Damn was that tough…

For almost two weeks, I had to talk with everyone that approached me thinking I was a new hot guy at school. Well, the interactions mostly didn’t last long as they would stop talking with me the moment they hear my name. The attention seeker, leech and now star shatterer Laith Arslan did it again, ladies and gentleman.

But besides the usual stares of deny that were pointed at my very existence, there were a couple of stares of amazement and admiration that I received as well. Mostly because of the amazing feat of changing your body from a stick to the sculpture of a Greek God. people would wonder how I did that and even if they wanted to do the same, I’d never recommend that.

Not only awakening as the chances for someone to awaken was very grim and could lead to death but also the training to get a human to their very limit was suicidal, to say the least.

“Hey, look! They are here again!”

“I can’t believe they have such a big limousine!”

“I wish I could talk to them… if only there wasn’t a leech that would brainwash them to think he was a good guy.”

Acquired new title: Brainwasher!

Effects: Brainwash a targeted friend to like you.

Condition: They have to like you.

What kind of useless shit are they saying now? I never heard this being talked about in school? Who started thi- I know who…

Pitiful bastard still couldn’t believe I almost hit him with the force that could shatter his bones into pieces. It bugged me every time I saw him grinning because I had to be punished by Mr Hashimoto for violence and harm of other students.

If you haven’t guessed yet, Mr Hashimoto refers to the old man that claims to be my master yet only behaves like a slave owner abusing this poor child with anything that comes up in his mind and calls it training. At school, he acts as the substitute for my history teacher as well as P.E. teacher since apparently has a history as a great athlete which no one could deny with his body being this mass of godly charm.

The history lessons were actually really interesting and easy to remember. The reason was simple. Learning material you only hear and read about maybe boring especially history where you can’t apply it directly in normal society. But the old man held his lessons like he would tell a story to his grandchildren, making everyone in the classroom dive into their own imagination and feel like they were at the scene. Maybe only three people here would know that this old bastard may actually tell a story from his memories.

What bothered me though was his P.E. lessons. He divided people into three groups. The physically unfit ones, those that were average and those that excelled in P.E.. the first group would work on their constitution with running around the track field, the average ones would do gymnastics to become more flexible and control their bodies better.

The problem lay in the third group. We didn’t do easy shit. We were actually doing something I thought is against the law but the old man wanted the third group to learn either boxing or taekwondo for reflex training.

This his isn’t the military! Why are you teaching teenagers how to fight?

And obviously, I knew this was a way for him to make my life a living hell as while everyone else was learning and training the basics, I was used as a sandbag for the old man to relieve some stress. Did no one catch that this is basically my uncle beating his nephew up for no reason?

No one?

But I guess I shouldn’t complain anymore… I had to accept this fact.

“They are coming with that much attention again. How do you survive this much attention, dude?”

“Honestly… I feel like I’m already at death’s door… why won’t you be my Aegis shield and protect me like always.”

“And stop the source of my entertainment? Ha! Never in a million years, bro.”

“Fuck you! You have to do something since I won the last duel.”

“That was luck!”

“Hahahaha!”

Again with our bickering so early in the morning… It’s fun but lately, we have been arguing too much. I’m not sure what the reason is. Just that sometimes… my soul is telling me I will get hurt if I go too deep into this matter. I asked the old man but he stayed silent about that matter. It is rare of him to keep a secret so openly. But I know after knowing him for so long that this is most likely a secret I shouldn’t know. At least by just asking.

Looking out of the window, I spotted the twins dividing the public as Moses did to the sea. I had fun these days. I had my training on the weekend with 25 times time difference but in the week, I’d be free. Even with that weird feeling I had, I won’t stop hanging out with my best friend.

Because inevitably, I’ll be separate from him. The Break will make someone who can use Will more active around the world. And what happens to those that aren’t awakened… I do not know… that’s why maybe… I should ask the old man if he could train Felix as well. Maybe he would accept it…

Who am I kidding… this won’t happen. The old man said that I was a talent that couldn’t be found even throughout all dimensions. I do not know how he knows something like that and it doesn’t make me feel better about myself. It feels like… I have a certain responsibility.

