[I Snap, You Moan]
Effect: After the user snaps their fingers, the designated target, whether individual or more, will moan in absolute pleasure without any reservations.
Aurel, standing outside the class and rubbing his aching head, looked at the skill displayed on the panel. The pain seemed to lessen by a third. The skill itself sounded evil, humiliating, and strangely amusing to try.
He thought he might never use it, or perhaps he would, if something came up in the academy, like a bully or an unreasonable teacher or student. In that case, it might be the perfect skill for revenge without getting caught.
As common knowledge dictated, a person could only have one skill. His skill was already known to others during awakening, so using it openly wouldn't be traced back to him.
His focus on the panel eased as he heard Father East dismiss the class. The children slowly walked out, but Aurel remained, knowing Father East would keep him behind for a talk.
No adult as reliable as Father East would ever let a mischievous boy wander into an uncertain future without guidance. Aurel was already prepared to endure a long lecture.
Lost in thought, he noticed Father East step out of the classroom. With a helpless sigh, the man called out, "Aurel, let's go. Come with me." He began walking slowly so Aurel could follow.
Aurel had already predicted this. As they walked, they reached the outside of the orphanage. It was surprisingly large for a normal orphanage. At first, he had been shocked, but he soon realized this world was far from ordinary.
Father East might very well be a powerhouse himself, strong enough to run the entire orphanage alone and care for all the children, without worrying about any financial difficulties.
They reached a large tree near the lake. Once they came under its shade, Father East stopped and looked out across the water.
"Aurel boy, what happened today? You look a little… less rotten than usual," Father East asked with a curious look.
Aurel, standing behind him, was first surprised by the words. He tried to think of excuses, but in the end stopped, he knew he didn't truly know anything about Aurel's past or Father East himself.
Father East didn't mind the silence. "Boy, are you nervous about your coming campus life, or is something troubling you?"
He didn't press for an answer, but his tone softened with concern. "If anything troubles you, you can rely on mea little."
Hearing this, Aurel also looked at the lake, feeling complicated. For the first time, he felt something warm in his chest. "Nothing happened. I'm just feeling unreal about this situation I'm in."
He didn't hide his thoughts. He knew his transmigration couldn't be spoken of, not to Father East, not even if he Aurel's family. That secret only led to more confusion and emptiness, feelings he had known since childhood.
His life had maybe never to his expectations or needs. He had no one to pour his heart out to. Yet this loneliness the only thing that made him stronger, more mature over time.
They say ' there is no necessary need for a conversation between men to understand each other.' Without saying more, Father East already understood his mood.
Cough. He cleared his throat to shift the atmosphere. "I don't know if I have the right words for your current mood, or even the right to comfort you. But…"
He paused, letting the silence flow. "There are times when we feel confused about our situation, times of unwillingness, agitation, anxiety. I don't know why I feel this way myself, or how to stop it."
Aurel gave him a confused look as Father East walked to the edge of the concrete ground and sat down, removing his sandals and dipping his feet into the lake.
He turned his head and gestured for Aurel to do the same. Aurel smiled helplessly at the childish gesture, but followed, removing his slippers and plunging his feet into the water.
The cold temperature wrapped around his toes, spreading comfort and relaxation through his whole body, dissipating all his tangled thoughts.
Looking at his relaxed expression, Father East smiled, continuing to watch his feet in the water.
"Kids these days, their thoughts are so complex and unnecessarily full of worry," he said softly, waking Aurel from his state. "Don't think too much. Your future is something you will have to decide and make for yourself. But you can't do everything alone, can you?"
"Yeah."
"If you can't do it alone, ask friends to help, or find a reliable adult like myself, hahah."
Aurel looked at him, feeling lighter, as though all the heavy feelings had disappeared. The warmth of that moment was truly comforting.
"You are already fifteen and will be sixteen next year. As time passes, year by year, your responsibilities will also increase."
Hearing this, Aurel replied with familiarity, "Like with great power comes great responsibility"
Thump.
Before he could finish, a chop landed on his head. This time it was neither gentle nor without force. He looked up to see Father East wearing a disgusted, annoyed expression.
"Who told that brat?" Father East exclaimed exaggeratedly, as if Aurel had committed a robbery. "Whoever said it, ignore him! Don't even think about taking that seriously."
Aurel, confused by his reaction, stayed silent. The man beside him gave another chop, his expression furious.
"Seriously, it's not that 'with great power comes great responsibility' is bad. But you are just a child. Even if you have great power, even if you awaken some skill, you are still a child."
"Your only responsibility is to study and become a proper human being. Responsibility or whatever else is not your concern right now. Just be a normal child and grow normally. No one expects you to carry responsibility."
"You hear me, boy? You have no right to take responsibility on your shoulders. You are not a police officer, politician, leader, or official. You are just a kid."
"Responsibility? Leave it to those it belongs to. If you want great responsibility, then grow up, work hard, and become an official or someone whose role demands it. No one is asking you to take responsibility for something that isn't even yours. Do you hear me?"