I can feel everything. Every injury inside and out. I feel a few broken ribs, causing immense, throbbing pain in my chest, as if a hundred needles are poking me.
"You seem to be in pain, Xyle," The president says.
"Mr. President, I apologize for not waking up sooner," I say as I attempt to get out of the bed.
"No please it's ok, rest for now," he says, pushing me down gently.
He has short, white hair, and a warm smile on him at all times. His body seems to be maintained, but not super muscular. Somewhere
"Thank you, but if I may ask, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see you, Xyle, you have my thanks," He answers with a smile on his face.
"For what? I don't think I did that much, someone would've come sooner or later," I say, trying to be humble.
He responded, "For the girl you saved earlier. She was my best friend's daughter. Matter of fact, he came to thank you in-person".
As he finished, a man, a few inches taller than me, walked in. Although he wasn't that much taller, he seemed to have the aura of someone who could level a whole city by himself. He had broad shoulders, and visible muscles through his shirt. I didn't see it before because of the bangs that cover his face, but now that I've seen him, I knew who he was. A member of the 10 strongest in the nation, a member of the Talons of the U.S, Augustine Fausto. I felt like a deer looking at a lion. I knew he could wipe everyone in the vicinity out with just a single swing of the big sword on his back, but he didn't have a reason to. Thank God I'm the one who saved his daughter.
"Thank you for saving my daughter, Xyle Thu-," he started.
"Just Xyle will do," I interrupt.
"Very well, Xyle. Thank you for saving my daughter, I am in your debt," He says with a deep voice, getting down on one knee.
"Please! Raise your head, I do not deserve such praise, I only did what anyone with the power to do something would do," I exclaim, trying not to seem too prideful. He stands back up straight and steps to the side, letting the president speak.
"A team came in almost immediately after your victory. No one in the school nor the public knows of your identity as an Enchanted," he says with a smile on his face
"Thank you, but how did you know that I wanted to keep it a secret?" I curiously ask.
"If you wanted to be known, you'd go seeking attention, am I wrong?"
"I suppose you're right," I respond tentatively, choosing each word carefully.
"That is all we came for, and as a reward, we have left you a generous amount of money in your parent's bank account," he says with a smile as he begins to turn away. I already know that my parents won't let me use any of that money, and they sure as hell won't even praise me, and if they did, it would only be for getting a small fortune for them.
"Wait, Mr. President, I have a request to ask of you". I say, hoping he would at least consider the words that are about to come out of my mouth.
"What would you like?"
"I…I need help, and I believe only you can do it," I say hesitantly.
"What kind of help?," the president asks, now looking intrigued, "I'll try to the best of my abilities, since you did save my friend's child".
"I need resources. As you know, I'm Enchanted, but it isn't normal, I have…" I hesitate, before continuing, "…knowledge that others don't know… or something…," I say awkwardly. "I need various things, like a salary, even though I'm a bit young, and access to a lab, advanced tech equipment, and some other things".
The president sighs, before answering "I'm sorry, but I simply can't do all of that,"
I frown slightly, expecting this would happen.
"It's ok, Mr. President, I'm sure-"
"But…," he interrupts, "I can provide a small amount of assistance to you, such as providing you with basic materials, and making small requests won't hurt every once in a while. I can only help you more once you make yourself more known in the world of the Enchanted. Prove your worth to me, Mr. Xyle, then we can talk again".
"Thank you Mr-"
"Oh, you can call me Alexander. I do have high hopes for you, might as well become familiar, right?"
My eyes light up with hope.
"Do you mind if I make one small request right now, Alexander?"