This is an excerpt because my first chapter needs revision
Even if the world was almost destroyed 250 years ago we sure were able to come a long way in that time. It was great enough that me and Thomas’ parents would try so hard to be able to live here.
At first glance it was beautiful like a dream. Sector 3 was one of the best Districts except 1 and 2.
It buzzed with life with people on their way to work and wherever they needed to go. Cars hovered over the ground at speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour. They made a sort of buzzing noise that was music to my ears. The smells of food cooking in fancy restaurants attacked my nostrils hoping to draw my attention and buy their food. Good thing I had a hearty breakfast because I don’t think I could afford any of them right now. Teenagers like me hung out with their hoverboards doing all types of tricks that could easily backfire in a nearby park. They had neon colored hair, mohawks along with other choices in fashion that my school and I just don’t agree with. Other businesses such as hospitals, hair salons, movie theaters also seemed to attract crowds like a magnet. I even passed by the hospital my mom worked at. It was a huge dark skyscraper with a spacious parking lot with its name Healing Haven Hospital in bright colored letters at the top.
Sector 3 was a great place to live if you could afford it. Although If you looked hard enough you noticed the people that failed to make ends meet. In the slums people slept in man made houses of trash and boxes. Others smoked and did drugs which was kind of illegal. Either they weren’t caught or the soldiers didn’t care enough to check. Children wearing dirty rags who were so skinny you could count their ribs rummaged through trash and fought over any spoils. It wasn’t fair that this greedy government would place laws and taxes that would force them to suffer this horrible fate. I need money whether or not it's legal as long as it can keep my family fed and happy.
15 minutes after I left the house I finally reached the train station. I got off my hoverboard and got in line and thankfully it wasn’t that long. When I reached the doors, I almost had a heart attack. Guarding the door where two sentinels armed to the teeth carrying large guns and dressed in their signature white bulletproof armor.
“Pay up please,” the one on the right said as he stretched out his hand. He held a device that would collect the money you need to take to ride the train.
“Okay,” I agreed with a nervous voice.
I took out my own phone and paid. I was able to get a seat on the train I was keeping all to myself with no troubles.
After we started moving I finally was able to let myself relax. I thought I was this close to being arrested before I could do anything illegal today.
Sentinels are usually stationed in places such as banks and homes of important people like governors. But this is the first time I’ve seen them deployed at a train station. I remember when I wanted to be one when I was a kid and go to District 2 to make lots of money but my parents made me give up that dream. District 2 specializes in military and security. That was where soldiers trained and lived. Higher Ups also had access to a luxurious life in a fancy mansion and more money than what they actually needed. This is where the hovercrafts that soared the sky providing surveillance were built and maintained. Where Epizon’s forces that would protect our country from its threats could prepare for any possibility. Prepare for what I always ask. Most of the world has been destroyed. Africa has never shown any hostility to us. No, they’re just here to enforce this tyrannical government and eliminate any that may possess abilities.
I grabbed my headphones from my backpack and played my favorite songs. At least I can enjoy the view.
It was like I was flying as the train soared through the sky on a railway that snaked throughout the city. Never actually touching since the train was connected through powerful electromagnets saving both energy and money. The city looked even more impressive when you had a bird’s eye view.
Couples and families enjoyed picnics on tables at the Liberty State Park. People walked in and out of the Interpretive Center where history from about 300 years was taught. It still had memorials dedicated to remembering events like what happened centuries ago at 9/11. Now there’s a huge memorial dedicated to those who fought to save us from the Enhanced. It's still so hard to believe that people with super powers exist. I’ve learned about them in history class but they seem so unreal. I’ve never seen somebody shoot fire or fly so either the military is really good at their job or this is all made up.
District 3 of the great utopia Epizon. Named after the Greek word for survivor. When the continents Australia, Europe, South America, and Asia were destroyed in World War Three. By the Enhanced who gained powers that almost destroyed the world. Thankfully, the remnants of North America were able to stand up and defeat all the Enhanced people and create the amazing paradise we live in.
It sounds so unreal it has to be propaganda to control the Sectors.
We flew over the Hudson River Walkway. It was my favorite view on the train ride because I loved the way sunlight would reflect off the pristine turquoise waters. It's a shame we don’t really get to swim or fish though. That’s probably for the best.
The rest of the train ride went fast and before I knew it I was at my stop. I grabbed my hoverboard and raced to school because the Victor can’t be late.
While this District has its downsides it could really get a lot worse from here. However, District 1 was the real paradise. It was where the most important people with the most standing lived. The President, his wife, and other high ranking government officials lived there. In enormous mansions separated by acres where all the other people who enforced laws and taxes that made it difficult for my parents to live and provide for us.
But District 3 was the best place where people who are more fortunate like me could live. As long as you were skilled enough and worked hard enough. My mom was a somewhat prominent doctor at one of the biggest hospitals in this District. District 3 specializes in a lot of fields but the one it specializes in is medical science. Medicine, prosthetics, you can get the best of them from here. And my dad was vice president at a company that released some of the best virtual reality games. Entertainment is just as important as health in Epizon. Which meant I sometimes received popular games before everyone else. I remember so many times my parents and I would play together exploring outer space, fighting monsters. My parents are so cool, right?
You’d think that our life would be a little more luxurious and it was. Unfortunately, the selfish government increased taxes and fees from school started to pile up. As the victor in sophomore year I was exempt from those rules as long as I remained Victor. But my parents have yet to completely finish paying all those debts.
It's dangerous to get lost in your thoughts when you’re traveling 3 feet off the ground at 15 miles per hour on a hoverboard because you might end up running into a moving car. Thankfully, I managed to stop just in time.
“So, the Victor almost crashes to a fatal stop. It would be sad, you know. I’d hate for my best friend to die like that.”
I knew that voice.
I turned around and noticed that mischievous grin with sharp teeth I was so familiar with. With his strong red eyes and messy black hair he could’ve been a criminal. Well he technically should be but we’re too smart to get caught.
“Thomas, how’re you?” I asked as I got off my hoverboard.
“Oh, nothing, just waiting for you,” he replied. “I knew you’d show up here to catch the levitrain.”
He gave me a hug and somehow managed to pick me up and spin me around like something a kid would ask their parents to do.
“How’re you doing my best friend? Did you actually get a huge extravagant meal because I just did. My mom just got paid and she didn’t save a single epi.”
“Yeah, I actually did and so I can actually keep my breakfast and not throw up let me down.”
“Sure!”
“How’re you so strong anyway? I know you work out but are you seriously that strong. Don’t tell me you actually have super strength.”
“I hope I don’t. Life sucks as is but it would get even worse if I suddenly awakened superpowers.”
I feel the same. It’s rough but we can make it better.
“Fistbump!”
We always managed to read each other’s minds.
“Are you ready for these physicals?” I asked.
“I’m so sick of those things,” he replied. “Oh, it’s time for us to cross.”
We both got on our hoverboards and raced towards school.
“Don’t worry about it, you're strong and you’re pretty muscular,” I assured him. “But, I hope you’re not strong enough to throw a car or something.”
“Don’t worry about it, I've already tried. Nah, I’m kidding.”
“So, are we doing that job today,” Thomas asked with a mischievous grin.
“You know it,” I said.
CHAPTER 2
Now you have to admit our school was pretty impressive.
First of all, it was gigantic. It sort of resembled a castle but really high tech in blue, red, and white colors. In the middle FutureTech was printed in red and blue and was highlighted in white. The dorms were on the left side. And the rest of the other facilities and equipment was in the other half. This was FutureTech, a place which was probably the best school a student could ask for. Less than 20% of those who apply here make the cut. And the majority of them were rich kids who could afford to pay the tuition. Me and Thomas barely made it and it was really tough. But we both worked hard and eventually I became the Victor. One of the perks of being a Victor that must’ve been in place for people like us was that the Victor could choose anyone who didn’t have as much money as the others to be their second in command. They would be exempt from the tuition and other crazy rules. Did you know you have to pay a security fee after a year?
Crazy.
But those only applied if the other guy had good grades and a clean track record. But only as long as I’m the Victor and if either of us do anything that breaks the rules we’ll both be kicked out. Talk about pressure.
But this was the best place to learn anything really. Law, business, art, engineering and other sciences. And it could all be done here.
The school had defenses in place to protect the lives of students and staff. An electromagnetic barrier surrounded the entire establishment. Stretching out a few acres across outside the building. If you wanted to get in you had to get through the one gate in the front. At the gate there were security cameras, x-rays, and 10 armed Sentinels just for extra security. The security was just as intense inside making it nearly impossible to do anything that violated the rules. They didn’t waste a single epi.
“Man, the security of this place is unnerving as always,” Thomas complained.
“It never fails to show me just how out of place we are.”
“Of course the security is advanced. The children of really important people receive education here. This helps them make sure they aren’t kidnapped. I do agree it's unnerving but at least it’s secure. Besides you and I both deserve to be here”
We walked through the sliding doors and saw just how beautiful the school was inside.
