"Wish me luck, bro!" Taylor whispered to me before heading to the center of the field. There he stood, waiting for the test to begin.
The five targets appeared before him and he got into a stance.Others may not be curious about him but I was. I was very much curious about what ability this playful yet strange boy had.Flamy particles began to gather around his palms and after some minutes, a large flame arrow was soon formed. He stretched out his hand and a bow appeared on it.The bow didn't look all that impressive but it was eye-catching. The body of the bow was made of some beast skin and it looked extremely powerful, at least, one would know from the aura it was emitting.He placed the large arrow in between his bow and aimed it at his targets. In the next second, the arrow was seen flying at an extremely high speed toward those targets. The arrow hit the first one and as expected of it, it was supposed to hit the other targets but it didn't hit them. But suddenly, the remaining four targets soon began to disappear until none was left."Hmmph! The boy has got some skills," Rina could not help but note. She never thought that the boy who seemed like a pervert would actually be skillful this way. "The fire ability looks pretty nice, no lie.""Sure." I couldn't agree less with Rina. Each of them was impressive in their way, well except for me. I wasn't as lucky as they were.Taylor moved to the next test, he made the same arrow and sent it toward the mechanical drum. The arrow hit the drum hard, so much that an ear-piercing sound was made out of it. The number on it kept going high until it eventually reached the number 60."That's great!" The female instructor clapped happily. "You are the first student to become a level 6 ability user in this school, this is awesome!" She beamed and noted down the result on her tablet.Taylor smiled widely and then walked back to where he was standing before. He nudged me on the arm and winked at me."How was I?" He asked."Not bad," I replied flatly."Not bad? Hmm... are you jealous or something?" Taylor could not help but ask and laugh slightly at the end."Jealous my ass!" I mumbled and looked ahead. I wasn't jealous as he had claimed but inwardly, I could not hide the fact that I was impressed with his power.It was the last person's turn and so I sighed and looked ahead, I was also eager to know how good this cold-faced twin was.Elvis walked directly to the center of the field and got ready for his test.He had the earth ability and so the moment those targets popped out, he stormed his foot on the ground and created spikes of rocks, and shut them towards the targets. Although he wasn't all that impressive like the others, he was certainly better than me.He quickly moved to his next test and then stormed his foot on the ground again. A large rock rose into the air and aimed directly at the mechanical drum.*Boom*A loud noise resounded in the field at the impact.Surprisingly, the drum didn't break as expected of it."Impressive, you're overall score is 50. You are also a level 5 ability user!"After the test was over, the female instructor guided us back to the school while the other students went up for their test.The twins parted ways with us while Rina, I, and Taylor were still together."Bro, do you stay in the dorms?" Taylor asked me while we headed for the canteen."No, why do you ask?" I asked back."I am new to the school, I haven't gotten many friends, and staying alone in my dorm will be boring as hell," he complained with a sigh."Why should you be staying alone? I thought the maximum number of kids in a dorm is three—""Yeah, I know all that," Taylor interrupted, not allowing me to continue. "My case is a special one... Let's just say I have permission to choose whoever I want as a roommate."I turned and gazed at him, I wondered who this boy is and what kind of authority he holds. I've never heard of or seen where a student is given the privilege to choose whoever he wants as a roommate. Perhaps, his family is a top member of society or they hold the highest amount of power in the entire city or..."Why are you lost in thought?" Taylor asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Let me guess, you are trying to know why I am given such a right?"I didn't say a word, and my silence meant that he was right with his guess. The latter chuckled slightly and then sighed afterward."You can't blame me, you know... What do you expect when I'm the only child of my overprotective parents? Sometimes I get bored and tired of their constant nags but what can I do? It was my sole wish to leave my state and come to this one, it's very far from there and so are they. Hopefully, I won't be disturbed by anyone again." Taylor let out a bitter smile at the end of his sentence. It could probably be that no matter how far he is, his parents will