Timeless Limitations

Chapter 1: The Day Everything Changed

David Asher was just an average college student. He attended classes, hung out with friends, and tried to make the most of his time in school. But behind the facade of his easygoing personality was a hidden genius, a strategic mind that could make lightning-fast mental calculations and solve complex problems with ease. He kept this part of himself hidden, preferring to blend in with his peers rather than stand out as a prodigy.

David was studying at the university of Brookfield in the heart of the United States. He had been living on campus for two years, enjoying the freedom of college life and the excitement of exploring a new city. He had made three close friends during his time there: his best friend, Marcus, a charming and outgoing guy who always knew how to lighten the mood; his crush, Emily, a smart and ambitious young woman who always seemed to be one step ahead of everyone else; and a new friend, Sarah, a quiet and reserved girl who had just started at Brookfield that semester.

David's family life was a bit more complicated. His parents had divorced when he was young, and he had spent his childhood bouncing back and forth between their houses. He loved them both, but their constant fighting and bickering had taken a toll on him over the years. By the time he had started college, he had grown used to the chaos and had learned to keep his emotions in check.

On this particular day, David was walking to class, lost in thought as he tried to work out a problem from his calculus homework. He was so focused that he didn't notice the group of people approaching him from the opposite direction until it was too late.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" a voice shouted, jolting David out of his thoughts. He looked up to see a tall, muscular guy glaring at him.

"Sorry," David muttered, trying to step around him. But the guy didn't move.

"You think you're better than me, don't you?" he sneered. "You and your fancy education."

David felt his anger rising. He hated it when people made assumptions about him based on his intelligence. He was just a regular guy, trying to make his way in the world like everyone else.

"I don't think I'm better than anyone," he replied evenly. "I'm just trying to get to class."

The guy didn't seem satisfied with that answer. He stepped closer, and David could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"You know what? I don't like your attitude," he growled. "I think you need to be taught a lesson."

Before David could react, the guy swung a fist at him. David's reflexes kicked in, and he ducked out of the way. But as he did, something strange happened.

The world around him seemed to slow down, as if he were moving in slow motion while everything else was frozen in time. He looked around in confusion, wondering if he was dreaming.

And then, just as suddenly as it had started, everything snapped back into place. The guy was still standing in front of him, looking angry and confused.

"What the hell was that?" David muttered, shaking his head.

"Are you okay?" a voice asked, and he turned to see Emily standing nearby, looking concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, still feeling a bit disoriented. "Just a little shaken up."

Emily put a hand on his arm. "Let's get you to class," she said, leading him away from the guy and towards their shared lecture hall.

As they walked, David tried to make sense of what had just happened. He couldn't explain it, but he knew that something had changed inside of him. He felt a strange energy coursing through his veins, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he had just tapped into a power he never knew he had.