Chapter 4: The Power Of Space-Time and the Futility of Existence

A pungent odor drifted in the air bringing along a sickening sweet scent of burnt flesh.

In a dimly lit corridor at the academy devoid of people, there were three students surrounding another.

The student who was surrounded cowered in the corner with his blonde hair dulled from dust and patches of black along his face.

The assaulting students were dressed in glamorous garments as opposed to the plain tunic worn by the fallen student. 

This was a scene not unique in the Mortal Realm. Even amongst a sanctuary dedicated to enlightening magic casters, class divide was still an issue.

Nobles, aristocrats, and supernatural beings monopolized the resources and knowledge ordinary people could never touch in a lifetime.

Like holding military power it ensured their position among the ruling classes. 

Though due to the more inclusive vision that many aristocrats and mages in the Kongwu Kingdom were adopting, opportunities for the less fortunate arose giving not just the upper class opportunities to study.

However, class divide was not so easy to eliminate coupled with the impulsivity that comes with young blood.

When a person suddenly gains extraordinary abilities, a common occurrence would be the inflation of ego believing they were the center of the world.

It was like winning the lottery. Many people end up sinking into the abyss of desires throwing parties, drinking, and finding prostitutes.

This was especially the case for teenagers with endless energy. They had to direct them somewhere. 

And these three teenagers clearly weren't afraid to release their nature. 

Regardless of fault or ignorance, they knew they wouldn't suffer consequences.

Stories of counter attacking bullies found in fairytales were too rare.

No matter which world, there were always shadows under the brilliance of the sun.

Isaac Jellal stared blankly at the three assaulters in front of him.

His vision was blurring but the revolting faces of their grin was still imprinted in his mind.

The burning pain coming from the scorched wounds on his body and the burnt clothes melting into his skin told him everything was real.

His otherwise exquisite sapphire blue eyes were now dull.

Issac Jellal felt that life was unfair.

Some people were born with golden spoons in their mouth while orphans like him had to claw their way up the social ladder.

From the initial determination, and the belief that the obstacles in front of him were merely tests the gods gave to improve his will, to the current despair.

Hope was mankind's greatest retribution.

He hated the futility of this world.. Sometimes it doesn't matter how hard you try. Some things were simply not under  control. 

He hated this lack of control, it made him feel weak.

Whoosh

The familiar sound of a flame igniting from a magic spell jolted him awake from his thoughts.

But now…he no longer had the strength to resist. His vision was fading…

'Damn, I hope your sons are born without assholes.' 

Surprisingly, instead of the expected despair, only the most vicious curse ran through his mind.

Before he completely passed out he seemed to hear the surprised voices of the assaulters.

….

Qiubai Balin sighed.

There were too many people that needed help no matter the world.

But he couldn't stop to help every single person right?

Sooner or later the candle that helps others burn will also run out of wax.

Although he had a great family background, in the world where mysteries intertwine, this background was not enough.

His style of life for the past two years had always been cautious.

Never interfere with matters or randomly provoke people.

After all this was the real world, not some tales in a book.

Who knows if the innocent girl crying for a hero was actually a succubus luring men into her trap?

He had read enough novels, mangas and horror stories in his past life.

Low-key was king. 

After all, who knows if the person you talked to was secretly some boss with abnormal hobbies dressing as someone poor.

What if it was a ghost luring you in with the cries of a toddler?

Anyways, he was a weak chicken. Before a candle could light up others, his own flame must be worthy to do so.

That was what Qiubai Balin thought but for some strange reason his feet were heading towards the direction of the whimpers.

Tch, the mouth says no but his body was honest.

Perhaps part of him containing the consciousness of his predecessors was urging him.

Although he couldn't help everyone, he must at least keep a clear conscience if it was within his power right?

If he hadn't had someone to help in his previous life would he still be here today?

Reality was just one big net woven by fate not everyone could escape. Only the optimists see the meaning of escape while the pessimists eventually drown in truth.

In his past life, because his parents said knowledge could change destiny, he worked hard for over thirty years. Only in the end to be unalived and have his soul kidnapped by a mysterious object.

As a child he studied back on Blue star hoping to one day be rich and extraordinary.

But after entering the workforce with hopes and dreams he realized he wasn't even the slightest bit extraordinary.

If only he had done things differently…

Entering the workplace at the age of 21, drowning in documents until a pandemic spread across the world.

He didn't even get a chance to repay his grandmother and take her out to fancy dinners that he could finally buy with his own money.

At the age of 28, he decided to start his own company but the project was a disaster and he was forced to file for bankruptcy.

He stayed in his car, ate instant noodles for several months, staring at the starry night sky unable to distinguish between dreams and reality.

Find only the most calming solace in the dead of the night accompanied by stars.

Although his world was dark there was always some generosity in people's hearts. Due to the help of a few noble people he was able to get back on his feet.

His later career was relatively stable but he never had time for himself.

In his mid thirties he wanted to have his own home but real estate prices were rising faster than his income.

In the end, seeing his old friends living successful lives with children, he wondered if poverty was really related to laziness or luck.

Did he not work hard enough?

Nearing his forties, walking among high rise buildings, some unscrupulous child dropped a toy truck and it smashed his head from the sixth floor.

Of course he survived but fate played a huge joke on him.

An imperceptible object stole his soul like the grim reaper and kidnapped him to the depths of the starry sky. There  he was fortunate and unfortunate enough to witness an explosion that no mortal could.

Before he died he came to a conclusion, sometimes God's will was not within human control.

All he could do was simply accept all joy, sorrows, and pain together while heading towards the direction he felt was best.

'Anyways, if it's within my power help but decisively leave if trouble goes out of hand!' Qiubai Balin bolstered his spirits while cautiously moved forward

While moving he extended his right hand and concentrated his mind.

With a movement of thought, a flicker of light flash and a pattern emerged from his palm. ( ๑‾̀◡‾́)σ

A hypercube(tesseract in sci-fi movies) encased within an icosahedron. And within this complexity of shapes was a small luminescence pattern that sparkled with blue butterfly light.

It was something he obtained witnessing the fearsome nature of space that accompanied him to this world.

Qiubai Balin didn't know the exact nature of this thing but the closest resemblance he could find during his two years was a magic caster's rune.

But unlike the simple nature of a rune, it was complex with motion and patterns. Besides being only visible to his eyes, it contained something every magic caster would die to get their hands on.

It was…

The power of time and space.

….

Qiubai Balin caught the scent  of barbie q.

He knew he was close.

And sure enough, after turning the corner a spacious and dim hallway was present.

There weren't any windows and the marbled walls were only lit by glowing jewels.

Looking ahead three luxuriously dressed boys were towering over another figure on the ground.

They wore the standard blue and white uniformed robes issued by the academy modified with a golden silk splendor.

Apparently these boys were in their rebellious phase too as their hairs were not styled in typical noble etiquette..

Full of wild designs like an octopus growing on a bald radish.

Qiubai Balin narrowed his eyes and scanned the hallways.

Nothing besides a storage rooms dedicated to holding various supplies. 

Very remote. 

Very good.

Hmm..

No monitoring equipment..Check

No possibility of others hiding..Check

Possibility of second order(senior)  magic caster?…slim to none.

Probability of success? Greater than the minimum 95%..

Qiubai Balin smiled…hey, a better world starts with me.

He tied a handkerchief in front of his face and boldly strode forward.

"Only the weak strike at the weak. The true brave challenges the stronger"

This instantly alarmed the three teenagers. They immediately turned around. The one standing in the middle of the three, apparently the leader, immediately stopped what he was doing