Roy slowly made his way through the empty halls. It looked like everyone else was already in their classes.
When he finally reached his classroom, the teacher wasn't there.
And then it hit him.
A sudden rush of emotions crashed over him like a tidal wave. His stomach twisted, nausea crawling up his throat, and his head throbbed as if it would split open. Anger, malice, joy, fear, affection-all tangled together, fighting for dominance.
"…This is hell…" he whispered under his breath.
He lowered his head and hurried toward his seat, shoulders tense. With every step closer to the other students, the pressure intensified, emotions pressing against him like invisible hands. Spirits drifted nearer, curious, circling him in silence.
Roy avoided looking at them.
Finally, he sank into his chair, fingers gripping the edge of the desk. Even from the back of the classroom, far from everyone else, the sensations didn't fade.
After a while, the teacher returned. He paused when he noticed Roy, studying him briefly before beginning the lesson. Several times during class, his eyes flicked back toward Roy, checking if he was still conscious.
When the bell rang, Roy stood up immediately and slipped out of the room.
But the hallway was worse.
The emotions surged again, heavier, denser, amplified by the crowd. Roy stiffened, breath hitching.
"E-Excuse me…" he muttered, barely audible, squeezing past others.
He found a narrow corner in a small open area and slid down against the wall, knees drawn close. His face was pale. He closed his eyes and focused on breathing-slow, shallow breaths-until the pressure dulled.
"Well… if it isn't Mr. Popular."
Roy flinched.
He looked up and saw Ethen standing there, bathed in a warm golden glow. Small, creature-like spirits hovered lazily around him.
"I heard you awakened," Ethen continued. "How're you holding up?"
Roy hesitated, eyes dropping to the ground.
"I…" He swallowed. "Is it always… like this?"
Ethen blinked, then laughed softly. "Yeah. At first."
Roy's shoulders slumped. "It's… exhausting."
"I know," Ethen said more gently. "But with training, you learn to filter it. Control it."
They stood quietly for a moment before Roy spoke again, voice barely above a whisper.
"So… where's the next class?"
"Follow me."
They walked through the halls until they reached an empty room.
"This place is-"
Ethen stepped forward and vanished.
Roy froze.
"…Huh?"
After a few seconds of hesitation, Roy swallowed his nerves and stepped inside.
The world shifted.
He stood in a vast grass field. The air felt heavy.
Gene was there.
A faint red glow radiated from his body, carrying a sharp, uncomfortable tension.
"So," Gene said calmly, "mind telling me why you're late?"
Roy stiffened. "I… I'm having some trouble… adjusting."
Gene studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Alright. We'll do special training today."
After handling other matters, Gene returned.
"Let's start simple."
He raised his hand. "You see the light around me?"
Roy nodded quietly.
"Those are emotions. You already feel them-now you'll use them."
Gene snapped his fingers. A flame bloomed in his palm before he tossed it away.
"That's your goal today."
Roy's eyes widened slightly, nervous but intrigued.
"F-Focus on the red light," Gene continued. "Draw it into your body."
Roy hesitated. "J-Just… like that?"
"Yes. Slowly."
He concentrated. It took several attempts before he felt something slip into him. Pain shot through his head.
"Agh!!"
"That's normal," Gene said. "Now convert it."
Roy shut his eyes, teeth clenched. Bit by bit, the sensation stabilized.
"Huff…"
"Good. Now imagine ignition."
A small flame flickered in Roy's palm. He stared at it, stunned.
"It… worked…"
"Good job."
Gene placed a hand on his shoulder. "Now keep practicing."
Roy nodded-already drained.
"That's enough for today," Gene added. "Go rest. You look like you're about to collapse"