Stephen Clark was a 35 year old unmarried man who lived a mundane life since birth. He had been born with little to no emotions or feelings, and he repeatedly failed to build one while growing up. He lacked the will to strive for achievements, moving through life as if driven by a desireless will. Yet, this desireless will made him the most competent and knowledgeable man in many fields in the world.
It all started when he was ten. Since then, he had dabbled into several activities such as assassination, medicine, finance and accounting, marketing, drug dealing, mafia business, metallurgy, technology development, agriculture, and several others in just a span of twenty years.
If these facts were known about him, he would be recognized as the most talented genius on earth, and perhaps could have broken a Guinness World Record. Yet, his lack of drive for achievements made him continue to be mundane.
"Oh well, it isn't like I care."
He said, looking at his now empty hand. A small kid, possibly twelve years old, had snatched his wallet and ran away. Despite having the ability to restrain or even eliminate the kid, he didn't say a word and resumed his journey.
He had a slim but toned body which he always hid under baggy clothes, making him unremarkable. Coupled with his unremarkable black hair and dead-fish black eyes, he was so unnoticeable that a person wouldn't even know if he sat beside them.
With his shoulders slumped, he walked home, after having the money for transport stolen.
To reach his apartment, he had to cross four different streets, something he was already used to. With his thoughts blank, he crossed the first as soon as the green light flickered to life.
Just when he was in the middle of the road, bright light shined on him and he heard a loud sound.
HONK!!!
With a bored gaze, he looked at the ambulance which was speeding over, then continued crossing.
Whoosh!
Under the astonished gazes of the onlookers, the ambulance missed him by an inch, its side mirror brushing against his arm.
'Is that it? Truck-kun isn't as omnipotent as they claim.'
He thought dryly, then ignoring the gazes of the passersby, he crossed the second street at the green light signal.
As if to refute his claim, another truck came speeding at him while honking repeatedly.
Just as the truck was about to hit him, he suddenly took a step. A distance of more than ten meters was taken in a single step! Anyone who saw it would be shocked.
"Dude! Did that guy just flash-step?"
One guy asked, tapping his friend whose mouth was wide open in shock.
Meanwhile, Stephen felt a faint emotion stir in him. Was it curiosity? Amusement? He didn't know. He couldn't recognize it.
However, he let it simmer in his heart, spreading a faint warmth through him.
Unperturbed, he moved to cross the third street. The green light turned on.
With measured steps, he crossed the streets without any problem.
That faint feeling... curiosity was it? rose again. This time, he felt another one. His blood flowed faster, rushing through his veins.
Was that eagerness? Anticipation? Excitement?
He stepped forward to cross the last street.
HONK!
As if on cue, another truck appeared, speeding towards him. This time, he walked faster, moving out of the truck's range. Shockingly, the driver lost control of the steering, and the truck turned, running straight at Stephen.
Seeing his life flash before his eyes, Stephen revealed a faint smile. A first in his whole life.
'It seems Truck-kun is hellbent on proving its omnipotence.'
Bam!
*Blackout*
______
Although Stephen had died, his consciousness and awareness remained. He was surrounded by utter darkness with no sense of weight, touch, sight, smell, or even sound. It felt like the nothingness described in a fantasy novel.
Finally, after almost an eternity, he heard a sound.
["Host's soul conditions have been stabilized."]
["Initiating programmed Rebirth."]
After the monotone voice faded into the void, he felt like he was being pulled out of something, though on a much more smaller proportion.
'Rebirth, huh?'
Finally, he could feel his body and all his five senses again. Only, something was utterly wrong. His body wasn't that one he was familiar with. Instead, it was the body of a newly born baby.
Still slightly disoriented, his eyes opened and he heard voices around him.
"*Gasp* He has opened his eyes, wait— oh my supreme?! His eyes are rainbow color!"
A voice he characterized as feminine and childish rang beside his ears, almost making him wince. Turning his small head slightly, he saw the girl.
Raven black hair and black eyes, a beautiful face and body of a five year old. It seems like she is an elder sister. Stephen thought flatly.
The girl was obviously surprised when the baby turned to look at her.
Smiling to herself, she was happy that the first thing the baby saw was her. Unfortunately, her childish self failed to notice the lack of innocence in his eyes.
"Yelena, you're going to scare the boy with your glare."
A mature male voice subtly teased her, making her puff her cheeks in anger.
"Daddy! I'm not glaring!"
The man ignored her complaints and instead sat beside his wife who was carrying the baby.
Both had black hair and black eyes, a trait that could make one mistake them as siblings.
"Kara. He looks just like you. And his eyes..." The man smiled.
"They're beautiful." Kara nodded, smiling at her baby.
They were mesmerized by his rainbow colored eyes and stark white hair that they totally forgot about how he hadn't cried even after being born.
Instead, the couple were immersed in the joy of having another child.
'Ignorance is truly bliss.'
Stephen remarked inwardly after memorizing the features of the three. Deciding to test himself, he tried to speak.
"Gwah, gwah, gwah, gwah..."
Childish sounds escaped his throat, much to his apparent disappointment.
His parents and sister gladly welcomed the sound, thinking their baby was giggling.
"Kara, give the baby a name." The man said with a calm smile.
"I should?"
The mother was obviously surprised. After all, according to tradition, the father is supposed to name the child.
Seeing him nod, Kara felt warmth in her heart, then gazed at the child again.
"Seraph."