"Running to the library like usual, Rael? Want me to drag you all the way there?!"
On his way out of the classroom, Rael heard the familiar threat.
Worried that those guys wouldn't give him a break, Rael grasped his backpack's straps and picked up his pace, making his bullies laugh out loud.
Other classmates either ignored his predicament or laughed along with the bullies.
This was a daily occurrence for Rael.
Because of his severe social anxiety, he couldn't talk back, and even a normal conversation posed many problems for him.
Cold sweat, rough breathing, and at worst, a heart attack were just a few of the many symptoms that overwhelmed Rael whenever he had to speak or someone approached him.
His old-fashioned parents believed mental issues were just media propaganda, even though they themselves displayed symptoms, yet they insisted Rael could push through it with hard work as they did.
Because of the high cost of health insurance, Rael had no chance to speak with a psychologist or take medication.
He was condemned to a harsh life where no one understood him, and people picked on him because he seemed weak and timid.
In school, the only place he found respite was the library, where silence was a steel rule.
Anyone who raised their voice was scolded by Mr. Jackson, an angry-looking librarian with a demonic face.
Upon entering, Rael gave the librarian a faint smile, as though the man were his guardian angel, then headed to his favorite reading spot in the corner.
No eyes would fall on him there unless someone turned and looked directly his way, which no one had done in his three years of high school.
After opening his backpack, he took out a thick black hardcover bound in leather.
On its cover, in the middle, stood the shadow of a man in long robes with a silver steel hand raised at chest level, and above him were a metallic centipede and a snake stretching across the top of the cover.
The man's shadow was flanked by two steel humanoid women depicted so perfectly that they looked like real humans staring into Rael's soul, and all around them were smaller steel creations: a wolf, a tiger, an eagle, and even a huge mantis with blade-like arms.
The cover alone was so epic and exuded such confidence that Rael could never begin reading without admiring it.
I wish I could be as cool as you. If only you could make me a steel heart. But actually it's the amygdala that handles social anxiety and perceives threats. Turning it into a steel amygdala with Artificial Intelligence to manage them would be amazing.
Ever since Rael began reading this untitled book, he had imagined himself as its protagonist, Milford, or sometimes as Milford's friend, hoping the man would fix his issues and offer him a better perspective on social life.
Aside from those naive dreams, Rael was truly fascinated by Milford's abilities.
In the story, Milford was known as The God of Machima and the creator of new species that could dominate worlds across the vast universe, including Machnoids, Steelborn, and Autonoms, which were only a fraction of his creations.
With his great powers and armies, he colonized countless worlds and eventually rose to true godhood, leaving his creations to live mortal lives and honor him.
That was how the book ended.
Upon reaching its final page, Rael felt an unprecedented emptiness in his heart.
He adored every aspect of it and shed a tear when Milford ascended amid the cheers of his creations, becoming their god and protector, yet he couldn't escape the black hole in his chest.
I've finished so many books, but none have given me such a rollercoaster of emotions. I'll re-read this one for sure!
Rael felt so empty that he didn't notice there was another page.
It could be an afterword!
When he finally noticed it, he eagerly turned the page, only to find an unknown language he couldn't decipher.
It didn't resemble any normal alphabet.
Something compelled him to attempt reading it, so he traced each character until, at the end, he heard a strange voice in his head that made him jump in his seat.
[Scanning the user's compatibility.]
Eh? Who said that? There's no one near me?!
While Rael looked around, scared and confused, the voice finished its scan and continued.
[The user's compatibility with The Machima Bloodline and The World Domination System is perfect.]
[The user's world lacks foundation to establish the user's foundation.]
[Its estimated that Earth and its population will awaken abilities in the year 3016.]
[I have confirmed the user has little to no attachment to his current life and world.]
[Beginning the process of the user's reincarnation by using the leftover of The God Of Machima's ichor stored within the inheritance.]
Without Rael's consent, the mysterious voice snatched the book from him, making it float in a swirl of silver and gold light.
This sudden radiance blinded the other students and terrified them, prompting Mr. Jackson to intervene, but he couldn't get close enough and was blinded himself.
When the light faded, he was about to scold the culprit but froze in shock upon seeing no one at the table, only Rael's backpack with his schoolbooks and uniform left behind.
"What was that? Whose prank was it?!" Mr. Jackson yelled at the remaining students.
1,553 years later, a tiny baby was born, carrying the memory of what had happened so long ago.
[Congratulations on your successful reincarnation, Lord Rael.]
No way…