Rentaro was woken up from his dream. The sound of someone knocking hard on his apartment door. He wasn't afraid, just nervous.
What was that dream? I sort of recognized that girl, yet didn't. Rentaro thought with a sigh. Whatever. I'll just answer the door before going back to sleep.
Rentaro slid his legs off the bed, shuffling over to door. When he made it towards the door he notice a small hole on the door. "If I remember correctly, humans call these Peepholes or peep holes? You can look through them, I think?" Rentaro mused as he put his eye close to the small eye sized hole. What he saw on the other side was Shaun, holding a chair and a bag. He was scratching his head like he was nervous of something. "Hey man. If your looking through the peephole try not to keep me out here and have me be more embarrassed. I only came here to apologize for yesterday." Shaun said with a half smile half expecting. Rentaro sighed, amused at the change in the wine drinking man. Of course Rentaro wasn't gonna turn the offer down, he too felt the need to say something. He grabbed the golden door knob and turned it. Opening the door slowly to let the mildly aged man in. "By all means. Come on in." Rentaro said with a soft grin to appreciation. Shaun stared at the boy with surprise, not be being let in, but with the kindness the boy was showing. He entered the apartment calmly with a stride, taking off his shoes near and placing them on the side. After doing so Shaun looked around the small apartment room. It was cramped and narrow, but it worked. "It seems you got our sons previous room when he lived here." Shaun muttered dryly with annoyance, walking over to a clear surface in the center of the room between the kitchen and the bed. Rentaro rasied an eyebrow. Not in question, but a statement in fact. "Is that so. Well, I won't pry into it. It's none of my business." Rentaro replied softly as he followed Shaun. The two sat down on on the floor with Shaun opening a small round table just above shin level. "Anyway. Due my wife's determination for your health and safety, because she cares about you. She decided that to repay for you working for us, to sign you up for collage. Don't ask why and just accept it." Shaun sighed, grabbing from the bag a large tablet and placing it on the table. Rentaro looked at the large four sided figure and was slightly confused by it. But after hear the previous words he felt guilty for not paying for his own education. Rentaro hated taking advantage of people, while he did do that in his other world. He never enjoyed it, but unfortunately it had to be done in that way. But these people, were too kind. Too willing. Was it out of sympathy, guilt or shame? Or did it benefit them in some way. "Why go so far? I was only trying to repay my debt for drinking some of your wine and trying to find a place to live." Rentaro asked with suspicion, narrowing his eyes at Shaun. Shaun chuckled, feeling the same emotions the boy felt. "Ask my wife. She's the one who wanted this. She said 'It felt the right gift for an orphan boy.' But I know the true reason." Shaun said gesturing around the room with a hand. Rentaro could take the hint. It was definitely obvious. "She thinks of me as her son. Doesn't she?" Rentaro asked calmly with a soft expression. Though the expression was more mild and unnoticed by Shaun. "Yes, while I feel her pain. I can't just let her waste our life's money away on a boy, like you." Shaun's reply was bitter and filled with malice. Rentaro understood that feeling. Why waste money on someone whom you just met? It's illogical to the max. But Rentaro also couldn't blame Quinn. He had felt that pain, losing someone you held dear. Either it was a family member or friend. It didn't matter. However feeling was the same and Rentaro understood.
There was a time, back in Rentaro's old world, when he had met a small poor peasant girl. This was way before he ever got married. He took that child under his wing, loved her, cared for her and had given her a home. He spoiled her but also taught her. However when she wanted to enter a school and be taught the more advanced magic. He was delighted and sent her away for the magic school. However, he never realized how much of a mistake that was. No matter what he did. Either sending letters or even trying to contact her via a magic orb. Nothing. Days turned into months, then into years. He heard nothing from her. And then finally after 6 long years. Someone to his house and told him the news.
"Your daughter. Had ended her own life." A man said in a cloak standing in the rain. Glut was in pure shock, in which quickly turned into rage. "Why?! What happened!" He shouted grabbing the man by the collar, yanking him forward off his feet. "She didn't want to burden you. I'm telling you this as a friend of hers. She was being bullied by some of the noble kids at the school and it got the point where she couldn't take it anymore. I'm sorry." The man replied with a hollow sound as his face was revealed. A young man with white hair, Caspio. Glut let go of Caspio, falling to his knees with tears streaming down like a rain storm. He roared loudly, beating his hand down on the ground in anguish and hatred. Caspio could only watch with dead eyes, filled with held back tears and guilt. "I'm sorry, Mister Glut. I should've protected her as a friend." Caspio stuttered out shakily, extending out his hand towards Glut. But Glit slapped his hand away, glaring up at Caspio. "It's not your fault. What could you have done against corrupted officials. Nothing. Those noble kids think they can get away with anything." Glut said with a stifled expression of pure held back rage. An expression that no human could replicate. "Let's prove them wrong, boy." He added.
