2 Volume I - Chapter 2

That idiotic doctor was smacking my butt. I stared at him intently and managed to sketch a smile while raising my middle finger to him.

Doctor: Huh?

- Aawa awa wawa! 

"Son of a bitch!"

I was surprised when I tried to talk, as my voice didn't come out as expected. Actually, I can't even call it a voice; it was just some strange sounds I could emit.

Doctor: What was that?... Ma'am, I think your son is a masochist. He's smiling after getting smacked and seems like his fingers are stuck—with the middle finger raised—he said, gently closing my hand.

My face instantly tightened, and I narrowed my small eyes at that clown.

-As awawaw awawaw wawaw wawa, awawa awwa awawaw awaa. 

"Find it funny, huh? Son of a bitch. Just you wait, I'll beat the crap out of you."

???: May I see him a little? - I heard a gentle and tired voice speak a bit ahead. I tried to slightly turn my face towards it. I did it, my God! My body feels so strange to move.

Before me was a woman with a youthful appearance, sporting an immaculate face whose pale skin had the delicacy and perfection of porcelain. Her eyes were a deep and enigmatic purple, providing a fascinating contrast with her pale complexion, a mesmerizing combination that instantly captivated me. Cascades of long, silky black hair framed her face elegantly, dancing delicately with every movement she made.

She was dressed simply, adorned in hospital garments that resembled a set of pajamas, tinted a soothing soft blue. Although her attire was unassuming, it served as a discreet backdrop that only served to enhance her natural beauty and serene aura further.

"Is this woman... my mother?" - I asked myself, mesmerized by her beauty for a few seconds, staring at her.

Doctor: Of course, madam, but be careful, you exerted a lot of effort during childbirth - he said, leading me to her, my eyes not leaving her for a moment, and when she gently picked me up, I felt my body enveloped by an incredibly welcoming sensation, she held me carefully and brought her finger to my face, lightly caressing it.

Mother: He is so calm - she said gently while flashing a beautiful and caring smile towards me, brought her finger to my hand as if wanting me to grasp her finger.

We spent a few minutes there alone, just the two of us, I didn't hear the doctor during that time. She kept caressing me, but her fatigue was visible; she was holding on to stay with me. She began to hum a small song to me while rocking me.

Mother: I don't know if you have an angel But I have an angel yes My angel is a tiny one Who is now going to sleep Sleep my beautiful angel My seraph boy For sleep is coming To take you away from me Because it is time Time to sleep Sleep my tiny one Sleep my cherub

She hummed while rocking me, and I quickly started to feel sleepy.

~ awawaw... wawaw... 

"I don't want... to sleep..."

Doctor: Madame, we have completed the preparations. Will you name the boy? - The doctor asked, returning without the equipment and mask.

-... - I continued to watch analytically as, with effort, I lifted my tiny arms.

Mother: Ahm? - She noticed my gesture, smiled again, and gently embraced me. - How cute. - Her eyes analyzed me while a gentle smile danced on her lips. With difficulty, she took my tiny hand and continued to cradle me.

Sleep intensified, making it hard to keep my eyes open.

???: Kuroto, my little Black Star. - She murmured with a sweet smile.

I responded with a shy smile. Kuroto... Not a bad name. Quickly, my consciousness began to fade, and the last thing I felt was a soft and wet touch on my forehead.

✦ • ✦ • ✦

✦ • ✦

✦

Upon waking, I noticed my mother was no longer there. I was in a nursery, surrounded by other babies. I tried to get up, but my small body wouldn't obey. A nurse entered the room and seemed to identify me immediately.

Nurse: Uhm... I think it's this one. - She stopped by my crib and took a syringe with green liquid from her pocket.

- Wa! Awawa awawaaa awwa! - I tried to protest, but she held me firmly.

Nurse: Be quiet, boy. It'll be quick.

Just as the needle was about to pierce my throat, she fell unconscious, and the syringe flew through the air, almost hitting me. At the last moment, a slender hand intercepted it.

???: That was close, little one.

