Sonder. A difficult state of mind to reach. Simple in definition, possible to think about in the moment. Impossible to manifest forever.
Sonder: the sudden realisation that every other person you see has a life as complex and vivid as yours, with their own thoughts, routines, problems, relationships, and stories, most of which you'll never know.
It's often described as that moment you look at a stranger and think: they're the main character of their own world too.
The realisation hit him once again, though in a different setting. An average face with messy brown hair that hung loosely as bangs against his forehead. He sat one row away from the back in the middle. He was not sitting by a window daydreaming, but rather he was simply existing, devoid of any hint of significance. He glanced around himself casually with the word 'sonder' reverberating in his mind. He had learned of the word in his past life as an average student on Earth and had died during that realisation, slammed flat, without mercy, by Truck Kun.
"Rank-677 Aeron Araxys."
Yes, that was his name. He continued sinking himself deep into that realisation as his eyes danced around the classroom on each student.
'Hmm, why are they looking in my direction?' he thought.
"Rank-677 Aeron Araxys." The voice was snappier and sharper this time, and a twinge of irritation was audible. Aeron immediately snapped his head to the front of the classroom and replied "Present, sorry senior." He dipped his head with apparent sincerity and sharp stings of stares began to leave him. There were some snickers around the room, but they settled quickly when the next name was called. As more names were called, the pauses in between them were filled with more whispers and murmurs. Both anticipation and jealousy filled the air.
"Rank 10- Valir Skode"
"Rank 9- Kai Wren Windsor"
"Rank 7- Catheryn Krown"
"Rank 4- Quin Blake"
"Rank 3- Angelina Mephloena Jackson"
One of the students whispered, "Wait, why do we have five of the top ten in here?"
"Bruh, you know that rank one is in a different league, right? I heard he is the only one in the top 10 in his temporary class. I mean, even though the top three are basically leagues ahead, the rank one is apparently built different."
Another chimed in, "I mean, these classes don't even matter. The appraisal is tomorrow and he will end up in spades for sure. Just watch out for those hidden talents."
There was a mixed reaction amongst the top ten. Some eyebrows scrunched, and faces twitched, but both Quin and Angelina remained motionless, as if the remarks didn't affect them. The senior spoke again, "Classes actually begin tomorrow but I will be giving you all a quick rules intro and a general debrief. Just listen, and then we can all be free to go. I will not bother to answer any questions because I can't be asked. Now, any questions?"
The classroom/lecture hall was silent and noone raised their hands. "Perfect. Quick learners." A smile that didn't reach her eyes graced her face. A few of the boys straightened their backs and fixed their uniforms before she started talking again. The senior looked at the screen on the front desk before reading.
"Welcome to Eclipse Academy. Here you will learn and strive...." She paused and her brows furrowed. "Oh, here we go, rules: Ranks are statuses which, of course, come with certain privileges. Those privileges are only important for the top 200 then 100 then twenty, the top ten and finally the top three." She paused and Angelina received a few stares, but still, she remained unphased eyes focused on the senior.
"There are two types of classes: mandatory and optional. Both types are self-explanatory. Only the top one hundred are free to leave the campus if they desire but still need to attend class. Our form of currency are credits and those are earned via dungeon completion and there is automated 'wages' based on ranks. You can earn more credits but you can check those options later after I give you your watches. No usage of mana outside duels. If done so, you will be handed to the student council to deal with. They can just take your credits too. Your ranks can be shifted every term via tests or if multiple instructors agree to do so. But this is rare so don't bet on it. Any questions, just ask your watches." Her hands glowed blue, then the watches flew out to everyone, each covered in a thin layer of mana. "Each one is registered privately to you so don't worry about privacy."
The senior crossed her arms and she began tapping her elbow as if in deep contemplation for a moment. Her eyes opened suddenly before a wave of pressure slammed down on everyone. Faces met tables, and shoulders were slumped down, bending as if bowing to a monarch. No one was spared, not even the poised top tens. No one could see, but the senior bit her lips at this moment and let out a sigh of resignation. A few groans of pain and discomfort echoed across the classroom. Her lips parted slowly.
"You know, this isn't even thirty percent of my full pressure." She paused and some students widened their eyes in realisation. The realisation of weakness. "Once again, outside the academy in Karethia, perhaps your noble status matters, but think further. Think of the world. We own the smallest part of Caelis. Why? Because we are weak both as a race and our trust in each other. There are no right and wrong. Only those with power can speak." She paused, allowing the silence to torment the slumped students.
