Korea
In a bustling city where skyscrapers coiled with skyscrapers that wrapped around narrow alleys like a snake tightening on its prey, there stood Histori.
The high school student with red eyes and black hair that hung low enough to brush against his eyebrows appeared like a calm shadow amidst an unending storm of chaos. From a wealthy but obscure family, Histori wasn't particularly remarkable in the eyes of others, aside from his striking appearance and flawless grades.
But deep inside, he felt that the life around him was nothing more than a repetitive, meaningless game—a cycle of monotony that bred only boredom.
Leaning his shoulder against the rough wall of an overcrowded public school, he held an open book in his left hand, though he hardly read it. His crimson eyes drifted slowly across the words, as if performing some ancient, lifeless ritual. He whispered to himself:
"School?
It's nothing but a place to test how much you can memorize. A factory that churns out a generation of cowards afraid to think, worshipping mindless repetition."
His words reflected his soul—a soul that craved a challenge far greater than a physics exam or a math equation.
Resting his elbow on the windowsill, he placed his hand against his cheek, gazing outside in his usual posture.
"The true rulers of this world don't want to create a generation of intelligent people.
Study something you hate, then work in a job you despise.
How do these fools live happily?
Perhaps the truth is...
Ignorance is light, and knowledge is darkness."
When the bell rang for recess, Histori found himself, as always, in the cafeteria, sitting alone.
He chose a table relatively far from the chaos of students who gathered in every corner. The place was filled with noise—a cacophony of voices mixed with the sounds of chewing, creating a discordant, irritating symphony.
Histori raised his gaze slightly, observing the noisy scene. He wondered to himself with a hint of sarcasm:
"Are they eating or talking? Or is there some new phenomenon I haven't discovered yet that combines the two?"
Deciding to shut himself off in his usual solitude, he put on his headphones and turned the music volume up to its maximum. Yet, even that wasn't enough. The noise still seeped in, as though it were skilled at infiltrating his mind no matter how much he tried to escape it.
He unlocked his phone and started scrolling through a novel app, his sole refuge from the world. As he searched through the digital bookshelf for his favorite novel, he sighed deeply upon realizing there were no new chapters. That sigh seemed to carry the weight of all the frustrations of the universe. He muttered to himself in a cold tone:
"When will China finally have mercy and release more chapters of that novel?"
He was referring to The Mad Narrative, a story banned for crossing red lines in its portrayal of freedom—a concept that felt almost mythical to Histori. He continued with a tone of quiet disappointment:
"Fang Yuan... the only one who understands the world as I try to, but at least he knows his purpose."
Histori stood up quietly, moving through the cafeteria like a shadow. Despite his silent steps, he didn't pass unnoticed. Whispers from the students behind him reached his ears, even through his headphones, as if they wanted him to hear.
"He's so strange..."
"No one can figure him out."
"Does he think he's better than us?"
But he didn't react. His cold expression remained fixed, like an unshaken statue. He knew they were talking about him, but their words no longer stung as they used to.
As he passed by a table where three girls were seated, Histori caught a comment from one of them.
"He's so handsome… but so cold," one of them said with a bored tone, staring at him before taking a small sip from her juice box.
Another girl, her cheeks slightly flushed, interrupted, "What? I saw him talking to someone and smiling. He's not a loner, Sarah."
"Really? I can barely see him talking to anyone. Stop defending him," Sarah replied dismissively.
A few steps away, a group of boys sat slouched at another table, visibly annoyed by Histori's presence in their line of sight. One of them, sitting in the middle, sneered,
"Damn it… because of his face, I have zero luck with the girls."
His friends burst into laughter, and one of them quickly changed the topic, as if they had already forgotten about Histori entirely.
But Histori walked out of the cafeteria without glancing at any of them. His steps were steady, and his silence was heavy, as though he had walled himself off from a world he never understood… or perhaps had never tried to understand in the first place.
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When the recess bell rang, Histori, as usual, found himself in the cafeteria, sitting alone. He chose a table slightly away from the loud clusters of students gathered in every corner. The place buzzed with noise—conversations blending with the sound of chewing, forming an absurdly irritating symphony.
