3 All Aboard the O.P Train
I woke up on my 6th birthday feeling down for some reason. I thought I would have awakened by now. I thought this new world would mean I wouldn't have the same experience as in my old world.
Getting a second chance makes the idea of being average kind of boring and disappointing. I thought I would gain my water or OP powers by the time I was 5. The isekai MC is supposed to rule the world by 18 or die.
It seemed the world disagreed with me and left me with an annoying headache
.....
Weeks passed and it seemed that my headache just kept getting worse. I was able to hide it for a couple of weeks but soon it got to the point where I couldn't stare at bright fires.
"What wrong with your eyes, sweetness?" Ms.Yates asked
"Nothing really, I just have a headache" I replied
"For how long?" Ms.Yates asked while feeling my forehead.
"A week..." I lied, "It just keeps on getting stronger for some reason"
"When were you going to tell me, little Pop?"
"I did not want to worry anyone, I didn't know what was wrong with me"
"Well, it's good news, you are starting to awaken!"
"What, REALLY! But I thought when you awaken your body just starts being sore and you get really sleepy, like Marty?"
"Well, your experiences before you awaken, can give you a hint to the nature of your powers. Marty's arms and chest started hurting before he awakened, so there is a high chance he would have a warrior class ability. You, however, have a high chance of awakening a Mage class ability because of your extreme headaches."
"What other ability classes are there?" I asked
"The other ability class is the rogue class ability, but those three preawakening classes are only used as very broad categories, and there are hundred more specific classes within the three."
"So when do I awaken, the headaches are getting terrible!"
"By the sound of your complaining I would say any day now. You're body is not used to the Aether, so you get soreness, headaches, and paralysis."
We finished up our conversation at the fire pit and headed inside so I could go to sleep and remediate the terrible headache.
After laying in the bed for a couple minutes, I heard a pop and I blacked out. All I saw was a line of writing in the darkness saying:
[Kinetic Siphon lvl 1] ability gained!
Weirdly, after reading the words I now understood the very basic principle of the ability. I am basically a vector of kinesiology. I can siphon kinect energy and release it for a shitty exchange rate. But considering I can level up the ability hopefully the exchange rate will get better.
Excited for the prospect of leveling up my new power I jump out of my bed and see what I can use my power on. Everyone is asleep in the large room so I tiptoe to the corner of toys. I find a ball that is slightly larger than a baseball.
I roll it down a corridor to the lunch hall. I reach out to where the ball is and slowly try to clench my hand but its like there is a basketball in my hand. I squeeze but its so HARD!
Maybe its because I rolled it too slow? Maybe I need a larger amount of kinetic energy to absorb?
Ready to test my theory, I pick up the ball an throw it back down the corridor. While it is in the air, I reach out to feel the force basketball, and slowly squeeze...
The ball's speed magically decreases by 20%, what looked like a fastball just dramatically slowed down in mid air. By the time the ball bounced it looked like it went through molasses.
I however had to wipe beads of sweat off of my forehead and back of my neck. The tiredness and sweat , however, could not take the smile off of my face.
If I am six now, what would my power look like when I'm 20? 40?! This is the OP power I need. It had way more versaility than a pleb telekinesis power. I can't stop thinking of the possibilities, what would my anti-hero name be? They apparently only had mercenaries on our island and adventurers are more mainland but I could still have a cool name, like Molasses or the Kinetic Frenetic.
"Big bro Winnie, why are you awake", rubbing her little eyes a little orphan asked
"I just felt like seeing the sunrise, head back to sleep there is nothing to worry about" I replied
Like out of a movie she went back to sleep. The excitement went down but the many ideas on how to train keep popping up in my head. I can't wait to tell Ms.Yates today.
...
In the morning, after breakfast I go over to Ms Yates doing the laundry next to the garden.
"Momma Yates, I awakened!"
"WOW, congratulations! What ability has Alaris blessed you with?"
"I can move things with my mind!"
I decided to embellish my ability here because the people here definitely do not know about the principle of kinetic energy and there is no need reveal all my cards despite there being one card.
"Alaris's beard! A sixth born awakening a third step ability! What can you do?"
I pull out the ball from my pocket and throw it down the pasture. While it is in the air, I feel the force basketball in my hand and I slowly squeeze and try to clench my hand. Just like last night, the ball slows before dropping and bouncing down the hill.
I turned to Ms.Yates, a bead of sweat rolling down my face and a smile plastered on my face.
With a stunned face she looked deep into my eyes and said
"Don't ever show that to any adults until you are 10, and be careful practicing outside" she said with seriousness. "Despite your age, you show flashes of maturity and I am hoping you understand the danger of strangers and bandits. We are under the protection of the Hermit but it does not look like his protection will last forever."
I shook my head fervently, this world was not like Earth. There were apparently three moons and two suns. The value of life also wasn't held in high regard either. Every other decade there was a large war or massive monster tide that threatened the lives of every on the planet.
"I guess I will have to get stronger, so we dont have to be worried about bandits" I said with a determined face."
"Oh child...with your talent, all you need is time to grow. Your best chance of living till that time is joining a mercenary group or powerful school."
"What schools or groups are open to join?" I asked inquisitvely
She laughed and responded "Child, you can only join the best mercenary bands when you are experienced and powerful, most foot soldiers are 19-25 years old. Your best chance will be joining a powerhouse school. They accept children between 10-13 but only the most talented."
"So I have three years until I protect everyone?"
"No, child, you have more than that, the school only offers their protection to the best of the best of their school. Your main goal should be to get better but also enjoy being a child. You will get there and there is no threat on our life as long as the hermit offers his protection."
It wasnt long before the hermit disappeared, as well as his protection...
