"Click, clack, click..."
The sharp rhythm of heels echoed through the classroom, then, suddenly:
SMACK!
"OUCH!"
"Adeon, can you give me a comprehensive summary of New Age history?"
A voice rang out, more exasperated than angry, as Mrs. Ola stared down at the source of her frustration.
Snickers floated around the room.
"Hihihi, he never learns."
"He always dozes off in Mrs. Ola's class."
Whispers spread like wildfire among the students, all eyes now fixed on Adeon.
Groggily standing up, Adeon blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked up at his teacher. Then, in a slightly hoarse voice, he began to recount:
"In the Old Year 2235, an enormous rift appeared in the sky, sparking global panic. The government attempted to explore it, but all efforts were in vain. Eventually, it was dismissed and treated as nothing more than an exotic phenomenon. Three years later, scientists discovered a new gaseous element in the atmosphere. They named it Auron, after Auron Vladimir, the lead researcher on the project. A few months after that, disaster struck beasts hidden deep within the forests, having mutated and evolved beyond human comprehension, began to surface. They had gained sentience rivaling that of humans and led the first major beast tide. That period became known as The Dark Ages. Conventional firearms were useless against them. In desperation, the government resorted to nuclear weapons.
The Dark Ages lasted two years, followed by what we now call the Terraforma Age. Plants grew at absurd rates, many gaining sentience. After wh—"
Riiiiiing!
The bell rang, cutting him off.
"Okay class, our next lesson will cover History Beyond the Rift and Grimoires," Mrs. Ola announced, collecting her notes. Then she turned to Adeon with a pointed look.
"And you—just because you know it doesn't mean you can sleep in my class. Next time you're caught dozing off, it's detention."
With that final warning, the class began to disperse.
" Why do you always sleep in class, especially hers?" a soft, slightly dramatic voice piped up beside Adeon as they made their way to the door. The speaker, a boy in an oversized knitted sweater that nearly reached his knees, gave Adeon a sideways glance. The wide sleeves swayed as he talked, barely revealing his hands. "Just because you don't have a grimoire yet doesn't mean you should lose hope. You could always go for cultural studies, you know."
Adeon sighed. "Sylv, I haven't given up. And I'm not going for cultural studies. My aim is to be a forge assistant."
Sylv gasped softly, eyes widening as he clutched his sleeves like it was the most shocking thing he'd heard all day. "But… never mind. You're as stubborn as a bull. Even if I threw a dramatic monologue your way, you still wouldn't budge."
Their walk continued in silence. Sylv's soft boots barely made a sound on the pavement as the hem of his sweater fluttered behind him. A gentle breeze caught his long bangs, which he quickly tucked behind his ear with an elegant motion.
After a few quiet minutes, Sylv glanced over and said, "Well, if you insist on going the forge path, I'll try to talk to my dad. Maybe he knows someone who can help."
"Thanks, but I'd rather not impose," Adeon replied. "I can figure it out on my own."
Sylv halted mid-step, spinning on his heel and placing both hands on his hips—well, more like his sweater's hips.
"Why must you be so stubborn?" he huffed. "Would it kill you to accept help for once?" He turned back around with a sharp flick of his sleeve, clearly annoyed.
Adeon gave a wry smile but said nothing as he watched his friend stomp forward, puffed up like a sulking cat.
'I wonder why he always wears those bogus sweaters,' Adeon thought, eyeing the huge bow-tied hoodie Sylv wore today. It looked like it could fit three people, but somehow, it matched his oddly graceful, almost feminine vibe.
Just then, a sleek black car pulled over in front of them.
"Young Master Sylv, the master has requested that you be home before six for the gathering," the driver called out as the back seat door swung open automatically.
"Hmph!" Sylv puffed out his cheeks in annoyance, shooting Adeon an aggrieved look like a child being dragged away from playtime. His oversized sleeves flopped as he stomped toward the car, his movements dramatic as ever.
Adeon gave a small wave, the corner of his mouth quirking up.
'Why the girlish behavior?' he wondered, not for the first time. But he said nothing. He was used to Sylv's quirks by now—the pouting, the soft voice, the obsession with comfy sweaters two sizes too big.
He watched with an amused smile as the car pulled away and disappeared down the road.
A few minutes later, Adeon reached his home.
It wasn't luxurious, but it wasn't rundown either. A simple, government-issued residence, painted a dull beige with a tiny lawn out front and creaky steps that groaned under his weight. It was the kind of house you grew into, not the kind you dreamed of. Still, it was enough.
Enough for him and his twin sister.
It had been eleven years since their parents... proud members of the Imperial Corps, vanished during a rift raid gone wrong.
Thankfully, the empire's orphan remuneration program for fallen civil servants had kept them afloat. They'd been granted this house when they turned thirteen, and the stipend was just enough to get by. Not thrive, but survive.
His sister had awakened her grimoire not long after.
Three whole years later, he was still unawakened.
Still ordinary.
Still waiting.
I'm home," he whispered to no one, the door clicking softly shut behind him.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The familiar chime of his skydrive echoed from the cluttered counter. He picked it up, an old model, screen chipped at the edges. It barely did anything besides messaging. He'd seen his classmates use newer ones, with full holographic displays and stream access to the Aurnet.
His didn't even have color.
A soft click, and his sister's voice crackled through the speaker, bright and teasing.
"Lil bro~" she sang. From the tone, it was clearly a prerecorded message.
"Happy birthday in advance! Sorry I'm sending this so early, I won't be opportuned tomorrow. Anyway, I sent you ten cores as a birthday gift. And before you say anything, don't worry about your sister. You know I'm very stingy, so that was only a tiny bit of what I have."
He could almost see her face, grinning, tongue sticking out like she always did when she teased him.
"I hope you read the Word today," she continued, her tone softening. "And I know it's hard for you right now... but remember, He is able to do abundantly, exceedingly more than we could ever ask or think. Don't lose hope. Not for me, not for Ma and Pa… and not for yourself.
I love you."
The recording clicked off.
Silence filled the small home, but inside Adeon, something stirred.
In a world where power was everything, where your future was chained to your awakening, her voice was a warm light in the dusk of despair.
Her words were the only hope still burning in the dust of his heart.
And right now, that was enough.