Histori raised his eyes slightly, observing the chaotic scene, and thought to himself with a hint of sarcasm:
"Are they eating or talking? Or is there some new activity I've yet to discover that combines the two?"
What would you even call an act that mixes eating and talking?
Deciding to shut himself off and retreat into his usual isolation, he put his earphones in and turned up the music to its highest volume. Yet, it wasn't enough. The sounds still seeped into his ears, as if the noise itself had mastered the art of invading his mind despite his efforts to escape.
He pulled out his phone and began scrolling through a novel app, one of the few sources of enjoyment he had. Browsing his digital shelf, he searched for his favorite novel. When he clicked on it to check for new chapters, he found nothing. A deep sigh escaped him, carrying the weight of all the world's disappointments.
He muttered to himself in a cold tone, "When will China take pity on us and continue releasing that novel?"
He was referring to The Crazy Narrative, a novel that had been banned for crossing the red lines on discussions about freedom.
Freedom—an idea that felt more like a myth to Histori.
Continuing in a voice laced with quiet frustration, he added,
"Fang Yuan… the only one who understands the world the way I try to. At least he knows his goal."
Histori rose quietly from his seat, moving between the tables like a shadow, silent and unnoticed. Yet, he didn't pass without leaving a trace. The whispers of the students behind him were audible even through his earphones, as if they deliberately spoke loud enough for him to hear.
"He's so weird…"
"No one understands him."
"Does he think he's better than us?"
But he showed no reaction. His cold expression remained as still as a statue. He knew they were talking about him, but their words no longer hurt him the way they used to.
As he passed by a table where three girls sat, another comment reached his ears.
"He's so handsome… but so cold," one of them said, her tone bored, as she stared at him and sipped her juice.
Another, her cheeks slightly flushed, interrupted, "What? I saw him talking to someone and smiling. He's not a loner, Sarah."
"Really? I can barely see him talking to anyone. Stop defending him," Sarah replied with a dismissive wave.
A few steps further, he overheard a group of boys lounging nearby. They looked bored, their irritation clear as their gazes followed Histori.
"Damn it… because of his face, I can't get any attention from the girls," one of them grumbled from the center.
His friends erupted into laughter, and one quickly changed the topic as if they had already forgotten about Histori entirely.
Histori didn't break his stride. He continued walking, his presence heavy and detached, like a ghost moving through a world that wasn't his to belong to.
Days passed, and time itself became a winning card in Histori's hands, which he skillfully used to put pressure on his kind-hearted mother. Each passing day deepened the inner void he felt. Then came the day no one expected, where things escalated suddenly. An unprecedented argument erupted between Histori and his father, for an unclear reason, turning the mansion into a chaotic scene. The servants whispered among themselves, speculations and interpretations swirling around the walls like smoke filling the air, while these empty thoughts only fueled the fire.
The mother sat at one of the tables, pressing the bridge of her nose as if trying to stop a chronic headache. Her face was pale with worry when Arthur, her son with blue eyes and brown hair, entered with a slight smile on his face. He approached her, sat beside her gently, and said:
"Mother, calm yourself. Histori is a reasonable person; he's only causing this ruckus to make you fulfill his request."
The mother sighed in exhaustion, and despite her sorrowful expression, it was clear she was grateful for her son's unexpected support. She said, in a voice filled with concern:
"I know that… He thinks I'm foolish."
Arthur smiled faintly, then patted her shoulder softly and said:
"He's just relying on your kindness. True, he's pretending, but in reality, he's genuinely harming himself. Remember, Mother, he barely eats anything. His body has become thinner, and the dark circles under his eyes are as black as coal from lack of sleep."
The mother's heart softened upon hearing Arthur's words, as if the last sentence was a key that unlocked her emotions. On the verge of tears, she placed her hand on her forehead and whispered softly in his ear:
"What should I do with your mischievous brother?"
Arthur replied calmly, looking at his mother with eyes full of sympathy:
"Just give him a reason to refuse his request, Mother."
The mother lifted her head, and there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes, as if she had finally found it. She took a moment to think, then said hesitantly:
"For example, I could tell him that we're rich… and that he doesn't need to go to a boarding school because his future is already secure… What do you think?"
