Renn couldn't get enough sleep yesterday because his mind was filled with thoughts about the incident from the day before. He was still scared and very curious about Leo. When he woke up, his mind was racing with all the possibilities; however, he noticed he hadn't had any nightmares this time, which made him feel a little more relaxed. He could still feel the warm sensation coming from the sun mark on his right hand and wondered what was so important about this mark.
As usual, Renn got ready for school and went downstairs for breakfast. He greeted his parents and started to eat. While they were eating, Mrs. Ashmer asked him, "Renn, you look like you're lost in thought. Is something bothering you, sweetheart?" Renn smiled and replied, "No, Mom, everything is fine. I'm just thinking about schoolwork." Mrs. Ashmer nodded.
On his way to school, Renn couldn't stop thinking about when he would meet Leo. As usual, he met Jack just outside the school. Jack said, "Wow, Renn, you're on time today! Are you alright? I've never seen you arrive on time for school before."
Renn replied, "Hey, Jack, don't tease me. Let's get to class. I can arrive on time too!" Jack smiled and both of them headed to class, taking their seats. It was math class.
Stretching his arms and yawning, Renn exclaimed, "Wow, that was so boring! I don't like math class; I'm glad it's over." Jack responded, "You never really like any classes; you find every subject boring. You need to try to focus more."
Renn replied, "Yeah, I will focus more. Can you please stop lecturing me?" Jack chuckled, "No way! By the way, did you know we have an activity with our seniors today?"
Renn, shocked and curious, asked, "What? I didn't know about that! What activity?" Jack said, "You're impossible! Our teacher informed us two days ago, and the group list is already posted on the bulletin board."
"Oh, then let's go check our groups!" Renn suggested. Jack nodded, and they both went outside the classroom toward the bulletin board.
While searching for their names, Jack said, "Look, Renn! We're in the same group!"
Renn responded with excitement, "Really? Who's the senior in our group?"
Jack pointed to a name and said, "No way—it's the incredibly famous girl from our school, Lena!"
Curious, Renn asked, "Lena? I've heard that name before, but I can't seem to remember where."
Jack sighed and replied, "Renn, you are impossible. Everyone knows about her. She's the best athlete in our school and has the highest academic scores in her class. She's famous for both her beauty and strength. She's the exact opposite of you. You're last in everything, and she's first. She's two years older than us."
Renn said, "Oh, right! Now I remember. And hey, you didn't have to say that last part; it wasn't necessary."
Jack laughed, "Yeah, sorry! So, we have the best student in our group and the worst student. Wow, this is going to be fun!"
Renn retorted, "I'm not the worst student! So what is this activity, and when does it start?"
As they walked back to class, Jack said, "I don't know much about it, but the teacher said our senior will come to our class to inform us about the details."
When they arrived in class, Renn said while sitting down, "So we just have to wait for our senior?"
Jack nodded as they both sat in their seats, waiting for Lena while observing other students whose seniors had already arrived. Suddenly, Renn noticed all the students in class looking towards the front gate. He turned and saw a tall girl with a strong, athletic build, black hair, and a cold expression walking inside toward their seats.
Jack whispered to Renn, "Renn, she's our group leader, senior Lena—stand up!" Renn nodded and stood.
Lena addressed them, "So, you are Jack and Renn from my group, right?" They both nodded, and Jack replied, "Yes, senior."
Lena said, "Hmm, nice to meet you. I'm Lena, your two-year senior. We will have one free period daily to prepare our report about our activity and project, starting tomorrow, okay?"
Renn and Jack both nodded. Jack then asked, "What project will we be preparing?"
Lena replied, "Don't worry about it; I'll give you all the details tomorrow. Also, there will be one more member in our group, and you'll meet him then, okay?"
Renn and Jack exchanged curious glances and nodded.
Lena continued, "Okay, see you tomorrow, and don't be late." She then turned and walked back to her class, leaving Jack and Renn standing there.
Renn said, "Wow, she didn't talk much; she seemed very cold." Jack agreed, "Yeah, you're right about that. Well, let's just wait until tomorrow."
Renn nodded, and both of them sat in their seats to complete the rest of the classes. After school, they headed home, both wondering who their new member would be. Jack said, "Renn, you have to go home alone today; I need to go with my brother."
Renn replied, "Oh, right, your brother. Then I'll head home now. See you tomorrow!" Jack nodded, and Renn walked home alone. As he was walking, he suddenly remembered that he was supposed to meet Leo. However, he didn't know Leo's address and was trying to think of a way to meet him when a familiar voice called from behind, "Thinking about me, kid?"
Renn turned around in shock to see Leo smiling at him. "You startled me when you came here!" Renn exclaimed.
Leo laughed, "Sorry, Renn. I just arrived."
"Oh, I was just thinking about meeting you," Renn said.
"Well, we have a lot to talk about. First, how was school?" Leo asked.
Renn replied, "It was pretty good."
"Good. Did you tell your parents about yesterday's accident?" Leo inquired.
Renn shook his head and said, "No, they would worry too much if I told them."
Leo smiled and said, "You did the right thing, Renn. Good job."
"Yeah, I also told them that I would be late today, so we could talk," Renn added.
"Good. Let's go to my home; we can talk there comfortably. It's not far away," Leo suggested. Renn nodded, and they walked together to Leo's house, which was nearby, so they arrived quickly.
Once inside, Leo gestured for Renn to sit on the sofa in the hall. Renn settled in while Leo changed into casual clothes and took a seat in a chair opposite him. "My daughter is at her friend's house studying, so we can talk comfortably. Feel free to ask me anything you want to know," Leo encouraged.
Renn took a deep breath, showing Leo the sun mark on his arm with curious eyes. "Can you tell me more about this mark?" he asked.
Leo smiled and revealed his mark by pulling up his T-shirt sleeve. It was a black mark featuring a small circle with a spear coming out from its centre and ten rays radiating outwards on his right shoulder.
Renn examined the mark closely. "Oh, it's a little different, and it has only ten rays. Mine has twelve," he said, pointing to his mark.
"Interesting," Leo remarked while comparing their marks. "How can your mark have twelve rays? I've seen many marks, but all the ones I know have ten. Twelve rays are unique."
"Are there other people with marks too?" Renn asked.
"Yes, there are others with different marks. You can think that people with marks are special, but you're the only one I know with twelve rays in your mark," Leo replied.
"Then I must be special!" Renn said, looking thoughtful.
"Absolutely. And maybe even more special," Leo agreed.
Renn then looked up and asked, "What about that shadow man and your powers? It felt like a dream."
"Many others can use this kind of power. Everyone with a mark has powers," Leo explained.
Renn jumped with excitement. "Really? Then do I also have powers?"
Leo laughed at Renn's enthusiasm. "Oh, calm down, Renn. Having powers isn't always great. Did you forget that you were attacked because of them?"
Renn's excitement faded, replaced by fear at the mention of the attack. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that, sir. So, who is that shadow man who attacked me?"
"Well, they were originally normal humans, but they transformed into that state due to other power users," Leo explained.
"What's that? That sounds horrible!" Renn exclaimed.
"Yes, I know that some use their powers for harmful purposes," Leo replied.
Renn nodded as Leo continued, "I have a lot to teach you, so let's meet again in the evening. Just come to the city park, and I'll meet you there."
"Okay, sir. Let's meet in the evening. Bye!" Renn said, standing up.
Leo nodded as Renn left. After Renn went away, Leo sat on the sofa and looked at a photo of his late wife hanging on the wall. "What an interesting boy," he mused. "How can he still not know about all this?"