The Unknown's Invitation of Power

The strange dream happened again, and I had hoped I could finally forget about it, but this time it felt different. The yearning for power that had always been within me seemed to have amplified, and it felt like I had to achieve it no matter the cost.

The feeling of needing to obtain something was overwhelming, but I wasn't quite sure where to find it. I tried to shake off the sensation by keeping busy since it was Monday, my official first day of class. I had taken a heavy load of units for my first year so that I could work during vacations, but now I regretted it because it made my life more stable after the incident. It was truly a blessing in disguise.

As I walked into my first class, I noticed that all eyes were on me. I suddenly felt embarrassed, and my ears turned red. I quickly pulled out my school materials and tried to act normal to shake off the attention.

But then, I suddenly turned pale and felt a sense of danger. "Hey new guy! I heard there's a wimp in our school who passed out while walking through the purge-door. Turns out, he's in our class," yelled a tall guy along with his friends from a distance.

I knew they wouldn't let me off the hook if I didn't respond, so I mustered up the courage to reply, "Uh, yeah, I'm that person." I forced a smile as I answered them.

One of them didn't like my response and yelled at me, "Who told you to answer back, wimp? The weak should bow down to the strong and pay for protection. We know you were paid a hefty amount to compensate for what happened. Maybe you should share some with your new friends, huh?" All of them circled around my seat, closing in on me.

I felt helpless and didn't know what to do. I bowed my head and avoided eye contact, thinking, "I can't believe I bumped into them right away. It seems like all my luck ran out and went straight to hell. Dammit! If only I had that kind of power in the dream." I whispered to myself.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my head, as if someone was trying to tear my skull apart. "Do you want power?" A voice echoed repeatedly in my mind.

I instinctively covered my ears, trying to block out the pain. My eyes rolled, and the back of my neck was covered in cold sweat.

One of the guys didn't like my reaction, so he grabbed my shoulder and was about to punch me in the face. In the midst of the commotion, no one from the class stood up or intervened, as they were scared of getting entangled with my misfortune.

As I was about to be hit by the guy, someone called out and he stopped just in time. It was the school doctor, making her daily rounds with the dean, and she had walked through the aisle where my class was located. She stood in front of us and smiled at me.

"I wouldn't hit him if I were you," she said, addressing the guy. "He's already caught the attention of the dean for his outstanding academic results, even while resting at home for his injuries. It's only been the first week, but he's already leaps and bounds ahead of all of you. And you call yourselves future shamans?"

She continued, her tone stern. "Once he graduates as an auxiliary support, shamans with big names will be lining up to hire him. Meanwhile, you all will be left in the dust." Her words were a stark reminder of the consequences of underestimating my abilities.

Her words hit my classmates hard, and I could see the realization dawning on their faces. The school doctor's praise was unexpected but motivating. I felt a surge of determination to continue pushing myself, despite the challenges I faced.

With a final nod from the school doctor, the guy who had threatened me backed off, and I was left standing there, grateful for the timely intervention.

As I lay in the infirmary, recovering from my bout of weakness, I couldn't shake off the memory of the doctor. Her gentle touch, her calming voice, and the way she had taken charge and escorted me to the infirmary herself. I couldn't deny the fluttering feeling in my chest whenever she was around, but I knew it was best to keep my feelings to myself.

As I tried to clear my mind, I realized that things could have been different if I had the power of a shaman like the others. I could have protected them, and maybe even the doctor, from the dangers that lurked around us. My heart ached with remorse as I thought about how powerless I felt in that moment.

The pain in my head had subsided, and the silence in the infirmary was almost eerie. I looked around and noticed that the room had gotten darker, and I was alone. Just as I was about to get up and leave, a single voice echoed in the room, making me freeze in my tracks.

"Say, do you want power?"

I turned around, but there was no one there. The voice seemed to come from nowhere, yet it resonated deep within me. My curiosity piqued, I cautiously replied, "Who are you? What kind of power are you talking about?"

The voice chuckled, sending shivers down my spine. "Ah, that's for you to find out. But beware, not all power comes without a price." The mysterious voice faded away, leaving me with more questions than answers.

I couldn't shake off the temptation of having power, especially if it meant I could protect those I cared about. But at the same time, the warning about the price made me apprehensive. What was I willing to risk? And what did the voice really want from me?

As I pondered over these questions, I couldn't help but think of the doctor. Would having power change our relationship? Would she see me in a different light? I was torn between my feelings for her and the allure of power.

The doctor's visits to the infirmary became more frequent, and each time, my heart skipped a beat. But the mystery of the voice and the offer of power continued to haunt me, making it difficult for me to focus on anything else.

As I lay in the infirmary, grappling with my inner turmoil, I couldn't help but wonder what my future held. Little did I know that the choices I would make would have far-reaching consequences, not just for me, but for everyone around me.