still hunt him down with their nagging.Here is someone who is complaining about being nagged by his parents whereas I on the other side, wish to be nagged as long as my parents are still alive.Throughout my past life, I knew nothing about my parents or family. I grew up in an old and poor orphanage home, they were so poor that every morning and noon, the children will be sent out to the streets to beg for money and food.I was one of them and of course, it wasn't easy for me or the other kids. Some of us will be ignored, some will be beaten and some of us will have our hard-begged money stolen.After I clocked ten, I devised a new means of begging for money and hiding them from other kids and street mongers. That way, I was able to help the orphanage and at the same time, save some money for myself.At 12 years, I made up my mind and left the orphanage to search for my parents. I knew it was impossible but I still insisted on trying. Later on, I found out that they were poor citizens who had died in some car accident.Heartbroken, I gave up the search and began to live for myself. Occasionally, I would miss them, especially whenever I see other kids with their parents.My life was pretty normal with me having to do numerous dirty jobs to sustain my life.Also, I was hated by people around me, I was seen as a thing of mockery, an object of ridicule, especially by my fellow kids.I thought I had died, but instead of dying, I woke up in this new world, perhaps, the heavens were on my side."You know..." I started and let out a depressed sigh. "Sometimes, I wish I met my parents even if it's just for a day.""Huh, what are you mumbling about?" Taylor asked me but I smiled and said nothing. Curiously, Taylor asked, "How about you move in with me?"As if I didn't hear what the pale-looking boy said, I turned around and gave him a 'what did you just say' look.Taylor understood the meaning behind those eyes and so he chuckled before replying. "Well, I'm certain that you aren't living well wherever you are. Instead of having to wake up to meet the same ugly faces every moment, how about you pack your stuff and come live with me in the dorm? It's better than staying in a cold house, am I not right?"Yes, he was right but how is he so much aware of the situation in his home? This question was something that troubled me."How are you certain that I'm not living happily at home?" I asked with brows knitted in inquisitiveness."Do you suspect me or something?" Taylor asked back with a sly smile. "Of course, you are now a little star in the whole school. Who doesn't know about your ordeals with your step-family, huh? It's everywhere and I happen to hear them the moment I came to this school.""Hmm..." I sighed quietly. I was still not
"Is my face damaged?" I asked Taylor after Alex and his lackeys had left."Not that much but you'll need to get it treated," Taylor replied while checking my face.The old Ryan was more good-looking than me, at least, he had long white hair that fell behind his face, a pointed nose, and a chiseled jaw. He had the features of a sixteen years old boy, unlike me who looked like a fourteen years old kid suffering from a disease.This God-given face will I tend with care and not let it get damaged by anyone, not even during fights."Then what are we waiting for?" I asked as I stood up. "Let's go to the school clinic and get my face treated immediately."Rina wanted to follow us but I disagreed."It's best if you go your own way now, we have nothing in common, please." After saying this to her, I left with Taylor."Do you think it's the best choice?" Taylor asked me after we might have left the canteen.At this point, I didn't care to know if it was the best choice or not. If she continued
After the surprise test, the school closed for the day.Heaven knew how exhausted I was by that time, the test was something I did not expect to be brain-cracking. I had written what I think is right and now, I'm relying on my luck to pass it.I met up with Taylor and we briefly talked about the moving-in of a thing. Tomorrow is going to be a weekend and so I'll have to move in tomorrow. After talking with him, I left him and headed home.Upon arrival, I saw the mother and son duo waiting for me in the sitting room. The moment the lady saw me, she stood up and blocked my way."What are you still doing here? I thought Alex told you to leave this house for good?" She asked while eyeing me like I was some pest... Or maybe I am actually."He did, but am I supposed to leave empty-handed?" I asked her and rolled my eyes at her.Just as I expected, she got more infuriated, "You son of a bitch!" She yelled and rushed to slap me.Calling Ryan's mother a bitch was like calling mine a bitch. How