As Rentaro remembered that time in his life with Caspio. He could vaguely see his daughter in Caspio. Mirrdia, that was her name. He could see Mirrdia in Caspio. Her sense of justice and innocence. Kindness was her greatest weakness and strong suit. That was the day Rentaro took in Caspio. He mentored Caspio about the various aspects of magic and theory. That was how Caspio got his Blessing. This was a huge achievement and both of them had celebrated together. That was when Glut, his prior self, started to go off tract. He and Caspio made a lab and started experimenting on rodents, making sentient Chimeras. Powerful, almost immortal and unique in physique. Unlike normal Chimera's where they were a combination of monsters and beast. Gluts chimeras were made by dark magic and blessings. Meaning they could only die by divine blessings or holy magic. The Chimeras had a more human structure but with small added beast like aesthetics. One of Rentaros most prized creations was when he experimented on a dead human and made his most powerful Chimera. The "Blood Sentry." A red body with spreading black bulging veins, a connected blue curved hat with a upside down triangle symbol on the front for sight. Had a black head that was covered by the helmet. Their hands were metal and pulsing with red energy, they had a mannequin like look. On the day he and Caspio made that monster, was also the day Caspio left him and reported him for human experimentation.
Such foul memories, yet. He couldn't blame Caspio. Not anymore. Rentaro noticed that Shaun was awaiting for an answer, his eyes staring blankly at him. "Ah, Sorry. I was lost in thought. Well since you wife is doing this much for me. I shall accept. While I understand your frustration for money wasting. I shall pay you back with my own money." Rentaro replied sternly, leaving no excuse. But Shaun didn't need one and he nodded his head. "Agree. But how will you get such money?" Shaun asked calmly opening the small tablet for Rentaro. Shaun then turned the tablet around and started typing on it with perfect precision. He then turned it back around, showing Rentaro numbers and letters. "The money cost for trying to get into a school is about is close to a million Dennies. Where do you think you can get such money?" Shaun asked with suspicion and curiosity, rasing an eyebrow. Rentaro sat stock still, in pure shock. He had forgotten about the money he suddenly had in his "bank account" so to speak. He needed to make up something that sounded true and sensible. "Well. When my mother and father died. They left me a huge portion of money. So I'll give what I have left to you." Rentaro replied, glancing away with a slightly frown. Trying to look nonchalant. Shaun only sighed, believing the words and extending out his hand. "Very well then. If you want you can pay now. Just had me your phone and I'll link your email and bank account details to ours so that you can transfer the money over." Shaun asked kindly, gesture for Rentaro's phone on the desk. Rentaro turned, grabbed the small device then handing it to Shaun who was let in it without an issue. "Alright. Let me see here. Hey wait a minute- 100 million Dennies! Was your family rich? holy crap!" Shaun exclaimed seeing the huge amount of money. Rentaro pierced his lips together and looked away guiltily. "Hmm. Of course I'll still pay for the rent. It's only right that I pay for it, I'm not that selfish or mean." Rentaro replied firmly with a nod of his head. Crossing his arms gently he stared at the still shocked Shaun. Shaking his head and recollecting himself, Shaun sighed and accepted the offer. "Alright then. Then today we'll take 1,600,000 Dennies off your account, leaving you with 98,400,000 Dennies." Shaun said after typing a few things on Rentaro's phone and clicking a couple buttons. "Annnnd done. The payment is complete. I'll take another 600,000 a month from now. Got it? Now don't end up a thug and waste our precious money." Shaun said as he took the tablet. Carrying it under his arm and he left the bag and small table on the ground. "The rest of that is for you. My wife decided that you needed more clothing so she got something of your taste, hopefully she was right." Shaun muttered the last words a bit none to gently, but gave a smirk of appreciation. "Anyway, it's 5:00 am. You've best get changed if you want to help clean house and then get to school." Shaun mused with a cackle as he left the apartment room, leaving Rentaro with his thoughts. "It seems missed Quin as grown quite attached to me already. That's weird. Is my face that recognizable to that of their son? From what I could tell it seemed their son passed away. But from what? Such mortal beings. Diseases are but a common occurrence. He must have died by a disease of some sorts. Or maybe not? From what I looked up last night there are things here called Hollows. Large black orb like domes. Unstable but dangerous. "Maybe he got turned into those things called Ethereals?from what I searched those Hollows can create Ethereals inside the dome. Those Ethereals though, they'd make for good Chimera's." Rentaro thought mildly with a smile as he stood up and grabbed the bag, taking out the contents. "Plain black leather pants? Huh. I like them. A weird coat? Cool, looks like the ones the farmers used in my world. A regular black shirt. Good. A new pair of socks and gloves? Sure I guess." Rentaro talked to himself as he checked the new clothes. It looked like they could fit him perfectly with no issues. However what was with the coat? Did he need that for school or something? "Whatever it's for, it's practical and easy to wear. It's like a magical robe but for daily wearing. Made from leather and strings sown tightly together to make something that's naturally wind resistant and protective. This world is amazing. Such advanced technology, to think it can make clothes that are resistant to attributes without the need for magicians." Rentaro said aloud as started to take off his bed clothes, folding them neatly on the side on his bed before turning to put on the other set of clothes.The coat is actually a low rider, waterproof breathable full-length, oilskin duster coat. The coat was also wind resistant. The length was a bit lower, covering the shin just slightly.
