortify their body. It's like breathing. It's instinctive. When we channel mana, we can run faster, jump higher, or withstand injuries that would normally be fatal. It requires practice, but the principle is the same for everyone.
The teacher stepped closer to the class, his voice becoming more serious.
— However, remember one thing: the amount of mana you can use is not infinite. If you overdo it, you could collapse. Train, but respect your limits.
The bell rang a second time that day, signaling the end of the class. Some students wrote down what the teacher had said and began to pack their things, while others reflected on his words. Arthur, however, remained in his seat, attentive to the teacher's words as he walked through the room calmly but with authority. "We all have a unique power." The words echoed in his mind, reinforcing the cruel irony of his situation: he had no power at all.
During the break, Arthur found a bench at the far end of the courtyard. There, under the shade of a tree, he could watch groups of students gather to chat and joke. A few times, he noticed quick glances in his direction, followed by muffled giggles. Maybe they were laughing at something completely different, but the weight of doubt was enough to make him wish the break would end quickly.
In the next class, a group activity was announced. The teacher gave clear instructions and asked the students to form pairs. Arthur waited, but no one called him. He didn't move, pretending to review the assignment while the others laughed and organized themselves around him. When the noise stopped, it was clear that everyone was already settled.
— Arthur, is it okay if you work alone? — asked the teacher, in a tone that tried to sound casual but only drew more attention to the moment.
He nodded, avoiding looking up. His heart pounded in his chest, but he grabbed his pencil and began to answer the exercise. The excited voices around him faded into the background.
At the end of the day, Arthur slowly walked out of the school.
When he left through the school gates, he felt the familiar weight of loneliness, but he didn't let it show. He kept his thoughts to himself as he made his way home.
When he got home, Arthur found Kael, his father, in the kitchen, organizing some things as he waited for him. His father greeted him with a smile.
— How was school?
— Normal — Arthur replied, shrugging his shoulders.
Kael watched his son for a moment, noticing the distant tone in Arthur's voice. He knew his son didn't like to talk much about the challenges at school, but Kael always tried to sense what was going on behind that calm facade. He set the bowl of fruit aside and approached, offering a reassuring smile.
— You're a lot like your grandfather, you know? — Kael said, his eyes sparkling. — Whenever he was worried, he'd try to hide it behind a short answer. But I knew his look. You're the same.
Arthur quickly looked up, surprised by the comment. It wasn't common for Kael to talk about his family. Arthur's grandfather, a serious and reserved man, had not been a significant figure in his life, but Arthur knew he had been important to Kael.
— I... didn't know that. — Arthur furrowed his brow, feeling a mix of curiosity and discomfort.
Kael chuckled softly, a kind of laughter that made the whole house feel more welcoming.
— Your grandfather didn't like showing his emotions either. He was a strong man, but... deep down, he was more sensitive than he seemed. And you, Arthur, have that same strength. But you don't need to hide everything all the time, son. Sometimes, sharing is the strongest way to face what troubles us.
Arthur didn't know what to say right away. He felt like his father was trying to touch on something deeper, but he wasn't ready for it. Instead of continuing the conversation, he stayed silent, staring at the bowl of fruit on the table as if the answer were there, waiting to be discovered.
Kael noticed Arthur's silence, and with a soft sigh, took a step to the side, opening a cabinet and grabbing two cups.
— I know school is tough, Arthur. All this mana stuff, powers... and the expectations about what you can or can't do. I understand it might be overwhelming. It doesn't have to be easy, and no one expects it to be. But you don't have to carry the world on your shoulders alone.
Arthur looked at his father, Kael's words sounding like a burden he didn't know how to release. He wanted to talk about what was bothering him, how everything seemed to be piling up in his chest, but at the same time, he didn't want to worry Kael with his fears. His father always had the right answer, but Arthur felt like maybe it wasn't so simple now.
— I know... — Arthur murmured, but his voice faltered for a moment. He forced a smile, trying to ease the weight he felt. — It's just... I don't know if this is normal, you know? Having all these things inside me and not knowing how to deal with them.
Kael looked at him with unexpected seriousness, as if the weight of the conversation had finally settled between them. He moved closer and placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder, a simple gesture but with a profound meaning.
— What you feel doesn't have to be normal, Arthur. What you feel is what it is. There's no right or wrong in it. Just... don't shut me out. You can count on me, always.