Arthur smiled again and replied with confident assurance:
"No, he's too smart for that. He'll just say he wants to rely on himself… Give him an excuse he can't argue with."
"What is it?" the mother asked eagerly, as though hoping this would be the solution.
Arthur replied with a deep look in his eyes, saying:
"His grades… They're slipping. Just ask him to achieve a specific score, like 97%."
The mother nodded, but she paused for a moment and then said cautiously:
"But… what if he achieves it?"
The words that left her lips carried the weight of worry and fears pressing on her heart.
Arthur smiled and waved his hand dismissively, rejecting his mother's assumption, saying:
"He can't. The highest grade he got this year was 85%, at best. Besides, he's currently at his lowest point. Not to mention, there's only one month left until the exams. He won't have enough time to work that hard. So, just raise your expectations. He's desperate right now—just make him think you're giving him a chance."
The mother stared at Arthur for a moment, then playfully tugged at his ear, pouting her lips and saying:
"Hey? Since when did you become so cunning?"
"Mom! That hurts! Your nails are longer than your fingers! Do you want to tear my ear off?" Arthur replied, trying to pull his ear away from her hand.
His mother entered Histori's room without permission while he was playing on his PlayStation, as usual. He replied coldly without taking his eyes off the screen,
"How did you get in? The door was closed."
"Your mother has her methods... How long are you going to stay like this, my son?" His mother said, standing in front of him.
Histori remained silent for a few moments before continuing, sighing with irritation after his mother unplugged the power cable to turn off the screen and stop him in the middle of the game.
"I want to go to a boarding school."
"I told you no! Is that such a hard word for your brain to understand?" His mother replied firmly.
This time, Histori showed some sadness and turned his gaze away from her, staring at the floor. He said quietly,
"At least don't refuse my request like this."
His mother's expression softened, and she became more gentle. She patted his head and smiled,
"Alright, alright, if you get 97%, I'll consider you mature enough and let you go."
Histori looked at her coldly and said,
"What do you think about lowering it to...?"
His mother quickly interrupted him, cutting off his words,
"No, I won't accept any grade lower. That's my only condition."
"Okay, Mom." Histori said quietly, his mind racing. Only one month was left, and he had to make a decision quickly.
"Why did you argue with your father, Histori?" His mother asked as she sat on the edge of his bed. Histori glanced at her and answered without any sympathy or reaction,
"I tried to convince him to talk to you about the school matter, and we argued because he refused. I also felt like no one wants to listen to me just because I don't have any abilities."
His mother hugged him and rested his head on her shoulder,
"Don't say that, you'll gain an ability. Even if you don't, we'll find a solution easily, and you'll understand what I mean. But for now, make up with your father."
Histori shook his head and said,
"That solution doesn't suit me, Mom, and I hope I never reach it. But for now, I'll focus on my goal, which is winning this bet. As for my father, he's calm and not as difficult as you."
His mother smiled warmly, patting his head with a stern tone, joking,
"Shut up, you troublemaker! He's calm and boring, just like you."
She left his room, and Histori lay on his bed, whispering to himself:
"All my grades this year range between 70 and 60. The best grade I got was 85 in my favorite subject, mathematics. It's dragging me down to fail with 97%. Do you think I understand this scientific nonsense?"
Histori left his room and found his sister, Yi Lian, waiting for him. She jumped at him, hugged him tightly, and said joyfully as if she were about to fly,
"I awakened my ability!" She said, holding Histori's hand and spinning with her in excitement.
"Congratulations." Histori said with a faint smile despite the inner turmoil he was feeling.
Yi Lian, surprised, watched her brother's reaction before pouting in frustration,
"Is that all? Aren't you happy for me?"
Histori replied, his face expressionless,
"I'm happy, of course. So, is it a good ability? What is it?"
Yi Lian smiled widely and then looked at him angrily, as if trying to convince him with her enthusiasm. He forced a smile and said,
"So, Princess, what is your ability? Have you become an angel with wings?"