The place was illuminated by golden lights. Robots made clunky noises while drones wizzed over my head. I could barely hear myself think over the voices of other students. Girls argued over petty things like their hairstyles and whose boyfriend was better. While boys competed to see who’s stronger or more handsome. Rainbow colors flashed from the lab to the right. Future doctors practiced their skills on mannequins in the lab at the left.
“Hey, look, it's the Victor!”
Soon, the whole school had their eyes on me.
Girls and boys waved and applauded. Even the ones on the second floor whooped and jumped around. Not everyone felt the same though. Some students snickered and sneered while others glared with hatred and jealousy. Even when you work hard to be at the top not everyone will appreciate it.
“You’re popular,” Thomas remarked.
“Too bad not everyone is a fan. You still got the ladies cheering for you. You think you could give them a good word about me?” Thomas joked.
“You know that’s not how it is. We’re on different levels in society. I lose my title as Victor and I fade into the background.”
“Besides, you're smart and strong. Try hard enough and you could get a girlfriend. Just don’t let anyone catch on to our extracurricular activities.”
“Look at that smug smile on his face,” a voice rang out.
“It must be nice to be the Victor's lap dog. I could use that so explain why it is getting wasted on that idiot.”
“ He thinks he’s so strong and mighty just because of that stupid pin. Wait till I get my hands on it, fool.”
“He should watch out. It’d be unfortunate if an accident were to happen. No one would miss some commoners who couldn’t support themselves without that Victor title.”
“Who is that?” Thomas demanded.
“If I find out who they are they won’t have to worry about creating any accident.”
“Chill out Thomas. None of them have the guts or smarts to try anything. Besides, together there’s nothing they can do to either of us.”
“You’re right. We have brains and muscles,” he said as he flexed his arms.
I don’t blame some of them though. Kids who weren’t super wealthy but still made it could use the privileges I got from this title. There were also the selfish rich kids who had more money than they really needed. But I couldn't bear to see someone work hard to achieve something they couldn’t. It makes me so sick sometimes. Our parents do our best just to put a roof over our heads and pay taxes. But I became Victor and that’s a problem. I apologize but I’m not giving it up anytime soon.
“ So what’s first on Victor's schedule?”
“First, we have History class. Then, I have to give a report on quantum physics. Then we have lunch right before the physicals.”
“Well, while you’re doing your fancy report on quantum psychics I’m doing one on the state of this Sector. There’s so many children and families without homes. If I simply beg them nothing will happen. I’ll convince them why they should lend money and support to those who really deserve it. They can train adults to help reinforce the Walls. Add them to the military. Children can also be useful for things. Think about all the new medications they could try by using sick children. They could also put extremely smart children to work in engineering. Even the government can’t ignore the potential of children if given the right environment.”
Good old Thomas is always thinking of ways to help those in need. He takes every advantage and tool he can if it means he can improve the lives of his mother’s and others. More reason for me to fight to stay the Victor.
“Thomas, I have a question.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“Let’s say if you can do what you plan. What if some of those who you’re helping have powers?”
Thomas' face darkened as he stopped his stride.
I hate to do this to him but what if some of those he’s trying to help are Enhanced. People who have done nothing wrong superpowers or not don’t deserve to be hurt out of fear and hatred. Especially if it was because my best friend was only trying to genuinely help.
“I’m not sure. I can already imagine what the government would do if they got their hands on Enhanced people. But if I can only help people with no powers who actually need it. Am I wrong to try even if it could hurt others?”
Thomas’ statement really made me think. The government will hunt those with powers without question. But if he can help the others is that really so wrong? If only we could get the power and authority to change Epizon for the better. A place where rich or poor, normal or superpowered don’t matter. The only thing that you’ll be judged on is your character.
But I guess we’ve got to help our families and graduate first.
“Let’s go Thomas. We can both think about that later. But first let’s catch an elevator to the third floor and learn more history. YAY!!”
“Ok! I’ll race you!”
In 5 minutes we made it to History class before we could’ve been marked late. Seriously, why does Mr. Rodrigo’s class has to be all the way at the end of the hallway.
We took our seats in the front with Thomas right behind me and got ready.
Mr. Rodrigo was an intimidating man. He was 6ft 6 inches tall. He had an even more muscular body than Thomas and his platinum blonde hair was as tidy as always. But the most frightening part was his silver right arm prosthetic which I swore could punch through steel. No student turned in work late in this class. We had a Veteran soldier, not some pushover.
“Today, in class we’ll be discussing World War Three and what led to it 250 years ago!” Mr Rodrigo announced.
The projector in front turned on into an educational video to teach us about the history of Epizon.
This is how the story went. Over 250 years the Earth was a beautiful place. All the major continents and countries were still thriving and Epizon was known as North America. It was a place where all races were equal. And people could enjoy nature and the same standards of living. No one went hungry and people could afford anything they could ever want. Yeah right.
However, this peace and prosperity was interrupted when the Chosen rebelled. When the greatest scientists of North America were able to give selected people superpowers to make sure peace could continue to prosper. However, the Chosen got drunk on their new powers. They betrayed our country and killed those who gave them their powers to make sure no one could fight against them. After taking full control of our country they waged war on the rest of the world, Starting World War Three. However, other major world powers also developed their own Chosen. In the next 10 years Asia, South America, Europe, and Australia were completely destroyed.
However, our country’s usurpers had almost destroyed themselves in the war. While they grew complacent with their powers we built up our resources in secret. When they attempted to heal their wounds we launched a counter strike against them. Using whatever tactics it took from air strikes, snipings, and more. A major part was thanks to a specially created poison that could weaken those with powers and even kill them. We finally won over them and took our country back. To celebrate we named our country Epizon and split it into 20 Sectors. The most crucial people in the war effort against the former Chosen were elected to be governors, secretaries with the President on top. With their descendants guiding Epizon to greatness and equality centuries later.
What a load of bull.
This country isn’t fair or equal at all! My parents struggle just to pay stupid bills! I go on these stupid jobs just to make sure me and my best friend's family don’t have to sleep on the streets. The horrible fate of those who couldn’t make it haunts me everytime I go around the city. One doesn’t even have a fair chance of becoming a politician if they aren't related to one.
I got so mad I snapped my pen in half. A waste of a perfectly good pen.
“Mark, are you good?” Thomas whispered.
“Yes, I’m fine. Sorry just lost my temper-”
A metal fist slammed into my table.
“Mr. Mark, is there a reason why you and your friend are interrupting class. Do you perhaps feel that as the Victor you have nothing to learn from this topic.”
The rest of the class snickered and snorted.
“Actually no Thomas and I were comparing the earliest of Epizon to now to highlight just how much our country has grown. I apologize if we interrupted your class.”
“Oh really. Well since you already know this class backwards and forwards you can teach the class. In fact, you can educate them on the Bloody River Incident. Consider this a test. And I do hope you know your facts. After all, I was the only survivor of that horrible massacre ”
The Bloody River Incident was a catastrophe where 1,000 died. I only learned about it last year because whenever the aftermath turned on the news my parents removed it.
“I’d love to educate our class on Epizon’s history, Mr. Rodrigo.”
Three years ago the Sentinels launched an attack on a refugee camp of Enhanced in Sector 4. Unfortunately, the battalion of 1,000 Sentinels was all wiped out. It got its title for the color the Hudson River turned when the blood of fallen soldiers mixed in. The security for schools, banks, and other “important” places increased. Of course they never bothered with things like public transportation until recently.
“Anytime this year,” Mr. Rodrigo complained.
Why did I have to get a pop quiz today?
Chapter 3
“Finally, we get to go to lunch,” Thomas cheered.
“Did you bring anything today?”
“I was super lucky today. My mom made this huge spread so I’ve got some leftover pancakes, bacon and some eggs. What about you?”
“Oh nothing so special. My mom was still at work so I gathered up some things and made lasagna.”
“Your mom’s super awesome lasagna,” I wondered.
“I’ll share some with you if you share with me,” he said.
Thanks to the insulated lunch box Thomas’ food was still warm. The aroma of all the wonderful spices gave me delight.
“Sure. One of the special privileges I get to enjoy is your mom’s lasagna. After all the school lunch is too expensive and while it may be high class food. It still pales in comparison to homemade food made with love.”
“Isn’t that right? So Mark, what do you want to do once you graduate? We can’t be criminals forever.”
“I was thinking about starting a company using our inventions. I’ve been talking to my dad about it and if I can remain the Victor until I graduate. It will be a great sales pitch especially if we can improve our projects. Even Epizon can’t deny geniuses who can make their country even greater.”
“You’re right. How did your Dad like our skeleton key?”
“He wasn’t fond of it at all. He said he didn’t want us to use our intellect to make weapons. Instead, we should work with my mom to find ways we can help people. For example, my mom’s a neurosurgeon. Sentinels who’ve suffered grievous injuries in training exercises will be looking for someone who can really fix them. Paralysis, loss of motor control, even the prosthetics they use sometimes malfunction.”
