Chapter 4: The Page of Fire
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WOOOSH!
A sudden flash of light exploded from the system screen, filling Kent's room with a blinding glow. He flinched, covering his face with his arms as the light pulsated like a living entity.
"What the—?!" Kent shouted, stumbling backward onto his creaky bed.
Before he could process what was happening, the glowing light condensed into a page, shimmering like a molten piece of paper. It floated gently in the air, its edges pulsing with a mix of white and golden like flames.
Whoosh. Crackle.
The strange page hovered in front of Kent's wide eyes, completely still as if it was waiting for something.
Kent squinted. "System… what is this? Explain!"
He waited.
Nothing happened.
"Hey! Don't just throw weird glowing stuff at me and stay quiet!" he yelled, waving his hand in frustration.
Still, there was no response.
"Ugh, fine. Be mysterious then," Kent grumbled, glaring at the system.
Suddenly, the page ignited.
FOOOOM!
Flames erupted from its center, swirling in the air like a fiery serpent. The glowing energy spiraled toward Kent, its heat intense but not burning.
"W-Wait! Wait! I didn't agree to this—"
Before Kent could escape, the spiritual flames rushed into his chest with a loud 'WHAM!'
"AAAAAH!"
Kent clutched his heart as a burning sensation erupted deep inside him. The fire wasn't painful, but it felt like something powerful was being etched into his very soul.
The air crackled with energy. A strange light pierced through the ceiling, descending from the sky above Kent's house. It looked as if the heavens themselves had split open, pouring light into his tiny room.
Sizzle. Whoosh.
The glow faded, and Kent slumped onto the floor, panting heavily. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he clutched his chest.
"What… the hell… was that?" he muttered, feeling an unfamiliar warmth lodged deep inside him, like a flame resting in his heart.
His hand pressed against his chest as if trying to feel it. Nothing seemed different—no glowing aura, no fire powers bursting from his fingertips.
"Did something just form inside me?" he whispered.
Kent scrambled to his feet and glanced around the room. Then, an idea struck him.
"Maybe I need to do a pose or chant a spell to make it work?"
He spread his legs apart dramatically, raised his arms to the ceiling, and shouted,
"Flame Fist! .... Fireball Attack!"....
Nothing happened.
"…Too much anime," he muttered.
Kent tried again, this time jumping into a martial arts stance he had once seen in a movie.
"FIRE BURST KICK!"
.....🍃 Silence.
The only sound was the faint creaking of the floor beneath him.
After a few more ridiculous attempts, Kent dropped to his knees, defeated. "What a scam! This system gave me heartburn, not superpowers!"
Kent dragged himself out of his room, his head hanging low. Nima was sitting on the couch, munching on a leftover carrot. She turned to him with a frown.
"Hey, Kent! What's with all that noise in your room? Are you practicing kung-fu or losing your mind?"
Kent ignored her comment and asked, "Did you… see anything strange in the sky just now?"
Nima's eyebrows shot up. "What? Are you sick or something? Let me check."
She marched toward him, standing on her tiptoes as she placed her small hand on his forehead.
"You don't feel hot. Did you hit your head?" Nima teased. "If something came out of the sky, our house would've been destroyed, idiot."
Kent sighed. "Stop joking. I'm fine."
Nima smirked. "No, you're not. Let's go! I'll take you to the doctor to check your brain!"
"Quit messing with me," Kent said, rolling his eyes. Then, in a sudden attempt to distract her, he added, "You know what? Today is New Year. I'll treat you to a sugar apple."
Nima's face lit up instantly. She jumped to her feet, her voice filled with joy.
"WHAT?! Kent, you're finally becoming a good big brother! Let's go!"
"First, brush your teeth," Kent deadpanned.
Ding!
+10 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Joy).
Kent's mouth twitched into a smirk. Easy points.
The streets were bustling with people. It seemed like the entire town had come alive to celebrate the New Year.
Music played from street performers, bright decorations hung across buildings, and laughter echoed from every corner.
"Look, Kent!" Nima squealed, pointing to a group of performers.
They were juggling flaming torches, the fire illuminating their faces as they twisted and flipped in the air. The crowd around them cheered, clapping enthusiastically.
Kent paused, his heart suddenly skipping a beat.
"What's this… feeling?" he muttered to himself.
A strange warmth flared in his chest—the same spot where the fiery energy had entered earlier. Kent stared at the fire performer, his instincts buzzing.
Is he… awakened?
Kent's eyes narrowed. He couldn't explain it, but he felt connected to the flames. It was like the fire called out to him, whispering promises of power.
"Am I feeling this because of that page?" he wondered aloud. "It's like I can… control it if I try. But something's missing…"
"Kent!"
Nima's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She was already halfway across the street, waving frantically.
"I found the sugar apple seller! Hurry up, or someone else will buy them all!"
Kent sighed and jogged over. The sugar apple stand was surrounded by children and their parents, but Nima skillfully pushed her way through the crowd.
"Two sugar apples, please!" she said cheerfully, glancing back at Kent.
Kent handed over the money and smiled as Nima grabbed the apples. She bit into hers immediately, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"Ahhh, this is heaven!" she said dramatically.
Kent chuckled, taking a bite of his own apple. "Glad you're happy. You're so easy to bribe."
Nima puffed her cheeks. "Only because it's a sugar apple! Don't get cocky."
Ding!
+20 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Joy).
"Nice," Kent whispered under his breath, grinning as he checked his system.
On the other side of the festival, a man stood nervously near the fire performers, glancing around. He wore simple clothes, but his hands still crackled faintly with flames.
Suddenly, three figures dressed in black coats approached him. Their faces were stern, their steps purposeful.
"Sir," one of them said coldly. "You are under arrest for using your powers in public without permission."
The man blinked. "Arrest? What are you talking about? I was just performing! I didn't hurt anyone!"
One of the black-coated men stepped forward, flashing a badge. "We are government officials. We belong to a special organization that deals with awakened individuals like you."
The man's expression darkened. "I don't know about any stupid rules!"
"You should have registered," the official replied. "Now, come quietly." you will be free after you register as an awaken.
But the man didn't listen. He clenched his fists, flames bursting from his palms.
WHOOSH!
"I'm not going anywhere!" he shouted, launching a fireball at the officials before dashing away into the crowd.
"Stop him!" one of the officials shouted.
The chase was on.
'Back Home'
Kent and Nima finally returned home after some wandering around the festival, the sugar apples eaten and their bellies full. Kent fumbled for the key, unlocking the door as Nima skipped ahead.
Just as Kent was about to step inside, a shadow appeared behind him.
"Excuse me," a deep voice said.
Kent turned to see a tall man wearing a long black coat and sunglasses. His expression was unreadable, and his presence felt unsettling.
"Have you seen someone running this way?" the man asked.
Kent blinked. "Uh… no. I just got back. Why?"
The man adjusted his coat, his sharp gaze lingering on Kent for a moment longer than necessary.
"Never mind," the man muttered before walking off into the night.
Kent watched him disappear into the shadows, unease prickling at the back of his neck.
"Who was that guy?" Kent muttered.
Nima poked her head out of the house. "Kent! What are you doing? Come inside already!"
Ding!
+15 Spiritual Energy copied from Nima (Frustration).
Kent sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming…"
As he stepped into the house, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated.
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