After dressing himself and putting his old clothes in the washer, which he found fascinating. The washer was built into the wall with the dryer being on top. Checking the time, that being 5:20am, made Rentaro smile as he was right on time. He made his way slowly towards the door, grabbing his leather boots and putting them on. Tying them in a way that wouldn't make him trip or feel uncomfortable. "That should do it." Rentaro muttered, standing up after tying his shoes. Looking around calmly with a knees eye he studied his room and upon seeing that the room was clean, left the apartment room swiftly.
Somewhere far away from Lumnia
"Boss." A man with brown hair said calmly into the phone.
"We have the safe. What do you want us to do with it now?" The man asked with a frown holding the small metal box. As if on cue a voice crackled through the phone. "Bring it back to base. Make sure nobody else steals it from you. We don't want the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team on our tails. In fact lure anyone willing to try and mess with us. Those Raiders will have it coming." The man behind the phone said with a sadistic laugh as he hung up. The man behind the phone sat on a chair. Thinking. Planing. He had silver hair. This was Miguel Silver, leader of the Red fang gang. Or better known as, Silver. "Those pesky Investigators. Once I get this box to the official I'll be rich! Nobody will stop me!"
Back at Lumina Square, Rentaro was having a rough time. A couple minutes earlier he had gone down to the Yun house to help clean. But had suddenly walked into a large children gathering. Six children were sitting at a small table eating food discussing on how to protect their parents from "bad" people. Suddenly Quinn came up from a basement door, closing it shut. "Don't mine them. There just here for free food. Anyway, since your here. You can start by taking out the trash. Then mop the bedroom and you'll be done for the day. Don't want you missing out on your first day of school." Quinn huffed joyfully ugh a wide smile as she took the empty plates of the children and stared cleaning them in the sink. "Alrighty then." Rentaro replied calmly with a relaxed grin. Composing himself as he made his way around the house grabbing random wine bottles and empty soda cans. Placing them inside a large plastic trash bag. As he was cleaning up he noticed the large Tv on the wall, showing the daily news. "Today, reports of people seeing a Red Gang gang member was seen today before disappearing. If you have any information please contact the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team or N.E.P.S. Thank you." The tv was suddenly turned off. Annoyed Rentaro glanced around to see who turned off the TV. But upon seeing that it was Shaun, who was giving Rentaro a raised brow, decided it wasn't worth the waste of breath so he continued on with his work. Taking out the trash was simple but cleaning the bedroom was not. Clothes were on the floor, baskets were filled with dirty smelling clothes and the bed sheets were wrinkled. "Oh my. What a site. To think I'd see such a day where an entire rooms gets dirty." Rentaro exclaimed softly with a half smile half sigh. He stared at the mess in pure agony. But he work on it anyways. Folding the clothes on the floor neatly and putting the dirty clothes in the washer. He then used a bit of his magic, abeit it was se really hard, to clean and dry the floors and bed sheets. Quick, easy and effective. "It was like the floors never had any dirt to begin with." Rentaro told himself with a smirk to enjoyment. "Wow. That sure was quick!" Quinn exclaimed as she peeked into the room. Her eyes in exaggerated proportions, along with a gaping mouth. Rentaro felt a little proud of himself but don't let it get to his head. "Do you know what time it is?" Rentaro looked around the room, hoping to see one of those small black rectangles. He didn't see one. "It's 6:40. Take the train there. It's faster." Quinn said slowly as Rentaro zoomed by her like a rat she couldn't catch because before she knew it, Rentaro was out the door and long gone into the wind.