I took out my laptop and typed a few buttons. In three minutes I pulled a sort of research paper I made in my spare time.
“I’ve heard that some nervous systems are unable to handle the stress of handling new prostheses. And the more prosthesis they implant the more the increase in side effects. Some soldiers sign up for weaponized implants to improve their combat powers. I heard they can even copy some powers like pyrokinesis or super strength.”
“That’s crazy. Anyways I’m hungry. Let's discuss this after lunch.”
We’ll need all the energy we can get.
We split the food both ways and chowed down.
Thomas took out a mini speaker and started playing rock music. Before we knew it we started using the forks and spoons we had as music instruments. We tapped and beat to the music. But we calmed down a little when we received glares. We can’t be looking foolish.
The cafeteria was big enough to carry two hovercrafts. It had gold chandeliers and pristine white walls. Tables ranging for 1, for 2, and 4 were scattered out. Robots taking orders, collecting checks, and bringing food raced around on high tech wheels. The air was packed with aromas from dishes prepared by some of the best chefs in Epizon. However, what I despised the most wasn’t the high cost of food that made me avoid relying on school lunch. But the snot nosed rich kids who went out of their way to bring their own fancy dresses and suits just for the cafeteria. I mean are you serious? And the school allowed them to do it as long as it was just for lunch. I pitied the other kids who stood out because they weren’t in the position to waste the few good clothes they had. I certainly could agree with that. These kids would dance, sing loud and do whatever else that was annoying.
On our table just for two that was far away from the majority we ate our lunch in peace.
“Your mom’s lasagna is just as good as it’s always been Thomas. I could never quite recreate it even when you gave me the recipe.”
“Of course you couldn’t. It’s a secret skill that can only be learned by my bloodline.”
HAAH! HAAH!! HAAH!!!
Would it be too much to ask if we could just laugh like this forever.
“I see you’re enjoying yourself Victor.”
Someone just had to ruin the fun.
I heard the tip tapping of shoes from right behind me. One girl, two boys.
“I hate this guy. Why’d he even come to this school? He should have just been homeschooled in his nice mansion in Sector 1.”
“Come on, commoner. You should be grateful to be blessed for me to come to you. Your lap dog should feel grateful too.”
“This guy,” Thomas growled.
He grabbed a chair and sat right in the middle of us. His lackeys stayed right behind him.
The aggressor was the son of the President, the most powerful man in Epizon. He was tall for 15 6ft 3 inches. His white skin had no freckle, zit, or pimple in sight. His red eyes went well with the red highlights in his hair. Usually dying your hair isn’t allowed but when you’re the President’s son you get to break a few rules.
His two lackeys are Merle, daughter of Sector 4’s Governor, and Sector 3’s Secretary Charles.
“Jason. It’s time for us to eat lunch. What would you like to order?” Merle asked.
“Knowing Jason he’s going to order whatever’s the most expensive thing on the menu,” Charles answered.
“That’s right I Jason Powers sit at the top of Epizon. I come from a line of great people like secretaries, governors, generals, and revolutionary scientists. Someone of my standing deserves nothing less than the best.”
“Very well, I shall place your order now.”
Jason pointed at me.
“But what are you eating Victor? What’s on your plate? Pancakes,eggs,lasagna. I won’t allow someone as esteemed as the Victor to eat from such a shabby diet. At this school you’re one of the only people at this school at my level. Maybe I should order the second most expensive thing on this menu.”
“Ok!”
“What-” both Thomas and him exclaimed.
“If possible, can I take it to go?”
Look I’m not passing up free high class food even if I don’t like the guy that’s offering.
“Guess I’ll order it then. I’ll take something to get Waiter-bot!”
In response a nearby Waiter-bot rushed over.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Thomas whispered.
“Look, I'm not turning down free food. Maybe I’ll give it to my parents.”
“And what about your third string?”, he addressed Thomas.
Thomas jumped out of his seat and looked like he was about to start a fight. Thankfully, his smart to know that’s a bad idea.
“Considering you’re the lowest person here. Should I buy you the fifth most expensive dish? Or did that restaurant your mom owns mean you don’t need it. It used to be so high-class you know but ever since Father placed those taxes you haven’t been doing so well. You’re still successful, sure but your mom must be struggling to run it.”
Thomas was about to raise his fist but I quickly smacked it down.
“He’ll take it and thanks for your kind consideration.”
“If you need anything, here's my card. I may take pity on you.”
In 20 minutes the Waiterbots brought our food after Jason and his lackeys left.
We had Massaman curry, wagyu beef, Japanese sushi and other delicacies.
“WHY! Why would you accept that he’s mocking us!”
“But he’s giving us free food Thomas,” I leaned in to whisper.
“We literally do all these illegal side jobs that could get us and our families in danger if we’re found out. So we can provide for them. You think I’m passing up free food.”
Thomas' expression finally relaxed.
“You’re right it’s like you said free food is free food.”
The loudspeakers in the cafeteria shouted out loud:
“Will the Victor please come down to the basement prepared for the assessment.”
Voices from the crowd erupted.
“So, the Victor is going first?”
“I’m glad it’s not me.”
“What if he has powers? What if the Sentinels can’t bring him down?” We can’t leave until the assessments are over.”
“I hope he doesn’t come back. Then, I can be the Victor.”
“You think it’s going to be you. It’s going to be me.”
Why did it have to be me first? I wish these kids would shut up, they're making it worse.
“What are these brats talking about? Half of these brats couldn’t hope to be as good as you or me for that matter so they shouldn’t get their hopes up. The only thing stopping Jason from being Victor is you so there’s that.”
Thomas is always there to cheer me up.
“Well, I’ll put this food in our lockers so we can eat them after school. That’s if I actually see you again.”
“Yeah, yeah I hope you can’t shoot fire or fly too because then I’d be in trouble.”
“HAAH!! HAAH!! HAAH!!”
“Don’t do your best Mark, I'll see you later.”
After changing into my gym clothes I was escorted by 4 sentinels to the basement. It was only accessible by a special elevator built for that purpose alone. After what was probably 4 whole minutes with people who were ready to fill me up with lead. We finally arrived at the basement.
The Basement was where the annual assessment to discover if a student possessed super powers.
You see Enhanced have this sort of bioelectric aura that they emit that couldn’t be recognized using the human senses. They can only only be recognized using incredibly advanced technology. if an Enhanced got enough experience with their abilities, they could hide their bioelectric aura from machines too. However, this aura is linked to their powers and are stronger when they are used or the individual is under extreme stress. So the government came up with an idea.
To set up a school system where students can be monitored and powered people can be identified. With Sentinels there to take them down. And that is why every kid in Epizon has to go to some kind of school or get an annual check up. It’s so they can kill powered people when they’re young.
Could this society be more wrong? It saddens me to know that it could.
We finally stopped and the doors opened wide open.
“Keep walking?” the Sentinel to my right demanded.
Guess it’s time to get this over with.
We arrived at the Vault. It looked just like some high tech bank but instead of keeping people out. It was made to make sure they couldn’t escape. With automatic machine guns on the walls, Sentinels, and 12 foot thick walls of high grade steel it wasn’t going to be easy to escape. And in the case of an incident the elevator upstairs would be locked. Leaving you trapped under bedrock unless you could teleport or had some other useful power for that situation.
One Sentinel walked over to the Vault's white doors and demanded entry.
“Open, Sentinel 1706!”
With a click and clank the doors started to open slowly.
It finally sank in just how nervous I was. I was just as nervous as last year. I’ve seen kids that took the physicals never returning. As if they never even existed. My heart started to race and I could feel the sweat crawling down my face.
Please don’t tell me I’m an Enhanced person. I don’t need superpowers. I just need to graduate and start an awesome company. Hanging out with Thomas and helping our families. That's all I want to do! I just want to be normal like everyone else.
“Relax, you’re hyperventilating. You’re the Victor , you should be calm and composed. I mean don’t give us a reason to suspect you before the assessment even starts.”
Crap, I let them see me weak.
“Of course not, I'm just planning this out that’s all.”
However, my focus was ruined by ominous threats.
“Let’s kill those kids.”
“They’ll all pay for what they’ve done.”
“The sins of the parents shall be held accountable by their children.”
“Let the Revolution begin!”
Hey, what are those voices? They just started flooding in my head.
I looked around but I couldn’t find any culprits. I’m sure none of those voices belonged to a Sentinel. No Sentinel would dare to harm a student here without approval. So where was that coming from?
“Hey, who was that? Are you playing some kind of game?” I asked.
“What are you talking about, kid. Don’t try anything, follow the rules, and you’ll be fine.”
“BUT!!”
The final part of the Vaults wall barely opened before I heard a deafening boom.
The ground started shaking and the ceiling began to collapse.
“Did something happen upstairs,” a Sentinel asked.
