Chapter 1: The Rumored One

As Rein walks through the corridor, everyone around him whispers. He hates drawing too much attention, it makes him nervous.

“Isn’t he the one that finished the test in just 45 minutes? I thought it's only a rumour”

“Do you think he was cheating? It’s like impossible to do that. I also heard he reached the top 2 highest score in the admission test”

“His looks made me think that he really did cheated! He seems like a lazy and messy kid, just like a delinquent”

Well about that cheating thing, the teachers also had called Rein 3 days after the test. They suspected him cheating. Then Rein told them one thing, “You can test me, if you want to”. So they asked 5 hard questions and Rein did 4 of them perfectly, the other one false because of his carelessness.

Rein just walks through the crowd without responding to those comments. His new class is X-1, there are only 3 regular classes and 1 acceleration class. Rein also had been offered to take the acceleration class, but he rejected it. Rein think that it’s just a waste of effort. ‘Why should I take 2 years class but I’ll be stressed out of its curriculum? I’ll waste too much energy to study’. The only reason Rein wanted to enter this school is because of its special feature, called: Avatar Burst. For now he knows only one thing about it, ‘It’s a fighting game’.

Rein enters the class, thinking where he should sit. ‘A chair on the corner back of the class and near the window is just perfect, no one behind you to watch your every move. If I get bored, the view outside is pretty interesting. Even though a novel is a perfect solution to cure my boredom’. Rein thought. When he’s walking to that desk, a boy who was reading a magazine suddenly looked at him intensely behind his magazine. All Rein did was walk calmly and sit at his chair, thinking that no one is looking at him. Then the boy puts his magazine down and turns around, facing Rein. ”Are you Alpha Rein? The rumored one who had finished first in the test? ”. Rein sighed and took out a light novel. “Do you have any mouth to answer my question?,” Rein puts down his novel and replied with a little sarcasm “Do you have any eyes to see I have one? “. that boy gave something that Rein never predicted, Laughter. “Such attitude you have. By the way, my name is Ryuuji, Ryuuji Natsuka. Nice to meet you, Alpha.”

“Just call me ‘Rein’, Alpha is my family name”. Rein said. “Then you must call me, Ryuuji”. Rein nodded and continues to read his novel. Then Rein remembered something; ‘I wanted to ask someone about Avatar Burst. So that I really know what it is’ , and thankfully Rein got Ryuuji for that. “Ryuuji? Can I ask you a question?” “Hmm, what is it?”

“Have you ever heard of Avatar Burst? If you had, explain it to me. The lady on the registering office didn’t satisfy my curiosity”. Rein gave him a light smile. His face shows that he is very happy being asked about this. Rein also happy that he found a right topic, but he also regret the outcome. Ryuuji explained it in a very complicated way and a one-sided view about it. In the end, the informations he can gain are:

First, Avatar Burst is some sort of an extra-curricular, a system that can make students want to get a good score at exams.

Second, how they do it? The avatar’s power is based from the result of a student tests.

And finally, it’s a game. Who doesn’t love games?

The lessons went out smoothly, but there is no sign that the teacher is going to introduce them to Avatar Burst. “Hey Rein, are you going home now?”. Ryuuji asked. “I think so, got nothing to do here”. Rein prefer to read some novels than hanging out with anyone. ‘It’s simply a waste of energy’. Rein said every time his mom asks why he doesn’t go out with his friends. But there’s also another reason for that, Rein never had friends. “Then let’s go home together, Rein. It’s pretty lonely to go somewhere alone right?”. Ryuuji said. “No, it’s not”. Rein whispered. “What did you said?” “Nothing… Let’s go home, Ryuuji”. Rein said while walking out the classroom. Ryuuji just smiled and followed him.

As both of them leaving the school ground, someone is watching them from the third floor. “Are you interested in them, President?”. A boy asked. “I’m only interested at one of them, the one that named Alpha Rein”. After hearing what the president said, a girl laughs. ”You actually wanted him to join the student council? What’s so special about him anyway, I believe The Pure Knights is a lot special than him”. The president giggles. “Yeah Julia, of course both of you are a lot special. Ricols? Can you do a favor for me?”. “I’ll do anything for you”, he said with deep respect in it.

“Hahaha, Doggie!”. Julia teased him. “Shut up!”, Ricols shouts. The president seems entertained with their actions. “I still can’t believe both of you are twins. Even from the appearance both of you are different”. The president said while smiling. “Oh! Same here, Prez! But worst of all… he is the older one”. Julia let out a sigh. This time Ricols keeps his head cool and didn’t respond to what his sister said. “So Prez, what’s the favor? Is it something about observing him?”

“You always know what I want, Ricols. That is one thing I always love about you”. She said gently. Ricols’s face becomes red. “I- I- I’ll do my best!”. Behind him his sister trying to hold her laugh.

“You know what, Rein? I just can’t wait to test the AB Console and see my avatar”. Ryuuji said to open up a conversation. It seems Rein isn’t much to talk, he only says what he wanted to know or what he need. “You know what, Ryuuji? AB is the only reason I wanted to enter this school”. “WHAAT? Like, seriously?”. 'He just said such thing with a straight face. How can he control emotions like that?,' Ryuuji thought. 

“Yes, Ryuuji”. 

“Really?”. 

“Really and don’t ask really again or I’ll seal your mouth”. Well that threat sounds a lot scarier when he said it. “How did you know I’m going to ask really again?”. He grins, “Just a wild guess, don’t take everything seriously”.

“I’m the one who must said it to you!”. Rein just smiled, “I’m going to take this turn, Ryuuji”. He points the left turn at the junction. “Oooh, guess we take the same turn then”.

As they walk, Ryuuji realizes that this is the route to his house. But, Rein doesn’t show any sign that he will stop. When it’s about 10 more meters to Ryuuji’s house, he suddenly stops. “This is as far as you can follow me, Ryuuji” 

“Is this your house?”. Ryuuji points a house with black fence. 

“Yes” 

“Well that means we’re neighbors?” 

“No” 

“But our houses are really close” 

“I’ve never met you before” 

“So do I!” 

“See you tomorrow, Ryuuji”. Rein already enters his house before Ryuuji could reply his good bye. “*sigh* See you, Rein”. Ryuuji smiled when said it. Suddenly Rein came out again. “Ryuuji, in my predictions, tomorrow would be a good day for us to be introduced about Avatar Burst. But don't get your hopes high, okay?”. Rein could see that Ryuuji’s smile gets brighter when he said it. “Let's just hope that'll true!," Ryuuji said excitedly. "Yeah, let's do that."