1 Serenity Before Chaos [Part 1]

It was another cold Monday afternoon in the month of September, 2080. The air was stale, cold and humid. These were the signs of the upcoming winter, and many people had began to prepare for it.

Cars drove up and down the road, people in thick clothes cautiously crossed the road with their heads bowed down to the ground and hands in their pockets.

"So boring…"

Various bored students wearing thick clothes sat huddled together in a classroom inside one of the most prestigious schools in the city.

Each of them were listening to a boringly long speech on power and energy from their teacher, a tall average looking man wearing casual grey clothes.

The teacher paced up and down with his hands in his pockets, every word he spoke send a torrent of spittle flying out of his mouth like bullets.

Jack, your average high schooler, opened his mouth and let out a loud and lazy yawn.

Paying little attention to the 'sermon' being preached unto him by the teacher, he leaned back and rested his weight on his chair, forcing it to slant backwards.

Since he was the only one in his seat, he didn't receive any complaints from anyone as he relaxed his body. He just wished the chair wouldn't snap under pressure.

He had a deadpan expression on his face as he raised his hands and began to drum his index finger against his metal desk.

Power and Energy in physics…

After going through this topic for the 100th time, Jack was certain he was starting to get tired of it. He simply sighed and waited for the time to pass so he could return home.

Jack was casually dressed. He was wearing a baggy hood that was big enough to house two skinny fellows, a pair of jean trousers, and a pair of black sneakers.

He was not overly handsome, only having a face that was a few folds above average. The level of handsomeness just enough to cause a powerful commotion on the streets.

He had spiky silver hair, his face face was round and delicate, with a pair of silver eyes, a straight nose, and pale lips.

"Hehe, Jack. See what I found on Starnet! A newly released Neo-VR game!"

When Jack heard this familiar voice, he turned and gave a lazy smile to a black haired boy sitting on the seat just across his. Unlike Jack, he was sharing his desk with a girl would had taken a few days of sick leave.

"Neo-VR?" Jack questioned, one of his brows lifted up slightly.

"Yeah, and it's of the latest model!"

The black haired boy sitting besides Jack leaned over and whispered his reply to the hooded high schooler. He had a phone in his hands, which was still on.

When Jack took a peek, he caught sight of a female 3D anime character making a hot pose being used as the websites logo. The text header above the logo read:

"Neo-VR-Game Community"

Starnet was a new website introduced just ten years after the 5th World War, 2035. It was a website that quickly dominated the online network community.

Not only was Starnet able to access various networks and broadcast multiple news, it was a modern day encyclopaedia and also a medium of communication with technology a grade higher than that of old apps like Discordia and the like.

The Neo-VR-Game Community was a website on the Starnet. It had exposure to more than a billion people, mostly geeks and otakus with nearly 80% active members.

Jack smiled at his black haired colleague who goes by the name, Robert.

Robert was a geek who managed to become one of the top 10 students in their school, Star Blazing Academy.

Jack had Robert had attended the academy ever since elementary school, and their friendship slowly developed since then. Although Robert was an absolute geek who only thinks about technology and whatnot, he was also frighteningly good at brawling and socialising.

Part of it was because he also came from a well off family with nearly half of his family members into politics and international marketing management.

Suddenly, Jack paused when he felt someone peering into the side of his skull, and his eyes narrowed.

"Ahem! Jack Thomason, would you be so kind to give me the summarised definition of potential energy?" The teacher suddenly asked with a smile on his face. The smile on his face looked exceptionally cruel to some students.

Jack mouthed "Boring…" to Robert before getting up slowly and giving a lazy stretch, his face was completely blank, which made him seem not familiar with the question.

At this, some of the students burst into loud giggles without giving Jack any face at all.

"Mr Know It All, such a simple question and he looks as if he had been struck by lightning!"

"Look at his expression! So epic, I wish I could record this…"

"Even my cat would be able to answer such a simple question…"

Jack rolled his eyes at them before turning to face the teacher who had an expectant expression on his face. A glint of wicked amusement flashed in his eyes as he spoke, "Potential power is energy by virtue or state…"

The students groaned in unhappiness as Jack answered correctly, but were left stumped by Jack's next words.

"…of water and ice magic."

"Very good Thompson… What?" The teacher was a bit baffled by the second half of Jack's statement, giving him a questioning look to which the later shrugged helplessly.

"Oops, I just remembered something… I accidentally blurted out the name of a movie I watched last week."

The teacher who was aware of Jacob's status could only give a wry smile as he motion the hooded boy to sit down. What could he do to the boy? Detention for blurting out something?

He could'accidentally' lose his job the next day because of pointless 'disturbances'.

Jack smiled as he sat down, feeling like a boss. He glanced at Robert to find the guy giving him double thumbs up with a smile on his face.

Soon, the long awaited bell was heard ringing and Jack grabbed his backpack without waiting for even a second. He lifted his hand and stared at the watch on his wrist with a frown on his face.

It was exactly 3:00pm, and he had to be home by 5:00pm as there was something important he wanted to do at home.

Robert stood up, patted nonexistent dust off his buttocks and grabbed his Gucci backpack which was under his desk. He then proceeded to walk towards Jack and throw his arm around the hooded male's neck.

"Brother, It's been nearly eight hours, and this big bro hasn't touched a computer! Lemme crash at your place for a while, please!" Robert spoke as if he was talking to a long lost brother, the prodigal son who returned from his adventure throughout the galaxy. Yeah, he spoke like someone who wants to curry favours.

"Dude, I keep telling you… You can use my computer whenever and wherever you want…" Jack was about to repel Robert like an annoying fly, but found himself saying the exact opposite words at the mere sight of someone walking towards him from the top row of chairs.

Robert was confused, but when he traced Jack's gaze, a cunning smile formed on his lips as his eyes gleamed mischievously. Opportunity!

"Can I use half of your allowance?"

"Aren't we brothers? Yes yes…"

"Can I borrow your bike… and your amazing black Bugatti?"

"Aren't we buddies? Of course you can!"

Robert felt like he had struck gold, gaining a golden opportunity to extort money out of the filthy rich Jack and even ride his first wife! His black Bugatti!

"Hello Jack, about you proposal to join your family for dinner tomorrow evening. I thought over it, and I accept."

The newcomer, a blonde beauty with an alluring smile on her face spoke in a soft voice after her full red lips parted. Her voice was silvery and melodious, her blue eyes were glistening in a soft light.

"Ah, Kayla!" Jack snapped back to his senses as soon as the blonde beauty finished speaking, a soft smile appeared on his face as he spoke, "Heh, I'll be expecting you tomorrow."

Kayla bowed lightly before gracefully walking away, leaving Jack in a daze for a long time. He was left starry eyed.

"Bro, can I borrow your credit card?" Robert said after Kayla left, wanting to take advantage of Jack while he was in a daze but failed as the hooded male gave him a death glare.

"Heh heh, you hoodlum! Come take those off my dead body!" Jack snapped before dragging Robert's arm off his neck with his eyes and nostrils flaring. Of course, they was no way he would honour promises made when he was spellbound.

"Ugh, anyway don't forget to get the Neo-VR game! It's called um, Galactic Ascension! Yeah, only about $50, but from the trailer I'm sure it'll be totally worth it." Robert spoke out as he wore his backpack, and gave Jack a warm smile. After some seconds, he waved to Jack before running away.

Jack smiled before wearing his own backpack, and running out of the class. He didn't care to double check if his books were intact, as he held little importance to them being quite well-off.

'Galactic Ascension, huh? It'll be interesting…'

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