“What the hell is going on?”
My question was answered by a ginormous explosion.

[TW; not mentioned in detail, but this is about me attempting to recover from CSA]
There's an overwhelming abundance of issues in me that I'm struggling to sort out in my egg baked brain. I just want to get my life going and to finally be "grown up" and get what needs to be done, done. However I'm finding I'm absolutely useless to the point it's humiliatingly pitiful. With all these mental blocks I could build myself my own personal home, retire early and get into stocks and bonds or whatever responsible adults do these days.
I'm on my own out here for the most part, reaching out to the people immediately available around me feels impossible, I do not feel safe nor trust them. As much as Id like to, let me stress how much I wish I could trust them, I just can't. Even though things seem different now(arguably better now Im an adult and semi independant w/ minimal paying job), they happen to have a heavy hand in the reason to this distressing mental paralysis of sorts, and thats something I realize with grief rather than resentment.
I want to be able to just rip out and detangle the root cause as to why I'm not actually doing what I feel I need to do in order to be the better more functional adult I know I need to be. And that usually involves digging into the "whys", where did these behaviors come from? And what does healing look like for me? Feels like I've always been rushing to fix this shit on my own like this as a kid. And if it were so straight forward as to reflecting my own past, I wouldnt be here typing and going back to my usual of just barely making it.
It's difficult to really lay out my own story on paper, and even in my own head. It feels like I have several perspectives in my brain on what happened to me and how my childhood went(and this is with so little memory that reliably escapes me). And when I write it out one way there's always other parts of me that range from wanting to nitpick or straight up delete and restart. It's just never "right", for a multitude of reasons that stem from shame, anxieties about potentially lying, exaggerating, or worse lying to myself to make myself out to be some victim. For attention maybe(I call these paranoias). But to be blunt, I never enjoy the reactions I get when I open up about what I can remember, I usually end up shutting down the moment I see someone upset. I feel endless guilt for some of the reactions I brought out, even if I can no longer clearly remember their faces or what was said, I still hold onto that shame I was the cause and that interaction couldve gone better if I had just shut up or lied.
Itd just be nice to just have another reliable account to my past or to speak for me sometimes. Someone who has no reason to lie to me or themselves to feel better. It's not like I feel I can rely on my own memories at all. I still have that need to talk about what I think I can remember, very desperately I wish to be understood preferably by someone safe(Ive tried therapy, but I could never get across what my needs were, im looking into a new one as of late, we have yet to start but hoping it works out better and they can help sort out my brain). But for what I think I can remember, to put it plainly, is very damning on those close in my life. I feel guilty about these experiences even though I virtually have no control over it, and more so that I can't speak of them with confidence as I can barely remember until recently. I just always knew something awful happened, and my body remembers more than I do. It reacts before me sometimes, I say things I don't understand, and it's like my body isnt my own when I'm too anxious.
I find myself struggling to explain my actions, I may not even have clear memory of these actions at times. These actions arent always harmful, just straight up weird, "out of character", childish, and maybe sometimes it got me into situations Im not comfortable with. I dont date anymore due to the sole reason I find myself "snapping back" into place, as if suddenly realizing myself in the middle of getting intimate and the vibe for me is "killed" for a reason I cant comprehend. And for whatever reason, even though Im no longer comfortable with the situation, I feel the urge to "keep up the act", like everythings fine and normal. Ive gone and retraumatized myself because of this. Its just not ideal.
I find myself always struggling to put up an act, like I'm picking up after someone left the stage with little to no script, but the show must go on. As if it'd literally kill me if I didn't. There's nothing more terrifying than having someone suddenly realize just how stupidly vulnerable and fragile I truly am. Or that confusion I'm met with and I have no way to explain what just happened away. I cant say I necessarily completely forget what was just said or done, but when these things happen I cant reliably look back the few seconds before after these "snaps" because its like looking through a fog. The memory is already fading into murky waters and who knows if itll resurface, certainly not in that moment most vital.
It's just a lot of issues. So many it's hard to deal with. I find myself wishing for a little guidance in these moments of confusion or depression. Something to set my head back on straight because I got places to be, things to do, I'm running behind in the big rat race and I do have an idea of what I want for my future. I want to be datable, and I want to be a good partner and hopefully one day a good parent after experiencing more life and resolving my own issues so I dont pass it on. I'm getting older, my twenties are escaping me and I'm not happy how Im not financially stable yet or how little these "self-help" tutorials are actually doing anything for me. Im a college drop out because I couldnt handle it. Am I just lazy? Am I too comfortable where I am now? I somehow doubt that because even if I lost what blessings I have now that keep me from homelessness, I'll still struggle to thrive or to find it in me to function any better.
What in the world can I even do for myself here? Am I just destined to succumb to my suicidal ideation? Im not trying to alarm anyone by saying this because, please just dont, but some days suicide does make sense. I dont want to die. Preferably I get my shit together and I find myself in my own little home of my own making, and I can spend my days playing games, writing, and chatting with friends. It just feels like an impossible dream right now when Im exhausted all the time and tackling with this bullshit inside my own head. I dont even want much from life, just some sense of stability, safety, and good people to be around when Im lonely. I dont want to be anything bigger than I am, to be known, or to be the stereotypical successful adult climbing the coorperate ladder. It sounds so draining and bleak, this life I feel like Im supposed to be striving for, its something my parents will be proud of i think(or maybe not, I dont think theyll ever be proud of me actually, Ill always be that useless leech Ive always been since birth). I dont actually want to be all that grand even if it leaves few things to be said at my funeral. Id be happy with the lowly job i have now if only it provided a life of independance. It just doesnt, and i need to reach out for more, to be better than I feel I am truly able.
Im just not able. And as embarrassing as it is, thats just the reality. And im stuck with what Im supposed to do about it on my own. And I really wish I didnt feel like I actually NEEDED to be coddled sometimes.
If youve read through all my essay, thank you, I dont have a TLDR for you who didnt, sorry. Im tapping out. Wishing everyone well, peace.

I was super excited to receive my first rightstuff haul today but one of my volumes arrived damaged. It had two large creases on the front cover and a few smaller ones that I honestly would have ignored on their own.
What confused me is that the damaged volume was the only one with the spine upside down compared to the others. Is that normally how they package things or did someone literally drop and damage the volume then package it anyways? I might be overthinking things but I wanted to check to see if that was normal for their packaging.
I opened a support ticket, but I wanted to see if something like this happened to other people before and how it was resolved.

Last night I took about a roughly 2-3ish gram dose and I was having a great time feeling amazing euphoria, getting some of my first visuals experience. At the time I was hanging out with my two dogs like usual, 1 is a bigger sized pit and the other (which is actually my sisters dog) a small pug.
It was late about 11pm at night and the dogs had way too much energy and were playing too loudly in the house, so I started calming things down and had the pug sitting in my lap and the pit laying by my side for awhile. Well something had happened that made the pit jump up and get alerted and the pug likes to follow up with the other dogs reactions so she also jumped up out of my lap to follow up the pit. But unfortunately as the pug tried jumping off my lap, before I could catch the dog, her leg got caught and tangled in one of the openings on the chair and by the sounds her leg and cries made it woke the whole house up and possibly the neighbors.
Everyone came around me outside trying to figure out what had just happened and why the dog is crying and can’t walk on her back leg. I already have lots of issues with my stress and self confidence and communication, and how I handle it so I’m now starting freak out because of what I had just caused to this poor dog that I love so much and my family that moment. Other people are now stressing out about this back leg that’s possibly broken because of me and causing major discomfort for the dog. This started getting me so overwhelmed with what I had just done I couldn’t even talk words, all the stress got me so hot and sweaty and light headed and I got a weird unexplainable tingling/popping feeling all through my body as I’m pacing around my sisters room as her and her BF are trying to understand the situation.
Next thing I know is just nothingness. I can’t make out any of my vision and I can’t hear anything. They finally got me back up and I feel even more of my family yelling stressed out and I can barley make out any of their sounds, I just remember waking and hearing someone yelling about me falling over and to get me help. About a minute later when I regained my full consciousness I see the rest of my family is looking over me telling me to just stop and breath air.
When I was finally able to start thinking and make coherent words come out of my mouth, I could not have felt any more embarrassed and absolutely stupid as fuck. It’s been about a day now and I’m too embarrassed to even look or speak to anyone atm, I’ve just been stuck in my bed all day and I can’t get out for anything. I have things I needed to in life do but I just can’t even handle myself right now I don’t know what to do. I understand it wasn’t necessarily my fault, I didn’t make or want the dog to jump off my lap and get her leg tangled and broken in the chair, i just wanted to spend time with them. I want to do anything I can and pay whatever I can to help this dog but I don’t think my sister and her BF want anything to do with me and especially don’t want me taking any care of that dog.