Out of nowhere, a mysterious figure appeared, enveloped in a white cloak with a special glow. Elegant gold details adorned the garment, and a conspicuous purple symbol stood out on the chest. The cloak's sleeves had black sections, adding a touch of mystery to the figure's appearance. Under the hood, a gentle smile could be seen, the kind that soothes people.

The figure held a white staff in hand, a spectacle in itself: it had various colored stones that shone one after another, creating a hypnotizing visual effect. Around her, a glowing aura danced in the air, displaying all the colors of the rainbow, as if she carried a small aurora borealis with her.

Through the hood, strands of long, straight white hair fell, framing a pair of pink eyes and a face so pure and clear it seemed surreal. The figure's beauty was breathtaking, the kind one can't find the right words to describe. It was a kind of calm, gentle beauty, yet powerful and unforgettable at the same time.

Her voice was like a soft melody carrying the essence of time and the warmth of a thousand suns, bearing gentleness and familiarity that were impossible to ignore.

???: Ah, my little Kuroto... - She murmured, a kind and slightly melancholic smile dancing on her lips. - How much time has passed since my eyes could admire you like this, so close, my dear.

Her gaze was intense, as if trying to etch every detail of me into her memory.

???: You have no idea how much you've grown, how much you've transformed. But your eyes... - She sighed softly. - They still carry the same indomitable essence.

With slow movements, she extended the staff towards me. A strangely beautiful and colorful circle emerged from the tip, showcasing an intricate tribal dragon design in the center. A burning sensation invaded my eyes, blurring my vision temporarily. It was as if a blindfold had been removed, revealing a world suddenly shown in colors and glows never perceived before.

A flaming aura, comprised of all the spectrum's colors, enveloped the woman, making her seem as if she was wrapped in magical rainbow flames. This radiant glow seemed to enhance her ethereal beauty, giving her an even more majestic and unreachable appearance.

- awa? - I murmured, confused.

"What did you do?"

???: This world is full of mysteries and wonders, Kuroto. - Her voice sounded soft but was laden with ancient and infinite wisdom. - And you, my precious, have the power and destiny to explore and understand each one of them.

She sighed again, a light and sad sound, filled with love and loss.

???: Although I wish to stay and guide you every step of the way, time is not on our side. However, know that wherever you go, my love will always accompany you. I'm still surprised that that lizard didn't warn me of your arrival - she showed apprehension for a second but then smiled at me again - but the important thing is that you're here. - her hand reached for my little face

An indescribably warm and kind touch came from those soft and gentle hands, as if she found joy in just doing that, yet her gentle smile bore a melancholic and sad tone.

???: Still a heartbreaker, whom did you get that from, little one? - she laughed softly while lightly pinching my cheek, and then her tone returned to melancholic, and she slowly moved away from the crib but stayed within my field of vision

???: Grow strong and wise, my little Kuroto. And remember: you are never truly alone; I will always love you. - And with that, the woman's vision began to fade, as if she was being consumed by the colorful flames surrounding her, leaving behind only the warmth of her love.

The mysterious figure's words echoed in my mind, imbued with unshakeable tenderness and love. The multicolored flames surrounding her began to dissipate, dissipating into the air and leaving a trail of shimmering light behind. Gradually, her silhouette disappeared, and the glow of her clothes, hair, and eyes was lost in the vastness of space, as if she had never been there.

My eyes closed for a second but it seemed like it wasn't the case because when I opened them again, the nurse was there, smiling at me.

Nurse: Look at this cute baby!

"What just happened?" - I thought, confused.

Nurse: Let's check the report... - she pulled out a small notebook and flipped through it - number 3955641... Uhm? No records of a mother or father?

"WHAT?!" - I thought, alarmed, though my exterior only displayed a confused expression.

Nurse: This seems like an error... - She continued reading - Oh, referred for adoption... I see...

"Damn, she really abandoned me!"

I briefly remembered my previous life and how my mother had died. However, the woman who just gave birth to me seemed genuinely loving. Did she truly abandon me? Or was it something more sinister?

I couldn't do much for now, but I mentally noted the doctor's face. He would surely have information about her.

