Riiiinng!
The sound of the school bell rang through the hills, signaling the end of classes.
Adam had already packed his things and was preparing to leave.
His uniform didn't have any holes in it anymore . Since he didn't have the money to get a new one, he'd patched it up himself by cutting a piece off his own blanket.
He had become the laughingstock of the school because of it, but he chose to ignore everyone's comments.
However, just as Adam was making his way toward the school gates, someone called out to him — someone he really didn't want to meet.
"Oi, Adam! Why you in such a hurry?" the voice called out. The person grabbed him by the shoulder. "Let's have a little chat, shall we?"
It was Sam — a tall, slightly muscular, blond, and good-looking teenager in the other class. He was well known throughout the school, probably the most popular kid on campus.
Much of his fame came from the fact that his father was one of the top Reapers in the country.
Because of his father's status, Sam had grown arrogant. He often looked down on his classmates, boasting that he'd become an excellent Reaper just like his dad, while everyone else would be left behind.
Even though he and Adam weren't in the same class, Sam often came looking for him just to rub it in his face that he was useless for not manifesting a curse factor. And today was no different.
"What do you want from me?" Adam asked bluntly.
He didn't even bother to turn around and look Sam in the face. He just stood still with his back facing him.
"Aww, is that some attitude I hear in your voice?"
Sam spoke in a smooth, almost friendly tone, with a smile on his face , but Adam could tell he was irritated. And it wasn't just his expression that gave it away.
On Adam's shoulder, he could feel Sam's hand growing hotter and hotter. He knew Sam wasn't playing around.
Adam grabbed Sam's wrist, pushed it off his shoulder, turned around, and stared him dead in the eye as he spoke boldly,
"Take your hands off me."
Sam was left dumbfounded. This was a completely different Adam — the same boy who never stood up for himself and was the joke of the school.
He couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Aww, would you look at this! Haha! You've finally grown some wings, haven't you, Adam?" Sam laughed.
A few students nearby started to gather around, sensing a commotion between the two.
"Hey, isn't that Adam over there?"
"Yeah, you're right. Wait, don't tell me he got himself in trouble with Sam again. That idiot."
"Pff, let him be. He thinks just because he's got a new hair color he's tough now. Wait till Sam teaches him a lesson."
Everyone was whispering and commenting. Some felt Adam should just walk away before things got ugly, while others wanted to see a fight — especially since it was the last day of school. Either way, all eyes were on them.
"So… you really applied to Reaper High, didn't you?" Sam said, raising his voice loud enough for everyone around to hear.
Adam stood there silently.
How'd he know? Did he… follow me?
"Haha! You thought nobody would find out? I have eyes and ears everywhere, you nerd. My boys told me they saw you heading to the post office earlier today, turning in some forms during break time."
"I don't see how that's any of your business," Adam snapped back.
That comment crossed a line, and Sam's grin immediately faded. He was serious now.
"Heh… seems you've forgotten your place around here, but…" Sam said, marching toward Adam.
Both his hands began glowing faintly red, the air around them shimmering like heat waves as he clenched his fists.
"…Why don't I jog your memory!?"
Sam punched the air as hard as he could, sending a ball of fire the size of a football hurling toward Adam.
Adam didn't expect Sam to attack so suddenly. He hesitated for a moment, but as he saw the ball of fire speeding toward him, he did the only thing he could think of.
"Shit. System, do something!" he cried internally, shielding his face with his arms.
And as if responding to Adam's desperate plea , the system listened.
[Shadow Ball Activated]
A small black sphere of energy began forming in front of Adam. It looked thick and had a strange consistency, almost like dark paint swirling in mid-air.
As soon as it finished forming, it shot outward , colliding directly with the ball of fire.
Adam peeked through his arms to see what was happening, only to find the fireball suspended in mid-air, moving in slow motion toward him.
He simply stepped to the side, letting it pass harmlessly by.
Whoa… so that's how this thing works, Adam thought, a hint of excitement rising inside him.
He was already beginning to regret not listing this ability as his curse factor on the forms.
[5 G. Points have been deducted]
[G. Points: 5 / 10]
Looking ahead, Adam saw Sam standing there with his mouth wide open, completely speechless.
He wasn't the only one. Everyone who had witnessed the scene was stunned by what Adam had just done.
"Y-You… you have a curse factor!?" Sam stuttered in disbelief.
That was the question running through everyone's mind. For years, Adam had been the only student in the school who never manifested a curse factor — yet now, on the very last day of school, he displayed something incredible.
"Whoa, did you know he had a curse factor?"
"Dude, I had no idea!"
"Wait, wasn't he in your class? How come you never knew?"
The crowd murmured among themselves, still trying to process what they had just seen.
"Heh… hahahaha! Don't get cocky, Adam. I'm not finished with you yet!" Sam started laughing maniacally, almost like a mad scientist who'd found a new experiment.
"Finally," he said, grinning. "Now I can deal with you properly."