I don’t even know what I’m posting this for I don’t want anything, I don’t believe it was caused all by shrooms but the shrooms surely didn’t help the stress in my situation it probably made all my feeling enhanced more. I’m just so stressed and embarrassed for the scene I caused I can’t even function properly and I don’t want anyone seeing my face anymore :/ . I tried apologizing so much that night and everyone says they understand but I know they just hate me for all that. I just don’t really have a relationship with anyone to talk to besides the people that are very upset with me and I’m embarrassed with atm, and I hope maybe speaking about it to something might help my guilt and stupidity that I feel. But for now this is just adding more reason why I just hate myself so damn much.

i’ve been dating the same person from 14-21. he was my absolute best friend. we did everything together, no one could make me smile like he did. he showed me time and time again just how much he loved me and treated me so good. he was part of my family, i have taken so many vacations with him and his family, and him with mine. he was everything to me. often i felt like no one could love me like he did and i just got so lucky so young.
we moved across the country to go to school together. we made great friends, went to parties, and had so much fun. we made music together, shared our lives in the most intimate of ways. we moved to spain together to study abroad and traveled and just loved each other every day like it would never end.
when we got back to our main college campus, we moved in together into a small studio. he started working every single day, he has a really demanding major and would be in music studios until sometimes 4 am to finish projects.
we were at a party one night and he ran into a student he had tutored a few semesters prior. immediately they were flirtatious and she was very overly nice to me, almost like i was being made fun of. regardless, i brushed it off as just friendship and went to her gigs and parties with him whenever she invited us.
one day, i had worked really late and he was begging me to come to a party at her place he was already at. i didn’t want to, but i did anyways. they flirted right in front of me the entire night. i waited until we were back home and confronted him about it. he looked so shocked, like he couldn’t believe that i could pick up what was so obvious. he apologized profusely and we argued a bit but reached a conclusion where i said that i would give him a chance to be her friend, but if anything else happened i would break up with him.
on saint patricks day, i took off work because i wanted to spend the night partying with friends. i had to leave for the airport at 5am the following morning to go visit my family for spring break. he was invited by her and conveniently left that detail out, instead just saying it was some party. we went and she immediately ambushed me with fake love and over the top affection. he made me take a picture with her. then i didn’t see him for hours.
i was with the friends we had come with, a close friends birthday was about to happen at midnight so we wanted to celebrate right then. i didn’t see him at all. about two hours in, he appears and he’s completely wasted. more drunk than i have ever seen him in my entire life. he was falling over and i was so scared he was going to hurt himself. i got him to the bathroom and then had to walk him down the stairs and out of the party. he could barely say a word to me. i called a lyft and the second we got in he threw up everywhere. the driver was a bit mean, even though i was much more sober and apologizing profusely. i had to clean up the car and go take care of him. he monologued at me when he started feeling better about something completely unrelated and i finally was able to call another car and take him home.
when i left for the airport in the morning, i was really upset. i wouldn’t see him for a week or so and i didn’t even get to say goodbye before getting on a plane. he woke up and texted and called me apologizing and we began to fight. after him lying to my face, flirting with another girl right in front of me, and humiliating me, i finally got the truth. it wasn’t just attraction, he had feelings for her. i gave him every chance to fight for me, to tell me the truth.
we broke up, it was horrible. i love him so much and i can’t bear to live without him. i miss him with everything in me and i know he still loves me too. i just don’t think i can be with him anymore, it would just be a disrespect to myself. i just can’t believe how we could have been so fine on thursday and now we’re nothing. he told me that he feels like maybe he needs to figure out how to be his own person. i’ll admit, it’s been so easy to rely on him and him on me. he doesn’t really know what he wants to do for his career, or even have a clear picture for a few months in front of himself. i really understand, being with the same person for this long in all of my formative years has been a lot for me too. i’ve never kissed anyone else, i’ve never had sex with anyone else. but the thing is, even though i wanted to, i always chose him over everything else.
i love him so much, and i don’t know how to go from here. i feel like i’m getting a divorce. i didn’t even get to kiss him goodbye. how do i move on from losing my best friend? i wish i could turn back time, i don’t know how i lost the person i love most in the entire world.
tl;dr I broke up with my boyfriend who i had from the age of 14-21. we’ve traveled countries and moved across the country together. i am shattered and don’t know how to get through this.

I have differing bouts of OCD and my main obsession compulsion dynamic seems to be convincing myself I have random personality disorders or different mental health diagnosis when I get left out of things with other people, or that I am going to be fired. Most of my outward facing compulsions are confessions of how bad and unlikable I am to others and asking for reassurance as well as nail and beard chewing. Also lotion and lube touching my skin keeps me from feeling right the rest of the day fucking. There are weeks and months where I have relative freedom from this and other times I am filled with suicidal thoughts due to feeling irrevocably broken.
Even now I am wondering if I have been misdiagnosed with OCD and in fact am someone with BPD or simply ADHD since I have clients who have those diagnoses that I act like when I am away from other people . Or maybe all this self obsession just means I am just a narcissist.'
Anywho I am excited to say I have a phone call with a new therapist tomorrow who specializes in OCD and I took my new meds this morning even despite fearing the side effects and I'm damn proud of me. I don't KNOW if I have OCD and I'm taking steps anyway. Maybe it's the knowledge that I'm taking positive actions but work felt easier today and I have only bit hair out my beard twice today which is way down from my usual amount. I haven't felt this proud of myself in so long!!
TLDR: I finally feel hopeful for myself long-term and I never thought it would happen for me.

There’s this game that I can’t remember the name of, all I remember about it is that you’re supposed to drive around a course in first person and you collect big yellow smiley faces. I’m honestly not even sure what system it’s from, but it’s definitely an older one, probably early nineties. Please tell me that somebody has any sort of idea what I’m talking about. I can picture it pretty clearly in my mind but I don’t know what it is.

Build to Royal Rumble
Kurt wins the Word Title in a battle royal by last eliminating Rey Mysterio and Mark Henry at the same time. After this Kurt Angle promises to prove his worth as champion by facing both men at the Royal Rumble. Mark Henry comes in as a favorite thanks to his relationship with Davari and Rey comes in as an underdog thanks to his size. Kurt becomes a favorite with the fans thanks to his intensity and viciousness.
Royal Rumble
Kurt Angle(C) vs Rey Mysterio vs Mark Henry for the World Championship
Kurt holds his own in a brutal contest that is devastating for all men involved. Rey gets taken out after Davari holds him down for a big splash from Mark Henry. In the end Kurt Angle lifts the much larger Henry beating him with the Angle Slam.
After the match Angle is hit with an RKO by Randy Orton while celebrating.
Later in the show Rey Mysterio wins the Royal Rumble despite improbable odds. Orton does not participate in the Rumble.
Build to No Way Out
On the Smackdown after Royal Rumble, Angle calls out the cowardly Orton and promises to kick his ass. Orton enters the ring and trades words with Kurt before kicking him in the balls during a staredown and escaping into the crowd with the championship. The remainder of the build focuses on Angles courage and willingness to fight while Randy continues to take the cheap way out. On the go home show Angle compares Orton to a young version of him and hopes that Randy grows up like he did.
(Rey shows respect towards Angle and challenges Cena at Mania instead.)
No Way Out
Randy Orton vs Kurt Angle(C) for the World Championship
Angle starts the match with blistering speed and intensity while Orton attempts to gain his bearings. Eventually, Orton gains the advantage after a low blow that goes unseen by the ref. Orton then works on Angle until he gains the strength to hit Orton with 3 consecutive germans. Angle then charges at Randy for a big takedown but Orton tosses the ref into Angle. This causes a DQ and Orton to win the match but not the title.
Build to Wrestlemania
After the controversial No Way Out ending, Orton claims Angle can not beat him cleanly and this infuriates Angle who makes it his mission to break Orton's ankle. Orton continues to duck Angle, gaining a restraining order on the Olympic Hero. Orton also makes their match at Mania if Angle is DQ’d or counted out he loses the title. On the go home show, Orton jumps Angle with a steel chair during his entrance.
Wrestlemania
Kurt Angle vs Randy Orton for the World Championship
Kurt starts off hot again but continually gets slowed down by the prospect of getting DQ’d. This allows Orton to wrestle the match his way and torment Angle. Throughout the match Orton shows a more technical side of his style than normal. Towards the end of the match a cocky Orton calls for the RKO as Angle lays on the ground. When he goes for the RKO Angle counters with a roll through Ankle Lock. The crowd chants “BREAK IT”. Angle wrenches back as Orton taps. Angle holds on for a count of 4 until letting go and celebrating.
Build to Judgment Day
After Wrestlemania, Angle calls out anyone who thinks they can match his toughness. He is jumped by Orlando Jordan mid speech and the dastardly JBL answers his call. They beat down Angle with help from the cabinet and numerous sneak attacks. On the go-home show Angle is saved by his former protege… Shelton Benjamin. Shelton saves him from a viscous chair attack as JBL and his Cabinet run away.