"Demons from behind. Monsters within and the scorn of other races from all directions. Put away your differences in this academy and get stronger because only then do you have the right to voice your opinions." Her voice towards the end sounded almost pleading and the pressure was finally lifted. She had left without a name yet her impact was undeniable. All that was left was silence and the rising flame that threatened to spill out from every student's heart as the day ended.
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In the council room
"The rank one is truly gifted. He didn't even move at forty-five per cent," the male voice sounded.
"For me the rank two fell at forty. You're probably just too weak. Ha!" a female replied. "How about you, prez?"
"They all fell at thirty," the senior said. The two rolled their eyes and murmured, "Of course" at the same time.
The senior slipped her hand against her collarbone, and the male figure looked away inadvertently, coughing slightly. She then took off the skin mask. Locks of white hair fell down in droves. Her skin was smooth and unblemished, with a single mole situated just to the left of her left eye enhancing her beauty. Her back was straight and an aura of refined elegance radiated off of her. The dim lighting in the room concealed a slight blush on the male figure. Even if the senior noticed, she pretended not to.
Her eyes were closed in deep contemplation. "We should be on alert this year. There is something blocking my vision."
The other two figures tensed slightly, eyebrows furrowing. "Understood."
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Aeron Araxys's Room
He slumped against the bed, breathing heavily. The blanket and pillow were twisted together, casualties of his restless thoughts. 'What am I supposed to do? 'Why was I sent here?' He had been sent to the world of the show he had fully binged before he died. The show was derived from the novel Eternal Hero. The show had reportedly cut out most of the slice-of-life aspects from the novel so Aeron still had knowledge of all the key events.
His main confusion stemmed from two things. The show/story/novel was completed. There was no unfinished business. It was a beautiful fairy tale with a happily ever after. Thus, Aeron was confused about why he was sent here. There was no need for him to "save the world" at all, and he could simply let the storyline run without a hitch.
Secondly, there was no character called Aeron Araxys to his knowledge of the show and he remembered every second of it. That was how much he loved the animated show. It was a simple story with emotional rides and 'power of friendship' moments but ultimately a satisfying watch. It was a show he could escape to and relax from the stress he felt as a normal Joe.
So there he was, lying against the bed, in the midst of an existential crisis. 'Is there even a reason I was sent here? Maybe not everything needs a reason. Maybe I can just live and start a family and be happy...maybe,' he thought depreciatingly.
Aeron had no grand ambitions. No hero complex. No outstanding aspects. Yes, curiosity for this modern, magical world but that could only drive him so far. He knew his talent was better than that of a normal civilian but still below average for his year. If he showed others he was part of Eclipse, he would certainly be praised by the common folk. So if he had no redeeming qualities, why, just why, was he given a second chance he knew many others would appreciate and take?
Perhaps there was a superior being he could ask, so he closed his eyes. He thought, 'Yes, tell me why I was sent here.' With eager anticipation, he slowly opened one eye and murmured to himself, "Wow, the ceiling looks quite clean."
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Half an hour later, he left his room. Aeron in his past life wasn't much of a social person. An introvert but could still engage in conversations when necessary. It was to his relief; there was no one outside his corridor. He could train or explore but for now, he had to satisfy his grumbling stomach. As he traversed across the academy grounds, he peered nosily into the training room. 'Ah, there she is.'
Rank 530 - Emi Lee Wang
A faint sheen of sweat clung to her dewy skin. Her black hair seemed to absorb the light in the surrounding area and hung in a tight ponytail for maximum efficiency. Her eyes were focused and breathing steady. Her face was perfectly proportioned, with rosy lips that only accentuated her features. Every swing with her katana was swift, too fast for my eyes. It was weird for a male to stare too intensely, but for her it was a common occurrence, so she paid it no heed. It was the public gym anyway, so there would be no consequences except the label of 'creep' or 'pervert'. Not that he cared.
Aeron had no lustful thoughts despite her beauty, only a clear appreciation with boundaries and the love of her story as she grew stronger and more mature. Emi would come upon an opportunity soon and increase her rank dramatically so Aeron could only appreciate the ice-shelled beauty before she left the dorm and became the Void Samurai. The corner of his lips rose slightly with an almost fatherly warmth despite his age. A few students noticed murmurs of 'creep' and 'weirdo', so he swiftly left the scene, avoiding the attention he was about to gather.
