Chapter 5: The First Rush
Elvas stared at his reflection in the cracked restroom mirror, his chest heaving, his thoughts spiraling. The system's words still echoed in his head.
[Speed ability unlocked.]
His palms pressed against the sink, his knuckles white. Was it real? Could he actually have power now—him, the boy everyone mocked, the so-called demon?
He shook his head, trying to push back the dizzying rush building inside him. "This is insane. It's got to be some kind of trick," he muttered. His voice sounded strange in the empty restroom, like it didn't belong to him anymore.
"An illusion… or maybe I'm losing it." He looked at himself again, his dark eyes wide and uncertain. "No way I'm faster now. That doesn't happen."
He shoved away from the sink and turned to leave, his sneakers squeaking against the dirty tile. But as he stepped forward, his foot slid on a wet patch. His arms flailed, bracing for impact, but—
He didn't fall.
Before the floor could meet him, his body jolted, his movements snapping into unnatural speed. He straightened in a blur, standing tall and balanced, his breath ragged, his heart in his throat.
For a long moment, he just stared at himself in the mirror, his chest rising and falling. His eyes looked different now—sharp, alive, full of something dangerous.
"No way," he whispered, almost afraid to hear himself say it. "That… that wasn't real, right?"
But deep inside, beneath the fear, a spark lit up. A dangerous, thrilling spark. Hope.
He forced himself to speak, though his voice trembled. "System… what just happened? Was that me?" He swallowed, his throat tight. "Did I do that? Did you make me faster?"
The answer came at once, crimson words flaring in the stale air, the voice sliding cold and steady into his mind.
[System Response: Host activated speed ability. Test successful. You are now faster than before.]
Elvas's lips twitched into a broken smile. His heart hammered as the realization struck—this was real. This was power.
"All this time," he breathed, his voice bitter, shaky, almost disbelieving, "they called me nothing. A freak. A demon." His fists tightened. "But now… now I've got something. Something real."
He pushed open the restroom door, stepping into the hallway. His footsteps felt lighter, sharper, like the air itself moved differently around him.
But before he could test his new speed further, a shadow blocked his path.
Marcus.
The vampire's smirk was razor-sharp, his red eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. Behind him, Mark and Luke grinned like jackals, feeding off their leader's cruelty.
"Going somewhere, demon boy?" Marcus sneered, his tone dripping with mockery.
Elvas's body tensed. His fists clenched at his sides, every instinct screaming to fight, to run, to do anything but show weakness. He forced his voice steady. "I don't want trouble, Marcus. Just let me go. I just want to be left alone."
He tried to move past them, his pulse racing.
But Marcus slid in front of him again, blocking his path with inhuman speed. His laugh was low, cruel, echoing through the hall. "Running already? What's the rush?" His smirk deepened. "You think you can just walk away from me?"
Before Elvas could answer, Marcus's fist slammed into his stomach. Pain exploded through him, sharp and suffocating. He doubled over, gasping, clutching his gut as his knees threatened to buckle.
Marcus laughed louder, the sound cruel and triumphant. "You're nothing, demon. Nothing!" His voice rose so everyone could hear. "You should bow when you see me. Beg me for mercy."
Mark and Luke cackled, their voices blending into the growing murmur of a crowd gathering at the edges of the hall.
Elvas forced himself upright, pain burning through him, but something hotter boiled in his chest—anger. His voice shook, but it cut through the noise. "Do you really enjoy this, Marcus? Hurting me over and over? What the hell is wrong with you?"
The words struck something in Marcus, his grin fading into a snarl. In one swift move, he grabbed Elvas by the hair, yanking his head back hard. "You're not on the rooftop now, freak," Marcus hissed, his eyes glowing brighter. "But I'll kill you just the same."
Laughter rose around them, a cruel chorus feeding Marcus's ego.
Elvas's chest tightened, years of torment weighing on him, every shove, every insult, every wound crashing down at once. His vision blurred with rage. He couldn't take it anymore.
Without thinking, his fist flew.
A sharp crack echoed as his knuckles smashed into Marcus's nose. Blood spurted, Marcus stumbling back, clutching his face, his red eyes blazing with shock.
The crowd gasped, laughter dying instantly. Silence fell, broken only by Marcus's ragged breath and Elvas's hammering heartbeat.
For once, the fear wasn't his.
Elvas didn't wait. He ran. His legs surged. The air rushed against his skin, exhilarating, terrifying.
Behind him, Marcus's roar shook the walls. "Get him! Don't let that freak escape!"
Mark and Luke bolted after him, the crowd erupting in shouts. But Elvas ran faster. So much faster.
He sprinted through the school's halls, dodging bodies and lockers, his heart screaming with the rush of newfound speed. He reached the end of the corridor, skidding to a stop at a dead end—a brick wall towering in front of him.
Panting, he spun around. Marcus and his lackeys were already there, their faces twisted with fury.
Marcus wiped blood from his nose, his grin returning, vicious and wild. "Nowhere to run, demon. You're done. This time, you won't walk away."
Elvas backed up until his shoulders hit the wall, his eyes darting, searching for any escape. Marcus stalked forward, raising his fist, the crowd pressing closer, eager for the kill.
But then—
The world shifted.
Time slowed, stretching thin, every sound warping, every movement crawling like shadows in molasses. Elvas's pulse thundered, his body humming with unnatural speed.
Marcus's punch came down, but Elvas was already gone, slipping past the blow like water. Another strike—missed. Another—dodged with ease.
The crowd gasped as Elvas weaved, fluid and untouchable, every instinct sharpened by the power burning through his veins.
Then, with a surge of strength, he darted behind Marcus and shoved him hard. The vampire crashed to the ground, sprawling in front of everyone.
Breathing hard, Elvas stood over him. His voice was low but steady, raw with years of pain. "All I want is to be left alone. Just stop. Leave me the hell alone."
He turned, his steps echoing in the hushed hall. Students parted instinctively, wide-eyed, watching him pass.
From the corner, Auran leaned lazily against the wall, arms crossed, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "So much for the vampire king, huh, Marcus?" he drawled.
Marcus staggered up, fury twisting his bloodied face. His voice cracked with rage. "I'll kill you, Elvas! I swear I'll kill you!"
But Elvas didn't look back. His heart pounded as he walked, the thrill of power buzzing in his veins, louder than the threats behind him.