I was in my room when it happened, studying like always.
"Awakening, huh?"
I call out, "May, come here for a sec."
"Coming!"
She opens the door with that usual grin of hers.
"What? Missing your cute little sister already?"
"When did I ever have a cute little sister? I only remember a sloth who doesn't leave her bed unless there's food."
She stares at me. Silent. Expecting an apology, probably.
"…What?" I said, wondering why she was staring at me.
Oh, I have alexithymia. It's a condition that makes it hard for me to feel, recognize, or express emotions properly. It gets in the way sometimes, but it's not rare enough to complain about.
"Nothing." She rolls her eyes. "So? What did you call me for?"
"Oh yeah. It finally happened."
"You're joking?!"
"You really think I'd joke about something like this?"
"Heck yeah! For the first time in forever, your luck actually did something good for us. Now get ready. We're about to go shopping with that lottery money."
"I didn't win the lottery." I stare blankly, not believing the words I just heard.
"Then what happened?"
"I got the status window."
"Really?! What does it look like? When are you awakening? What's the class?"
She rapid-fires questions like a machine gun.
"Calm down. One question at a time. First of all, it's red. I'm awakening in one year. And the class is Knight."
"One year, huh... Wait! You're awakening on your 18th birthday?"
"Damn... I didn't even realize that."
"So what are you going to do now?"
"To be honest, I never really thought about it. I didn't think I'd actually awaken."
"Want me to ask Miss Isabel to train you?"
Isabel Roosevelt. An American bearer who came to India to relax because her fans wouldn't leave her alone back home. Unfortunately, the fans here were just as chaotic. They'd swarm at even the faintest rumour of her appearance.
While running from the never-ending crowd, she stumbled into our village, mostly filled with old people who barely knew what a bearer was. Finally finding the peace she craved, she decided to retire and settle down here. Not like she had anyone waiting back in America.
"Isn't she really old, though?"
"Yeah, I think she turns 43 this year."
"I did hear she was strong. Sure. Please ask her for me."
The next morning, I was in the backyard, spacing out thinking how many push ups I could do with a sword strapped on my back.
May came running over, clearly out of breath. "She said yes!"
I snap back to reality. "Huh?"
"I said she agreed."
"This fast?"
"I don't think you'd know since you're always swimming in your books but I actually have a reputation around here."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah. She was feeding the chickens. I told her everything while she was tossing corn."
"So, what did she say?"
"She said you start tomorrow. Three in the morning. Don't be late or she'll make you dig a new training pit with your bare hands."
"Why would there be a training pit?"
"Don't ask me. I'm just the messenger."
"Yeah, alright. Thanks."
"You're welcome. Just remember to buy me something good later," she said with a wide grin.
Isabel Roosevelt. The woman who once solo-cleared an S-rank gate in heels. Now about to become my teacher.
I slept early, fearing I would have to dig a pit.
2:30 A.M.
I wake up to my alarm ringing. Got dressed in the most comfortable clothes I could find and stormed toward her house in fear of being late.
3:00 A.M.
I reach her house right on time, the worry slowly vanishing.
"You're late," a voice came from behind me.
I look back to see the Isabel Roosevelt standing in front of me. Standing up close, she doesn't really look her age.
She looked like a goddess trying to blend in with mortals. Skin clear as polished marble, eyes sharp enough to pierce armour. Silver-blonde hair tied loosely still managed to shine under the dark sky. Wearing a faded cotton kurta and jeans, she looked strangely grounded, like elegance trying to play it humble. Her figure was flawless, with the kind of presence that made silence feel heavy. Even without moving, she radiated authority, like the air itself bent to her presence. They said she has a body to die for, I can see where they come from but that was clearly exaggerated. Or maybe it's just me not being able to understand myself.
"But I was right on time?"
"Bearers don't raid the gates right on time. They do it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of dungeon breaks."
"How am I supposed to know that when I haven't even awakened yet?"
She didn't answer. Instead, she turned and began walking toward the back of her house. I followed without a word.
The backyard was massive. Probably half the size of a football field. There were a few scattered wooden poles, training dummies, and a rock with a large outline on the ground where it used to sit, as if it had once been a boulder, shattered until only this piece remained. I don't think it was for aesthetics.
She gave me some clothes and gestured toward the centre of the field.
"Wear these and start running. As fast as possible."
"How long?"
"Until I tell you to stop."
"Alright..."
Each piece weighed about two kilos. I put them on and started running. The ground was slightly uneven. Not soft, not harsh. Just enough so I don't zone out while running.
I ran for a while before noticing she was walking next to me, arms folded, wearing clothes similar to mine. She was matching my top speed while walking.
"Your breathing is steady. That's good. Stamina's above average. Speed needs more work."
I nodded, unsure if I was supposed to reply.
She narrowed her eyes. "No questions? No complaints?"
"My sister told you I was a Knight. So why the speed training?"
She paused for a second then spoke.
"Knights have naturally high strength. They don't need intelligence because they don't use mana-heavy skills. There aren't many ways to increase defence before you awaken. Speed is the easiest to improve and the most important in a fight."
"I agree speed is important but why would speed be most important for a Knight?"
"Pick up that stick," she said, pointing to what looked like a broken broom handle.
I grabbed it.
"Try hitting me. Don't hold back."
I swung with full force, thinking I hit her, but there was no feeling. I swung so hard, I spun halfway and nearly hit myself instead.
"This is why you need speed. You don't have to worry about defence when the enemy can't hit you. And you can chip away at the enemy if you're weaker. Anything else?"
I shook my head.
"From today onward, you'll be training every morning at three. No excuses. And if you're ever late, you really will be digging that pit."
I gave a small nod.
She turned away. "I won't go easy on you just because I like your sister. You'll curse me, hate me, maybe even think I'm trying to kill you. But if you survive, which is highly unlikely, you'll thank me."
She walked off.
I stood there, holding that stick, the sky still dark above me.
"Oh yeah, if you ever make your sister cry, I will personally come and kill you."
A year until my awakening. A teacher who once made the world tremble with a smile. And me, just a boy trying to grow strong in a world that doesn't wait for anyone.
Still, at least I'm not alone. I've got May. And for better or worse, I've also got a friend, someone who thinks just like me, likes the same things as me, someone I know so clearly that it's not even funny.
The other me.