Chapter 1: The Foggy Beginnings
Ethan Zhang stood at the entrance of the university, his brows slightly furrowed, eyes wandering aimlessly. The bustling campus around him was filled with students, faculty, and the energy of the new semester. The air was thick with the mix of excitement and the inevitable sense of unfamiliarity that came with the start of a new chapter. For most, this was the beginning of an exciting journey. But for Ethan, it felt strangely out of place.
He had always been different from the rest, not because he had any remarkable talent, but because he could blend in effortlessly. Like the air, he was invisible—hardly noticed by anyone. It wasn't that he minded; in fact, he preferred it. But as he stood there, surrounded by the sounds and sights of campus life, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
"Ethan, hurry up, don't just stand there looking lost!" A voice called from behind, breaking his thoughts.
He turned to see his roommate, Jacob Wei, walking toward him with an amused grin. Jacob was the type of guy who attracted attention wherever he went—charming, confident, and always surrounded by a group of friends. Today, he wore a simple white T-shirt paired with blue jeans, his smile practically glowing in the sunlight.
"I know you're probably worried about getting lost, but we've got to go to registration. You can't just keep standing there like a statue," Jacob teased, raising an eyebrow.
Ethan managed a small smile, though his excitement about starting university was nowhere near the level of Jacob's. The thought of four years in this unfamiliar place felt like an overwhelming burden. What was he even looking for here? The answer was far from clear.
Jacob, oblivious to Ethan's internal struggle, led the way through the crowded campus, which was full of life—tables for student clubs, banners for various activities, and groups of people chatting excitedly about the new semester. Jacob was already chatting with a couple of students as they passed by, while Ethan quietly followed behind, observing everything in silence.
The campus felt both familiar and strange at the same time, as if it were a place he should have known, but didn't. Each building, every path, even the ancient trees lining the walkways seemed to whisper of untold stories. But what caught his attention the most was the faint sense that something, somewhere, didn't quite add up. Something was out of place.
As they walked past a basketball court, Ethan's eyes caught sight of a figure shooting hoops. The girl was tall and graceful, her movements fluid and precise. There was something about her that stood out, as if she didn't quite belong here, as if she were from a different world entirely. Her eyes, illuminated by the sunlight, seemed to see through him. It was unsettling in the strangest way.
Ethan found himself frozen for a moment, his heart racing. He wanted to look away but couldn't. The girl suddenly turned, as if sensing his gaze, and their eyes locked for a brief, intense moment.
"Are you just going to stare at me like that?" Her voice was calm but carried a subtle challenge.
Ethan quickly snapped back to reality, lowering his gaze, his heart pounding in his chest. He hadn't expected to be noticed. He quickly followed Jacob, eager to leave the unsettling encounter behind.
"Who's that?" Ethan asked, trying to sound casual.
Jacob glanced over his shoulder, clearly surprised that Ethan had taken notice. "Oh, you noticed her? That's Lily Chan, a senior in our department. She's never really involved in any clubs, but for some reason, she attracts a lot of attention everywhere she goes. I heard her family background is pretty mysterious."
Ethan nodded, though his mind wasn't really focused on what Jacob had said. His gaze inevitably drifted back to the girl, Lily, still on the basketball court, her movements smooth and confident. She seemed… different, almost as though she didn't belong to this world.
"You know, do you think university has any surprises in store?" Ethan asked suddenly, his voice carrying an unexpected weight of uncertainty.
Jacob didn't notice the shift in Ethan's tone and grinned, slapping him on the shoulder. "Of course! This place is full of opportunities and challenges. Are you ready for them?"
Ethan's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't sure what challenges awaited, but a strange feeling washed over him—the feeling that perhaps this university, this new world, held more than he could imagine. And this… this was just the beginning.