And besides that, making the old man train Felix meant that Felix will hate me more and more as I was the one suggesting him to go into a hell pit. And as someone that was now focused on making weapons, I’d not join him in that fight. I rather not.

“Hey, Laith! Felix! How are you two doing.”

“Can’t you see, Fe’liu? It’s about their duels, of course.”

“It isn’t!”

“It isn’t!”

“Some friends seem to be more like clones.”

“Ah! Good morning, Gina.”

Yeah. I did it, boys! I started to talk with her without looking like a complete idiot.

“Laith! Are you okay? You are red all of the sudden.”

Yeah. I did it, boys! I started to talk with her without looking like a complete idiot. Only half an idiot. Hehehe.

“Earth to Laith! Wake up to reality, man!”

“I am awake, dude… I just feel hot all of a sudden.”

“Are you fine? Maybe those steroids finally show their side effects.”

“I didn’t take steroids, man!”

“With the way you fight your uncle, I doubt that.”

“Shut up, Fe’liu. If anyone says that word again, I’ll beat them up!”

I swear to god, you two! If you two won’t stop smirking like that I’ll really beat you up!

“Whaaaat? Are you even going to hit girls?”

“I’m a believer of true gender equality. If you deserve a beating, I’ll give you a beating.”

“Stop with those references! Hahaha!”

A burst of laughter and two and we soon found ourselves in our seats. Gina got into our little group about a couple of days ago when she saw me fighting or to say it clearly, getting beat up by the old man. She found it interesting how I was now able to fight better compared to that rigged fight I had with that Walter guy. I didn’t know what to say at that moment since my brain was in full idiot mode but the old man rescued me at that moment saying I tried to fight him in my mind again and adapted to those moves.

What a load of bullshit. I didn’t need to think of someone to beat me up when the one who beats me up is right next to me. But since then, I spared with others from my class during P.E.. I’d have to use the basics with limiters since I didn’t want to beat up most of them. But since the ones I spared with are in this group, I didn’t have to worry about ‘accidentally’ not pulling my punches.

The last lesson was over in a blink of an eye. I felt sad actually. I didn’t want this to end so soon. But with each passing day, the school time seems shorter and shorter. And the more I’m scared that this will end too soon.

I packed my stuff and left school after saying my goodbyes to the others. Felix had a meeting with his club, Gina had training at that shit dojo and the twins needed to get back to their mansion because they will slowly get every other Elf from their kingdom to that city.

I was now walking with a sketchbook and a pencil in my hand, thinking about new designs for my next weapon to make. I used my Will to feel my surroundings so I’d not go onto the street by accident or make trouble for others. I thought about stuff I had to do before the Break was about to begin.

So I texted Felix. I had a game I still needed to give him and that game will be played! The odd feeling of not doing this was strong but I will stay stubborn and do what I have to do. I will spend the rest of my time with my friends. Because after that, I will be gone.

I have to work a bit around the world and search for my parents. This is too dangerous to do with someone who didn’t awaken. I don’t want anything to happen to those I cherish.

[Hey, Chun-Li simp. When are getting home?]

[Oh dawg, sorry but I'll be home at 9… Let's have our duel another time, okay?]

[Aight fine…]

I’m not sulking! You are! I just… wanted to hang out with my favourite Chun-Li simp…

Wait a minute… I have Will. I could make a surprise that he will never forget! His birthday is tomorrow but since I have training on weekends without exception, I can only celebrate today or on Monday. Well… let’s do it today or I may forget it after 50 or so days.

I went back home with a little plan in my mind. Alright… what was his favourite cake flavour? Let’s see if I can find it in the chat log. My plan was simple. Train for a bit with my 200 kg dumbbells, make the cake, prepare the game as a gift and go to his flat by lockpicking his lock with my Will. I have some experience with it since the old man has a fridge that only opens if you insert Will in a certain way. He said it was to prevent me from getting food when I was eating that disgusting goo before I awakened.

Some time passed and I was actually finished too early, so I took out the notebook the old man gave me to study blacksmithing. I’m pretty sure he wrote this notebook again since this is in English and not Japanese which is his mother language.

