Part 0 — Volume 0 — Chapter 1
The Boy in the Shadow
Ouis, 03 Mes 911 Aven
Rengmay — Lebrin (capital)
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Morning rose slowly over Rengmay.
The first rays of light pierced the horizon, gradually brightening the turquoise skies overlooking the city.
In an ordinary school building, the Lys school, a new day began.
The bell rings.
A brutal sound, resonating throughout the establishment, signaling the start of classes. The students rushed into the corridors, disorderly but accustomed to this morning chaos. The rooms quickly filled up.
In a third - fourth year of college class - everyone went to their predefined place.
Then the door opened.
A massive professor, in his thirties, walked in calmly and placed his bag on the desk.
— It's back to school. I'm your physics teacher, Albert. Pleased with you—
The door opened again.
The professor sighed inwardly.
Him again...
The atmosphere changed instantly.
An invisible weight seemed to fall on the class.
A boy entered.
Dark, voluminous hair, bangs falling on the forehead. Thick, furrowed eyebrows, closed face, unsmiling. His eyes, large and elongated, gave off a disturbing intensity, without us being able to clearly distinguish their colors.
- Sorry sir, I'm late.
Betoven, to serve you.
- As per usual…
Go sit down.
- All right.
Betoven walked towards the back of the room.
That look again...
They all distrust me.
He knew it. Always.
A face without emotion. Impossible to smile normally. My eyebrows make me look hostile.
Without meaning to, I frighten others.
I am "the bad guy". The brawler. The one whose image is enough to repel.
In society, image matters more than anything.
An impression born in seconds… that defines you forever.
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In the canteen, the contrast was cruel.
The students sat in noisy groups, laughing, sharing their meals.
All.
Except Betoven.
A table. A chair.
Alone.
Across the room, the larger group surrounded Mozar.
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In the evening, the school emptied.
Or almost.
A shadow crossed the silent courtyard and headed towards the grand opera house behind the school building.
On stage, an object was covered with a sheet.
The shadow snatched it away with a quick movement.
A piano appeared.
Betoven sat down.
His hands hovered above the keyboard.
—Da...Da...Da...Da!
The notes flowed.
What does he have more than me?
He's talented, so what? I have talent too.
A beautiful smile isn't everything.
The music intensified.
—Panoadradadra! Dad ! Pededananan!
In the shadows of the room, someone applauds.
- Impressive.
Would you like to follow me?
Betoven turned around, stunned.
- What ? Who are you ?
—Call me Aliss.
—What do you want from me?
— Have you learned the piano?
— No... I'm too poor for that.
Aliss moved forward slightly.
"You don't belong here.
You are special. Your potential is immense.
His voice grew serious.
—If you miss this chance, you will live a pathetic life...
and you will regret it.
She tossed a small, single-button remote control.
— You have until tomorrow, 8 p.m.
Then she disappeared into the shadows.
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Yes, 11 Jes 911 Aven — 09:50
Betoven sat at the back of the class.
Who was she?
Why did I want to follow her?
I'm nothing special...I'm just looking for an escape.
The bell rang.
A girl approached timidly.
— Um... I'm inviting you to my birthday tonight... would you like that?
- All right.
She almost ran away.
Another girl, Betre, approached, smiling.
— You know what? I know you love him.
- What ?!
—She too. Take the first step.
Hold.
She gave him a remote control and a shirt with a heart on it.
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In the evening, the party was in full swing.
Betoven stepped forward, pressed the remote control, took off his jacket.
The others formed a huge I LOVE YOU.
But another boy spoke up.
And she accepted.
Berre's mocking smile finished off Beethoven.
He left without a word.
Even if it was an illusion...
When we've never had anything, we still try.
He ran towards the opera.
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Aliss was about to disappear when Betoven entered.
— I choose to live in the light!
— Bravissimo.
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Yes, 08 Mes 911 Aven
Enich—Gaishan
A school nestled near the forest.
Eden.
In the car, Aliss explained.
— Spirits are not a race.
It's a way of existing.
His eyes shone.
— Your soul has already achieved this balance in a previous life.
You are experiencing a recurrence.
—And in exchange?
— You will be under my protection.
— I accept.
—Who is your protector?
Beethoven's body reacts before his mind.
He knelt down.
Kissed Aliss's hand.
A white glove appeared.
A golden rabbit symbol glowed.
— Welcome to Eden.
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In the classroom...
—Mozar?
- Yes.
He's like you.
Betoven lunged at him... then stopped.
Vertigo.
Illumination.
— Did you unlock us... with a flick?
Aliss smiled.
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End of Chapter 1
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