Judgment Day
Kurt Angle(C) vs JBL for the World Championship
Kurt Angle manhandles JBL. Numerous interferences from Orlando are thwarted by Shelton Benjamin.
After the match, Angle and Shelton celebrate. During the celebration Angle informs Shelton of a gift he will give him on Smackdown.
Build to Great American Bash
On Smackdown, Angle reveals his gift as a title shot for Shelton. Shelton is honored an elated as the two prepare for their match at GAB. Both men put on entertaining exhibition matches with the likes of Beniot, Batista, Nitro and others. The two, while competitive show the utmost respect for eachother.
Great American Bash
Kurt Angle(C) vs Shelton Benjamin for the World Championship
The two put on an athletic, technical, showcase. Both men show the three I’s and 0 quit. The match reaches the 20 minute mark with both showing zero quit. Towards the end the younger Shelton shows his agility by flipping out of a german suplex and nailing Kurt with a T-Bone Suplex to surprisingly win the match and the Championship.

During my last read through I decided to make a list of all the foreshadowing I noticed (some are pretty weak in my opinion but I still noted it. I also made notes of some anime references I liked (I'm sure I missed a lot).
The chapters and page numbers are from the bookwalker app on at iphone 12 mini at 100% zoom. If there's enough interest, I'll continue this through the end of the series and update it as new volumes come out. If you're using this for a youtube video, etc. please say thanks, give me a shoutout, or something.
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Volume 1
Chapter 2 pg 50
Lilia before being hired as a maid: “She had several stories up her sleeve to use as bargaining chips if she needed to.
Chapter 4 pg 128
Rudeus talking about Paul: “He sounded like the main character from a pretty rapey adult dating sim, boundless virility and all.
Chapter 6: pg 194
Talking about Roxy: “if it weren’t for our age difference, I’d want to marry her.”
Chapter 10: pg 399
Leaning his elbows on the table, Paul shot me a sharp look that brought to mind a certain spectacled commander.
Volume 2
Chapter 3: pg 150
Talking with Ghislaine and Eris about different types of teachers: “She had a goal.”
Chapter 6: pg 279
Roxy’s description of Migurd race in her Demon tongue textbook: People of the Migurd race tend to like sweet things.
Volume 3
Chapter 8: pg 259
If this lady’s still alive somewhere, I’d love to meet her… (talking about Kishirika Kishirisu).
Chapter 10: pg 381
Horseface was starting down at Roxy’s pendant, now dangling prominently around Ruijerd’s neck.
Chapter 14: pg 549
“The use of teleportation circles was forbidden in the aftermath of the Second Great Human-Demon War. Some may remain intact, but using them would likely be difficult.”
Chapter 14: pg 569
“My name is Rodriguez! I am the third student of Auber the Peacock Blade, pupil of the great North God Kalman!”
Chapter 14: pg 575
“If we turned that whole story into a book and got it published somehow, maybe we actually could rehabilitate the image of the Superd to some degree.”
Extra Chapter pg 582
…and finally a place where only white flowers bloomed - the Lily Garden. (Slyphies hair turning white).
Volume 4
Chapter 2: pg 72
“By ‘demon eyes,’ do you mean eyes that can see a person’s lifeline? A line that, if cut, will kill the person with absolute certainty?”
“How horrific! What in the world is that power?! I don’t have anything as terrifying as that!”
Oh well, it’s not like I had plans to target some vampire…
Side story: Missed Connections: pg 175
The youth would discover one of his friends had died, and Roxy would comfort him. That would be their first night together.
Chapter 6: The Beastfolk Children: pg 258
Aah! You can’t, little puppy! I have a wife and husband…!
Chapter 7: Free Apartment: pg 295
Geese. Let’s see, I felt like I’d heard that name before….”Hm? Rudeus…I’ve heard that name before.”
Chapter 7: Free Apartment: page 297
…but I’ve got no interest in men unless they look like women, too.
Chapter 7: Free Apartment: page 298
Geese explained. “Ahh, well, one of my acquaintances from a long time ago was a Doldia, so I came on the off chance I might meet her.”
Chapter 10: The Holy Sword Highway: page 416
(talking about Gesse). He had a charming face, and he wasn’t a bad guy, either. Still, ever since the incident with Gallus, I had the lingering sense that there was something darker behind all of that.
Chapter 10: The Holy Sword Highway: page 423
At the same time, I feared the possible negative impact that much mana could have on the body.
Chapter 10: The Holy Sword Highway: page 431
It was unclear if the cooking had anything to do with what happened after, but the woman did get with the man and the two later married.
Volume 5
Chapter 2: Paul’s Story pg 92
Paul after being teleported figuring out what's happening…It wasn’t really my fault I stepped on it, since our monkey of a scout should have spotted the thing beforehand…
Chapter 4: Reunited pg 179
Gesse Talking to Paul about Rudy’s journey back from Demon Continent about the Seven Great Powers
Paul: “Still, I felt like Rudy really did have the raw talent to make it on that list someday. And I didn’t think that was just my parental pride talking.”
Chapter 4: Reunited pg 202
It was a specific kind of sweet jelly that was very popular with young adventurers lately, having earned a mention in a recent popular ballad about a youthful magician’s adventures.
Chapter 6: One Week in Millishion pg 291
Rudy talking about his figures: they had quality enough to earn the admiration of a certain beastfolk Sword King and a prince in some foreign country, after all.
Chapter 6: One Week in Millishion pg 322
Paul talking about Elinalise: Yeah, the last thing I wanted was to end up as that woman’s father-in-law.
Extra Chapter 1: Dragon Meat, Nanahoshi Style pg 455
Also, what did “Nanahoshi” mean? The term was totally new to me, though it sounded almost…Japanese.
Extra Chapter 2: The Death of Ariel pg 522
As a direct result, Pilemon Notos Greyrat, the foremost member of the Ariel faction, was compelled to make a painful choice that left him in something of a predicament…but that’s a story for another time.
Volume 6
Chapter 3: The Shirone Kingdom pg 72
Rudeus internal monologue when talking to the Man-God - “Hopefully, even if there were unpleasant surprises lying in store for me, they wouldn’t involve such things as serious injury or the death of someone close to me.
Chapter 6: A Speedy Resolution pg 214
Farewell with Zanoba - “All right, Mawstwer. Stay safe! I don’t know where I’ll be shipped off to, but I have a feeling I’ll eventually run into you again!”
Chapter 8: An Adult pg 257
Talking to Rujerd, chapter before meeting Orsted - For some reason, I had a bad feeling about this. This felt an awful lot like the kinds of final conversations characters on TV had before they got killed off.
Volume 7
Chapter 3: Quagmire Rudeus pg 139
At the entrance of the Galgau Ruins: “Still, there’s a chance another party’s still inside.”
Chapter 4: The Forest at Night pg 249
Rudeus after healing a girl during the snow clearing job, “Perhaps something good would come from making a name for myself among those kids.”
Chapter 4: The Forest at Night pg 258
These were a higher ranked sort called the Icefall Treant. I had yet to encounter one.
Epilogue: pg 425
Random adventures talking about Rudeus - “Yeah. Just by having that one guy in their ranks, a group of twenty took down a Red Wyrm Straggler.”
Volume 8
Chapter 2: Entrance Exam pg 109
After all, the first person to introduce themselves was the victor! His mouth kept opening and closing but finally, he managed, “I’m Fitz. A pleasure”.
Chapter 2: Entrance Exam pg 113
That brought back memories: I’d once used an instrument just like that.”
Chapter 3: First Day of School pg 164
“Rudy - um, I mean, Rudeus, was it? What are you doing here?”
Side Story: Sylphiette (part 1) pg 215
It would be devastating to meet someone I liked and be mistaken for a man.
Side Story: Sylphiette (part 1) pg 228
He’d probably keep skirt-chasing even after he got married to someone.
Chapter 6: An Unreachable Power (part 2) pg 319
“Juli…ette, hehe, that’s a good name.” Master Fitz laughed merrily, as if he found something about the name amusing.
Epilogue: pg 423
Elinalise talking to Rudeus, “But they’re all girls. Not surprising, I guess, you are Paul’s son.”
Volume 9
Chapter 4: The Impervious Fiance (part 2) pg 167
After the mating season Rinia and Pursean: “You’re the man, Boss! Thanks again, mew. We’ll give you somethin’ for the trouble soon!”
Chapter 6: The White Mask (part 2) pg 229
“But if magic was really such a fundamental part of this world, wouldn’t lacking it cause you…some sort of problems?”
Chapter 7: A Day at the University of Magic pg 266
Incidentally, the only Divine-tier Detoxification spell I’d heard of was one that cured a strange and terrible illness called Petrification Syndrome.
Chapter 7: A Day at the University of Magic pg 281
Talking about Nanahoshi’s sleeping chambers - Why was she sleeping next to her food? What if it attracted mice or roaches?