Yi Lian laughed and said,
"No, that's the worst joke I've ever heard! My ability is telekinesis, look!"
Yi Lian pointed her index finger at the door and slammed it shut with force. Histori watched the scene with an indifferent expression and said,
"It's similar to Karma's ability, he has gravity control."
"Yes, but he's much stronger than me. I can barely move within his range." Yi Lian said disappointedly, holding her brother's hand and starting to run with him through the mansion.
Histori felt lighter, so he deduced that Yi Lian was using her ability to move him. She glanced back at him with a warm smile and said,
"When you get your ability, let me be the first to know. Agreed, my brother?"
"Yes, of course."
After the family sat at the table, they began to enjoy the warmth of their brother's return, who hadn't shared a meal with them in months. Histori apologized to his father in front of everyone, but his father showed no reaction, merely nodding, as if it were an ordinary matter.
Here's the translation of your text:
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Another month passed.
The final exam was a surprise for everyone. History scored above average, but the highest grade he received was 90 in mathematics, while his grades in other subjects, especially those that required memorization, were extremely poor.
His mother scolded him a little, but she was happy that he had started moving away from achieving success in the bet.
She was certain that it was impossible for him to leave her.
His siblings also encouraged him. Arthur said: "Histori, you usually get much better grades than this, but it seems that the months you were sick affected you."
Meanwhile, Yi Lian was hitting her brother's shoulder, grumbling: "Shut up! You got 50%! Your grades are the worst in the History of our family!"
Arthur responded angrily: "What do my grades have to do with you? Mind your own business!"
Everyone started laughing at their funny interaction, while Karma, the calmest among them, put his hand on History's shoulder and asked: "Did you ask her to lower the bet, and she refused?"
"Exactly." Histori answered without reacting, which made Karma suspicious. He said, "You seem calm... Or maybe you've lost the will to win?"
Histori responded coldly, in a low tone, "My victory is in the past."
"What do you mean?" Karma asked, puzzled, but Histori didn't answer and continued walking.
The next morning, everyone at home was reacting to the exam results differently. Sarah, his other sister, was watching Histori from a distance and cautiously asked: "Do you want help? I can guarantee you success in some subjects."
Histori shook his head and muttered: "No need." Then he walked back to his room. He didn't feel like accepting anyone's help; he had already decided to succeed on his own.
One day later, the big surprise came when the results of the special exam were revealed. Histori had scored 100%, which was incredibly strange. No one had expected it, especially his mother, who had been carefully watching the grades.
Histori went to his mother and showed her his result with a slight smile: "Hmm, now I think I've won, right, oh source of kindness?"
His siblings were overjoyed, hugging him tightly, while his mother wiped her glasses, trying to check the result. Her face changed visibly, while her husband, Yagami, sat calmly in his chair, which annoyed her. She said, holding his arm: "Y... Yagami, what should I do?"
Yagami sighed and said seriously: "Caroline... stick to your words so you don't lose your children's trust."
Sadness clouded his mother's face as she faced the bitter truth: Histori would leave her embrace for a full three years. Her heart was filled with both worry and love, but she knew this was the path her son had chosen.
After that day, the mother finally gave in to her son's demands, but insisted that she would choose the school. At first, Histori didn't care about this matter; he was only focused on his goal: independence, and being away from his mother's embrace for three years, just as he had planned from the beginning.
The three months of summer vacation passed quickly, and Histori was in his room reading a novel he had removed the plastic cover from and thrown into the trash behind him. The room was perfectly quiet except for the sound of him flipping the pages.
His mother entered suddenly, causing Histori to look up and say: "Mom?"
"Do you have a minute, son?" His mother said calmly, sitting on the edge of the bed, while he sat beside her. Silence hung between them for a brief moment before his mother broke it and said: "Won't you change your mind? Three years is a long time. Don't you pity your mother's heart, my little one?"
Histori replied indifferently, but with a faint smile: "You make me feel like I'm going to hell! It's just a school, not even far. It's in a nearby state. Seems like you did it on purpose."
His mother smiled, but sadness never left her face. These moments were her last chance to hold her son before he left. The hug was all she could do to express her feelings. Histori remembered once when he read in a sad novel that a hug is a language invented by the mute because he wanted to express his feelings all at once, without words.
