AWAKENING ARC
Episode 2: ALLY FROM THE PAST
ᜆᜒ ᜁᜈᜃᜓᜈ᜔ᜆᜓᜇ᜔
Aro stepped out of his house, the warmth of his mother's embrace still lingering in his mind. It felt strange—comforting yet unfamiliar. Before today, he had never once hugged his parents. Shyness had always held him back.
But now? Now, things were different.
> !!!NOTIFICATION!!!
EXTRA BONUS Acquired!
ECHO OF AFFECTION – Deepens emotional understanding, making social interactions smoother.
APPEARANCE ENHANCE BY 20%
(What was that...?) Aro wondered, his mind reeling.
"Ma, Pa, I'm going," Aro said, his voice steady.
His mother smiled, waving as he left.
The neighborhood was the same as always.
narrow streets lined with houses, the occasional chatter of neighbors, the scent of breakfast still lingering in the air. Yet, something felt… off.
Then, a sudden surge of information flooded his mind.
> SKILL ACTIVATED: ETERNAL RESIDUE
DRAFT KNOWLEDGE LOADED
A fragmented memory surfaced—an intersection, a sharp tug, and then… pain. A fist colliding with his face, knocking him down.
Aro's steps slowed.
He was nearing that same intersection now.
> SKILL ACTIVATED: CHRONO NEXUS
TEMPORAL AWARENESS ENABLED
His senses sharpened. Every detail—the rustling of leaves, the distant honk of a tricycle, the subtle shift in the air—became magnified.
Then, it happened.
A hand reached for him.
This time, he was ready.
Aro sidestepped, grabbing the attacker's wrist in a fluid motion but the moment he made contact, he felt resistance. The grip wasn't effortless it took real effort to hold steady.
Before he could fully adjust.
A punch came flying toward his face, He raised his other hand, catching it mid-air, but the impact sent a dull shock through his arm. He's strong… but I'm stronger.
Not by much, though.
> ETERNAL RESIDUE: Strength Amplification (X2)
WARNING: High impact may alter present timeline. Adjusting…
Strength reduced to 10%. Attack converted to a tap.
Aro lightly tapped the stranger's face.
The attacker froze, blinking in shock.
Aro took a good look at him—tall, well-built, a year older, wearing the same school uniform. Recognition hit him like a jolt of electricity.
Bryan?
A familiar name. A familiar face.
His former bully. His first real friend. His strongest ally.
Bryan scowled. "What the hell?! How did you dodge that? And how the hell did you catch my punch like that? No one's ever done that before!"
Aro didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stared at Bryan, memories flashing through his mind.
> Eternal Residue: Draft Memory Loaded
He remembered it clearly now—the first time they met. Back then, Bryan had struck him without warning, leaving him dazed and bleeding. When Aro had woken up, Bryan had stood over him, arms crossed.
"You're not much of a fighter, huh? From now on, I'll protect you. And you? You'll follow me."
That was how it all started.
Back in the present, Bryan stretched out a hand. "I'm Bryan. First-year, Section C."
Aro hesitated.
This handshake wasn't just a greeting—it was a choice. In his past life, this moment had defined their relationship. Back then, he had been the follower. But this time?
This time, things were different.
Taking a deep breath, he clasped Bryan's hand—this time, as an equal.
---
As their hands connected, a new notification flickered in Aro's mind.
> SKILL ACTIVATED: TEMPORAL AWARENESS
Detecting Negative Intent…
Bryan's grip tightened.
Aro smirked.
> CHRONO NEXUS: Strength Matching (+60%)
Bryan's eyes widened slightly.
(No way… He's matching my grip? I can feel the resistance, but he's not straining at all. I'm bigger, stronger—how is this even possible?)
Unwilling to back down, Bryan pulled away, stepping back. His expression shifted a test.
Without hesitation, he clenched his fist and swung.
Aro reacted instantly.
> Eternal Residue: Countermeasures Ready.
He blocked not with the casual ease of someone playing with an opponent, but with precision honed through experience. The force behind Bryan's punch didn't simply vanish; it was absorbed, redirected, neutralized.
Aro felt the weight behind the strike, the intent, the desperation masked as dominance.
Bryan's knuckles met resistance solid, immovable. The impact stung, a sharp reminder that his strength alone wasn't enough.
For the first time in a long while, doubt crept in.
(What… is this guy?)
Bryan barely had time to react before Aro's next move kicked in.
> CHRONO NEXUS: Unlocking Perfect Counter… SUCCESS!
With one smooth motion, Aro grabbed Bryan's wrist and pulled him off balance. Then, with precise control, he applied subtle pressure, forcing a reaction.
Bryan winced. "Agh—!"
He tried to pull away, but Aro moved faster—tapping a key pressure point near Bryan's shoulder, momentarily disrupting his stance. A well-placed counterstrike sent Bryan staggering back, clutching his arm.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then Bryan laughed.
"Ahaha… Damn!" He straightened up, shaking his arm. "I surrender. Fine, I accept our alliance!"
Aro raised an eyebrow.
Bryan smirked. "You're stronger than I thought. With you on my side, we can take over the school!"
Aro sighed, shaking his head. "I'm not here to take over anything. I'm here to reset my life."
Bryan narrowed his eyes. "Reset… your life?"
Aro chuckled. "Never mind. Forget I said anything." He extended a hand. "Let's be friends."
Bryan studied him for a moment before grinning. "Friends, huh? Alright then let's see what you're made of!"
And just like that, the alliance was reborn.
This time, Aro wasn't the same person as before.
> !! !NOTIFICATION!!!
EXTRA BONUS ACQUIRED!
BREAKTHROUGH BUFF – Enhances persuasion, leadership, and the ability to form strong bonds.
APPEARANCE ENHANCED BY 8%
Aro blinked as the notification faded. He clenched his fist, feeling the subtle shift within him.
---
end of episode 2