The sky was alive with the sound of birds chirping. As the sun began to rise, the horizon brightened, though the city streets below remained draped in the lingering shadows of dawn.
"Hey, kid! Wake up!"
"I haven't seen you around here before. Why are you sleeping out here? Are you from the military?" the voice continued, sounding impressed. "You have an incredible build!"
Maximus jolted awake. The day had begun, and the city was starting to stir with activity. He had been woken up by a sanitation worker who happened to be passing by.
"I... I was just... taking shelter for a moment, sir!" Maximus stammered.
"Listen, kid... if you need any help, I might be able to assist you," the worker offered kindly.
"It's okay, sir. I'm heading home after this. I just moved here with my parents," Maximus explained quickly. The worker simply smiled and nodded. "I have to get back to work then. Take care!"
Maximus smiled back as the man walked away to continue his duties. Left alone on the bench, Maximus sat in silence, lost in thought about his next move. The money Nova had given him was a substantial amount—enough to buy a modest, simple house.
But more than shelter, Maximus wanted to return to school. He couldn't stop thinking about Onyx; he was consumed by curiosity regarding her. He felt confident that with his new body, no one would ever recognize him.
But how do I enroll without a guardian?
Maximus prepared himself. This morning, he returned to his old school, but not as Nexus. He was Maximus now. He was determined to change how the world saw him with this new identity.
He headed straight for the principal's office. Inside, someone was already seated across from the principal.
"So, I need your help to facilitate my nephew's transfer here."
This was all part of Maximus's plan. Before making his move, he had sought out a female psychiatrist for advice and help with his cover story. He had paid her a significant sum of money for her cooperation. Together, they had forged all the necessary documents and identity papers for "Maximus".
"Very well. We can accept your nephew as a transfer student. As it happens, we have one vacant seat in Class 4-B. Welcome to Voltage Elementary School-1," the principal said, shaking hands with the psychiatrist.
Maximus walked toward his old classroom. For a heartbeat, his footsteps faltered as bitter memories resurfaced, but he forced himself to push through the fear. The teacher then gestured for him to enter.
"Class, we have a new student joining us. Please meet Maximus," the teacher announced.
As Maximus took his seat, the room fell into a heavy silence, followed by urgent whispering. His physical modifications were far too striking to ignore.
"He looks like he's from the Prime Military," someone whispered.
"Yeah, his physique is amazing," the girls giggled.
To his surprise, his old desk—which used to be covered in hateful graffiti—was now clean, save for a few faint marks. Seated next to him was Onyx Vatum. She was busy writing, not even sparing him a glance.
The lesson continued normally. No one teased or bullied him as they once did when he was Nexus. When the lunch bell rang, it was time to head to the cafeteria. However, as he stood up, Onyx Vatum blocked his path.
"Hi... My name is Onyx Vatum," she said.
Maximus braced himself. Here we go again, he thought. She's probably going to try and shake me down for money with that sweet talk.
"I'm surprised... you don't look like a normal kid. Your body looks so... fit. What kind of training have you been doing?" Onyx asked.
Maximus remained silent. He figured whether he answered or not, she would eventually ask for money anyway.
"Geez, you're pretty cold, aren't you?" Onyx tapped her fingers together, acting cute. "I'm starving... care to treat me to lunch?"
Maximus knew it was just an excuse; she would definitely demand more later. He saw right through her. He stood up abruptly.
Startled by his sudden movement, Onyx took a few steps back, breaking into a cold sweat.
"No!" Maximus said firmly before walking away, leaving her standing there.
"Wait, Max!" she called out, but he didn't care.
He grabbed his food from the cafeteria and decided to eat out in the school yard. In the past, he always had to bolt down his food in the cafeteria before Onyx could steal it. This was a new beginning, and he wanted to enjoy the simple things he had been denied before—like eating peacefully under the sun while watching other classes play sports.
As he sat under the shade of a tree with his meal, it felt like a dream come true. But then, he spotted Onyx in a far corner.
She looked miserable. She was completely alone, making no effort to join the other girls nearby. Maximus remembered her saying she was hungry. He also recalled that Onyx never approached anyone unless they approached her first.
He looked down at his food, then back at her. Taking a leap of faith, he decided to go over. He hoped that perhaps, despite their history of hatred, they could actually become friends.
"Hey!" Maximus called out, offering his food to her.
Onyx looked up, startled. "Oh, don't bother. I'm not really hungry!"
Growl!!! Her stomach betrayed her instantly.
"Just take it," Maximus insisted. Onyx awkwardly accepted the food. Luckily, he had bought plenty. She began to eat ravenously, clearly starving.
"Why don't you hang out with the other girls?" Maximus asked.
Onyx paused. "Ah... that..." she sighed. "If I told you the reason, you'd probably stay away from me too."
"Just tell me," he pressed.
Onyx slowed her chewing, the food suddenly feeling heavy in her throat. She decided to come clean. "Can I call you Max?" she asked softly.
"Fine. Just tell me why they avoid you," he replied.
She stopped eating altogether. This was it—the moment everyone usually turned their backs on her.
"I'm... I'm..."
"The daughter of a corrupt official!"
Tears began to stream down her face. Maximus was stunned. He remained silent, his mind racing with confusion and curiosity.
"My parents were involved in a massive corruption scandal here in the city. Because of that, everyone abandoned me," Onyx sobbed.
Maximus realized then that Onyx was just like him—an outcast.
"It's all that student Nexus's fault. He took everything away. But lately, I've been so frustrated..." Onyx continued. "I don't understand why I feel this way... ever since his death..."
Maximus stood up suddenly. He refused to look at her, his face twisted in a mix of irritation and pain, his fists clenched tight. Onyx looked down, expecting the worst.
"Onyx!" Maximus barked.
He thought back to his time as Nexus. He remembered the moment Onyx had bullied him in the warehouse, but he also remembered how she had unexpectedly applied a compress to his head to stop the bleeding.
"...I don't choose my friends based on their status," Maximus said, still looking away. "As long as you can prove to me that you're a good friend, that's all that matters!"
Onyx froze. His words hit her so hard it felt like her heart skipped a beat.
"I... maybe I understand what you're going through," Maximus added loudly, his voice trembling slightly and his cheeks flushing red.
A bright smile finally broke through Onyx's tears. For the first time, she felt true joy.
"Thank you, Max! Thank you for believing in me!"
"I promise... I'll do my best to be your best friend!"
To be continued...