<3:05pm>
"Mr. Nicolas"
Nico flinched upon hearing his name being called in such a tone.
"Y-yes, sir..?" Nico sat upright.
"We have reviewed your CV."
There were 3 interviewers, 2 younger-looking office workers sat at the sides, while the senior-looking officer worker sat at the very middle, arms crossed. He did most of the talking.
"And we have decided not to hire you." The stern voice echoed in the small cubic room. It was so flat, that even a dead persons heartbeat couldn't match.
The middle interviewer, stared at Nico and continued.
"We apologise for the inconvience. However we no longer have any more positions open that would be suitable for you."
"Sorry." Nico interrupted, "no more suitable positions..?"
"Yes, thats right."
"I dont understand..."
"Then let me make it clearer for you." The senior office worker tapped his finger on Nico's CV, that was placed on the table, facing him.
"It says you earned an undergraduate degree in Philosophy."
"Yes. And a minor in Physics..."
The Senior worker gave a irritated stare, "....do you...see the problem, Mr. Nicolas?"
"...well, since your company had a advisor position open for general management, i figured–"
"You figured wrong." He interrupted. "We apologise, there was a mistake on our end, you were not one of the chosen finalist for this interview."
Nico widened his eyes, both hands were trembling. He knew he wasn't the one they wanted. He knew he wasn't going to be hired.
...but even then, it was hard not to hope.
"...I understand."
"Good. Then you may see yourself out." All the interviewers continued to chat amongst themeselves, completely disregarding the interviewee still sitting infront of them.
"So..."
"Yes, yes. And..."
"I think that tall blue-eyed fellow would make a good fit actually.."
"..." This day can't be more disappointing.
Leaving the room, Nico stared at the now empty hallway, and slowly excused himself out.
...
<4:00pm>
"..."
"..."
"..."
It was only when most of the passangers in his car had gone, and the sound of lights flickering was louder than his thoughts, did he finally open his eyes to check the time.
<5:00pm>
'Hah....'
Nico ran a hand through his hair, pulling it back as he stared at the ceiling.
This was his final interview. He didn't have any more job positions he could apply to left.
'This really hurts.'
He sat slouching, lost in thought, until his phone buzzed.
*Ding
'....'
With the little energy he had left, he lifted his phone to his face.
Tap!
「 Dear Creator. Your story is going live.
Congratulations and Goodluck. 」
His eyebrow lifted slightly '.....Goodluck..?'
Just then, his eyes started to feel heavy, and his vision faded.
Thud.
His phone fell to the floor.
...
"Hey."
Tap. Tap.
Someone was poking his face.
"Hey. Teacher is calling your name!"
Tap. Tap.
Damn. Why does this person keep...
Shrekkk!
Nico pushed the wooden chair back and stood up, eyes still adjusting to focus on the kid poking his face.
It had already been a terrible day so far. Now, someone was touching his face and waking him up! What gives?!
"Hey! You, stop it. Can't you see that its rude to touch someone when their sleeping?!"
The kid, still sat in his seat wearing a senior school uniform , stared at Nico in suprise
Before pointing his finger to the front of the room, narrowing his eyes.
"Mr. Adelious" a deep voice called out from the front of the room.
[Pronounced as: Ad-e-le-os]
He flinched upon hearing the name. 'Adelious..? Who is that?'
Nico turned his head to face where the finger was pointing.
A man in his 40s wearing a typical white neat blouse with black dress pants and glasses was staring him down with a displeased expression.
"You were sleeping during class?" The man asked, sounding extremely inconvenieced.
Confused, Nico turned to look at the people around him. They were all in their teenage years, wearing dark blue school uniforms and sitting at desks filled with grade 11 textbooks.
And they were all staring at him.
"...."
'Is he talking to me..? Does he mean me?'
"I- Sir, are you talking to me..?" Nico pointed at himself, conflicted.
The man glanced at him before giving a long sigh. "Just take your seat Mr. Adelious. Class is going to end shortly anyway." He turned to face the book he was holding and continued. "Anyway, as i was saying, who can give me a better interpretation of Marphy's law?"
