What am I even thinking?
How could I show up at my parents' house like this?
They'd send me straight to a psychiatric ward.
"Hey, peacock? What's wrong with you?" the stranger's voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back.
"I'm not a peacock! My name is Alan Holivan! And you still haven't introduced yourself."
"I'm Andrew Storik, kid," he said. "And I'll keep calling you peacock until I decide otherwise. To me, you're just another spoiled brat from a noble family—and I despise people like that."
"I don't know who hurt you, but I haven't done anything to you. So maybe show a little respect. Or… did I do something to you before?"
"If you had crossed me," Andrew said with a dangerous grin, "do you really think I'd be sitting here having breakfast with you?"
"…Fair point. So—you study at the academy too?"
"No, I—"
The doorbell rang, cutting him off.
He shoved the last piece of sandwich into his mouth and went to answer it.
Start.
"I didn't expect to see you here, young master," he said with a mocking edge as he stepped into the kitchen—then stopped short.
"…Are you really Alan Holivan?"
A chill ran down my spine.
I stumbled, nearly dropping the dirty dishes in my hands.
"Of course it's me," I said as calmly as I could, managing to reach the sink without incident.
"Yeah, I was surprised too," Andrew added. "He made breakfast. Not exactly what you described."
"Since you cooked, I'll handle the dishes," he said to me, nudging me away from the sink.
I sat down, not entirely sure my legs would hold me.
I was terrified of exposing myself—and yet I kept doing things that made it more likely.
Old habits die hard.
"As strange as it sounds," Start said, handing me a yellow envelope identical to the one he'd brought to the Holivan estate, "I'm glad you lost your memory. I hope it doesn't come back."
"These are your enrollment documents."
"Thank you," I said, my voice tight.
"And about the changes…" I hesitated. "I don't remember who I used to be, but from what I've learned… I wasn't a very good person. You're right. Right now, I'm glad I lost my memory too. Otherwise, I never would've had this chance—to see life from a different side."
"You're starting to worry me, kid," Start said. "If this isn't some brilliant act, then things will be much harder for you at the academy. Some of your former classmates will be there. And you won't be at the top anymore."
"They'll want revenge. To humiliate you."
"And I doubt the gifted will welcome an aristocrat with open arms."
"Are you sure about this? You can still turn back."
"I'm sure," I said firmly.
Because I had nowhere else to go.
Going back didn't mean going home.
It meant death.
"Andrew," Start said, turning to him, "I know you're not thrilled about this, but if he's really set on throwing everything away… I don't have a choice. He's your responsibility until enrollment."
"If he keeps cooking for me, I don't mind."
"That was… suspiciously quick."
"I'm just curious what could make someone with everything give it all up for abilities no one's ever detected before."
"That's the thing," Start said. "He's been able to see since childhood. But his abilities… I only discovered them yesterday. Care to explain?"
"I've told you—I don't remember anything."
"Maybe it's because his sight was awakened artificially," Andrew suggested. "And his abilities only manifested when he actually came close to death."
"Artificially?" I asked.
Start sighed.
"There's a substance. Extremely expensive. Many aristocrats use it to awaken sight. It pushes the body to the brink of death—for just a few seconds. But that's enough."
"…No," I said slowly. "From what Theodore told me, I nearly drowned as a child. He tried to save me—and we both almost died. After that… we both gained sight."
I froze.
Both men were staring at me.
Idiot.
You could've just kept quiet.
"—But I don't actually remember it," I added quickly. "Maybe my brother just made it up. Maybe I did take that… pill."
"Well," Start said after a pause, "it's not that important. What matters is your potential."
"And it's enormous."
"You probably won't become a personal bodyguard. And from what I've seen, you're not chasing status—you're running from it."
"You could actually do some good. People like you usually get snatched up by aristocrats. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left fighting with a handful of second-rate gifted."
"Hey," Andrew cut in, "not everyone wants to be some aristocrat's pet."
"People like you are rare," Start said with a sigh. "I should go. Andrew, you've been summoned as well."
"And you, Alan—keep a low profile. Your disappearance has already been noticed. I wouldn't be surprised if they start searching the city within hours."
"I doubt they'll find me without a phone or a credit card."
"Not as dumb as you look, peacock," Andrew smirked, punching me lightly in the shoulder.
Lightly for him.
My body nearly collapsed.
So this is some kind of male bonding ritual? Great.
Once they left, I finally exhaled.
For the first time since all of this began, I felt… calm.
Safer here, in this cramped apartment, than in the vast Holivan estate.
Although—
How does someone live like this?
In daylight, the mess was impossible to ignore. Dust everywhere. Trash piling up. And yes—Andrew hadn't even touched the dishes.
After checking the cabinets, the fridge, and what little equipment there was, I made a quick shopping list.
Food. Cleaning supplies.
First priority.
Before Marcus Holivan sent his hounds into the city.
As expected, I found a couple of cheap supermarkets nearby.
I got a little carried away.
By the time I made it back, I was barely able to carry everything.
After changing into dark blue shorts and a brown T-shirt, I got to work.
I'd never been a clean freak—but I liked having things in order.
Cleaning helped me focus.
And right now, scrubbing layers of ancient grease and burnt residue from the oven…
It was the only thing keeping my mind from spiraling.