Chapter 10: Rain in the Forest (part 2) pg 433
Seeing Fitz/Slyphies face for the first time: I thought I saw a resemblance to her fellow elf, Elinalise…but somehow, her face was more approachable and endearing.
Side Story: Sylphiette (Part 0) pg 511
Fitz seeing Rudy for the first time right before his entrance exam: She was an elf, from the looks of things. Something about her kind of reminded me of my dad.
Volume 10
Chapter 1: Backing pg 18
They were lined up around me and applauding, for some reason. True, it was a special occasion, but it was still kind of embarrassing. Almost like the last episode of a certain TV anime series.
Chapter 2: Things to Prepare Before Marriage (Part 1) pg 51
Something with a garden and room for a big dog might be best…
Chapter 2: Things to Prepare Before Marriage (Part 1) pg 60
There wasn’t much dust, so the real estate agency must…
Chapter 3: Things to Prepare Before Marriage (Part 2) pg 93
A moving doll, Come to think of it, there were other inanimate objects in this world that moved, like armor.
Chapter 4: Dramatic pg 126
“This is a nice basement area. The way it’s built, you’ll hardly ever get mice comin’ in.”
Chapter 11: Three Heads are Better Than One pg 337
It was as if the strings that were holding her up had been cut. (Overlord Reference???)
Volume 11
Chapter 3: The Boss and His Flunkies pg 118
I’d still step in to help Norm if she ever needed me. Hell, I’d be on her professors like a helicopter parent if i had to.
Chapter 6: Life with the Greyrat Sisters pg 227
And up here, you didn’t have any nasty multi-legged visitors scuttling into your house to nibble at your food either.
Chapter 8: Farewells pg 316
I might end up losing something. Like one of my hands, maybe…or one of my parents.
Volume 12
Chapter 1: Arrival pg 44
But Talhand was completely unaffected. I was the only one who couldn’t resist.
Chapter 8: The Guardian of the Teleportation Labyrinth pg 275
Elinalise joined in. “I know of one other person who was once like Zenith is now, and they’re still alive.”
Chapter 11: Looking Ahead pg 341
“What’s that? Sure talkin’ like you know a lot on the matter, Elinalise".
Chapter 16: Before his Grave pg 517
But in this world, Sylphie was understanding. As long as I loved them equally, I could have two or three wives.
Chapter 16: Before his Grave pg 531
“Apparently Sylphie thinks I’m going to take another wife after this…”
Volume 13
Chapter 1: Roxy’s New Job pg 51
Talking about the Zaliff Gauntlet: …Or a hand that turned into a magic cannon on demand?
Chapter 1: Roxy’s New Job pg 72
We found Nanahoshi looking somewhat the worse for wear. She might have caught a cold or something since she was coughing like crazy.
Chapter 6: A Water King is Born pg 276
It might be nice to come out of the city to fish on a sunny day…
Chapter 11: Graduation Day pg 525
Talking about Rinia: I wasn’t feeling too reassured. I had this gut feeling she was going to blunder along with a bunch of half-assed ideas and land herself in deep trouble.
Volume 14
Chapter 1: Floating Fortress pg 50
As we passed through the gate, white particles suddenly started falling from Sylphie’s body as she walked ahead of me. In fact, those same particles were falling from my body as well.
Chapter 2: An audience with Perguis pg 69
Your mana closely resembles that of Laplace. If you were determined to resist me…
Chapter 2: An audience with Perguis pg 75
The mana flows through them as a result transforms them. They all lose their memories, without exception, and in return, their body is infused with a mysterious power.
Volume 15
Chapter 13: Explanations pg 505
Anyway…his (Orsted) story was coherent enough, but something about it felt a little off somehow.
Volume 16
Chapter 1: The First Mission pg 30
For instance, we could persuade the princess to focus more on magical research or strengthening the military.
Chapter 1: The First Mission pg 47
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Orsted assured me. “Even if we fail, there is always next time.”
Chapter 5: Working Together pg 176
“Oh, truly? In that case, perhaps I should have said hello to him. He was intimidating enough from afar that it made my legs tremble. If I heard his voice up close, I might wet myself.”
Chapter 9: Before Traveling to Asura Kingdom pg 389
Or, more precisely, he seemed to think he could always try again if the first attempt failed.
Chapter 9: Before Traveling to Asura Kingdom pg 469
My concern with her was whether or not she would settle down and behave while pregnant.
Volume 17
Chapter 4: Ariel’s Choice pg 128
Presumably, I wasn’t escorting her to the toilet. Some people might get off on having others watch them do their business, but I didn't see any reason why she’d pick me for that role.
Volume 18
Chapter 2: The Borrowed Cat pg 88
“Lara sure doesn’t cry much and she doesn’t smile either. It kind of worries me,” Sylphie mumbled… I didn’t see the big issue, personally. I mean look at her, she looks super conceited. You could tell by her face that she was gonna be a hotshot someday. No doubt about it.
Volume 19
Chapter 2: Bad Omens pg 69
Lara was supposed to be some sort of messiah,...but maybe she’d been born with special powers of some kind.
Chapter 11: Aftermath pg 448
He was recounting a story about one of the Man-God’s previous disciples…”The Demon King of the Biegoya Region, Badigadi.”
Volume 20
Chapter 5 pg 291
I wasn’t sure why, exactly, but Lara had taken a liking to Zenith. She would often sit on Zenith’s lap and look up at her face. If you ignored the silence, you might mistake it for a touching scene of a grandchild bonding with her grandmother.
Chapter 6 pg 331
Cliff, “Worry not, I’ll pray to Saint MIllis that your future child will get along well with mine.”
Chapter 7 pg 374
The acquaintance who’d appeared so suddenly had disappeared just as quickly. I had to wonder if our reunion was, in fact, a coincidence. It didn’t matter. I was happy to see an old friend and shake some nerves off (Geese).
Chapter 8 pg 411
If Norm told me that she wanted to marry and needed my help finding someone, then I’d gladly set her up on a blind date.
Volume 21
Chapter 7: What is Owed pg 293
(While the blessed child is narrating Zenith’s memories), Lara really likes me. You know she was talking from the moment she was born! “Lately, she climbs up on my knees and we sit in the sun with Leo and talk.
Chapter 8: The Traitor Gets Away pg 341
“I won’t go on at length about it, as promised, but I worry about her future,” Claire said.
“Aisha was incredible and clever…
“I wonder…” Claire said, sounding unconvinced. “I cannot shake the feeling that she’ll make some mistake she can’t come back from.”

Before I begin I just want to say, I love my mom, and my family, I would like to believe they love me too, or at least like me.
I'm a 16 year old girl, also Puerto Rican if that helps anything, and I live with my mom, my sperm donor isn't in the picture by law since he sexually abused me for 4 years, which is why I live with my mom now.
Before I moved back in with her, I lived in a homeless shelter for teens for a month and a couple days, I was trying to get away from my sperm donor, and my mother, my sperm donor had me believing that my mother was abusive and I believed him.
A few hours before I was sent back to live with my mom, my cps worker and my case manager sat me down and told me that they scheduled a family meeting with my mom behind my back because they knew I had a new phone after my mom took my old one and they were afraid I was going to run.
They assured me that in this family meeting I was going to be able to talk about any worries I had and discuss whatever I needed to with my mom, the entire meeting I probably got two things in and they kept cutting me off and letting my mom talk so I eventually gave up and just said I was in the wrong, and went home with my mom.
As soon as I got home, my little brother, "Ray", saw me and asked "What are you doing in this house?", and I told him "Because I can" and he responded with "After all the stress you put this house through?".
That night my mom told me that she was all I had at the end of the day and a few days later after I was done taking the garbage out, Ray said "Don't think you can bring your little boyfriend over here", I got upset and told him to mind his own business, I wasn't planning on bringing the guy I was dating at the time to the house, then Ray said "You're lucky I don't beat you up for what you did to mom", I told him he doesn't know the full story.
I called my mom on the verge of tears and told her what Ray said, all she told him when she got home was "You don't have kids so you can't say stuff like that", he ended up apologizing later, but started criticizing everything little thing I did.
Before we moved houses, I was the only one helping my mom with my baby sister, I was feeding her, bathing her, clothing her, all while cleaning the whole house to, I was doing everyone's chores, and my mother knew to, but I didn't get any type of recognition, I got paid once by her but didn't even get to use my money because she had to.
Anytime I went to the bathroom with my phone, she would assume I was doing things I wasn't supposed to, and would say "I'm gonna start checking that phone", she didn't pay for this phone.
When we moved, I had to share a room, I had no privacy, I was getting called useless by both my older and little brother, I would watch my mom walk away and laugh when they said that, when my sister caught me in my room crying about it, she told my mom and my mom told my brothers not to joke around like that because they know I'm "sensitive".
I opened to my mom and told her that I wanted to hurt myself but I never told her because I see how stressed she is and I didn't want to be a burden, she told me that I wasn't a burden, I was her child and that of course she's going to be stressed, she's a mother, she also told me not to tell anyone else about how I felt, I tried to end my life that night but sister caught me.