Arthur looked at his father, his chest tightening a little more.
— I know... — Arthur repeated softly, and this time, he didn't force the smile. — It's just that... sometimes, I feel like I'm not strong enough.
Kael leaned forward slightly, as if he were sharing something profound, something he had learned over his life.
— Strength isn't about not feeling fear, Arthur. Strength is about continuing, even when the fear is too much. And you, my son, are the strongest person I know. Maybe you just need a little more time to realize that.
Arthur remained silent, absorbing his father's words. He wanted to believe, but the feeling of being on the brink of losing control, of sinking into something he couldn't understand, made everything harder.
Kael gave one last attentive look at his son, as if he knew that this conversation had been more than just an exchange of words.
— It will be okay, Arthur. You'll see.
Arthur didn't respond immediately. Instead, he just looked at his father, trying to find a way to believe.
Arthur went to his room and immersed himself in his digital world. He was playing a game, absorbed in the screen, when a loud crash from the kitchen jolted him awake.
He rushed out of his room, his heart racing, and headed for the source of the noise. When he arrived, the sight froze him: two intruders were in the kitchen, between the table and his father.
One of them was tall and strong, with a look of disdain. As he used his power, rocks began to appear around his body, covering his arms and torso and gradually transforming him into a powerful figure, like a golem.
Beside him, the other intruder wore a long black cloak with a hood, and he also had a long black dagger hanging from his waist.
Kael stared coldly at the two men, standing between them and his son.
— What the hell do you want? — Kael asked, his voice calm but with a tone that reflected the readiness of someone who knew a fight was about to start.
The cloaked man chuckled lowly, provocatively.
— Oh, oh, Kael... don't pretend you don't know — he said, with a sarcastic tone. — We just came to have a little fun with you, but look at the bright side: at least you'll be more useful to us dead.
The rock-covered man quickly snapped his fingers and the rocks around his arms solidified.
— Stop talking, let's do this quickly and get out of here — He took a few steps forward, his voice laden with disdain.
Kael didn't hesitate. With a swift movement, he raised his hands, and an aura of intense energy began to envelop his body. The battle began with an explosion of movements. Kael shot a beam of energy directly at the cloaked man, who disappeared and reappeared behind him with a sarcastic smile, stabbing Kael with his dagger.
Kael quickly dodged, avoiding a fatal blow, healed part of the wound, and raised an energy barrier to defend against a punch from the golem, who had advanced at the same time. The impact was violent, the barrier cracking with the blow of rocks.
Kael took a step back, assessing the movements of his opponents. He fired a series of energy blasts, which exploded around the intruders, pushing them back. The golem staggered for a moment, but soon recovered and charged with fury, throwing a series of punches that cracked the ground beneath Kael's feet.
The cloaked man took advantage of the distraction, appearing behind Kael and striking him again, this time in the shoulder. Kael reacted with an explosion of energy, pushing the enemy away and gaining some space.
But the intruders were relentless. The golem attacked again, and Kael felt the bones in his arm tremble under the impact, his body beginning to show signs of fatigue. The cloaked man struck again, and with a fast blow from his blade, he cut across Kael's face, leaving a trail of blood. Kael healed quickly with vital energy, but he knew he was wearing down.
Kael made one last charge, launching a concentrated beam that exploded against the golem's face, cracking the rock layer and leaving him vulnerable. But the cloaked man took advantage of the moment and, with relentless agility, kicked Kael into the wall, throwing him violently to the ground. Kael tried to rise, but the cloaked man quickly stabbed Kael's heart with his dagger.
With blurred vision, Kael had time to look at Arthur one last time, whispering something inaudible before his eyes closed forever.
Arthur watched it all, feeling crushed by helplessness. The silent scream inside him turned into an overwhelming wave of heat, a fury so intense it seemed to incinerate his mind. And before he realized it, his consciousness was ripped from his body.
In the following minutes, Arthur had no control. An overwhelming force awakened in his body and took full control, like a separate entity. With eyes glowing an intense green, Arthur launched himself at the golem, moving with incredible speed. He threw a devastating punch that pierced the rock layer, shattering the opponent's armor, who barely had time to react. The golem fell, and Arthur moved over him with a series of strikes, each more brutal than the last, until the rocks around the intruder's body cracked and he collapsed, lifeless.
