'What is fairness?'
Cassian Thorne asks himself that question every day, and he still has no answer. It haunts him in his sleep, while he eats, walks, and even in class. Almost every moment, that question rings in his head like a relentless bell.
Cassian is 18 years old and in his third year at Eldergrove University. He is single and believes it will stay that way forever.
Why? Because he weighs 150kg (about 330 pounds) and considers himself the fattest and ugliest guy at the university.
Every day feels like a struggle. He sees others laughing, making friends, and living carefree lives, while he feels trapped in his body. He can't escape the stares, whispers, and judgment. It's like he is invisible, yet painfully visible at the same time.
He tries to focus on his studies, hoping that academic success will make people see past his appearance. But even that feels like a losing battle. The loneliness is suffocating, and his thoughts weigh heavier than his body.
Sometimes, he wonders if things will ever change. If he'll ever find someone who sees him for who he is, beyond the surface. But his hope is wearing thin.
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"Hey fatso!!! Wake up!"
Cassien jolted, his heart pounding as he looked up to see a group of guys standing in front of him, their faces twisted with mocking grins. He recognized them immediately—some of the popular students who always seemed to have it all together.
"Daydreaming again, huh?" one of them sneered. "Must be nice to have nothing better to do."
Cassien felt his face flush with anger. He wanted to say something, but the words stuck in his throat, he knew what would happen if he stepped out of line as this wasn't the first time they were doing this. Instead, he just stared at the ground, wishing he could disappear.
"The usual,"
one of them muttered, and Cassien's heart sank even further
He quietly stood up and walked out of the class and headed towards the back area of the school. His classmates sat there watching him with ecstasy in their eyes.
The group following a distance behind him. Everywhere he went, people's eye's followed him, including the teachers, yet they did nothing as it served as a form of amusement for them
Cassien soon reached the secluded spot and after what felt like an eternity. The group finally arrived and then hell began for him
They surrounded him, their mocking laughter filling the air. One of them shoved him, causing him to stumble back against the wall. Another grabbed his backpack and dumped its contents onto the ground, scattering his books and papers.
"What's the matter, fatso? Can't keep up?" one of them taunted, kicking his belongings further away.
Another bully stepped forward, grabbing Cassien by the collar and slamming him against the wall. "You think you can just ignore us?" he snarled, his face inches from Cassien's. "You're nothing but a worthless piece of trash."
Cassien's heart raced, and he felt a lump forming in his throat. He wanted to fight back, to scream at them to leave him alone, but he knew it would only make things worse. Instead, he tried to block out their voices, focusing on the ground beneath his feet.
The minutes dragged on, each insult and shove feeling like a dagger to his already fragile self-esteem. One of them pulled out a marker and started drawing crude pictures on his shirt, while another poured water over his head, soaking him completely.
"Look at him, he's crying!" one of them jeered, pointing at the tears that Cassien could no longer hold back. "What a pathetic loser."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the group grew bored and threw him into the smelly dumpster, leaving Cassien alone with his scattered belongings and shattered dignity. He sank to the ground, gathering his things with trembling hands.
As he sat there, the question of fairness echoed in his mind once more. Why did he have to endure this? What had he done to deserve such cruelty? Is this truly fairness....?
As he thought that,
A voice sounded into his head. It sounded mechanical but he calmed down as soon as he heard what the voice said. After hearing that, he didn't bother knowing where it came from but on it's content.
'is the world fair'
'why is it that the world doesn't run around equality'
'why is it that the strong get to decide what the weak get'
'it's all because of power'
'power decides everything in life'
'if you don't have power, then you'll be trampled by those who do'
'so I ask you this, young mortal soul'
'what do u desire?....'
Cassien's mind raced as he absorbed the voice's words. The idea of power being the ultimate decider in life resonated with him deeply. He had always felt powerless, at the mercy of those who seemed to have everything he lacked.
"What do I desire?" he whispered to himself, the question hanging in the air like a challenge.
The voice continued, its tone unwavering. "Do you desire strength to overcome your tormentors? Do you seek knowledge to outsmart those who belittle you? Or perhaps you crave acceptance, to be seen and valued for who you truly are?"
Cassien's heart pounded in his chest. He had never thought about his desires in such clear terms. All he had ever wanted was to escape the pain, to find a place where he belonged. But now, faced with the voice's probing questions, he realized that he wanted more than just an escape.
"I want to be strong," he said, his voice gaining confidence. "I want to have the power to change my life, to stand up for myself and others who suffer like I do."
The voice seemed to smile, if such a thing were possible. "Then embrace your desire, young mortal soul. Seek out the strength you crave, and let it guide you. Remember, power is not just physical; it is the will to change your destiny."
After saying that, all that remained was silence. Nothing happened except that Cassien was still in the dumpster.
Cassien, thinking that everything that just happened was an illusion wanted to cry thinkink that he was going crazy when Suddenly, pain erupted all over his body. He gasped, clutching his sides as the pain intensified, spreading through his limbs and making it hard to breathe.
Trying to understand what was happening. The pain was unlike anything he had ever felt before, sharp and unrelenting. It felt as if his very bones were being twisted and reshaped. He bit down on his lip to keep from screaming, tears streaming down his face.
As the pain reached its peak, Cassien felt a strange sensation, almost like cool water washing over him a sense of relief.
The sharp, unrelenting agony began to fade, replaced by a soothing calm that spread through his body.
He took a deep breath, his mind still reeling from the intensity of the experience. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked around, half-expecting to see some visible change. But everything seemed the same.
Cassien tried climbing out of the dumpster and to his surprise, he came out surprisingly easy.
Cassien gingerly moved his limbs, testing for any lingering pain. To his surprise, he felt stronger, more resilient and lighter. It was as if his fat was no longer holding him.
That wasn't the only difference he noticed. Maybe his eyes were still clearing up before that he didn't notice but Infront of him was a message
{{SYSTEM LOADING.....}}