I read that book till it was 8 PM. it was very detailed about each process, mentioning different techniques from different blacksmiths. It even had certain notes that belonged to the dwarves who were great at crafting since they are born with a natural metal affinity.

I wore something nice while packing the cake and the present in a bag until my phone rang once. Looking at my phone, I could see a short message from the old man. Initially, it scared the shit out of me but the message was anything but the message I expected.

[Boy, you don't have to come tomorrow. Have a day's rest since we will be training in the week as well from now on. Just stay safe and sound, ok?]

'The fu... Did this man take something that could kill gods?'

At this point, I was absolutely sure this man is stronger than the gods told in ancient mythology. Well, those were in fact Awakened ones that showed their abilities to the public. Even though some could control lighting or some could run faster than Mach 500. Yet the old man was only mentioning them like they were the lowest in his class. But besides the obvious drug the old man took at this moment, what kind of made me feel weird was the old man’s worry.

It was weird whenever the old man showed worry. It felt like he was actually my grandfather sometimes. Like I was family for him. Ugh… imagine being related to this monster in one way or another. The comparisons would never stop.

I typed on my phone with a slight smile on my face. Even if I believe that this old bastard is on drugs, a drunk person can’t lie. His worry made me happy if even just a little bit.

[Sure, grandpa! I'll be careful like you want me to!]

[I see someone wants a beating on Sunday]

"HIIIIII! I gotta turn that phone off!"

I forgot this fucker is also the one that tormented me for so long! I guess I got carried away a bit too much, making the next time I see him a living nightmare. I turned my phone completely off, turning it silent in that instance. It was a bit… too silent…

‘That feeling… why does it not want to leave my head…’

The more I thought about it, the more my head started to hurt. The worries of the old man didn’t help out here as well. Maybe it’s my intuition? No, I’m not at a divine level to have foresight. Maybe I should just forget about it and go already.

Felix lived about half an hour away so I went out at about 8:10 PM. he lived alone since his parents were always working abroad, making him almost the same as me. Well… his situation may be a bit worse. That may be why I could sympathise with him in that way.

8:40 PM.

Always have to be twenty minutes early, don’t I? But I won’t argue with that. I believe it’s always better to be too early rather than missing the timing.

“I curse the one who broke the elevator! Why do I have to go up 13 floors with the stairs!”

I wasn’t angry for walking up these stairs but because I was scared that the cake I made was going to break. That’s why I moved up slowly instead of rushing up like a maniac. This stupid friend of mine lived on the 13th floor of this apartment complex. How does he manage that! Maybe that’s why he is so good with his feet.

“Alright… no one in sight. Alright, the lock…”

I let my bag with the present and cake down slowly while I was feeling the lock with my Will. alright, insert a bit and push the first pin upwards until I hear a click. Aaaand…

CLICK

There! Next pin… and here we go… third… fourth… and finally the fifth… and we are in! I never felt so criminal but this is going to be the best surprise this fucker will ever have.

Entering the familiar apartment, I moved to the kitchen after closing the door. Maybe it was out of habit but I was moving without making any sound. It was now second nature and if I wasn’t focused on making weapons, I’d be an assassin at this moment. Well, I don’t know if I could kill anyone though…

The ultra-wide TV on the wall, the consoles right below it, the balcony door that has its curtains covering it, the two people in the bedroom, the kitchen that has some food on it left…

Wait… TWO PEOPLE ARE IN THE BEDROOM?!?!

How the hell did they not notice me. Are they Felix and someone else like his girlfriend?

"AH!"

Yep… girlfriend…

BITCH, I DID NOT GET LET DOWN BECAUSE YOUR BITCHASS SAID HOES BEFORE BROS! Motherfucker!

Alright! Let’s fuck around with him. Where were a piece of paper and a pen? This will make you scared for life!

I found a piece of paper and a pen and I was about to write a message on that paper. My message was simple. Just a little note saying [hoes before bros, huh… this will be your greatest mistake, my friend. Because I will find you… and I will make you buy me a bowl of ramen…].

Easy, right?