Nurse: You're very quiet, aren't you? I haven't heard you cry once.

- Aw ewawa we awaww awww awwewwe - I mumbled, trying to communicate something.

Nurse: Are you trying to say something? - she asked with a surprised expression.

I closed my eyes to pretend to sleep, and I ended up really falling asleep. I've been sleeping all the time, but I still felt tired.

When I woke up again, I was surprised to see several doctors inspecting me. It seemed like the nurse had spilled the beans and the doctors came to check. I tried not to show it, but I was annoyed with these jerks staring at me until they started talking.

Doctor¹: Maybe external stimulus will help - he said and pinched me.

-Sto... Toch.... Me... Fuc... - I forced out the words so hard that I felt my mouth bleeding a bit. It seemed like I strained my underdeveloped baby vocal cords too much.

The doctors widened their eyes and immediately sent me for medical treatment after that... I was referred to a research room?

"Why is there such a thing in a hospital?"

Well, they started administering infant reasoning tests—you know those toys where you fit shapes into holes? That stupid thing... I felt idiotic and stared at the doctors with an angry look.

They placed one of those in the crib and said they would only feed me if I could complete it. What kind of doctors are these, denying food to a baby? But they seemed serious... Ah, how annoying.

I struggled a lot to do what they asked; just standing up was very difficult. I leaned on the edge of the crib and tried to pull the blanket where the toys and pieces were, then clumsily grabbed and began trying to fit the shapes. It was very hard at first, but I gradually got used to how to grasp objects and fit them. After a few minutes, I finished, exhausted... I never thought it would be so exhausting to put objects in a toy. The doctors then came to congratulate me, and soon they picked me up, and I just fell asleep. What a troublesome thing...

✦

  ✦ • ✦

✦ • ✦ • ✦ 

(ONE YEAR LATER...) 

✦ • ✦ • ✦ 

✦ • ✦ 

✦

Currently, I find myself in an observation room, where doctors have applied electrodes to my head to study the functioning of my brain. I must admit that this is, at the very least, annoying.

Since I "was born", 14 months have passed. I was put up for adoption 5 months ago, and since then, I've been a lab rat. Every week I undergo at least four sets of tests, with a day of rest between each series of "exercises". It's a hell of exams, X-rays, psychological, and neurological tests. I can say that if it weren't for the experiences of my past life, I would have gone mad by now.

Doctor: We will start the set of tests in 10 minutes. How are your eyes?

I remained silent, sitting in a corner of the room, staring at the wall.

Doctor: Kuroto, how are your eyes?!

- Normal! Leave me alone!

This is a question they always ask me. Apparently, the color of my eyes changed in the first hours of life. They haven't informed me of the specific details, claiming it to be irrelevant, but it's a fact that my eyes have become... exotic, to say the least.

When I turned to answer, I faced the typical glass found in police stations, you know? The one where you can only see your reflection on one side, while someone might be watching you from the other. I couldn't help but scrutinize every detail I saw. My white hair, as if plucked straight from a snowfield, contrasted sharply with my skin, whose texture and appearance resembled the finest porcelain. Although only 14 months old, I already stood out among the other children, being a few centimeters taller than most of them.

My build was slim, but it was a leanness that suggested health and vitality, not frailty. My facial expression almost always fluctuated between discomfort or pure irritation. I was dressed simply, as expected for someone my age: a short-sleeved T-shirt, a blue jacket decorated with small white details that resembled feathers, black shorts, and black sandals.

However, what truly caught attention about my appearance were my eyes. They were completely black with white pupils – an unnatural combination that puzzled doctors and researchers. They had already conducted various eye exams on me, questioning my vision capability. But contrary to what they might think, these eyes were not different from normal eyes, except for their peculiar coloration. In my previous life, my eyes would also change color. Really, what's so special about that?

Just as I'm about to challenge the doctors again, a nurse enters the room with a syringe in hand, triggering unpleasant memories. It's probably a muscle relaxant or a tranquilizer.

Nurse: You already know how it is, kid. Stretch your arm and make it easy for all of us.