The cloaked man tried to flee, but Arthur followed, moving with exaggerated speed in front of him and attacking from various directions, launching energy blows that destabilized him. The invader tried to escape, hiding in the shadows, but Arthur seemed to predict every move, attacking with relentless precision. When the enemy had nowhere else to go, Arthur fired an energy blast so intense it destroyed the ground beneath the intruder, but just as Arthur was about to finish the second intruder, his body stopped—just for a brief moment—but that was enough for the intruder to escape.
Arthur had regained control of his body. He regained consciousness and felt lost, seeing the destruction around him and his father's body lying on the ground. Terrified of what he had done and unable to understand, he fled the scene.
Arthur ran aimlessly, his bare feet scraping against the rough asphalt. The cold night air seemed to scratch his lungs with every hurried breath. He didn't know where to go, but he knew what he was running from: the weight of the sirens still echoing in the distance and the images burned into his mind—bodies on the ground, buildings collapsing, fire licking the sky.
He stopped in a narrow alley, chest heaving. He looked at his trembling hands, completely covered in blood. "My father... and what... what have I done?" he murmured to himself, his voice broken.
"What did you do?" The voice came from inside, cold and filled with contempt. "You finally woke up. That's what happened."
Arthur staggered, his eyes wide, searching in vain for someone around. "Who... who's there?"
"Ah, how lovely. You still don't get it, do you? It's me. Your power. Or at least, a part of it."
"Are you... in my head?" The question came hesitantly, as if it were madness to say it aloud.
"One could say yes," the voice answered.
Arthur pressed his hands against his temples, as if he could suffocate the voice. "I... I killed people. I destroyed all of that. You did this."
"Yes, there was destruction and death," the power admitted, emotionless. "But it was necessary. If it weren't for me, you would have died, and I did what was needed to protect you."
Arthur lifted his head, his face marked by despair. "Protect? You destroyed half the city!"
"So what? They would have done the same to you. Don't you see? You're superior to all of them. They don't understand what you are. I, on the other hand, see your true potential."
"Superior? Potential? What kind of monster are you? I'm just a normal person!" Arthur yelled, his voice echoing off the narrow walls.
"Normal?" The voice let out a condescending laugh. "You're not normal. You never were."
Arthur shut his eyes tightly, trying to ignore the voice, but it wouldn't stop. He stayed there for hours, until the cold forced him to move again.
Hunger gnawed at him, but he couldn't summon the courage to approach anyone. Wandering through the streets, Arthur kept to the shadows, away from prying eyes. The images of his father's fallen body and the explosions echoed in his mind like an endless film, merging with the persistent voice of his power. "You'll die like this, you know?" the voice taunted. "Without food, without rest. The body needs fuel to survive." Arthur ignored the provocation, but his legs weakened. He found shelter under an abandoned awning and stayed there, trying to warm himself with his arms around his body. Minutes turned to hours, and the sound of footsteps in the distance made his heart race.
On the second day, exhaustion became unbearable. In a moment of desperation, Arthur entered an abandoned market on the outskirts of the city. He rummaged through destroyed shelves, finding only a few cans of food, and when he was about to leave, he heard voices approaching.
"Is anyone there?"
Arthur's heart raced. He hid behind a counter as two men entered.
"So kid, what are you gonna do now? Run away forever?" asked the voice, with a provocative tone.
Arthur ignored them as he searched for an exit.
He bit his lip, holding his breath as the men approached. When they were just a few meters away, Arthur found a broken window and ran, dropping one of the cans he had picked up.
On the third day, Arthur could barely keep standing. His clothes were dirty, torn, and he was shaking so much he thought he wouldn't be able to take another step. He found shelter under a bridge, curling up in wet cardboard.
The voice didn't leave him. "You won't last much longer like this. Without me, you're just a lost kid. Why not use my powers? I can help you."
"You only bring destruction," Arthur replied, his voice almost a whisper.
"And you think running away will fix anything?"
Arthur closed his eyes. He knew the power was partly right. He was pathetic. But he couldn't let it take control again. He couldn't.
It was in this state that the sentinels found him, three days later. He didn't resist. He had no strength left for it. But, to his surprise, the cuffs didn't come. Instead, they listened to him calmly. "Arthur, we're here to help. We'll take you to your mother."
He heard them, confused. "My mother is dead..."
But the sentinels didn't say anything more. And, for the first time in three days, he was taken away from that hell.