Well, I was finished with the note but before I could even place it on the cake I baked that was on the table next to the present, I couldn’t shake off that feeling in my mind. It said just fuck off and don’t peek. And be sure, I do not want to see my best friend in action. But this feeling was making me so irritated that I was stubborn enough to look.

The door to the bedroom was closed but peeking through the keyhole, I could see two figures that were gasping slightly. Must have been nice, motherfucker. At least it seems you satisfied your girlfriend well… but…

Why does she look so familiar…

No…

“How about a break, Felix.”

'... This voice...'

“Are you tired already?”

“Unlike someone, I’m still human.”

‘No… it can’t be… no… no... no… no…’

“But you are an angel for me… With the body of a tempting demon …”

“You and your cheezy lines.”'

no... This is probably a different one...'

“You don’t like it?”

“Mhm~... No. I do quite enjoy them… love you, Felix…”

‘You are kidding me…’

“I love you too…”

‘...Traitor…’

“...Gina”

My head was spinning and the odd feeling I had this entire time was only making my head spin faster and faster. By now, I thought I could maybe ask my crush out. No… fuck that crush… This is not about my 2-year long platonic crush that he knew from the beginning.

Because it is exactly about my 2-year long platonic crush that HE knew from the very beginning.

I made my way towards the couch, thinking about sitting down and thinking this through. My steps were staggering slightly but I do not know why but my body refused to make a sound. Maybe it was the intense training I had all this time, maybe the punishments the old man gave me every time I fucked up or maybe it was just my resolve to not be a coward anymore.

But I refused to make a sound. I wanted to think about this. More than anything before. Because this wasn’t like the person I hold dear to me vanished like my parents.

It was the person I held dear and was my mental support through that hell called school who just did something behind my back.

I liked Gina, I really do. Maybe the intensity decreased with the time I spent with the old man. But I wanted her as my partner. It's no bullshit like the person I’m destined to be with… no, this is more realistic.

She was the first to defend me. She was one of the people that knew why I was hated yet never judged me like the others that didn’t even know a thing did. She was gentle. Well… maybe it is not as realistic as I thought but it was something that made me notice her. And I knew that two years ago, she even got so angry by someone that said that I was a disgrace for my family and they shouldn’t have brought a piece of shit like me into this world…

Harsh, right? Yeah… she thought so as well and she beat that loser up before calming my mind down. This was why I liked her so much. Because she didn’t act according to others’ beliefs but with her own ideas. I realise now that this was probably the reason I was attracted to her.

Because I was fighting with that mindset as well. I do not want anything to affect my life. Nothing will. Not even the ideals of others. I’ll be the judge of my own life.

But maybe because of my time with gramps but I started to forget about that love. Maybe I already accepted the fact that I wasn’t going to be with her. That is fine. I respect her choice.

But not Felix’s. This… treacherous… bastard! How could he hide this from me?

Look! It’s that easy! Just go up to me and say that you fell in love with Gina as well!

Tell me you like her as well and she likes you back! Tell me she wants to be your girlfriend! Tell me she wants to go on dates with you! Tell me she wants to kiss you! Tell me you want her to be your first! Tell me you want to be more with her!

Just fucking tell me! You should have just told me! Is this better? Hiding the fact you go out with the crush of your best friend! The crush he had for 2 years! Look what happened now!

Seeing her by your side like that. While doing that! What kind of luck did I have! I felt betrayed. This son of a bitch didn’t tell me this.

Call me a hypocrite for not telling him I was awakened! Come on! Tell me! Tell me that I couldn’t tell him something because I was forbidden to do so by people that had the power to destroy a country in a moment!

And I still wanted to tell him! I had no one as close as him anymore! My parents were gone, vanished into a dimension where their lives could be threatened by anything! You were the closest person I knew. But even that seems to be a lie.

I just wanted to run into that room and choke that traitor right there. Just why…

I’m not that weak… you know that as well, didn’t you? Felix…

My mind wasn’t weak enough to deny that… but yours was…

Disgusting bastard! Even I stopped being a coward! I pushed my body, my mind, my soul and my spirit to their very limits!

