I was in front of a wooden desk , sitting on a very uncomfortable chair and waiting for the secretary to finish her work before I could even start to talk about my leave of absence. Was my presence that non-existent in her eyes to completely ignore me? Or was her work that important? I didn’t know and cared much about it either. I wanted a pause from that awful feeling of unwanted pity. Makes me want to break something everytime I think about it.

I closed my eyes and listened to her typing, which was the only audible thing in the room besides the ticking of the clock behind me. I was emptying my mind like the old man said whenever I have a lot to think about. And for once was something he said not harmful to me. Wow. looks like he can give normal advice like that.

“So what brings you here, mr. Arslan?”

‘She knows me? Was I that infamous in this school?’

I knew that I wasn’t very liked by the teachers either but not hated like the students. That was since I was the top of my year and excelling in almost everything which was something they liked. At least I think that is. But for even the secretary to know of me either tells how infamous I was or that the teachers all just love to gossip.

Yeah… I think it’s the latter.

“Mr. Arslan?”

“Oh sorry! I was here to request a one week leave of absence. Here is the letter.”

“Thank you. I will look into this later.”

“Alright thank you!”

“If you could wait for a moment, mr. Arslan.”

I stood up to leave at that moment before getting called out by the secretary again. Is something wrong? I didn’t do anything bad tho- was it about what happened earlier? But no one should understand that I did something unless someone was awakened. And if someone was, they probably would have done something before I could even release my pressure.

“Is something wrong?”

“Well it is actually the principal that wanted to talk with you. He said he wanted to talk about your last three days of absence.”

The principal? He wants to talk? As far as I know, this principal was in this school for about two years only and yet no one has seen him. I heard he was always out working for the ministry of education together and that’s why he did his principal stuff after everyone left the school. Or that is what I heard around when the talk about the principal was still popular.

Hearing that this same principal wanted to talk with me, I started to have a bad feeling. I don’t know where this came from but I am sure this is something close to a sixth sense. But refusing right now is not an option. He was the principal and even if for two months, I still want to live a normal school life for just a couple of days more.

“Should I go now or later?”

“Now. please follow me.”

“Alright.”

I walked towards the door with the secretary, who looked a bit small next to me. She opened the door carefully and walked inside the room for a moment and saying that I came before leaving again.

“You can enter now.”

“I understand. Thank you”

I felt more like I’m in the military as a soldier meeting the general than seeing my principal. And seeing the scene in front of me when entering made me only think one thing.

‘What? Is this supposed to be a spy movie scene?’

I cringed slightly seeing the way the principal showed his back towards me, looking out of the big window in front of him. Sitting on his big chair, he was watching the students outside as they were having P.E. lessons at the moment. I was skipping my literature lessons but that was one of my weak points so I guess I helped myself there. But seeing the amount of books rowed in each bookshelf on each side of the room amazed me even just a bit. It felt like the principal had more books here than in the school library.

The room was fairly large for an office even if it was the principal’s office. With about 5 to 5 metres, the room seemed pretty empty even if there was a couch and a tea table in front of the desk as well as a fancy hat stand right by my side. Now that I think about it, the room looked even bigger than I thought it should be since there wasn’t really an empty place with these antique looking furniture in the room.

I’m quite jealous now that I think about it. The style was different than the old man had in the hut but the two of them had beautiful looking furniture. Maybe when I get my own place, I should also design my own furniture. Or find beautiful ones like those two.

But that wasn’t important. Right now, I have to deal with the talk I’ll have with the principal. I stood a bit in front of the door next to the hat stand that was only a couple of steps away from the couch. I didn’t know if I should say something so I stayed silent. The room was silent with only the sounds coming from outside. But this silence didn’t continue for long as the principal soon started to talk.

"Take a seat , Laith."

A calm voice. A soothing voice. One that made me relax too much for a couple of moments before regaining my composure again. This calm was a bit too dangerous for me, putting me on edge a bit. But I didn’t show any of that on my face. I shouldn’t do that. That would be stupid against the princi-

"Don’t be so on edge. Also you can take that device off your left wrist. It doesn't work on me anyway so no need to try and hide yourself. You can relax yourse-"

CLANG

With a quick move, I broke the end of the hat stand on my right. Pointing the sharp, broken end towards the principal, I took a stand with it like it was a spear. I didn’t know how to hold a spear but the stance I was doing with my slightly lowered centre of gravity felt the most optimal with this fast made ‘spear’.

