Bab 4: First Transformation..2..

The rest of the day passed in a haze. I was too drained, physically and mentally, to do anything but lie in bed, staring at the ceiling. I didn't even hear Akira come home, didn't notice when she peeked into my room to check on me. The only thing that mattered was the dull ache in my chest, the lingering reminder of the power I'd unleashed.By the time night fell, I'd managed to pull myself together enough to eat a little dinner and mumble an excuse about needing more rest. Akira had given me a concerned look but didn't press the issue, thankfully. She probably just thought I was still recovering from the supposed cold.But as I lay in bed that night, staring at the darkened ceiling, my mind wouldn't stop racing. I kept going over the transformation, the sensations, the power. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd only scratched the surface of what the Omnitrix could do.There were more forms, more alien species locked away inside me, waiting to be unleashed. But I couldn't just go around transforming at will. Not until I knew how to control it. Not until I understood what I was really dealing with.And there was something else, too—something that had been nagging at me ever since the transformation. A memory, buried deep within the flood of images that had come rushing back to me. It wasn't just about the Omnitrix or my past life. It was something… bigger.A connection.I'd felt it, just for a moment, when the Omnitrix had activated. A link to something ancient, something powerful. Something that had recognized me, or at least the power inside me. I didn't know what it was, but I had a feeling that whatever it was, it was tied to this world, to the supernatural forces that lurked beneath the surface of my new life.And that meant I wasn't just some random anomaly. I was connected to something bigger, something dangerous. The Omnitrix wasn't just a tool or a weapon—it was a key, and I had no idea what kind of door it might unlock.I lay there for what felt like hours, my thoughts circling around the same questions, with no answers in sight. I needed to know more, but where could I even start? I couldn't exactly walk up to someone and ask them about ancient alien technology fused with a Sacred Gear. And even if I could, who would believe me?I sighed and turned over, pulling the blanket up to my chin. My body was still sore, the dull ache reminding me of how real all of this was. I wasn't dreaming. This wasn't some weird fever dream or hallucination. The Omnitrix was real, and it was part of me now. I just had to figure out what that meant.As I drifted toward sleep, I made a silent promise to myself. Tomorrow, I would start looking for answers. I wouldn't let fear paralyze me. If there was one thing I knew from my past life, it was that knowledge was power. And if I was going to survive in this world, I needed all the power I could get.The next morning, I woke up feeling slightly better. The soreness in my muscles had faded to a manageable level, and the headache that had been plaguing me was finally gone. Physically, I was back to normal. But mentally… that was another story.I got dressed quickly, pulling on my school uniform with automatic motions, and headed downstairs. Akira was already at the table, eating breakfast and scrolling through her phone. She looked up when I walked in, her eyes scanning my face as if searching for signs of lingering illness."You look better," she said, smiling slightly. "Did you get enough rest?""Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better," I lied, forcing a smile of my own. "Thanks for covering for me yesterday."She waved it off. "No big deal. Just make sure you're really okay, okay? You had me worried.""I'm fine," I assured her, though I wasn't sure if I was saying it to convince her or myself.Mom was at the stove, flipping pancakes again. She glanced over her shoulder at me, her expression warm but tinged with concern. "Morning, Ren. Are you sure you're up for school today?""I'll be fine," I said, grabbing a plate and loading it with pancakes. I wasn't really hungry, but I knew I needed to keep up appearances. "I don't want to fall too far behind."She nodded, still looking a bit unsure, but didn't push the issue. I was grateful for that. The last thing I needed was to worry her more than she already was.The walk to school was uneventful. Akira chatted about some upcoming test, and I nodded along, only half-listening. My mind was already working on a plan—a way to start gathering information without drawing too much attention to myself.Kuoh Academy was a place steeped in mystery. Even without my memories, I'd felt the strange energy here. And now that I knew what I was dealing with, I had no doubt that this school was connected to the supernatural world. I just needed to figure out how.As we approached the school gates, I noticed a few students glancing in my direction. Some smiled and waved, while others just nodded in greeting. I responded in kind, keeping my expression neutral, but inside I was on high alert. Who among them knew more than they were letting on? How many were involved in the world I'd only just begun to glimpse?I parted ways with Akira once we reached the main building. She headed off to her class, and I made my way to mine, trying to keep a low profile. The day passed in a blur of lectures and