Whispers and Laughs ,Before the Storm
The school bell echoes faintly through the corridors.
Inside the classroom, Bhuvaen and Abdhar sit close to Sang Jaey, their chatter light and full of mischief.
Bhuvaen (grinning):
"You missed a lot, bro. Neeran's been acting like the king of school."
Abdhar (laughing):
"Yeah, the guy's ego is bigger than his arms."
Sang lets out a rare smile. For a brief moment, the storm in his heart rests.
But then—
Girl Classmate (determined, walking up):
"Hey, tell me honestly—are you the guy who caused all that destruction? The one on the TV?! I'm tired of the rumors!"
Sang (awkward smile):
"I… I don't know. I'm not responsible for any of that."
She nods, then turns and shouts to the class.
Girl (defiant):
"See?! Sang Jaey says he didn't do it! Stop making up crap!"
Sang stares blankly after her.
(Inner monologue):
Did they forget… about the sky cracking? About the duel in the fire? About the four warriors I defeated?
The bell rings. Normalcy resumes… but the undercurrent of tension lingers.
Neeran's Mockery and the Challenge on the Court
It's game period.
Neeran, the arrogant transfer student, flirts shamelessly with girls while flaunting his ego. Sang, keeping his calm, just watches—until Bhuvaen and Abdhar call him over.
Bhuvaen:
"Come on! Let's play volleyball!"
Sang joins in. The game begins.
But then—Sang fumbles the ball. Laughter erupts.
Neeran (mocking):
"Looks like the toddler wants to play big boy games."
The girls giggle. Sang lowers his gaze—but then something shifts.
A gang of senior players steps in, towering with dominance.
Gang Member 1:
"Why're you standing here, kid? Go find your playground."
Sang (calm but sharp):
"Why should I? This isn't your kingdom."
Bhuvaen (panicking):
"They're dangerous, Sang! If you challenge them and lose… they'll make you their slave."
Abdhar:
"Let it go. We'll just play somewhere else."
Sang's smirk sharpens. He steps forward.
Sang (roaring):
"Then let's have a match."
Gasps ripple through the crowd.
The Duel: A Spike Heard Across the Ground
The volleyball match begins.
Sang's team vs. The Gang.
The crowd grows. Tension tightens with every point. The scoreboard dances back and forth.
Final seconds.
Sang (to Abdhar):
"Give me the toss. High. Trust me."
Abdhar nods. He tosses it—high, spinning, rising like a comet.
Sang runs. His eyes sharpen. Time slows.
He leaps, soaring higher than the ball itself.
Gasps echo.
THWACK!!
The spike lands like a hammer of gods.
BOOM!
The ground shatters beneath the impact, leaving a crater. Dust whirls. Silence… then roars of cheers.
Bhuvaen (amazed):
"What was that?! That was insane!"
Neeran scoffs, but there's sweat on his brow.
Neeran (forced smirk):
"Fluke. Lucky fluke…"
The crowd doesn't care. They cheer the name "Sang!"
The Day Ends, But Shadows Rise
As school ends, Bhuvaen and Sang walk together.
Bhuvaen (smiling):
"That was badass, bro."
Sang (nodding quietly):
"Thanks."
But as he walks home alone…
Suddenly, his vision flashes—his body jolts.
Sang (clutching head):
"The doctors! I need to… establish my story… Who do I even say treated me?"
At Zoick's Lab – The Hidden Pattern
Elsewhere, in a sprawling high-tech lab…
Zoick returns from Zius and is immediately swarmed with voices.
Zoick:
"Dr. Shine. Where are Kwan and Lee?"
Dr. Shine (checking monitor):
"They went with the petrology team, sir. Said it was about the abnormal frequency from Earth."
Zoick (serious):
"What frequency?"
Dr. Shine hands him the frequency sheet.
Zoick's eyes widen. His pulse slows.
Zoick (hushed):
"…This frequency. It's the same… as the one we recorded during the spell analysis."