I was tempted to do something bad. Very tempted… but my memories of Felix who was nothing more than worried when he saw me again came into my mind. I couldn’t do this… he was still the person I knew was the closest to me besides my parents…

I sat on the couch, looking at the cake with the present. The note… let's change it…

I walked as silent as I could be, taking the note and changing the contents. Scribbling on the note to erase my ‘funny’ prank for saying hoes before bros. Now, I was just writing something like a message he will never forget.

[Don’t be a coward. Because the truth hurts less than a prolonged lie. Because an honest apology can erase hundreds of mistakes. You just had to try. Yet because you were scared, you not only lost your chance for a change in your life but also most likely your biggest supporter]

Letting the note down, I slowly moved to the balcony and opening it finally revealed to this couple in the bedroom that someone else was here.

"Did you hear something, Felix?"

"Someone opened the balcony... Shit, let me take a look..."

I guess I was too loud~. Hehe… but does that matter? I was just moving slowly towards the fence and sitting on it facing outside. The rain was surprisingly relaxing. And with my wet hair dangling in front of my eyes, I closed them. I wanted to breathe slowly. Calm down. Just let that anger be suppressed for today. Just today.

I could hear someone putting on clothes in hurry. Did he guess it already? Wow~! How smart he is! Maybe he got some things from me while we were together for almost 6 whole years. Almost each day side by side…

Almost every day rely on each other's mental support.

I could feel the two standing in the living room. I could feel their stares of shock. Obviously… ‘How is it possible that Laith is here in the apartment.’ they most likely think off…

“...L-L-Laith?... is that y-you?”

I didn’t answer that question. Instead, with my shaky voice, all I could think off was that stupid…

"...t-there, Felix... The game y-you w-wanted s-so-so badly. I b-bought it for you as a gift… I k-knew you l-liked that game series…"

I was on the verge of tears when I could ‘see’ Felix with such a sad face. This wasn’t a story where Felix stabbed me in the back with a smile on his face. He was just sad… and I hated that!

Because how can I hate you so much at this moment, when you show me such a face!

But now that I think about it, it was my fault… I had 2 years… 2 years… and I didn’t try at least to talk to her properly. I was a coward. I was just too late, it seems…

How ironic, isn't it? I was 20 minutes too early for anything, even my own planned activities. But the moment I was late once is the one I wished to never experience again…

I let the air in my lungs out in a sad way. My sigh was shaky. And the small droplets slowly became bigger projectiles while the wind was slowly getting stronger and stronger. Lighting struck. The rain filled the streets with who-knows-how-deep puddles and my mind was slowly letting loose.

But it was surprisingly calm at this moment. The rain took my mind away, leaving only a blank page inside it.

"...guess I'll get no question... I r-really wanted to tell you... About the week... But anyways... I hope you two will be happy together, even after 'the Break'... I guess I'll just ..."

Gina's eyes widened when she heard about my last statement. Why are you reacting like that?

"You know about the break?"

"...what?"

What are you talking about? Can’t you see…

"I asked you about this… ‘Break’. What do you know about it?"

"Hey, Gina! What are you doing!"

"Not now, Felix! I need to know!"

"Pfft...ahaha...AHAHAHAHAHA!"

I started to laugh like a madman. Gramps was right. This is really calming my mind. Not to pretend and just be yourself. And gramps raised a madman just like himself in the time we trained!

I finally looked back, seeing the two expressions. A boy and a girl who had their eyes filled with concern and seriousness respectfully. It’s sad, Gina.

“I thought you believed that the rumours are false, Gina…”

“What do you mean, Laith! That has nothing to do with the situation!”

“It has everything to do with this situation! Just look at yourself, all your guard up like you think I’d kill you at this very moment! I thought… You’d at least respect the situation right now. But I guess I thought wrong~... I thought wrong of you as well~! You know what? Fuck you and you squared! I do not hate you now…”

Tears flowed down my and Felix’s face. But fuck your emotions!