Clenching the stand in my hand tightly, I never let the principal out of my sight. The old man told me that this device also works on cameras as it doesn’t fool the mind but the light hitting my body. So to understand that this was the work of an artefact meant only one thing.

“So the principal of our school is an Awakened as well. And powerful enough to see through this artefact. Who would have thought?”

I didn’t know how to react. I know I’m weak compared to normal Awakened since I just awakened. And already having one in front of me is making me sweat buckets. I didn’t know if he was an enemy or not so being on guard is the best choice.

“Calm down. I’m not here to do anything. And besides…”

The moment he stopped talking, the stand in my hand vanished into thin air. What the hell? Is this his ability? But now that I am unarmed and knowing that he is so powerful yet didn’t do anything, I slowly moved towards the couch while taking the armband off.

The moment I took that armband off, an unusual pressure descended onto the room like someone added a bit of gravity to it. The principal, unfazed by this, turned around, finally showing his face to me. Not going to lie but he definitely had the looks of a handsome casanova while his body was extremely muscular. It was as if his muscles were barely contained by his suit.

He sat in front of me, leaning forward while intertwining his fingers, resting his chin on his hands. He looked at me with a slight surprised look, making me tense up even more. What are you so surprised about? He looked mostly at my hair and eyes. His gaze made me feel like I was naked in front of him.

“So you can’t control your Will right now… also explains why all those students fell on their knees like that before.

“If this is about what happened before class, I’m truly sorry. I didn’t know this would happen nor was this any of my intentions.”

“I know. That’s why you are still sitting here in one piece if this was really your intention.”

What… Did I just get threatened? Shit… and I can’t even deny his threat since I saw how he disarmed me. Let’s just take it for now. Not like he has a reason to be nice to me.

I was sitting on the couch with my back straight up, not letting any detail out of my sight. I felt like a soldier for no good reason which would have looked almost comical if not for the fact this man disarmed me so fast that I never realised it myself.

“Sir I-...”

“Call me mr. Lenkov-”

“Mr. Lenkov, I heard that you wanted to talk with me about my absence for the past three days.”

“Yes. I can guess what happened so I wanted to see you myself. But who would have thought you could change this much in only three days. The world sure has different kinds of wonders… it sure does…”

I felt a bit weird. For one I knew that it was almost 9 months for me to get this far. Should I correct him or should I ignore this? Let’s ignore it for now. Ignorance is bliss. But the other reason was that he also knew my prior state. Meaning this principal knew actually about his students and not just absent all the time.

“But I also heard the news. I can guess what you plan on doing and I can give you only one piece of advice. Don’t. The way you are now will not change anything and you will only throw yourself to your own death. I’m sorry for you but I do not want to see my students die so young.”

My mind went blank. What did this man in front of me say? Not look for my parents? Wait…

He knows something. Something that I don’t know. If he is so sure this will only be suicide for me, then he at least knows of the dangers. And possibly the culprits too…

My logic was quite simple honestly. I could see that he wasn’t lying either. It was like when I was talking with the old man. Whenever he was serious, the air around him changed as well. The same went for the principal. But what he said. I was slowly getting sick of being told what I shouldn’t do.

I’ll listen to your advice but stop telling me what I shouldn’t do. And if I’m too weak for that…

I’ll get stronger. Stronger so that you won’t have to give such advice anymore.

I looked directly into those hazel eyes of his as the ends of my mouth curled up slightly. I was sure that my eyes were glowing slightly as well. I saw the slight knit of his brows but ignored it. The only thing I could now get from him. The only thing.

“Mr. Lenkov… are you questioning… my determination?”

“And what if I am? What are you going to do? What are you, a newly awakened pup, going to do when I am questioning your determination, little child.”

My teeth clenched slightly when I heard the provocative words of the principal. My smile grew slightly more as my heart was pumping faster. I should be calm and get information, but I know he will not give them to me. Not free.

Or not without any conditions.

The principal had a firm gaze while his dark red hair was starting to flow as he slowly released his pressure bit by bit. It was terrifying that I could understand how little he added to his pressure, yet with every little addition did it only feel like another mountain was standing in front of me.

Oh boy did I wish I had my sword with me. This adrenaline. This feeling of showing my powers. And especially the feeling of showing my determination. But it wasn’t time to fight. And fighting for real will only get me killed. I had to play this smarter.