The others around him shifted their glances to the whiteboard infront of them, while some stayed staring, snickering at the scene.
Puzzled Nico slowly sat back on the chair, trying his best to be as quiet as possible, as he dragged the seat closer to the desk.
Tap. A finger tapped on the desk next to him.
"Told ya, sleepy head"
Nico turned to face him.
A student around 17 or 18 years old was slightly grinning as he looked at Nico.
"Didn't have to be mean about it though. Sorry for touching you." The boy spoke in a genuinely apologetic tone. Something you dont see often anymore once you graduate school.
'....'
What is happening...
..where even am i?
Nico hesitated before opening his mouth. "N-no....i'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted that way." He fidgeted, "you were only trying to help, i think..." his voice growing softer.
"Pftt you think?" The boy sat next to him started to laugh. "Man, you really are odd. No wonder everyone seems to be avoiding you."
"Huh..?"
"What? Why do you look like you just woke up in a different dimension?...Or do you always look like that?" The boy started to grin wider, his eyes narrowing playfully.
".....a different dimension.."
'Hmm...'
Looking at Nico's face, the boy realised that he actually seemed quite disoriented.
"Hey. You alright...?" The boy asked cautiously.
"I'm fine." Nico snapped.
'Just please, stop talking and look away...'
I need time to gather my thoughts!!
Still internally panicking, Nico faced the front of the class, as his thoughts wavered.
The boy next to him took the hint, and did the same.
...
*Ring! Ring!
The school bell rang shortly after, and students started to leave for lunch.
Almost instinctively, Nico started to follow as the others walked out the classroom...only to get stopped by the door.
"Hey." It was the boy that sat next to him."are you feeling better now?" He patted Nico on the shoulder, with worry in his voice.
Looking at him closer and with a clearer vision now, Nico found that the boy looked rather attractive.
'Platonically, ofcourse.' He reassured himself.
The boy had fluffy light yellow hair, long eyelashes, Somewhat honey-brown coloured eyes, and a dimple that appeared on the left corner of his cheek when he smiled.
"Yes...i'm fine." Nico stated blatantly, trying his best to fit in and seem unaffected by whatever was happening.
"Oh, thats great." The boy smiled.
'Damn.' He must be pretty popular.
Still lightheaded, it felt like Nico had just been dropped from a very high building and magically landed in a high school classroom. Did he actually die? Or is this some sort of prank?
Nico expected that to be the end of the conversation and for him to walk away, but instead, the boy asked an unexpected question:
"If your alright now, do you wanna grab some lunch with me then?"
"...."
Huh?
"Wait, wha–"
"Guys!!" A student from another classroom shouted from the other end of the hall, waving their hands as they pointed at the boy i was talking to.
"It's Elios! He came to school today!!" From the phrase, countless students started to appear, walking, no– running, towards us.
"Uh, we gotta go." Elios backed up a few steps and grabbed my hand, before dashing towards the staircase.
"Hey. Huuu....Hey!!" Nico shouted as they ran at full speed away from the crowd.
"I-i can't-"
I cant keep up with this.
What is happening?!
"If i run anymore, my legs are gonna give out!"
"Just hold on, we are almost there!" Elios replied as we made our way to the highest floor.
Once we managed to reach the top of the staircase, we bolted through the only door visible and stepped onto the roof. Then Elios turned and slammed the door before placing his thumb on the key lock.
1, 2, 3...
He let go.
"Phew.....that was close, huh?" He scanned the surroundings as he walked towards me.
'What was that?'
"You alright –"
"Hahhh...." My legs gave in and i fell to the ground. Suprisingly, it wasn't as dirty as i thought it was, or maybe i just didn't care.
Seriously, who cares? Its a dream anyway.
"You...!" I barely managed to let out.
That was it. I was done.
Whatever this was, a dream, a prankshow,...whatever! I was gonna get out of here.
I stood up using my hands to support myself off the ground, legs still slightly trembling, and turned to a corner of the roof that wasn't properly gated.
Before i ended up here, i remember my vision dimming in the subway. 'So...