"Argh!" I groaned as I opened my eyes. Looking around, I was in my room and on the floor. "Huh? How did I end up sleeping on the floor?" I asked myself in surprise. Surprisingly, I could not remember anything from last night. How and why I ended up sleeping on the floor."It's 6 am already," I mumbled and decided to get up.I took off my clothes and went to take my bath. I could not wait to leave the house once and for all.After dressing and all that, I carried my bags and left my room. They were still sleeping and so by the time they'll be awake, they won't see me in the house. With a sigh of relief, I opened the door and walked out of it.Getting outside, I was surprised to see Taylor waiting for me by the side of the gate. The moment he saw me, he smiled and rushed over."I thought you would not come out again," he said with a smile."Why wouldn't I?" I asked back and he replied with a shrug. "Let's just go," I said to him and began to walk.He helped me with one of my bags and
Entering inside, I was quite fascinated with the view.It was thrice the size of a normal dorm back in my previous world. The bed was large enough to fit more than two people, and the room itself was decorated with blue curtains and some family photos. In these photos were six individuals — The older man and woman, a young man and a lady by his side, and then Taylor and a little girl by his side. "They are my family," he replied to my curiousness. "My father and mother, big brother and sister and that's me and my little sister.""You've got a wonderful family," I said to him, earning a smile from him.I noticed something about the rest of his family members except for him."Their hair is a mixture of red and white but why is yours just red?" I asked him. Instead of replying to me, he smiled and walked into one of the smaller rooms there. His silence meant that he didn't want to tell me anything and so I had to respect his decision, not minding whatever reasons he may have.I helped th
"Ah, goddam it!" I groaned while holding my stomach. I was standing by the door and waiting for the two boys to be done changing clothes. It was already past twelve and we were yet to have our breakfast. I get it if maybe Taylor isn't the food type and if probably, Ray doesn't want to eat because of what happened earlier but that doesn't mean we can't go to the canteen... I am damn hungry! The last time I ate was at the canteen yesterday, I had nothing for dinner and so it is expected of me to be hungry. These two boys didn't want to go out initially but after pleading for minutes they decided to follow me, but even at that, they were still dragging their feet. "Can you two be fast? Please, ah!" I yelled impatiently at them. I could not get a hold of myself, I have never felt this hungry before, it was as if I haven't had anything to eat for days or possibly weeks."Sorry for keeping you waiting," Ray replied as he approached me.I glanced at him and then nodded, it was not him t
"Where is Taylor?" Ray asked me as he got up from bed.It was midnight already and I was still unable to sleep. I didn't know why but maybe it should be because I was feeling unrest. It's all because of him! His words hit me really hard. I thought I was going to overlook them just like I always do but the answer is no. "I don't know. When he returns, you ask him yourself," I replied to him."You don't know? I thought you two are friends—""Friends or not, it doesn't mean anything. Ask him when he returns, I want to take a walk outside."The way I answered him... It was wrong, I know but I can't help it. For now, I need to cool my head off, he should try and understand me and if he doesn't, I'll still apologize to him later. I opened the door and left.I needed to cool my head, I should stop thinking about what he said but the more I try, the more my heart gets heavy. I wanted to scream out loud but it was late in the night, and I can't disturb the entire school."Not strong?" I groane
I have no idea what happened next but when I opened my eyes, I saw myself in the dorm room. "Ryan, you are awake!" Ray exclaimed next to me. I turned and stared at him, he looked worried as fuck."Where is Taylor?" Instead of answering his question, I asked about him as he was the last person I saw before blacking out. "Ray, you can leave first. We'll meet you at the canteen later," Taylor said as he came out of the bathroom. He briefly glanced at me before returning his gaze to Ray."But you guys haven't told me anything yet," Ray protested with a displayed look."It's why I said, we will meet you at the canteen. Just get going already," Taylor said and gently pushed him out of the room before closing the door."Taylor, I—""What are you?" He asked, not allowing me to make the statement I wanted to.I stared at him in the eyes, he was looking at me strangely. His question... What am I?"I don't know. How about you tell me?" I replied to him.He stared at me for a while and then look