“Then how about… a little bet?”

“oh? A bet? And you think you are in a position to make a bet?”

“I’m sure you won’t kill me since I’m one of your students. And you would have killed me if I intentionally harmed one of those said students.”

“Sharp as always, aren’t we? Tell me about your bet.”

“Easy! If I can prove to you that my determination is strong enough then you have to tell me something about the accident of my parents. If I can’t , I’ll not only listen to you, I’ll even be in debt to you. I’ll have to give away an artefact. A very strong one. I can’t promise you one right now but I am sure I’ll be able to get one with a little bit of time.”

Now messaging his chin while closing his eyes, the principal paused for a moment. But this never took long as he slowly opened his eyes again. My bet was actually a bad one but I know that I can’t really be useful other than putting up a debt that I will have to pay. And not listening to him would only mean my death.

“Alright. But if I win, I only want two things from you. Listen to my advice and to not show yourself to the public. Ever.”

This is interesting. What would he gain from me being not in public? Are there other dangers besides the ones concerning my parents I should look out for?

With a serious look on his face, I can tell that he isn’t joking. The principal was slowly standing up from his chair and so did I. And with a simple flick of his wrist, every furniture in the room vanished, leaving only us two and the wide window in the back.

“I’ll release my pressure slowly. This way, I can understand how much determination you truly have. Are you ready, Laith?”

“Come on! Let’s begi-UGH!”

What the hell? This amount of pressure was almost a half more than I had. My knees bent lighty as I slowly felt the pressure increasing. It was slow but with each little increase, it would feel like every part of me was about to give in.

But I can handle this!

“More…”

“What?”

“I SAID MORE!!!”

The moment I said that, twice the amount of my own pressure was released. Shit! I can feel my muscles screaming and my organs burning.

But not enough!

The Will around me started to rise as my heart beat faster and faster. I was ready to take another load. Another two.

“MORE!!”

And more pressure descended on my body. It felt like I was carrying a huge boulder. My body was slowly moving downwards, only to be held up by my sheer body strength. But this didn’t make me despair. No…

My smile only grew more disproportionately. I definitely looked like a madman. But I already accepted that of myself. I am a madman. But a determined one. And with this messed up smile on my face, I opened my mouth to say the obvious, making the principal have a complex look on his face.

“MORE!!!!”

‘This boy is mad just like that crazy bastard… what have you done…’

The pressure increased yet again. But this time it felt different. When before it felt like this person grew in strength, this time it felt different. This man didn’t only grow in strength. It felt like he was growing as a being. As if he was on a completely different level than me. And I, who was a lower being, can only listen to what he says. It felt more of a fact than anything else.

But something was calling me. I know what it was. And like it was calling me, I was calling for it as well. With the same smile as before never even flinching.

My knees were almost touching the ground when a sound could be heard outside. A feint golden light could be seen moving towards the room. And I know only one thing that could make my heart beat so fast with such excitement.

“COME!!!”

“What?!”

My sword, the Kilij, was flying through the air and through the window. I knew I wasn’t wrong. My sword was reluctant to leave my side from the beginning. And I felt the same but I can’t bring a sword to school. But when I was in danger, coming straight to me was the only thing it thought of. It felt natural to have it in my hand.

The sword moved through the window and straight towards me. The principal realised that I was the source of this action and tried to stop the sword mid air.

But the Kilij only moved through his hands. The principal couldn’t even touch my sword. As if it was in a completely different dimension. And right before it was in front of me, I grabbed it with my right hand tightly.

The moment my hand grabbed the handle, the Will around my body surged. It was like a glass of water was shattered. One that held an endless amount of water. And with this surge, the pressure felt more bearable.

But this wasn’t enough. I know this isn’t enough to show my determination. I know only one thing that I could give a try with the beauty in my right hand. And as if knowing my intention, it’s glow started to get stronger. The mostly black Will with golden and dark green lines around my body started to be on my sword as well. It was a part of me. So it is only natural for it to share my Will.

‘I can’t be on the receiving end only. I have to do more!’

I had only one thought in my mind. I was neither stupid nor arrogant that I knew it would work. But this only felt right. And so I raised my right hand while being on this constant pressure.

My bones cracked. My muscles spasmed with no end. My organs were probably damaged and blood was flowing out of my orifices but my smile never left my face. It was that of a monster. A monster to give all his determination to show its might. Its powers. Its determination. So here I am with a raised sword in my right hand and only one word in my head.