"Wait! What are you doing?!" Elios started to panic.
...this must be a dream.'
Without looking back, i responded. "Waking up."
I walked up to the ledge and sat down, letting my feet dangle.
'Woah...'
Looking at it from this height, i was starting to get second thoughts.
Why...does the ground look so far away..?
'....'
I could feel the footsteps of a hesitant teenager get closer behind me.
'....well, you gotta do what you gotta do..'
Nico let his grasp slip, as he shut his eyes closed.
'I...have done this before. I have had dreams more vivid than this one! I can do it.'
'It will be over in a second...'
It will be over in a second...
It will be over in a second...
It will be over in a second...
It will be over in a second.
Grab!
"Wow, are you crazy?!" A slightly shaken voice shouted above me, it's hand gripping mine as i dangled loosely over the ledge.
Elios looked directly at me, but for a very slight second, his eyes showed indifference.
Just for a second.
Like a lie, in less than a blink, his eyes showed only worry and concern. A tear making itself barely visible.
Maybe i really was going crazy.
"...Hey..."
Forget it. Even if just a dream, this feels different, maybe just jumping from a high place won't wake me up.
"..."
"..."
"Could you...help pull me up..?" I gave a look of embrassement, as i mumbled to myself.
"Ah..! Yes! Hold on tight." Without a second of delay, he pulled me up without trouble.
"...?!"
"Wow..your really strong..." even if a dream, i must still be a bit heavy, right?
'He must work out from time to time...'
Elios scratched the back of his head, his face looking slightly flustered as he helped Nico to his feet.
"Thank you..."
"Ah, don't mention it."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Do you...need someone to talk to?"
"Huh?"
"...you just...tried to commit..."
...oh.
I forgot that to the eyes of others, what i did was actually insane.
"Oh, no. I am alright! I just had a slight scare. Thats all..." rushing to explain myself, i spat out whatever was the first thing that popped into my head.
'...a slight scare? Who in the world would fall for that?!'
I wouldn't be suprised if he called the help services right now.
But to my suprise, he didn't pry any further.
"...i see. Alright then, but if you ever need someone to talk to..." he pointed at himself. "You can come to me!" His voice filled with pride.
"Hahaha!"
i couldn't help burst out laughing. If this was truely a dream, it was an entertaining one. I have not met someone who expressed so deeply.
"Right...well, thank you. I will be sure to remember that." Nico gave a slight smile and a nod.
"So...um" he cleared his throat, "We didn't get to introduce ourselves properly. Shall we?" His eyes beamed.
"Oh...! Thats right." I placed my hand on my chest before saying, "My name is...."
"...."
"My....name...is..."
...Why couldn't i say my name out loud?
"Uh...." i pressed my hand to my head, i felt dizzy.
"...Hey, you must still be a bit shaken from just now.." Elios interrupted, noticing that Nico was struggling.
"Dont worry, i heard it during class. It's Adelious, right?" He tilted his head with a slight expression of pity.
Damn it.
Realising that he really couldn't do anything about the situation, Nico gave a slight nod.
"Well then..." Elios raised his arm for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you Adelious. My name is Elios Calistus."
Pause.
'....did he just say....Calistus?'
Suddenly, like an uninvited flood, a surge of memories started to link together.
Just before i fell asleep, i recieved an email from W.C.C.
And that message said...
「Dear Creator. Your story is going live.
Congratulations and Goodluck. 」
' .....live'
Could it actually be..?
Did my novel actually come to life?
If thats the case....this is the Elios Calistus.
My novel's main protagonist.
...and, the reason for all of the tragedies that come forth in the story later on.
...then, where am i right now?
A school. High school students. ...what else–
*beepppp
A sudden announcement started to play.
....what?
A wave?
.....right. its starting to piece together.
...this is....the first arc in my Novel. The beginning, of how Elios got his sponsor.
'Waves' started to flood his world where monsters would crawl out of random portals from the sky, sea, and land. This went on fron 2 weeks straight, until some people gained unatural abilities that allowed them to fight back and close the portals.
Temporarily.
