Enter the Fool

Chapter 01

Long ago, humans lived ordinary lives. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. Kids would play in the street with natural forces that couldn’t be manipulated. Adults would have to struggle day to day figuring out what to do with their lives after realizing some dreams just aren’t meant to be true.

Had childhood dreams of being a superhero? Fat chance.

Back then, there was nothing super about the human race. Nothing made anyone stand out.

Fast forward in time and the world is now filled with millions of people who have some sort of ability that makes them stand out. Kids could play in the street, manipulating natural forces to their advantage. Adults had more options to make a living rather than the typical desk job.

People could pursue their childhood dreams of becoming a superhero.

Well, not everyone.

Spring was closing in and another school year was ending. Sitting in the back of an obscure middle school classroom by the back door, a third year student waits for another school day to end. Her classmates were loud and rambunctious compared to her reserved attitude. Everyone around her expressed their excitement for the end of the school year and entering high school. Many, if not all of them, bragged about the high schools they would be attending. Most of the class had already applied and been accepted to high school except for her. There were even a few in her class that had already planned to enter the workforce.

That just left her. The class’s big question mark.

“Hey, Saza! Got a question for ya!”

Her thoughts in solitude came to a close as she acknowledged the two boys in front of her desk. Both were pretty average looking and blended in with a mass crowd. There was nothing memorable about either of them; just how she saw the rest of her classmates.

“So Ishiki and I are having a bet! He thinks you’re going to be a NEET after graduation. Personally, I think you’re going to be a villain. I mean, people would die if they came into contact with you!”

Their bet was only logical. She had no plans on being a hero. Her child self dreamed of being a hero, but she had buried those dreams around the same time her dreams were pretty big. Looking at their options, being a NEET seemed more reasonable. She wouldn’t have to bother anyone. Lives wouldn’t be ruined. The other option just seemed cruel. Why would she want to cause harm to others intentionally?

“So, which is it gonna be? You gonna be a NEET or become a killer villain?!” The boy leaned forward eager to hear an answer.

This kid needs to lay off the caffeine.

DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG~

“Dammit! Come on Saza, tell us before that old crow comes in,” he demanded.

She remained silent. It’s not like she owed them an answer. To be honest, she didn’t even have an answer. Her fear kept her from progressing.

Gathering everyone’s attention, the door slammed. Walking to the podium at the front of the classroom, an older woman with crow like features put her glasses on before glaring at all of them. She slammed a stack of papers on the podium before squawking.

“Alright brats, explain to me why the majority of you suck at writing papers? Your English teacher had to call in sick because he couldn’t handle the terrible grammar you have. All of you are graduating this year!”

Her red, beady eyes scanned the room.

“Just because you troublemakers only have a few days left of school doesn’t mean you can goof off! Remember, what you do from here on out will reflect on our school. I expect you all to be outstanding citizens of society,” their homeroom teacher screeched across the room.