notes, none of which I could focus on. My mind was elsewhere, sifting through the fragments of memory and the faint sensations of power that still lingered from yesterday.By the time lunch rolled around, I was itching to do something, anything, to get closer to the truth. I couldn't just sit in the classroom pretending to be normal anymore. I needed to act.I grabbed my lunch and headed out of the building, avoiding the cafeteria and the prying eyes of classmates. I didn't have a destination in mind—just somewhere quiet, somewhere I could think. Somewhere I could start figuring out my next steps.I ended up on the roof. It was deserted, just the way I wanted it. The cool breeze felt good against my skin, and for a moment, I just stood there, staring out over the school grounds. From up here, everything looked so ordinary. Just another school day, just another bunch of teenagers going about their lives.But I knew better. There was nothing ordinary about this place.I found a spot near the edge of the roof and sat down, unwrapping my lunch without much enthusiasm. My appetite was still nonexistent, but I forced myself to eat anyway. I needed the energy, if nothing else.As I chewed mechanically, I went over what little I knew. Kuoh Academy was once an all-girls school, only recently turned co-ed. It had a prestigious reputation, attracting students from all over. But more importantly, it was a hotspot for supernatural activity. Devils, angels, and who knew what else were likely hidden among the student body, mingling with the unsuspecting humans.And now, I was one of them. Sort of.I sighed, poking at my food with the chopsticks. It was all so overwhelming. How was I supposed to navigate this world without drawing attention to myself? How could I find the answers I needed when I didn't even know where to start?As if in response to my unspoken questions, I felt a familiar warmth in my chest. The Omnitrix, stirring again, reacting to my thoughts. It wasn't painful this time, just a gentle reminder that it was there, waiting to be used.Maybe… maybe that was my answer.The Omnitrix wasn't just a weapon. It was a tool, a key to unlocking the secrets of this world. If I could learn to control it, to harness its power, then maybe I could use it to gather information, to uncover the truth without exposing myself.But first, I needed to know what it could do.I glanced around the rooftop, ensuring I was still alone. The last thing I needed was to accidentally transform in front of someone. Once I was certain I was safe, I closed my eyes and focused inward, reaching for the warmth in my chest.This time, I didn't try to fight it. I welcomed it, embraced it, letting it flow through me like a river of light. The warmth spread, filling me with that familiar sense of power, and I felt the Omnitrix responding, shifting, adjusting.A choice.That's what it was offering me. A choice of forms, of identities. Each one unique, each one with its own strengths and abilities. I could sense them, hovering at the edge of my consciousness, waiting for me to decide.I hesitated. Yesterday's transformation had been chaotic, painful, and completely out of control. But now, I could feel the potential for something different—something smoother, more refined. If I could choose the right form, the one that would help me the most, maybe I could—A sudden noise jolted me out of my thoughts. The door to the rooftop creaked open, and I quickly pulled back, shutting down the transformation before it could fully take hold. The warmth in my chest receded, leaving me breathless and slightly shaky.I turned to see who had interrupted me, my heart pounding in my chest. If it was Akira, or someone else who knew me, how could I explain why I was up here alone, looking like I was about to pass out?But it wasn't Akira. It was a girl—a redhead, with long, flowing hair that almost seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. She was beautiful, almost ethereally so, with striking blue eyes that seemed to pierce right through me.Rias Gremory.The name sprang to mind immediately, as if it had been waiting for this moment. I knew who she was, though I couldn't say how. One of the most powerful students at Kuoh Academy, the head of the Occult Research Club, and, more importantly, a devil.She was staring at me with a curious expression, as if trying to figure out what I was doing up here. I tried to act casual, but my heart was still racing, the remnants of the Omnitrix's power buzzing in my veins."Oh, sorry," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I didn't expect anyone to be up here."Her voice was soft, almost melodic, but there was an undercurrent of something else—something calculating. I got the distinct impression that Rias Gremory was not someone to be taken lightly."It's fine," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I just… needed some air."She nodded, but her eyes were still fixed on me, like she was studying me, dissecting me with her gaze. It was unsettling, and I fought the urge to back away."You're Ren, right?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Ren Hayashi?"I blinked, surprised that she knew my name. "Uh, yeah. That's me."She smiled again, this time more genuinely. "I've heard about you. You've been keeping a low profile, but I've seen you around. You're… interesting."Interesting? The word sent a chill down.