Until...6 months later, the 'final' wave hit. Which caused the annihilatiom of his entire world.
Elios...was also set to die here. Until, he made a deal with an unknown being, which saved him from the engulfing darkness.
From then on, he was seen as an unethical hero with moral beliefs.
That is, until that title flips to show its true narrative towards the end.
A puppet. A villain in disguise. A vessel for future calamities. A mad, merciless manipulator, who later met their end at the hands of their benefactor, a figure in the shadows.
....and the description fits. No wonder he looked so familiar....
'I literally created him!'
Damn it.....
'...'
I never liked him, to be honest.
He wasn't someone to be liked by the readers.
Maybe it was dumb teenage hormones, but i remember how much i disliked conventional heros in webnovels and comics.
I remember how much i wanted that novel to end.
....but i never did end up writing its ending.
Just a draft. That i forgot about for days, until the words got erased.
'Well, too late to regret now.' Nico held back a sigh.
Right now, i bet i seem 'entertaining' to him. As long as i maintain that, he will keep me around.
...but an announcement was just made for all students to hide from the 'wave'.
Which means, a single student going missing at the beginning of a 'wave' isn't that uncommon.
....But...this Elios is still growing. Still learning. So, he won't do anything rash, right?
I swallowed a growing lump in my throat as i tried to maintain my composure. Trying my best not to look nervous.
...but i think he noticed.
'Shoot, is this even real??'
This is crazy!
'But why does it feel so...
It was only for a second, a slight pause in my actions....but then Elios's mouth carved to form a slight grin.
'...real.'
"...you good?" His voice was unwavering. Like he was testing waters.
I swallowed another lump that was building in my throat.
'Please....'
If this was real,
Please just let it slide. Just let it slide.
The Elios i know is the type to kick on the weak.
I need to convince him that i am not weak!
Just another clueless, regular, student.
In an instant, i swiftly moved my hand to tightly form a handshake with him. My grip feigning a confidence i didn't have.
But it was neccessary for survival.
If the Elios Calistus before me was anything like how i had written him to be, then i had already lost.
But what if...?
Maybe, just maybe.
I let go of our handshake first, taking note of how Elios didn't blink as we did.
Slowly, i shifted my gaze to the rooftop exit door, where we had recently come through.
So, i made the first move.
"Hmm..the wind seems to be getting stronger, don't you think?" Nico's expression stayed cool as he stared at Elios straight in the face. Strong wind was the first sign of a wave coming.
The silence was deafening, so Nico decided to look down.
...only to realise he was still standing on the edge of the ledge.
'I need to get away from here...'
"...your right. It is." Elios's tone didn't change. Cheerful, upbeat, but strangely calm....considering that a wave was approaching.
"...shall we go back?" He asked with a smile.
'Yes!'
Nico gave a quick and willing nod, hiding how relieved he was.
Definitely. Lets go back and forget all this happened.
I will try to find another way to wake up from whatever this is, and Elios...will be just another figment of my imagination. A catalist to stir my creative thoughts. Not real. Not alive. Definitely not staring at me in the eyes...like right now.
As i was about to walk past him and head to the door, Elios blocked my way.
"...the thing is" He began to mumble.
'No.'
"Why do you seem so nervous all of a sudden...?" His eyes narrowed slightly, mouth still in a grin. "Are you scared of the waves..?"
'No!'
"S-sorry..? I don't know what you're–"
Push
I felt a hand forcefully shove my chest, causing me to fall backwards.
"It's a shame."
I was about to fall of the building.
"I was starting to like you."
I'm falling.
'No!'
I lifted my head to see Elios's expression. He wore a sly smile and his eyes were lit up with amusement.
'.....'
'Hah.'
Like me?
'What a damn psycho.'
As i was falling, i remembered a quote i had heard long ago. It was short and sweet, but it told a very strong lesson:
'Perception over Perspective. '
'I wanted him to know, there was more than just one psycho here.'
A final attempt to pretend on who actually had the upper hand, even as i was falling,
I stared at Elios, who was about to walk away,
and gave a wide, calm, undisturbed,
grin.
Thud!