Chapter 3

"Ness. My name is Ness," I stated monotonously, my voice devoid of any inflection.

"Ah, Ness. It appears to be your turn," remarked the teacher, his tone neutral.

"It seems so," I responded calmly, maintaining my composure even in the face of the impending challenge.

As I descended the stairs, the sound of my footsteps echoed through the room, drawing the attention of my classmates. I endured their curious gazes with practiced indifference, my focus solely on the task ahead.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Each step brought me closer to the front of the classroom, the weight of expectation palpable in the air.

Tock.

With my final step, I stood before the teacher, steeling myself for what was to come.

"Are you ready, Ness?" inquired the teacher.

"Yes," I replied succinctly, my gaze steady.

A heavy silence settled over the room as the atmosphere grew dense with anticipation. The pressure began to mount, the gravitational force bearing down on me with increasing intensity.

As the pressure mounted and the gravitational force bore down on me, I couldn't help but wonder what expression adorned my face in that moment. Was it one of excitement, fueled by the prospect of someday attaining such formidable strength? Or was it a mask of pain, concealing the agony of enduring this relentless onslaught?

I pondered this silently as the weight pressed down, testing my limits with each passing moment. I questioned what others saw when they glanced in my direction, but deep down, I already knew the answer. I didn't need a mirror to confirm the apathetic image present on my face.

As the force intensified, surpassing levels that had brought others to their knees, I stood firm, my resolve unyielding in the face of adversity.

The floor trembled beneath me, the sheer magnitude of the power at play threatening to tear the classroom asunder.

And yet, amid the chaos, I remained unmoved, my demeanor unchanged by the overwhelming force surrounding me.

I felt nothing.

The teacher stared into my eyes, which contained a darkness as deep as the sea.

"You.. how are yo-?" Hugo's words tapered off as I abruptly collapsed onto my stomach, the impact jolting through my body.

I feigned a grimace of pain, masking the deliberate nature of my fall. It was a calculated move, a strategic retreat.

"Woah, that was a hard fall, were you simply acting tough? You really had me confused there, haha," chuckled Hugo, amusement lacing his tone as he glanced in my direction.

Internally, I maintained a facade of nonchalance, even as my muscles protested against the impact. It was a necessary sacrifice, a means to deflect attention.

The other students in the classroom resumed their conversations, their attention drifting away from the spectacle that had momentarily captivated their interest. To them, it was merely another display of the teacher's authority and the students' resilience, nothing more than a passing moment in their day. I made my way back to my seat, a sense of relief washing over me at the thought of the ordeal being over.

But amidst the sea of faces, one pair of eyes lingered on me, their gaze piercing through my impassive facade.

Yuzu, the epitome of grace and beauty, regarded me with a curious expression, her gaze momentarily lingering on mine before drifting away.

With the conclusion of the lesson, students began to filter out of the classroom, their conversations filling the air with a low murmur.

Alone in the hallway, I couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment that washed over me. Despite the challenge, I had failed to make any meaningful connections.

As I lingered in the shadows, I overheard a conversation between Kazu and Yuzu, their voices carrying through the empty corridor.

"Let's hang out," Kazu suggested, his tone brash.

"I already refused. I have no plans of going with you anywhere," Yuzu replied firmly.

"Tch, you'll see," Kazu muttered before turning away.

As he passed by me, his murmurs grew louder, revealing his intentions.

"I'm gonna make her mine," he repeated, his words echoing in the quiet hallway.

Curiosity stirred within me as I watched him depart, wondering what lay ahead for him and for us all.

As I made my way outside, the familiar sight of a crowd gathered around a single point caught my attention. It was Shizu once again, encircled by admirers vying for her attention. It was a scene I had witnessed earlier in the day, a testament to the allure and magnetism she held over others.

The crowd obstructed my path to the dorm, forcing me to navigate through the throng of people. Their voices became clearer as I approached.

"How was your first lesson, Shizu-san?" one boy inquired eagerly.

"That test was so easy, don't you think so too, Shizu-san?" chimed in another.

"It's quite chilly today, isn't it?" remarked a student, though I found the comment perplexing given the summer weather. Their words were inconsequential, mere attempts to engage with the object of their admiration.

As I pressed onward through the crowd, I stole a glance at Shizu, the center of attention. Despite her captivating smile, I couldn't help but notice a subtle emptiness behind her eyes.

"How pitiful," I muttered under my breath.

The weight of constant scrutiny and adoration must be burdensome, a loneliness disguised by the facade of popularity.

Our eyes briefly met, and in that moment, she gazed into the depths of my impassive expression, perhaps catching a glimpse of the endless void that lay within.

I quickly averted my gaze and continued on my way, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the crowd. Shizu's lingering gaze lingered in my mind as I retreated to the solitude of my dorm.

The next day, I arrived at class a bit earlier than usual, finding only a handful of students already present. I took a seat and settled in, content to wait for the rest to arrive.

After about twenty minutes, the classroom filled up, and our teacher, Hugo, announced the beginning of the day's lesson.

"Good morning, Class F. Today, we'll be exploring your powers," Hugo declared, capturing the attention of the eager students.

"Finally, we get to use our abilities!" exclaimed one enthusiastic student.

Excitement rippled through the class, evident in the chorus of cheers and applause that followed Hugo's announcement. It was clear that everyone was eager to showcase their powers and assert their capabilities.

"Indeed, we'll be heading to the gym for this test. Our current surroundings won't suffice for what we have planned," Hugo explained, gesturing toward the limited space of the classroom.

As the class buzzed with anticipation, my attention was drawn to a familiar voice murmuring amidst the excitement.

"I'll show her what I'm made of, and then she'll be mine," Kazu muttered under his breath, his words tinged with determination and a hint of obsession. Though his words went unnoticed amidst the fervor of the classroom, I couldn't help but overhear.

It wasn't just Kazu. I had observed similar sentiments from other boys, all harboring desires for the attention and affection of Yuzu, the object of their infatuation.

However, the atmosphere shifted when Hugo issued a sobering reminder.

"Remember, don't let your guard down. We wouldn't want any accidents leading to... unfortunate outcomes," he cautioned, his tone laced with a hint of amusement.

The mention of potential danger tempered the excitement in the room, reminding us all of the gravity of our abilities and the responsibility that came with them.

As I pondered Hugo's words, my thoughts turned inward.

My power, huh.