The sun hung high in the sky, casting warm rays over the bustling streets of Asphodel City. Among the throngs of people, three figures clad in the distinct uniforms of Everhallow Academy walked side by side.
Lexo Alexander, tall and composed, walked with an effortless grace. His long brown hair shaded into a rich purple hue at the tips, swaying gently in the breeze. Emerald-green eyes glimmered with quiet intelligence as he listened patiently to the chatter of his companions.
On his left was Kai Kris, whose white hair faded into a soft pink. His sharp, cornflower-blue eyes held a mysterious depth, a reflection of his hidden past as the reincarnated Demon Lord. Despite his noble bearing, Kai was the epitome of calmness, his demeanor as serene as a still lake.
To Lexo's right walked Kia Kris, Kai's younger sister, who was practically his opposite in terms of energy. With long, silky brown hair and bright brown eyes, Kia radiated a cheerful and determined aura. She waved her arms animatedly as she argued with Kai about some trivial topic, her voice filling the air like a lively melody.
Their matching uniforms—dark blue pants, crisp white shirts, and light blue jackets adorned with Everhallow's symbol—marked them as academy students. But while the uniform was optional, all three wore it, with Lexo's jacket neatly buttoned, Kai's left lazily open, and Kia's tied around her waist.
As the trio approached the main street leading to the academy, they noticed a commotion ahead.
A crowd had gathered, and the air was filled with an overpowering aroma—pungent, salty, and strangely mouthwatering. Kia wrinkled her nose and groaned.
"What is that smell? It's like someone fried socks and added soy sauce!"
Kai chuckled softly. "It's... unique, I'll give it that."
Lexo tilted his head curiously. "Let's check it out. We still have time before class starts."
The three made their way through the crowd, and at the center of it stood the source of the chaos.
The Smelly Tofu Stall
A tall, energetic boy with pure white hair and crystal light-blue eyes manned a makeshift food stall. His academy jacket was unzipped, exposing the white shirt beneath, and he wore a confident grin that seemed to say he owned the street.
He waved a spatula like a sword, flipping squares of steaming tofu into the air before catching them on a plate with theatrical flair.
"Step right up, ladies and gents!" the boy called out, his voice full of charm and mischief. "Behold the culinary marvel that is my Super Smelly, Super Savory Tofu! It might smell like trouble, but I guarantee it tastes like heaven! Only five credits a plate!"
The crowd roared with enthusiasm, some laughing, others shoving forward to grab a plate.
Kia gagged. "How can anyone eat that? It smells like it's been fermented for centuries!"
Kai, however, squinted at the boy. "He's selling food? In his uniform?"
Lexo's sharp eyes observed the scene closely, his calm demeanor masking a growing irritation at the disruption. He watched as the boy's grin widened when the crowd's annoyance over the long lines grew.
Without realizing it, all three of them shot the boy frustrated glances.
The System's Influence
At that moment, the boy's grin grew even wider. He glanced to the side, where a faint, translucent System Window hovered, displaying a meter labeled N.E.P. (Negative Emotion Points): 475 Points.
The numbers surged higher.
"Nice," he muttered under his breath, glancing briefly at Lexo, Kai, and Kia. "Three sources of high-quality annoyance. This is going to be fun."
The Academy and Chaos in Class
The trio reluctantly left the commotion behind and made their way to the academy. The day began like any other, with students filtering into their classrooms and the faint chatter of excitement in the air.
When they entered their homeroom, the teacher, an elderly man named Professor Aldan, began a lecture on the theory of mana manipulation.
All seemed calm until the door suddenly slammed open with enough force to make everyone jump.
"WHAT IS UP, CLASS 1-A?"
In strolled the same white-haired boy from the tofu stall, his jacket still unzipped and his carefree grin plastered across his face.
The room fell silent, except for the groans and whispers of annoyance.
"Who is that guy?" Kia muttered, rubbing her temples.
Lexo sighed deeply, a vein twitching on his forehead.
Even the ever-composed Kai frowned. "Isn't that the tofu seller?"
Xeno didn't seem to notice—or care. He strolled confidently to the front of the class, ignoring Professor Aldan's glare, and turned to address the students.
"Name's Xeno Shin," he announced, throwing up a casual salute. "I'm your new classmate, and I'll be honest—I'm here to have fun and make some noise!"
A faint ding sounded in Xeno's head as his N.E.P. counter climbed higher.
Professor Aldan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Mr. Shin, I introduce the students—not you."
"Eh, details." Xeno grinned, throwing himself into an empty seat near the trio.
Reactions and First Impressions
The rest of the class passed in relative chaos, with Xeno disrupting every other minute—dropping pens loudly, whispering to nearby students, and even making a paper airplane mid-lecture. Each disruption earned him glares and scowls, which only fueled his growing N.E.P. counter.
Meanwhile, the trio exchanged glances, a silent agreement forming between them.
Kia whispered to her brother, "That guy is going to be trouble."
Kai nodded. "He's... different."
Lexo said nothing, but his emerald-green eyes lingered on Xeno, an unspoken curiosity hidden behind his calm demeanor.
Little did they know, this was just the beginning of their entanglement with the enigmatic and mischievous Xeno Shin—a boy whose secrets ran deeper than anyone could imagine.
To Be Continued...
YOU ARE READING
Eclipsed Fates: The Rise of Heroes and Shadows
FantasyA century ago, the world was irreversibly transformed. It was the dawn of calamity and miracles alike-a day etched in history as the First Gate Breakthrough. On that fateful day, a rift split open the sky above Earth, revealing a portal that radiate...