“...Yes… I do not hate you two. I only resent you two. And the Break? hoho~You want to learn something about an event that big~? You know what? Go figure that out by yourself. But don’t worry, I may be telling you on Monday when I am finished with training that would kill me infinitely! But just maybe~ hihihihhihihi~…”

I resemble gramps more and more. But that was fine. He is so strong. He is so well known. Yet he accepted me. I do not know why, but he won’t betray me. He could have done so already. That’s just his character. And if it all was fake too…

Maybe raising hell on earth wouldn’t just be a tempted thought…

'Thanks, gramps… I don’t know how you knew this was going to happen but… thanks... For giving me a rest day and that you didn’t interfere in my personal matter…'

I looked back outside. It was time to go. With the two others frozen still, I was going to go now but I held back. Instead, I reappeared between them with my arms around their necks. There was no pressure but I swear the look on my face was anything but good.

"Hahaha! Now! If you'd excuse me for interrupting these wonderful lovebirds, I'll be going now. Have fun and see ya on Monday! Guard! Step!"

I hugged them tightly before calling out my gauntlets and shoes. The appearance of my weaponised clothes probably shocked those two but I don’t care. I moved to the balcony again, jumping onto the fence.

“Haaaa… I’ll be going now! See ya on Monday!”

I slowly moved down, bending my knees to their maximum. I don’t know what Felix thought, but the image of him flusteredly rushing towards me was something I did expect. In his eyes, even with or without magic, I planned to jump down from the balcony.

"LAITH! DON'T!"

But he was too late. I was now slowly falling down while I was ready to jump, pointing my head towards the next roof I could jump to.

"Keyser."

And I jumped.

"NOOOO!!!"

A golden light.

A shine that was so bright that anyone missing this would have to be completely blind. And in the next hand, my partner was in my right hand. I cried. And so did my blade as I swung it down and split the rain in front of me. The only thing I did see though was the reflection of a traitor.

I was now almost at the roof I was aiming for. 100 metres… and with a perfect landing. I guess I got better…

I looked at the balcony one last time, seeing an almost grown man crying my name out loud with a beauty next to him with what seemed to be a guilty expression as she bit her lips. I felt horrible. But the way I was treated by the two made me feel worse…

And so… I vanished from sight, jumping from roof to roof in this great city that felt emptier than I was used to…

Back on the balcony, a blonde boy with tears running down his face and a beautiful girl that just stood next to him while biting her lips as hard as she could.

“LAIIIITH!!! PLEASE COME BACK, BUDDY!!”

“Get yourself together, Felix!”

With her delicate hands, she tried to pull the idiot that was almost falling off the balcony with all the strength she could gather but this same idiot was too stubborn to let go.

“Why are you so strong, Felix! Just come inside already! You will only make this matter worse!”

“LAAAAAIIIIITTTHHH!!! PLEASE, I BEG YOU! I WANT TO EXPLAIN MYSELF!”

“For christ's sake! GET YOURSELF TOGETHER, FELIX!!”

Gina struggled but could finally pull him back inside onto the couch. The idiot was crying and shaking like a little kid. Seeing this, she moved to the sink to get him some water. The idiot saw the note on the table, and rushed towards it, startling Gina just like that.

“Calm down, Felix!”

“J-Just wait! H-He left a n-note…”

His hands didn’t want to calm down in any way. If this continues, reading the message would be impossible with his watery eyes. So he slammed down the note onto the table, seeing a scratched out part and a readable one.

He started to read the readable part out loud. His voice was shaky even with all his concentration focused just to speak clearly.

“Don’t be a coward. Because the truth hurts less than a prolonged lie. Because an honest apology can erase hundreds of mistakes. You just had to try. Yet because you were scared, you not only lost your chance for a change in your life but also most likely your biggest supporter.”

But he read the part that was scratched out. Well, he tried but it was almost unrecognisable. Almost. Felix knew Latih for almost 6 years. So reading this wasn’t as hard for him as for others.

[hoes before bros, huh… this will be your greatest mistake, my friend. Because I will find you… and I will make you buy me a bowl of ramen…]

Fuck.

Big fuck.

This son of a… he wasn’t even mad that I ditched him… this fucker is just…

"Shit... Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! H-how can I fix this? How c-can I fix this when I was too s-scared to even confront him about this?"

"...here "

"..."

Silence.

