Yun slowly rose from his bed, his body still heavy from the restless night. He walked toward the window and pushed it open, letting the cool air enter his room. His eyes lifted toward the sky, where the stars still lingered, silent and distant. Yet for some reason, they felt closer than before, as if they were watching him, waiting for something.
He stood there for a few minutes, lost in thought, before an idea suddenly formed in his mind. If he could not control his power, then perhaps he could help his body adapt to it. A compound, something that could stimulate his cells and stabilize his energy. The thought settled firmly within him.
"I'll go to the lab tomorrow," he murmured.
He returned to his bed, intending to sleep, but his mind refused to rest. When he checked the time, he realized he still had three hours before morning. With a quiet sigh, he sat up again, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes.
He tried to focus.
To reach the energy within him.
To feel it.
But nothing responded.
He could sense it deep inside, but it remained locked, distant, and beyond his control. His concentration broke quickly, and frustration crept into his thoughts.
"I'm still weak."
The realization weighed heavily on him.
Trying to escape that feeling, his thoughts shifted to something else. Next week, he would have a full week off from school. Maybe he could spend time with his friends, go out, relax, and forget everything that had happened, even if only for a short time.
That idea calmed him slightly.
Then another thought came to him. He remembered a book about medicinal plants. If he could not control his power directly, perhaps he could support his body through natural solutions. He grabbed his notebook and began writing, listing different plants, possible mixtures, and ideas that might help him create a solution. His focus returned, not through power, but through understanding.
Time passed without him noticing until the sound of his alarm broke the silence.
Morning had arrived.
Yun stood up, washed his face, changed his clothes, and picked up his bag before heading downstairs with slow steps. His mother was already preparing breakfast.
"Come eat," she said.
He sat down quietly, watching her place the food on the table. For a moment, something felt missing.
"Where's dad?" he asked.
"He's outside," she replied. "Watering the plants."
Yun nodded and continued eating. After finishing, he stood up and headed toward the door.
"Take care," his mother said.
"You too."
Outside, he saw his father in the small garden in front of their house.
"Good morning," Yun said.
His father looked up with a smile. "Heading to school?"
"Yeah."
Yun picked up his bicycle, gave a small wave, and rode away.
The road was quiet, and the morning air was fresh. As he approached the school, a faint sound caught his attention. It was soft, almost like a cry. He slowed down and looked around until he noticed a cat near a narrow alley, moving anxiously beside a pile of trash.
Curious, he stepped closer.
Then he saw them.
Small kittens trapped between debris.
Without hesitation, Yun knelt down and carefully lifted them out. The mother cat approached him immediately, circling around his legs and brushing against him as if expressing gratitude.
A faint smile appeared on Yun's face.
For a brief moment, everything felt simple.
Peaceful.
He placed the kittens safely aside and continued on his way, feeling lighter than before.
When he arrived at school, he headed straight to his class. It was a philosophy lesson. He looked around, searching for his friend Kreton. Then his eyes fell on Sharma, who was sitting in the front row. Their gazes met briefly, but neither spoke. The teacher had not arrived yet.
After the class ended, Yun walked with Kreton toward their next lesson, history. Along the way, they ran into Sharma, who greeted them casually. Yun paused for a moment, then looked at both of them.
"What do you think about going out next week? Maybe a trip or something like an adventure."
They hesitated for a moment, then both agreed.
"Sounds good."
"Yeah."
Yun nodded, satisfied. For once, things felt normal.
They entered the class together, and time passed quickly. When the lessons ended, Yun and Kreton headed toward the school exit.
Then Yun suddenly stopped.
"Did you hear that?" he asked.
Kreton looked at him in confusion. "Hear what?"
Yun frowned slightly. He was sure he had heard something, a voice coming from near the gym.
"…Nothing," he said after a moment. "Let's go."
Kreton shrugged and smiled. "Let's get ice cream."
Yun hesitated briefly, then nodded.
They sat in a small shop, the atmosphere calm and ordinary. For a while, Yun allowed himself to relax and forget everything.
Then the voice returned.
Clear.
Cold.
Inside his mind.
"Prepare."
Yun froze.
Kreton noticed immediately. "What's wrong?"
Yun did not answer.
Because the voice continued.
"Prepare for what's coming."
A cold feeling spread through his body.
The calm shattered.
Something was coming.
And deep inside, Yun knew it.