章 1: That´s just life, I guess
In a classroom full of kids, whose eyes were hypnotized by the clock on the wall, sat one particular boy, wearing a dark blue sweatshirt. He had a lanky frame, short brown hair, and the same unenthusiastic look as every one of his classmates. It was the last lesson on Friday so the only thing keeping them away from freedom was that damn clock.
"Come on? Can someone tell me what this is?" the teacher said with an annoyed look.
The boy lifted his gaze and looked at the blackboard with a bunch of acid formulas.
"I know it´s the last lesson, but at least try." the teacher said desperately.
After hearing the teacher´s plea the boy finally lifted his arm and in a quiet tone answered. "Citric acid"
With a sigh, the teacher responded by saying. "Thank you Mark, at least someone listens to me."
Then the bell rang causing the students to start aggressively packing their bags and running out of the classroom.
Mark packed up his stuff and also headed out of the classroom, but as he was passing through the door his teacher interrupted him.
"Mark, did you already decide on which university you want to go to?"
"No, I´m still not really sure." he responded.
"I´m telling you if you don´t know, with your talent, you can surely be a great chemist."
"I´ll think about it." said Mark and left the classroom, heading home.
He had a lot to think about. Whenever he was asked about his future he became nervous. 'What do you want to be?' 'I don´t know.' he always answered. 'You´re 17 already and you don´t know? You should decide quickly.' Such things were often said by his relatives and it irritated him.
He was not dumb, actually pretty much the opposite was true. He excelled in several subjects. The problem was his disinterest in any of the things he was good at. So when he thought about his future the image was dark. He was often jokingly said he´ll just be a fast-food worker. However, that was just a way to mask how he truly looked at his future.
After a ten-minute walk, he arrived in front of his home. It was a quite spacious flat on the third floor. He opened the doors and stepped inside.
As he was taking off his shoes Mark noticed an unfamiliar pair of boots and the turned on TV 'Did dad invite someone over?' he thought to himself.
{Today, we have a famous host on our show! Leader of the Scavenger guild, Thomas Andre! Tell me Thomas, wh...}
He stepped into the living room and spotted a man lying on the couch watching TV. He had a burly frame and a face similar to Mark´s.
"I didn´t know you were coming over." said Mark to the unexpected guest.
"Yeah, I´ve got a few days off so I could visit." said his brother Brian.
Brian was 26 years old, making their age gap nearly 10 years. Mark´s big brother was a successful guy. He graduated from law school and quickly moved out of their parents´ house. He was sociable, friendly, and passionate, just the kind of man Mark would want to be.
"That´s all you´re gonna tell your big brother?" asked Brian with a smirk.
"I guess." said Mark and walked away into his room, leaving Brian laughing at his answer.
He threw his backpack to the corner of his room and jumped on the bed. Every day was the same to him. Wake up, go to school, survive the wrath of his English teacher, come home, chat with his friends and family, play some video games, study for the next day and do homework, go to sleep, rinse and repeat. He wanted something to be passionate about, something fun, something that could break this vicious cycle.
But wishing for some miracle to happen was just wasting time with a fancy ring to it, so Mark got up and turned on his computer. At that moment he was assaulted by the barrage of notifications from his class group chat.
His friends and classmates had ambitions and dreams they wanted to fulfill. Although some of them were unrealistic, you can always aim high. Mark´s own problems felt insignificant to what other people lived through. He wasn´t from a poor family nor was he abused in any way. He was lucky to be born without any disabilities and a good head on his shoulders. 'What are you complaining about? Your life is awesome!' 'I guess you´re right.' he always answered.
He opened news on his browser and looked through the sensational headlines.
{Rumors of a new S-Rank hunter appearing!}
{A fight between two A-ranks! Click to see more!}
{Gate outbreak in uptown Manhattan! Are we really safe?}
There was one group of people who got the most attention in this world, hunters. They had the burden of defending this world with their own hands so they were subjected to a lot of praise, but also critique. With their power, they practically ruled the world at this point.
5 years ago being a magician who killed monsters for money was just a fantasy many watched on their TV screens, but now it was reality, and oh boy was this reality cruel.
With a low chance of awakening and even a lower chance of awakening as anything higher than an E-rank, most people had to depend on the power-hungry douchebags with superpowers and live through their lives hoping that a gate wouldn´t open in front of their house.
Mark left his room and headed to the toilet, but as he passed through the living room his brother called out to him.
"Bro, your eyes are glowing." said Brian from the couch.
"Wha-"
Before Mark could even say a word he fell face-first to the floor.
Brian ran to him panicking and asked. "Are you alright?"
Seeing Mark motionless on the ground he concluded. "I get it, that´s a stupid question."
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