The math class felt like home to Prince. Numbers made sense in ways people didn't. Here, there were no awkward silences or fumbling for words. Just clean answers.
"Prince, as always, full marks." The teacher placed his test paper on his desk with a small smile.
Around him, his friends groaned.
"Of course he aced it again," Kabir muttered. "I bet he dreams about equations at night."
"Don't be jealous," Rhea teased. "At least leave maths to the poor boy. He doesn't even talk enough to show off."
Prince gave a small smile but kept his eyes on his notebook.
"Silent as ever," Mira said, flicking a pencil at him playfully. "You know, one day I'll make you talk properly. Mark my words."
Prince wanted to say something back, but the words stuck in his throat. He hated how his voice always felt too small around them.
---
🕹️ A Strange Notification
It happened during lunch. The group was sitting under the big neem tree near the school grounds.
Prince stared at his smartwatch as it buzzed again.
[Soulforge System Fully Online.]
[Welcome, Host.]
His brows furrowed. What is this? Some kind of prank app?
The screen shifted:
[Scan complete: Host body is compatible.]
[Objective: Absorb and combine 'Devil Souls' to grow stronger.]
Prince blinked. Devil Souls?
"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" Anaya's voice cut in. She leaned closer, noticing his frown. "You okay?"
"I… I'm fine." He quickly turned off the screen.
"Hmm," Mira said with a smirk. "Maybe he's texting a secret girlfriend."
Prince's ears turned red. "It's not like that."
"Aww, look how cute he is when he's embarrassed," Mira laughed.
"Stop bullying him," Anaya said, though even she had a small smile. "Prince, you should really learn to fight back one of these days."
"I'll try…" he muttered softly.
---
🌌 The System Speaks
That night, Prince lay awake in bed. The soft glow of his smartwatch lit up the dark room.
[Would you like to activate Beginner Scan?]
"Yes," he whispered.
A faint hum echoed in his ears.
[Scanning environment… No Devil Souls detected nearby.]
[Note: First God Sanctuary contains the highest density of Devil Souls. Titan Planet also has rich resources.]
Titan… First God Sanctuary… The words from earlier echoed in his mind.
"Why me?" he murmured.
[Because you are compatible. Only you can handle the fusion of multiple souls.]
"What happens if I don't?"
[Then you stay weak. You stay ordinary.]
Prince stared at his ceiling, his hands clenched. Ordinary… I've been that all my life.
Maybe this was his chance to be more.