Felix didn’t say anything. He loved Gina. and she loved him. But Felix had a hard time forgiving her for what she did. He knew she now understands her mistake as her mind was most likely clouded by the thought of…

"The Break."

Flinch.

Gina expected this to appear in their conversation. But she could do nothing but flinch to Felix’s words. The latter only looked at the glass in his hand before gulping down the rest of the water. His eyes were blue but if anyone would comment on them, they’d say that it was the darkest shade possible. His mind began to process everything. His friend in his apartment without making any sound, the weapons, him jumping from roof to roof like it was nothing. And that light…

The most majestic light Felix ever saw in his life. These thoughts were filling his mind and the more he thought about it, the calmer he became. But there was something connecting everything. And that was…

"The Break... What is this? Why did you ask him that?"

Gina was silent. She wanted to answer but it was difficult to explain. But she had to because if not she may have broken two man's minds in a single day, and one of them is the one she loves. She looked at him in the eye with a difficult expression, while the latter received the gaze dead on with a stern face.

"...in our Martial arts dojo, there is someone who wanted to be my boyfriend for a long time and I rejected him multiple times. I even called the police when he didn't stop yet he got away without a scratch every single time. But the last time he asked me, he showed me something. He showed me magic and moves that were not possible in any way for a human. I was speechless and he said that I should accept his offer before the Break happens if I wanted this power..."

"...are you for real?"

"Of course, I didn't want to accept his deal! Do you think my love for you is that cheap?" She said while putting her hand on his face and looking him in the straight in the eyes. The idiot didn’t reject her touch but only stayed silent. He couldn't blame her for that curiosity, to be honest. It was something unheard of in the normal world.

And he saw an example right in front of him just a couple of moments ago. How could he blame her for the curiosity of wanting superpowers? It was the greed of every human to stand above others. In any way possible.

But this didn’t matter since her way of showing that curiosity was wrong. It broke the friendship of his friend with him even more. And Laith was right…

“I am a coward… my girlfriend lost her cool for once when my best friend mentioned the Break, turning that boy mad that instant… and I couldn’t even move… just… great…”

Gina didn't say anything nor was she looking at him or hugging him like she'd do when they are alone. She just sat next to him, waiting for his next actions which never came since the sole one to blame here was he in his mind.

Moving slowly towards her, he hugged her finally, trying to find solace…

I was rushing over the roofs of berlin during this storm with tears not recognisable by the heavy rain. I was like a blur, moving so fast that people could only see a small golden lightning with green accents.

I am tired…

I’m tired of all of this. I didn’t want to end it here but I didn’t want to proceed either. I was between a rock and a hard place as I couldn’t decide what to do. And while I jumped as high as 70 metres to catch the next roof, my mind was slowly fading. Or it was just my eyelids falling down. I couldn’t move while flying to that roof. I was definitely going to crash somewhere. But I didn’t.

Because I could feel the gentle touch of a person I could recognise all the time. I didn’t need to use my Will.

“...Gramps… I…”

“It’s alright, my boy… just… calm down…”

“You knew… how?”

That was the only thing I could ask. I just wanted to know why he knew yet didn’t tell me. And his answer was nothing I was expecting.

“You know… %100 Affinities may look extremely well. But that is until you go deeper into them. It is like a curse. You learn stuff you do not think were possible, yet when you try to use that knowledge you will be met with powerlessness. We are not always blessed, Laith… the universe is fair… and it hands out blessings and curses equally.”

“But… you didn’t warn me…but you could… have…”

“I wanted to let your matters stay yours. I knew what would happen… well, almost everything…I knew everything until that girl asked something. I’m sorry, my boy…I’m sorry… It’s because I was a coward…”

These are… tears…

Tears fell down from his cheek, falling onto my face which I almost lost the feeling of. My mind was slowly fading. But I could still hang on for a bit. It was unimaginable. Gramps was… crying…

“We will go back and you can take a rest as long as possible. But just remember before you go to sleep…”

Halting his words, I could only feel the wind brushing past my fingertips before losing consciousness…

But before I did, I heard what gramps wanted to tell me.

"Don't make the same mistakes I did, boy. Stay strong… even against fate… no matter what, got it?"