Chapter 1

This is going to be just another day with same things happening. I have always walk myself to school because my parents never give me a ride. It was a 15 minutes walk but I never mind, it helps me to calm my mind before entering the worst hell.

You see, we live in a world where superpowers is normal. I mean, elemental powers. Each person is born with one. After that, it’s up to your talent to develop skills so you can get stronger. The more powerful skills you have, the more stronger you are.

However, there are rare cases, where people are born with no powers. For example, me. Usually people born with no powers will only live during their childhood because their body can’t adapt with the surroundings. The environment is full with elemental energy so if you don’t have powers, the energy will be too much for your body to hold on.

But, I survived. I turned eighteen last month and is still breathing. That’s a wonder. People always say that I’m lucky to be alive so I should be grateful. I don’t think so, I think it would have been better if I die actually. Because if so, I don’t have to live my life like this. I don’t have to feel pain of others stepping on me, just because they are stronger.

Wait, I talked to much. Now I’m late to class!

I fasten my speed, I don’t want to get another detention cause it’s boring as hell. When I arrive, I see that Mrs Holland has already started teaching. I sigh and knocked the door. “Come in.” She says. She doesn’t seems to be suprised, no one is. It’s not my fault that I’m always late because I monologue too much..

“Im sorry Mrs I-“ Before I could even finish, she cuts me off shortly. “I don’t want to hear your reasons, Niel. You have another detention this week. Now go to your seat.” She doesn’t even look at me as she continues her lesson. I rolled my eyes and go to my seat, I really don’t like her since day one. It’s not like I don’t know that she always talks bad about me. Then again, who doesn’t?

The lesson passed in a blur because mostly I stare outside the window. It was too boring, I don’t want to know what she talked about. I gather my things up to hurry to my next class. My favourite class.

Art of swords.

I have always like to use swords since little. Thats why dad has high hopes for me to be a genius but when I didn’t awaken my powers until I’m 13, He gave up. Saying that I’m useless cause I don’t have any power. But still, no one can lie and say I’m not good at using swords because I do. I have been practising since I was 7.

“You’re here.” I grin when the teacher, Mr Lan greets me. He is a middle-aged male with a tough body. Though he looked barely forty. I like him, he’s friendly and he never treats me any different. Well, You could say that I’m his favourite student.

He always says that I have a unique talent, but I never agree. Yeah I’m good at it but that’s just because I practised for years. Anyone can do it if they try hard enough.

“Come on peeps! grab your sword so we can begin!” He said loudly. Others begin to groan but I noticed some were excited like me. Maybe for some people, sword is a burden and boring. But to me, sword is everything.

Like everyone, I also went to the shelf to grab my favourite sword. It’s a brown sword with a carve of tiger. Though it’s not as amazing as the one I have at home, it’s still good enough. But then, all swords here have the same quality even if they looks different.

“Okay, so who wants to go first?” The teacher asks. Everyone look at each other because no one wants to go first. I was about to raise my hand when suddenly Keith raise his hand. What’s up with him? he was never this excited to use sword. “So who do you want to challenge?” I have a bad feeling when I see him smirking at me. “I want to challenge him, Niel.” Does he think he can beat me? yeah sure I always get pushed around but to think that a beginner like him can beat me is really laughable.

I’m not being rude, I’m just stating the facts. I could use some confidence on myself sometimes you know. Yeah I might don’t think that I have a unique talent, but I would like to believe I’m actually good at wielding swords.

“Niel?” All eyes were on me. Some were smirking, some just simply look at me with pity. I don’t need their pity, I can handle myself. “Okay, I accept.” Keith snorts. His friends laugh as they keep whispering to each other. For sure they are talking about how to humiliate me infront of the class.

“Go take your place then.” He’s talking about the ‘arena’ as we called it. It’s nothing big, but it’s the only suitable place if you want to fight using swords. I take my place, which is on the right side while he takes the left side.

“We don’t want to waste time anymore. Let’s get started!” Everyone cheer loudly. They are excited to see who’s gonna win. A person called for a bet, and everyone put their bets on Keith. I’m not sad but I’m sure I’m going to make them regret.

I bring my body to the position so I can hold my sword comfortably. I didn’t realize that I was holding my breath while I wait for him to start attacking. I guess I’m still nervous afterall. Besides, there are too many people watching. I start to count the seconds to calm my nerve, it’s when I hit thirteenth that he starts to move.

Then, we fight.

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