I got a boyfriend, now my ex, and I was on FaceTime with him showing him a dress I was going to wear for Thanksgiving, she came in the room asking for something and asked what I was doing, after I told her she said "Don't show him everything" while giving me a look.
I couldn't wear a full face of makeup, which was literally just lipliner, lip gloss, mascara, eyeliner, and a little bit of foundation to cover up my acne, without her telling me I looked too grown, she let my oldest brother make comments about me and my makeup, after I got them two to be on good terms again, she just started going along with anything he said, even if it hurt my feelings.
I'm still helping her raise her child, she loses her temper with my baby sister fairly quickly and it's not fair to my baby sister since she's on the spectrum, there are some things she just doesn't understand, and on top of that, she's only 3, my mom is constantly saying how she knows it isn't my baby sisters fault and that she's just a baby, but then is so quick to yell, or send her away, or make her cry for being a CHILD, especially one with autism.
I can't be on my phone with anyone for too long before she's telling me to get off of it, or she'll tell me to do something and if I'm on the phone with someone she'll just say "they can wait", she doesn't even let me explain to them that I'm gonna be busy for a bit.
She doesn't help me mentally either, she's aware of the abuse I went through with my sperm donor, and she's angry, but doesn't listen when I try to talk about it, I only left his care in June, only a couple of months ago, and she, again, let's everyone tell me I'm lazy, I'm useless, I don't do anything around the house, but fails to inform them that whenever she wants to vent, I'm there, whenever she's having a panic attack, I'm the first one she calls, I used to sit in her room and let her cry and yell to me about a guy she was dating when I was only 11.
Back when I lived with my sperm donor, she used to cut me off for months at a time, wouldn't talk to me over the smallest things like a video I posted of myself wearing makeup she bought me, and a sweater and I had fully zipped, or my grades slipping, instead of asking me what's wrong and why they're slipping, she told me if I didn't get them right she was going to beat me.
Now me and my mom have our great moments where we can sit, laugh and joke, if I want to talk about some drama with her I can, but it's only that, she doesn't make me feel comfortable enough to go to her about what I actually struggle with mentally, I can't and don't talk to her about my trauma.
The only time she told me she loved me since I've lived with her recently was on valentines day, she doesn't make me feel like she does though, she doesn't even defend me.
I want to leave, I want to be on my own but, it's hard, I'm only 16, I'm in my junior year of high school, I can't handle being here, I'm refusing to move in with my grandmother because it'll only be worse. On top of that, my mother is Christian, she likes girls now but when she goes back to church she doesn't like girls anymore, she subtly tries to force church on me, I don't believe in God.
I don't know what to do, how to feel, I want to leave and be independent, but how? And if I can't, how do I even cope?

Bunny have biggest issue ever ever in history!
Mom take things that Bunny eventually want to use to wash, smell different, and put in bathroom????? Steal from Bunny! Don't matter if Bunny only used once five year ago or never played with toysies in 3! That's Bunny stuff! Bunny not making tantrum just because angy!
Bunny scream angry, go in bathroom and roll on stuff to claim and smell like Bunny. Scream even when Mom tell come out. Sit down and stay!
MEAN MOM ABANDONED BUNNY IN BATHROOM WHEN TURN LIGHT OFF AND CLOSE DOOR! MAKE BUNNY SCREAM LONG SAD SOUND GRANDMA COME HELP!
No matter if Bunny hate that bathroom because naughty Bunny Bathroom!
Bunny decide stop rewash of stuff so get scent off. Scream and sit in hamper thing! Scream SCREAM! Mom threaten to put Bunny in wash and start tip thing into spinny thing! Even if it off, make Bunny jump out and run to Grandma scream MOM BEING MEAN!
Bunny no give kiss kiss all day! Mom get angry Bunny alllll day as revenge!
Bunny decide to angry face block door keep Mom put wash stuff back in! 1000% chance of win until Mom look at, dare to ignore, turn around, and go to BUNNY'S BATHHROOM! Even dare narrate! Bunny run screaming when Mom open Bunny bathroom door!
Bunny have long conversation that new cat no stay anywhere. No new cat. Mom say bed go in Bunny Bathroom or other bathroom. Make Bunny say NEITHER! Bunny use this bathroom! That Bunny litterbox!
And then Mom lock Bunny in again! Still not excusable even if light on! Worse experience because no one comes save after screaming HEEEELP for eternity! When finally let out, Bunny discover unwanted intruder bathroom locked and set up!
Much scream! Anger much time! Search for Mom give piece of mind!
Mom have gall to be in cat food cabinet organize without give Bunny wet food?! She even admit to crime of steal food for intruder! Bunny don't care if allergic and not on Bunny shelf! Crimes!
Bunny done loud noises. Bunny no sound when go Ninja kill. Make no noise and bap bap like tap-dancing! Mom surprise because Bunny never bap bap Mom! Good! Maybe Bunny finally get respect!
Mom tell Bunny no Mom voice, but Bunny not give in this time because power of hatred! Mom say again and last chance but Bunny no care!
Evil Mom decide to usurp throne and put Bunny in Bunny Bathroom AGAIN! Just pick up Bunny, turn on water faucet, and toss!
BUNNY NO AGREE WITH STAYING UNTIL CALM DOWN! SHOULD'VE PUT BUNNY IN GRANDMA ROOM! WOULD'VE BEEN MOM FAULT IF BUNNY SHRED SHEETS! BUNNY BATHROOM DONT EVEN HAVE REVENGE RUG TO PEE ON! NO DESERVE PRISONER NO MATTER HOW MANY TIME MOM SAY DO!
AITC???? Bunny deserve prisoner??? Bunny believe innocent!
((Just to clear up if questions: I write Bunny to view me as Terminator, but I'm actually not. I'm just the strict parent who does the necessary things she naturally hates me for and doesn't let her act without cat applicable consequences.
She can also unlock both bathroom doors. All she needs to do is push down the handle. The first bathroom was 1 minute, the 2 bathroom was 3 minutes, and the last was 15.

I work in automotive parts manufacturing. We make car parts and deliver them to the car manufacturer just down the road from us.
I have been there six months.
I used to love it. Great pay for the area, last two weeks of December off (and a week in mid-January). I was hired at the very tail end of September and went through two weeks of training.
Then, around November, they started announcing changes they were making to the plant - we would have to work faster and harder. This caused several people on my shift to quit and we had trouble filling the vacancies.
I had a verbal confrontation with a coworker after I was tired of her putting parts down on my hands (I was an inspector for her line) because she hated the job and would constantly complain. I told her off and she said she was going to get me fired.
Obviously, I was not fired. I was instead moved to an area that I am unable to do easily because of my height (4'9"). I can do the job, but not as quickly as they need it done by. But still, I've been in that position since February 5th or so. I'm unable to move the storage mods like everyone else who can just reach in and pull them. I have to walk around to the back of the conveyor, in the forklift lane, and push them.
Which takes longer to do than, you know, just pulling.
I've mostly gotten used to it now and can generally keep up, but sometimes the person picking up the parts I'm making comes and brings me a new case to fill every 5 minutes (supposed to be every 15 but it's usually closer to twelve). Since I don't have it done, I have to put her behind in her work. They sent me home on an unexcused absence two days in a row a month ago because I was "refusing" to work - I didn't want to get written up for what I COULDN'T do. (I did, eventually, get written up for performance)
I've asked for accommodations according to my height, but was never formally diagnosed with dwarfism (everything's proportionate, I'm just short, but apparently that still counts). My boss even told me "I don't think you're doing as much as you could, I think you're taller than you think you are". Until I get accommodations, which my PCP isn't willing to sign for because she's 'not qualified to diagnose dwarfism', I am stuck in this position. I know my rights according to the ADAAA and have an appointment in May to speak with the EEOC. I have also been yelled at by my manager for not going fast enough when I am literally going as fast as I possibly can.
It's anywhere from a 40-50 minute drive from my house to my work, so I'm gone for 10 or 11 hours out of the day, and then I sleep for nine or ten hours because my job is so exhausting. I pretty much go straight to bed after I get home (I might eat or surf the web a little but that's it), and then I wake up crying because it's time to do the same thing again.
I have no hobbies anymore. I can't tell you the last time I spoke to another human being face-to-face where the subject wasn't work or unimportant small talk. I live alone except for my pets. I barely eat because I just don't have time to, and when I do eat it's usually a pack of Pop Tarts from home or a couple of bags of chips from the vending machine at work.
I want to quit my job so badly, but I have a trip in July that I planned before things went south, and I still want to go.

What is that gate like for Will on the other side? Is he outside the house in the upside down? Joyce tells him to run… I guess I’m trying to figure out where Will was and how gates work. And why is the wall a gate place anyway, thats not the only time we see activity there. And why can’t a gate just be in the air?