Chapter 2 - Ordinary
The classroom smelled like chalk and old wood. The afternoon light shone through the windows, casting shadows across the rows of desks and slouched students. The blackboard loomed ahead, still clean-for now- while a low hum of chatter filled the classroom.
In the back row by the window, Jinwoo was asleep at his desk, head resting on his arms.
Kai, who was sitting next to him, leaned over and nudged his shoulder. "Hey. Wake up."
Nothing.
"Jinwoo. C'mon, man, wake up."
Still nothing. Jinwoo's breathing stayed steady and even.
Kai sighed, looked left and right, then he wound his arm up and smacked him hard on the back of the head.
*Slap!*
"Fuck!" Jinwoo jerked awake, blinking hard and looking around deliriously. The moment he saw Kai, who was wearing a smirk, his expression shifted to pure resentment.
Kai just shrugged, his expression immediately shifting to one of pure innocence. "I tried waking you up the nice way first. That's on you."
There was a glint of mischief in his eyes that Jinwoo caught instantly.
Jinwoo's jaw tightened. "The second class ends, I'm beating your ass."
"Oh im SOOO scared," Kai said with a deadpan gaze, with his pinky finger stuck in his ear, completely unbothered. Not believing a word his insomniac friend was spouting. "Plus, the teacher is almost here. So you should actually thank me."
Jinwoo exhaled slowly, too tired to argue. Kai flashed a victory grin, but he ignored it. Something felt off—like he'd seen something profoundly important, but the memory kept slipping away from him the harder he tried remembering it. Like sand falling through his fingers.
He was on the cusp of remembering, right on the tip of his tongue before—
*Click*
"Good Afternoon class," Mr. Richards walked in, Stoic as ever, his dirt-brown hair and unshaven stub gave him an almost homeless look. But he was still one of the best teachers at their school.
Not like their school was that good anyway.
When he entered the classroom was silenced, everyone went back to their seat and made sure to listen to him. Don't let his homeless look fool you; he can be stricter than a drill sergeant when it's needed. During their first day of school, some delinquents tried causing trouble for everyone, and they got punished by repainting the entire wall surrounding the school.
So no one even dared break a rule when Mr. Richards was close; it was practically a death sentence.
Mr. Richards took a second to look around in silence. When he was satisfied, that's when he started the class.
"As you guys know, tomorrow is a special day, so i wont hold you any longer than you need to be. So I've decided to let you go earlier today."
The silence hung for a moment before the room was filled with a wave of excitement.
"No way..."
"Mr. Richards himself, letting us go early?"
"Really? Thank god!"
"No way, we're free?"
"LETS GOOOOO."
"Bro, pinch me!"
"F*ck, not that hard, you dumbass!"
The chatter lasted a while, Mr. Richards waited patiently before raising his hand, and the room was silenced once more before he spoke again.
"Although this is your last day here at this school, I do not want to send you guys off with fake hope and dreams. This is the real world," His voice was filled with seriousness, and the room started to feel heavy from his words. He looked around the classroom, meeting everyone in the eyes one by one.
"I know most of you want to become an explorer, but most of you guys will not awaken anything truly useful, and that's okay. No matter what you awaken, you are important. Value yourself wherever you go, and if you're one of the 'lucky' ones who make it? Don't throw away your life chasing glory. Honor is meaningless when you're six feet under."
No one could speak. How could they? Surely everyone here knew that if you become a Explorer, only glory and honour would remain. Being one of the pioneers who manages to bring back items from the extremely dangerous places called Lost Dimensions, and only those who awaken their talent have even a chance to go there. And even survival was never guaranteed.
To hear their strict teacher, the one who never smiled, speak to them as if they mattered, that he cared for their well-being. One couldn't help but shed a tear at the moment.
"Don't worry teach, we will stay safe!"
"Don't worry about us!"
A few students lowered their heads, gripping their desks tighter.
Someone near the back swallowed hard, shoulders stiff with emotions.
The room felt heavier, like the air itself had settled.
A quiet sniffle broke the silence, then another.
Mr. Richards looked at his class one last time, taking in all their reactions before speaking. "That's all for today. Go home and rest up now. And make sure to come on time tommorow on the Ceremony. You're dismissed." He said quietly. The classroom was slowly filled with students, and only the teacher remained. He looked towards the door before sighing.
"Please.. Stay safe, everyone."
******
The sun hung low over the city, its light stretching across the water, painting it in a gold and orange hue. Buildings along the riverbank cast shadows on the river, occasionally breaking from the ripples. Windows, we're catching alight before dimming again.
Traffic hummed in the distance, muted only by the steady sound of water against stone. The streetlights flickered to life one by one, their pale yellow glow bleeding into the dusk. A cool breeze rolled off the river, carrying the scent of concrete, metal, and water—grounding, familiar.
For a moment, the city felt suspended between day and night, like a moment in a picture; the whole world was awaiting tomorrow.
Jinwoo was walking along the road that was next to the riverbank. He was taking it slow, enjoying every moment of it. It was only during times like this that he could have peace.
Kai was walking next to him, hands behind his head, his short verdant hair catching the wind. The silence lasted a while; it was not the uncomfortable kind, they have known each other for a long time, and they knew each other well enough that a quiet moment like this couldn't make it awkward for either of them.
They kept at it until Kai broke the silence.
"So, are you ready for tomorrow?" He shot a look at Jinwoo, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Our whole lives will change by then."
"How can I even prepare for tomorrow? Whatever happens, happens." Jinwoo said without turning to look towards his friend. He kept his eyes towards the clouds, though he kept listening to Kai.
"C'mon, aren't you even a little excited? I mean, your whole life depends on what you awaken tomorrow. Even I am a little anxious." He spoke with a hint of anticipation. Jinwoo just gave him a exhaspirated sigh, "Our whole life is a little of a exageration, sure, the rank of our talent will determine how useful we are. And a higher rank will assure us a place in the association. But in the end, we can always find another job somewhere else." Jinwoo said plainly and bluntly.
They finally arrived at their street, both of their houses were right next to each other, so they could come and go from still together everytime.
Kai just gave him a light laugh, his friend's negative thoughts bouncing off him like it was nothing. "Hehe, whatever you say~, lets just both make sure we get into the association, its going to be boring without you there." He stopped infront of his house, showing his fist towards Jinwoo. His smile still playing on the lips.
"Though if you wont get it, il just make sure to become famous enough for the both of us".
Hearing this, Jinwoo couldn't help but laugh a little at it too, He fist bumped his friend back with a smile "Who made you so sure you'd get in, huh?" He said with a playful tone.
"Pride my friend! My overwhelming, charming, Pride!" He turned around and walked away while waving.
Jinwoo could shake his head in exhspiration once more. He walked through his small garden before arriving at his house, he flawlessly took out his keys from his pocket and opened the door.
*Click*
"Im home!"
Jinwoo said out loud while taking off his shoes. He put his bag down while he walked through the hall to the living room. He didn't stop there as he turned right and went into the next room. The room was not big or small, but it was enough for its purpose. At the back at the furthest wall, a altar sat. And on it 4 photos sat. The incence has long run out, and the old ones was still left there. Jinwoo walked forward before pausing before the altar. A small smile emerging from his lips.
"I'm home, everyone."