"Hey, Fool, don't get crushed under that table and die!"The shout echoed through the classroom.Reyan Sen tightened his grip on the side of the heavy metal desk. His skinny arms shook as he lifted it. His black hair fell over his eyes, hiding the disappointment on his face.Again…Behind him, a girl laughed. "Look at him. He looks pathetic. No powers, no muscle, and he still comes to school every day. Doesn't he know we all go to the military after this? How will he even survive the academy?"A boy with short golden hair leaned back in his chair and grinned. His name was Kaisav. He was tall, fit, and always surrounded by people."That's why I call him the Fool," Kaisav said. "Right, Reyan? You're our little powerless mascot."The others giggled.Reyan's arms were burning now. The desk felt like it weighed a ton. Sweat rolled down the side of his face.He could have ignored it like always. Pretend he didn't hear. Pretend it didn't matter.But it did.It always did.My whole life I've

Reyan walked out of the classroom as soon as the bell rang.His face was blank.Not the same emptiness he used to carry before.This one was colder. Heavier.Students passed by him, laughing and talking about graduation, military placement, abilities. Reyan didn't hear any of it. His senses were sharper now. Too sharp.Footsteps echoed behind him.One set.Then another.He didn't turn around.They're following me, Reyan thought calmly.And I already know who sent them.He walked faster through the corridor, heading toward the school exit. The closer he got to the doors, the stronger the pressure in his chest became.Before he could step outside, someone blocked his path."Hey, Fool."A boy stood in front of him. One of Kaisav's people."Kaisav wants to talk to you."Reyan looked at him. His eyes were dull, emotionless."I don't want to meet him," Reyan said.His voice sounded empty even to himself.The boy laughed. "You don't have a choice."He grabbed Reyan's arm.Reyan didn't resist

Reyan stood on the open ground with the other students.The field was wide, flat, and empty, surrounded by low structures that looked temporary. Groups of students stood scattered around, talking in low voices. Some tried to act confident. Others were visibly nervous.The sky above was clear, but the air felt heavy, as if something important was about to begin.A hand suddenly landed on Reyan's shoulder."Yo, corpse boy. So here you are."Reyan turned his head slightly. Dev Millow stood beside him, wearing the same careless grin as always, his posture relaxed as if this was just another boring day."Oh. It's you," Reyan said.Dev clicked his tongue. "What? You were expecting someone else?""No," Reyan replied calmly. "Quite the opposite. I wasn't expecting anyone."Dev stared at him for a moment. "Damn," he muttered. "That's cold."Before either of them could say more, a deep voice echoed across the field, cutting through the chatter."Students."The sound carried easily, and the nois

Reyan sat in the quiet of his room, his eyes closed in deep concentration.Ever since he had downed the Fire Resonance Liquid, a strange, steady warmth had settled deep within his chest. It was a stark contrast to the agonizing pain he had endured earlier; this heat was a calm, almost comforting hum beneath his ribs.Suddenly, the familiar chime of the system echoed in his mind, and a translucent blue screen materialized in the dark.[Host has successfully awakened Fire Resonance.][Fire Resonance is compatible with the Host's race.][Fire Ability Unlocked.]Reyan slowly opened his eyes, letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding."So... I can actually use it now," he murmured.He looked down at his palms, turning his hands over in the dim light. He waited for a spark, a glow, or even a sudden spike in temperature. But there was nothing. No roaring flames. No radiant heat. Just his ordinary, calloused hands."That's it?" he whispered, frowning at his fingertips. "No dramati