Arin Solis opened his eyes slowly.
Morning light slipped through the window, landing softly across his face. For a moment, everything felt… normal.
Too normal.
He sat up from his bed, his head slightly heavy, as if he had just woken from a long dream he couldn't remember.
"...What was that…?" he murmured.
The feeling faded quickly.
Routine took over.
After getting ready, Arin stepped out and met his best friend, Kiran Vale, waiting near the street corner.
"You're late again," Kiran said with a small smirk.
"Yeah… didn't sleep well," Arin replied.
"Same old Arin," Kiran laughed lightly.
And just like that, they began walking toward school.
The streets were crowded with students.
Voices. Laughter. Noise.
A normal life.
Something Arin rarely felt a part of.
The moment they entered the school gates—
The atmosphere changed.
A group stood near the entrance.
At the center of them… was him.
The biggest bully in school.
Tall. Built. Feared by almost everyone.
His eyes locked onto Arin.
A slow, cruel smile appeared.
"Well, look who showed up," he said.
Before Arin could react—
BAM.
A sudden kick landed hard, throwing both Arin and Kiran to the ground.
Pain shot through Arin's face.
The world spun for a second.
"Listen carefully," the bully said coldly.
"If either of you complain… I'll make sure you regret it."
Laughter echoed from the group behind him.
Arin clenched his fists.
Kiran slowly got up, anger clear on his face.
"We're reporting this," Kiran said.
The bully's smile widened.
"Go ahead."
They went to the principal.
Filed a complaint.
For once… they didn't stay silent.
But nothing changed.
Days passed.
The stares didn't stop.
The tension only grew.
Then—
One afternoon.
Arin and Kiran entered the school washroom.
Quiet.
Empty.
The door slammed shut behind them.
Arin turned.
Too late.
The bully stood there.
Waiting.
"What did I tell you?" he said softly.
Then—
Everything happened at once.
Punches.
Kicks.
No chance to defend.
No time to react.
Arin fell to the ground.
Pain spread through his body.
His vision blurred.
Beside him, Kiran tried to fight back—
But he was overpowered.
"Learn your place," the bully said.
The world started fading.
Sounds became distant.
Heavy.
Then—
Footsteps.
Voices shouting.
A door bursting open.
"HEY! STOP!"
A sports teacher rushed in.
The beating stopped.
But for Arin…
Everything went dark.
Arin's eyes snapped open.
White ceiling.
Bright lights.
Silence.
"…Where… am I?"
His voice felt weak.
His body heavy.
A nurse quickly approached him.
"You're awake," she said gently.
"You've been unconscious for two weeks."
Arin froze.
"...Two weeks?"
Memories blurred.
Broken.
Like pieces that didn't fit.
"What happened to… Kiran?" he asked.
"He's safe," the nurse replied. "You both were found in time."
Relief… mixed with confusion.
After checking him, the nurse left the room.
Silence returned.
Arin stared at the ceiling.
His thoughts felt… strange.
Like something was missing.
Or something had changed.
Then—
A faint light appeared before his eyes.
A screen.
It flickered once… then stabilized.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE DETECTED][USER: ARIN SOLIS]
His breath stopped.
"Do you want guidance… to become the strongest?"
Arin stared at it.
Heart pounding.
"...What is this?"
No answer came.
Only that message.
Waiting.
Watching.
And for some reason—
It didn't feel like a dream.