He found himself returning the hug, saying: "I'll miss you a lot."
"Me too." His mother said in a soft voice, burying her head in his chest, trying to make him feel her love and worry in this farewell moment.
The next morning, the air was saturated with a light humidity that fills the atmosphere at the beginning of autumn. The clouds still covered the sky, as if nature itself were watching the events unfolding at home. History silently put on his school uniform, surrounded by the warm darkness of the room, filled with scattered study papers and books that seemed invisible in the corners of the room. His movements were repetitive, as if they were solely meant to fulfill a task, and his mind was occupied with the details of the plan he had devised.
He bid his family farewell in a low voice without looking much, leaving the room behind, leaving an empty air filled with a hint of mysterious sadness. As he approached the door, a surprise awaited him: his father, Yagami, was sitting in the car, waiting for him to enter.
Hestori got into the front seat next to his father, without exchanging a glance or a word. Yagami turned the key in the car, and when the engine roared and the car started down the road, a heavy silence fell between them. Their faces were devoid of any clear expression, as if both were trapped in their own thoughts, unwilling to break free from them.
Yagami continued to focus on the road ahead, then finally spoke, his voice serious:
"So, aren't you going to explain things to me? I'm not as stupid as your mother."
Hestori sighed, raising an eyebrow indifferently before replying in a low voice full of boredom:
"Why didn't you and Mom notice then? Did you want to help me leave, or did you want to kick me out?"
Yagami replied, calmly steering the wheel:
"No, I did what you did when I was your age. It's true what they say—blood tells."
Hestori gave a faint smile and said:
"Are you happy that I'm powerless like you? Seems like all my siblings woke up to their powers, didn't they?"
"Yeah, you're the only one who inherited only my mind. As for powers, all your siblings followed your mother's path, but..." Yagami added in a drier tone, "You never seem to care."
Hestori answered, staring coldly at the road ahead:
"I'm not interested, I don't want to be special."
"What's so special?" Yagami said, steering the car onto the highway. "50% of the planet's population has abilities, making the situation balanced, don't you think?"
Hestori responded harshly:
"What a lame joke from a man as smart as you."
Minutes passed in silence as the car sped down the road, Yagami's eyes focused on the path ahead. Then, he said, smiling a sarcastic smile:
"Good trick. Your mom wouldn't have figured it out, but I think she'll know by the days to come, and she'll skin you alive when you get home."
Hestori began recalling the details of the plan in his mind and whispered inwardly:
In my personal opinion, the plan wasn't all that impressive, but it worked because I linked each step to the final blow, like dominoes. I feigned illness, and that I wasn't eating well. I spoke more with my siblings than with Mom, to sow tension in her heart. I deliberately lowered my grades to keep a month until the final exams, making the act more believable. I had a deliberate argument with Dad to increase Mom's stress and play on her emotions. I moved Arthur like a pawn in the game to plant the plan in Mom's mind until she proposed the bet, thinking I wouldn't be able to win due to my grades. I then got above-average marks on the special exam so she'd be reassured, and keep betting. The final blow was getting 100% to confront her with reality.
And now, I feel like a real scoundrel. If Mom finds out, I'm sure she'll kick my butt with that high heel until she hears my screams in her ear.
Finally, Yagami's car stopped in front of the school gate. He got out without saying another word. The morning was cold, and the air carried the scent of damp earth and light fog enveloping the place. As he approached the entrance, he heard his voice:
"Take care of yourself from the cold, my son."
He paused for a moment, turned his head, and looked at his father with a faint smile on his cold face. He said in a calm tone, as if he wanted to reassure him:
"Don't worry about me. Also, tell Mom everything you know, and tell her I had no choice but this."
Hestori walked towards the school gate, noticing how large it was. He read the sign aloud:
"Special Care Boarding School. It seems my mom really was serious about choosing this school."
"So this is my new school."
"And so, here I am."
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Hello, I am the author. If you reached here, thank you for reading, my friend. Please leave a comment.
This is my TikTok account that I opened a few minutes ago." histori047"