- Get lost! Leave! - I retorted, visibly irritated.

Nurse: Come on, little boy... - She approached slowly.

- If you prick me with that, I assure you I won't cooperate! - I raised my voice in protest.

Doctor: Nurse... Leave the anesthetic aside. He will cooperate.

Nurse: Great - she said, casting a glance at me before leaving the room.

The doctor, on the other hand, was in an adjacent room, separated by glass, and communicated with me through a speaker installed in the room. He started to administer logical reasoning and motor coordination tests, something too advanced for my age.

In the first test, they gave me eleven nails. I already knew this experiment, something related to the center of gravity, right? God, these guys are crazy.

Doctor: The test is simple. I want you to balance all the nails on just one. Use any method you want, but the more creative, the better.

Without responding, I nodded slightly in agreement. I took one of the nails from the table and stuck it into the tabletop with the help of a stool, using it as a hammer. Then, I placed one of the remaining ten nails horizontally over the first and lined up the other eight on top of it. I placed four with the points facing right and four facing left, and then inserted the last nail at the end opposite to the first. Finally, I held the ends of the structure and carefully balanced it on the nail stuck in the table. After a few unstable moments, all the nails were balanced on one.

Doctor: Excellent reasoning regarding mass distribution. Have you been studying on your own? - He asked, jotting something down on his clipboard without looking at me.

I remained silent, staring at him with an unreadable expression.

Doctor: We need to work on your social interaction. - He muttered, making more notes. - Ok, next test: motor coordination and memory.

A nurse entered, placed a toy on the table, and left. The doctor seemed pleased with the results so far. The toy was one of those coordination and memory games with a circle of eight different colors and four smaller symbols. In the center, there was a screen that displayed a color and a symbol, which I was supposed to press in sequence. It was a considerable challenge, even for an adult, but for some reason, I found it entertaining and began the test.

While I was concentrating, the doctor's phone rang. He turned off the speakers and began to speak, diverting his attention from me. I took this opportunity to focus on the toy, which was becoming increasingly difficult and fast. After twenty rounds, it was almost impossible, with a sequence of thirty-five colors and symbols to be pressed in fifteen seconds. I gave it my all and finally succeeded. But when I waited for the next round, something strange happened.

The toy went haywire, flashing rapidly with over ten colors and multiple symbols simultaneously, including some that weren't on the original toy. The room's lights began to flicker uncontrollably, and the doctor looked around, confused. This continued until a small, intense red dragon symbol appeared, and the lights went out completely, while the toy started to emit smoke.

I tried to move in the darkness but couldn't see anything. When I bumped my foot into the table and held my leg in pain, I noticed a small glow. I looked and saw a bell...

"A bell... wait, what?"

I looked again, confused. There was a glowing bell floating in the middle of the room, with the number five engraved on it, like an app notification.

Staring at that shining bell for a few moments, I was abruptly brought back to reality by the sudden return of the room's lighting.

Doctor: Kuroto?

- Yes?

Doctor: Seems like we had a power issue. Is everything alright?

I just shrugged and pointed to the toy, which was emitting a thin layer of smoke.

Doctor: Did you do this?

I shook my head, indicating 'no', and he gave me a suspicious look.

Doctor: Alright... - He turned and picked up the phone, dialing quickly.

With the doctor occupied, my attention returned to the bell. For a moment, it seemed like the doctor couldn't see it. Or maybe... was he blind? But before I could think more about it, I noticed that the bell was moving, and as I shifted, it followed me.

"It's following me?" - Uncertain, I extended a finger, trying to touch the mysterious object.

[ WELCOME TO THE SYSTEM, 'PLAYER' ]

A notification window appeared in front of me, reminiscent of the RPG systems I was familiar with. I quickly glanced at the doctor, fearing he might have seen the strange manifestation. Luckily, he was still busy with the call and seemed quite irritated.

"Great, now I'm hallucinating," - I thought, looking alternately between the notification and the doctor.

I sighed, trying to organize my thoughts.

"And now, what do I do?"