Myth of the Center

I picked up the envelope left at my doorstep and went back inside.

I sat at my desk and carefully opened it. The envelope doesn't say who the sender is, nor does the folded letter inside.

-- Letter --

Dear Rikeron,

Please read carefully the contents of this letter and abide by them.

What we have given you, we can just as easily take back.

Power Rules

You can't take a life. If a person dies, you lose all powers.

After taking power you have 3 days to decide if you want to keep it or discard it. Decide before it's discarded by default!

You can assign power to someone powerless. The only condition required, you need to have a bond with them.

You can never take back the power you've given.

You can stockpile 3 extra powers at a time.

Some powers require physical strength to contain. Make sure you are ready before taking one.

Consuming too much of one power will eventually exhaust it.

If you have questions leave a letter at your doorstep and we'll get back to you!

Kind Regards,

The Centre

-- Letter --

This letter provided some answers, but I still have questions. I should investigate further just in case.

Since I had some time on my hands and they forbid me from joining the Arena class, I visited the library instead.

It's a building separated from the rest of the Academy. Placed within its own gigantic walls with its own garden even.

It shared the same structural materials as the castle. Thick stones that withstood the passage of time. In a time of conflict, it remained unscathed by many attacks.

As soon as I walked in, a frail-looking young man approached me and handed me a pamphlet containing information about the Library.

Apparently, it's reinforced with a specific type of steel. The brochure he gave me lacked further information about that.

There are three floors with endless rows of bookshelves, stacked with an amazing amount of titles.

From the first moment I walked in, the creaking wooden floor ejected particles of dust fused with the smell of the old thing.

There was a burst of familiar smells coming from the books. I could even guess where the older ones were like that. Time and deterioration caused the books to develop a distinct smell.

This fragrant guide helped me pinpoint which direction I should go.

As I walked through the corridors, every step I took shook the shelves. It was detrimental for a steady pace to be kept.

Like a hound, I followed the smell of the old books. I maintained my advancement through the narrow corridor until I reached the end.

I had ample time to read the History of Heroes and get a better understanding. My power only surfaced a few days ago, and it's unfamiliar territory.

My experience with heroes is mostly painful memories of being bullied and ignored.

I want to understand them before choosing the path I want to take, even though I decided already.

Maybe confirm it and my resolution.

Here it is. "History of Heroes"

The old paperback looked so fragile. It discouraged me from touching it.

Maybe that frail-looking young man can help me.

As I turned back and find that guy, my gaze fell on a title I never thought I could find. "Myth of The Center"

My curiosity peaked, but before I could have picked it up, the guy I wanted to find found me first. "E-Excuse me, are you perhaps Rikeron?"

He wore the Academy's uniform. A white shirt and black pants. He had glasses on, but I'm not sure if it was just an accessory or for his poor eyesight. Freckles covered most of his pale face and his blue eyes looked sincere.

"Yes, that'd be me!"

He looked distressed. His gaze scanned me several times from top to bottom, and as soon as his eyes met mine, he averted them. He looked down after sweat drenched his face. It's visible that something bothered him. "How can I help you?"

He intertwined his thin fingers and fidgeted. "I-I wanted to thank you…"

It looks like he calmed down a bit. "What do…?!"

"Ah… I'm s-so sorry…"

He interrupted me, and now he's blushing. Rude!

"My… My name is B-Borick!"

Oh, so that's what he's apologizing about. He didn't tell me his name. Well, I didn't ask for it either. "Very well, Borick! Why thank me?"

He blushed again after I called his name. Dude, come on!

He averted his eyes and stretched out his trembling hand. "Lamina! The girl you saved?! She's my sister!"

For real? I wouldn't have guessed. DNA is a weird thing. But then again. I have zero similarities with my siblings as well. And until recently I was normal, while they were out there saving whatever.

"I see"

I probably shouldn't tell him that. "I had my own score to settle with those guys!"

I turned around to leave, and a sudden fiery sensation filled my innards. I fell down on my knees and held onto my side. That's when I felt my hand getting wet. Without having time to see what it was, I fell down on my face.

At some point, it started getting wet as well. Whatever it was, it got into my eye that touched the moist wooden floor. I felt it burning and close it. I turned my head around and two red eyes glared at me.

Borick hovered over me with a grin painted on his face. "Who told you to meddle in my business, freshman?"

My consciousness gradually escaped my body as my eyelids became heavier. Whatever wetted my hand and face entered my mouth. Its metallic taste burned my palate.

I brought my hand with great difficulty in front of my eyes. The shock I felt after I saw my fingers that dripped red ached my heart.

The realization of what took place shook my core. Someone whom I've never met before drove a cold blade through my ribs.