"I'm gone be late! I'm gonna be late! Sheeoot!" Rentaro thought as he ran at normal human speeds along the streets, heading for the train station. He didn't wasn't moron by revealing that he had superhuman traits in public, who would? He had his wallet, the card inside and nothing else. Sprinting across streets and then finally getting to the train station the doors had just slightly begun to close. "Curses!" Rentaro thought as he relaxed his body and zipped by everyone in mere moments. "Let's hope nobody was watching me." Rentaro pleaded under his breath as he just narrow made it through the closing doors of the train. "Yes!" Rentaro exclaimed mentally, almost throwing his hands up but stopped himself. However somewhere within the crowds of people, someone had watched the event outside with a keen eye. A girl with red eyes, black hair on the top and red on the bottom with a shark tail sucking on a lollipop. Waiting on the train wasn't as bad as Rentaro thought it was. It was fast, faster then magic travel. However, inside where he was something was off. He felt a gaze. Not filled with malicious intent but the feeling was there. "Seems we have a curious little bee." Rentaro said with a soft chuckle. After a while then train finally came to a stop and Rentaro stepped off. He pulled out his phone and looked at the messages he got. One was from Quinn? Huh? How did she- never mind. He tapped on it, entering his phone and looking at the message.
Missed message from xxx-xxx-xxxx
Hi! Renty! It's me! QuinnTessa! I forgot to tell you where the school was so here!
Rentaro smiled at the message. Typing back.
Rentaro: Thanks Miss!
Quinn: Your welcome!
Rentaro glanced at the address. It wasn't far from here. Not a long walk compared to his other days. These people are lucky. He pocketed the phone and took off on a jog towards the school. As he softly jogged he noticed som interesting places, the shops. "I'll come back for that later. But I'v got other things to do." Rentaro thought as he passed by a clothing shop. After about four to five minutes of jogging on foot Rentaro finally made it to the school. It was packe, but not too badly. So he made his journey inside, trying to not draw attention to himself. However that made it very hard when someone was wearing a weird lookin coat. "Hey." A young girls voice said close by next to him. "What you did at the train station was pretty impressive." The girl said again, this time with a small yawn as she popped a lollipop into her mouth. Rentaro figured as such. After the long stare he got on the train he figured someone had noticed him blitzing around. "So, you found me. What now?" Rentaro asked plainly, glancing a side long glance at the girl. "Nothing, I'm just impressed that a normal person could at run speeds. It's not very day you see and teenager run at lightning speeds." The girl replied, yawning gently like she had just worked a twelve hour shift. "Hmm. I see." Rentaro glanced behind her and saw the large shark tail waving left and right. How strange. Humans who turn into animals don't always keep their human physique or looks when they turn back. "You must be a hybrid." Rentaro muttered softly, glancing back forward to look in front of him. Making sure he didn't bump into someone along the way. "The coat is very interesting. Where'd you get it?" The girl asked curiously, glancing at the coat. "It was a gift actually, so I don't really know where they got it." Rentaro replied, thinking thoughtfully. "What's your name, Miss." Rentaro then asked abruptly. The girl paused, her mind thinking. "Ellen. Ellen Joe. I'm a shark Thiren, just by the way." Ellen said calmly. "Rentaro Fen. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ellen." Rentaro said with a kind smile, extending out a hand which Ellen took and shook gently. "Like wise, Rentaro." Ellen replied firmly. And with that the both of them walked to their class together with Rentaro mostly doing the chatting. It truely felt like he made friends for the first time. First it was the Yun Family, then Ellen! What a rush of events! Wait he was forgetting someone. Anby. That's right! Anby! The girl he saved. He wondered how she was doing.
Then the two arrived to the classroom it was bustling with noises. People were taking or watching something on their phones. "I think those are our seats over there." Rentaro stated pointing to two chairs, one behind another. They were empty. But who was gonna sit where? Ellen the first to take the lead and sat on the chair in front of the other. "I'll take this one. You can have the other one." Rentaro nodded however he was more concerned about the large shark tail that looked like it could crush skulls. But reluctantly he made his way over calmly, plopping down on the chair with a heavily grunt. "Hey Ellen. Want to exchange numbers so that we can't keep in contact." Rentaro asked curiously. Staring at Ellen's backside. "Sure. Why not." Ellen agreed, hiding a small grin. Rentaro was very happy to hear the answer and they immediately exchanged numbers before class started. About a minute later the teacher entered and started to class. Teaching about math theory and advanced techniques. Rentaro was eager to learn and took as many notes as he possibly could. "How fascinating!" Rentaro thought excitedly. His eyes gleaming with joy. The teacher notice this and continued on with his teachings, feeling a bit prideful and proud.
After a while, when all the classes ended and the students were let out. Rentaro stood at the edge of the steps. Texting.
Pending…
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Rentaro: Sorry Miss Yun. I'll home late today. I'v got some stuff I need to do. Around certain areas.
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Message sent
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You have one Unread Message
Quinn: Well just be back safe and sound. As long as you have the keys to your room it's all good.
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Rentaro: Goodnight and sleep well.