World Awakening: The Legendary Player

“Lookathim,”someonesnickeredfromafewrowsover.“Smellslikehesleepsinadumpster.”“Probablydoes,”anothervoiceadded,louderthistime.Noxjuststaredathistextbook,thewordsblurring.Hehadhearditallbefore.Then,Mark,oneofthemainreasonshislifewasalivinghell,swaggeredpasthisdesk.Markalwayshadasmirkonhisface.“Oops,”hesaid,noteventryingtosoundaccidental,asafullcupofbrightorangejuicetippedover,splashingalldownthefrontofNox'salreadyruinedshirt.Thecoldliquidsoakedthroughinstantly.Laughtereruptedaroundtheroom.Itwasloud,clear,andmocking.Noxslowlylookedup.HiseyeslandedonMs.Joy,whowaswatchingthewholething.ShehadseenMarkdeliberatelypourthejuiceonhim.Heraisedhishand,asmall,tiredgesture.“Ms.Joy,”hesaid,hisvoiceflat.“Hejustpouredjuiceonme.Areyoujustgoingtoignoreit?Again?.”Ms.Joylookedathim,thenatMark,whowasnowtheatricallywipinghishands.Asmallsmileplayedonherlips.Thenshechuckled.Justalittleairylaugh.“Oh,Nox,don'tbesodramatic.Boyswillbeboys,rightMark?”Markpuffedouthischest.“Yeah,Ms.Joy.He'sjustsensitive.”Theclasslaughedevenharderatthat.Ms.Joyjoinedin,herlaughterringingoutwiththeirs.Hearingthemall,hearingherlaugh,somethinginhimfinallysnapped.Itwasn'taloudbreak,morelikeaquiet,finalclick.Herealizeditthen,withacold,hardclarity.Noonewascomingtosavehim.Noteachers,nopolice,noparentsheneverhad.Noonecared.Ifhewantedthistostop,hewouldhavetobetheonetostopit.Hewastheonlyonewhocould.Hisfaceremainedblank,buthismindwassuddenlyveryclear.Hereacheddownslowly,hishandgoingintohisworn-outschoolbag.Thelaughterdieddownalittleasafewstudentsnoticedhisdeliberatemovement,astrangestillnessabouthim.Hepulledoutagun.Theclassroomwentsilent.Utterly,completelysilent.Mark'ssmirkvanished,replacedbywide,terrifiedeyes.EvenMs.Joystoppedlaughing,herfacepaling.“What…Nox,whatareyoudoing?”shestammered,hervoicesuddenlyshaky.Hedidn'tanswer.Helookedaroundattheirfaces,onebyone.Fear.Hesawfearnow.Good.Hewasready.Hewasgoingtomakethemallpay.Hewasgoingtoendit,allofit.Justashewasabouttoraisethegunproperly,abrightbluescreenappearedrightinfrontofhisface.Itwastranslucent,andonlyheseemedtoseeit.[Congratulations!Youhavemettherequirements!][1stPlayerChosen!][YouhavewontheSystem!]