Life can be good or bad or maybe it has always been bad, and people simply choose to ignore the bad whenever something good happens. Not truly good, perhaps, but good enough for them to believe it is. And I feel confused, wondering why I am even living.
I have lived passively for so long. No, I wasn't always like this. After entering puberty, everything began to change. Life was no longer the same. Childhood friends forgotten me, and new friends always had someone else they valued more.
Loneliness, something unfamiliar before, suddenly entered my life. My family might have good jobs and high salaries, but can that erase inner loneliness?
As a middle child, I received less attention. I often tried to do things outside my nature, just to hold their gaze for a moment longer. But that was only wishful thinking.
Now that I look back at it, I realize my life didn't change because of puberty or forgotten friends, it was the family environment. The older I grew, the more I understood the world, and my situation was not as likable as it seemed.
My classmates envied my family background, never knowing that I envied theirs. Even their middle child received more attention in a single day than I did in a year. Home-cooked meals from their mothers, parents attending school festivals, things I rarely experienced.
But I cannot blame them. In the end, it was me who was not excellent enough to be noticed. I was not the eldest, who drew strict attention, nor the youngest, who was spoiled. Even with limited time, they received more than I did.
Everything changed when my terminal illness struck, and I was confined to a hospital bed. For the first time, I saw concern and affection in my family's eyes. Even though it was brief, it was worthwhile to witness.
Yet people always yearn for what they lack. Illness strips away freedom, and my expectations, once overflowing, began to diminish. Life was no longer the innocent joy of childhood, nor the growing experience others seemed to have.
At the last moment, the only thought that remained in my mind was whether my life was worth it, whether my illness was worth it, whether my expectations for life were worth it. But that faded quickly, as I no longer held any expectations for life.
"Hey, boy, wake up. You are not allowed to sleep in my class."
'Mhn… did someone call me?' Maybe it was just my imagination. Either way, I don't have enough energy to involve myself in something pointless. Let me sleep a little longer.
"Smack"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!" The boy who had been asleep woke up, covering his head while shouting, "Who is it?" He looked up to find the culprit, a man in his forties, wearing a black ankle-length cassock or a white liturgical alb, paired with a clerical collar.
He recognized the man not because he was familiar, but because of the unbelievable situation he now found himself in.
You readers wouldn't believe it, or maybe you would. You've probably read novels about transmigration into another world, into another body. Just like those stories, I too was transmigrated here last night. At first, it was shocking, but my desire to explore quickly died down. Why trouble myself when I could just lie down?
"Smack"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, what the fuc-"
"Smack" Another blow landed on his head, doubling the pain.
"Language, kid, language. Don't you see there are many children here? You youngsters are always unreliable, corrupting these good kids," said the man, holding the thick book he used to smack his head.
"Okay, Father East, can't you be gentle? My head feels like it's about to split," he complained, looking around at the younger children of different ages. Some laughed, while others tried to hold it in.
This wasn't a classroom in a school. From the memories I inherited, it was clear, it was an orphanage where everyone studied together. Father East was the director, the teacher, the canteen manager; in short, he ran the entire orphanage alone. And this world was far from normal, monsters and dangers existed here, along with superpowers. I don't know what level this old man is, but he must be strong to manage everything by himself.
He taught everyone what he could, raising them so they could stand on their own feet without worry. Even former children returned from time to time to help, showing filial respect to Father East.
Now, I was the oldest left, or so I thought. Looking to my left, I saw a girl about my age, just four months younger. Tina Avenlor also same as me, only we two are the oldest here.
"Now then, boy, look into my face when I'm talking. Don't keep glancing at girls. I'm still single here, and you boy looking at girls in front of my face trying to piss me," Father East scolded, noticing his distraction. He raised his hand to deliver another smack.
I quickly stepped back from the desk to avoid the blow. "Okay, okay, old man, I'm not looking. Just please don't bring that book near me."
Not having expectations for life is one thing, but no matter how much I want to distance myself from it, I can't handle this beating.
"Boy, sit down and pay attention to the class when I'm teaching. Do you think being accepted into the Imperial Academy means you can ignore my class" He complained, but there was no anger in his eyes, only pride can be seen.
The Imperial Academy, despite its name, is not truly imperial. It is an academy reserved for nobles, and nobles in this world are those who awaken superpowers. I am now counted among them.
This is the most basic truth of this world: if you have a superpower, you are considered noble; without one, you are a commoner. I can't be bothered with such distinctions, I don't really care.
As for my own power, I don't know anything yet. But I did receive an invitation from the academy, because everyone is tested for superpowers before turning fourteen. I was tested last year, just in time for admission.
Father East nodded as he saw me become obedient, then continued his lecture.
Ding.
"Huh?" I looked around to identify the source of the sound, but everything seemed normal.
[Suitable host detected, scanning for further action]
Hearing the prompt, I calmed myself and glanced at Father East. Seeing no abnormalities, I pretended to listen to the lecture while focusing on the voice.
[Analysis start]
[The host shows very high compatibility with this system]
"Good, good," I muttered. I thought I could live without help, just lying around and surviving. But now there was a system, a thing I had only seen in novels.
[Analysis complete]
[No money, no car, no house, no job, no wife, no girlfriend, no family, no savings, not even looks]
[The host does not even own a bicycle. What a pitiful host, hahah]
[Final analysis: Match made in heaven. Host detected. Binding initiated.]
"What the f@?₹#"