CUT

JUST CUT

If I can’t withstand this pressure.

Then just cut it away!

“GET CUT AWAY!!!”

My scream was hurting my throat. My lungs were burning and my blood boiling. But I still did the only thing I knew was right. And with that.

My sword fell. Fell on this almost visible pressure in front of me. And with my Will flowing out of my sword , painting my side of the room with the colour of my Will, it fell on this pressure.

A chip. A slight cut inside this strong pressure. I did it. I slightly cut the pressure in front of me. And with each passing moment, my blade sank only deeper. And right before I knew it, with slight dark violet at the edges of my sword,

It drew the most beautiful arc I have ever seen. It felt like I hit a mountain at the beginning but the more I cut through, the more it got softer until one arc that glowed in the colours of my Will.

The principal looked stunned. As if he couldn’t believe what this newly awakened boy in front of him just did. As if he never heard that this was possible. And if it was that the chances of it happening now were nearly zero.

But they never were zero. And that was enough for me. Even if my chances were slimmer than anything possible, I will push through! And this moment was it.

It was my proof. That I have the determination to go past everything that stands in my way.

The pressure was split for only a moment. But I used this moment to immediately rush towards him with everything I still have. Even if everything hurt, my body didn’t even try to stop me. My mind. My soul. My body. All of them screamed one thing.

Go! Just cut him already!

And with that I was almost in front of him, passing through the gap of the pressure. It was like going through a hole of a very thick wall. But right before…

Right before I could even do anything, the last thing I saw was him standing there ready to take my strike before my world turned dark. I guess my body couldn’t handle all my injuries at once. And because of them, I fell unconscious. What a good timing…

inside a room that looked almost destroyed with a cracked floor at one place and a cut wall with a window on the other, were two individuals currently. One was bleeding from every part of his body, laying on the floor while the other stood in front of that kid with a calm expression. But this calm expression could be seen as a facade when seeing his eyes that were screaming utter disbelief.

And seeing the slight cut on his cheeks would one only understand why.

“This boy… he may be even crazier than that old fart. Crazier but also more unbelievable as well…”

With a flick of the principal’s wrist, most furniture appeared back and all the scars of the current fight were now gone.

All besides the cut on his cheeks.

“Samantha. Please come in.”

“Of cour-...”

A brief silence. The secretary, Samantha, didn’t know how to react to the scene she was seeing in front of her. Not only was a student lying on the couch as he was hurt by the principal, who said to protect every student in this school, so much that he would be dead if he was a normal boy but seeing the slight cut on the principal's cheeks said why the boy was so hurt.

“Are you alright, mr. Lenkov?”

“I’m fine. Just take a healing potion and give it to him. Als bring me Armatin paper and a pen filled with octralin ink. I have to write a secret message only this boy should read.”

“... what grade should the potion be.”

“The best.”

“!?”

Samantha was shocked by the words of the principal. Even if Laith looked like he was on death’s door, an advanced potion should be enough. The greatest potions were used to heal a person so much that they could enhance an awakened’s Will permanently. The effects depend on how early on you would take such a potion with the degree of injuries you would have while drinking this. If It wasn’t so expensive that you could buy a small to medium sized country with it, most awakened would have abused this potion centuries ago.

But Samantha wasn’t here to question the decisions of her boss. She knew better then to judge the principal on how he uses his own potions. So when she brought a potion out of nowhere and made Laith drink it by helping him with the other hand, she only had a neutral expression on her face.

“I’ll be taking my leave then.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

CLICK

Samantha left the room and pure silence was spreading throughout the room. The principal stood up and walked towards the boy in front of him, seeing his injuries visibly healing. The principal then proceeded to pick up the boy after it seemed like he was healed up properly.

The principal looked at the kid he held in his arms with various expressions. He felt an excitement rush through his body as he witnessed the birth of a legend right in front of him. And what's even better was that it was one of his students. But he also felt guilty for going so hard on this kid. He'd love to help this kid. But he was a principal first and he thought about the safety of all his students first, including this boy. That was his priority and his duty.

"What a monster… I hope you'll find what you truly search for with safety. Though I know this is an impossible hope… since safety is the last thing you will get."

These were the last words of the principal before he vanished along with the boy in his arms, as if they never were there to begin with.