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The cafeteria. This was where many events would happen. So, he chose not to stay and left with takeaway. Aeron didn't want to be there today, even though he was unlikely to change the future. He pulled out an iPod and plugged it in with wired headphones and played 'Jillie Beans' by Jichael Mackson before heading back safely to his dorm. It seemed Aeron had similar hobbies to his past self
As he sat there, eating, he pondered once more. 'Perhaps I can just watch the story in real life.' It was a different experience seeing this world than on a screen. The characters he cherished were real people and he would be able to see a beautiful ending. Anything after could wait until then but for now. He would be there, watching, appreciating, admiring, as their number one fan.
Rays of the setting sun beamed orange rays into his room. They glazed his brown hair, lightening it up a shade as he worked his way through his mana-infused food, sighing in quiet contentment.
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Cafeteria
"Did you not understand the seniors today? Status doesn't matter here, Luke." Blue hair was parted as curtains matching his azure eyes. He was extremely handsome. Any woman would swoon over his symmetrical features and the sharp jawline giving him a princely look. He was currently facing Luke – a son of a wealthy politician. Luke was buff, extremely so. He was a tank/brawler, and he was also quite handsome, but the sneer on his face eroded any thoughts of romance with the brute.
The cafeteria was silent, with the occasional whispers as they watched this show unfold in anticipation. "Look here, twat, I don't know who you are or why you're getting involved. You got some hero complex or something? The seniors also said only those with power can speak. What's your rank, twat?"
"I am rank fifty and my name is Xavier. He has already apologised. There's no need for him to kne—"
"Twat, I am rank thirteen. I feel generous today. Bark for me, twat, and I will let you off."
Xavier gritted his teeth. Stares of sympathy and pity surrounded him. He couldn't do anything but bite his lips as he stared at Luke's eyes and the grin that grew larger with each second. The tension thickened in the air and Xavier clenched his fists that were clammy with sweat. 'Rank fifty and thirteen – the difference can't be that big. Just breathe, examine, and act, master had said. '
Then a quiet voice resounded in everyone's head across the cafeteria. "Does that apply to me too?" Everyone's eyes swivelled to the owner of the voice. The only person sitting and still eating. He stabbed through the last piece of steak. Everyone held their breath as the steak disappeared between his blood-red lips.
One chew.
Two.
Three.
The cafeteria watched in silence, hearts beating in rhythm with each bite.
His alabaster-white throat moved slightly as he swallowed
Slowly he put down the knife and fork with noble elegance and dabbed his lips with a handkerchief. His crimson eyes reached the two of them. Luke and Xavier unknowingly tensed. Their bodies responded before their minds could. His eyes carried an ancient presence. Heavy and burdened with the monotony of time. They seemed bored, as if staring at a pair of ants.
When had he entered the dining area? A bead of sweat dropped from Xavier's chin onto the floor. The only sound heard across the cafeteria. No one had noticed him, and only now were we given the chance to do so. If not, he would have passed by unnoticed.
This was the rank one.
Kyle Vireth Svant.
"Bark." And bark Luke did. No hesitation. Sweat slicked his skin, droplets scattering with every twitch. Luke's eyes were closed in quiet humiliation, but he knew there was no retaliation against the monster, and any thoughts about doing so disappeared as fast as they came. Only the sounds of his bark echoed in the large canteen.
The crimson eyes met Xavier's cerulean ones. Kyle was expressionless. He trembled, bowed and thanked Kyle. "Thank you Kyle for assisting." Silence replied. But Xavier remained bowed.
"I don't like repeating myself." Xavier stood there trembling. Now in silent rage. His eyes seemed to shine a darker blue, but he couldn't. Not here. Not now. He was helpless and he was right. No, they were right. Both Luke and Kyle. No one was here to protect him. Only power spoke.
Accompanying Luke's barks, Xavier too barked, but he remained head-down, watching each droplet of sweat fall to the floor. Others thought he was trembling in fear, yet only he knew otherwise. He would remember this. Xavier stood for justice, but he also paid back debts.
Tenfold.
They kept barking even when Kyle had left, both trapped in their own thoughts, but both knew. They had to get stronger.