1 CHAPTER 1: The Encounter(s)

It was considered lucky to wake up in the morning and blessed to not meet death while asleep.

Feeling lucky, Connor Schneider hit the snooze button of the alarm clock while still very sleepy, rubbing his eyes languidly. It was just like any other day for Connor. The blue skies, evergreen and vibrant trees, smiling sunrise and the fresh breeze from the countryside seemingly greeting him from his bed.

His bed's not a single bed, also not exceeding to that of a twin one but just the right size for Connor's wide and tall frame of 5'10 in height. His room, at most, is pretty well-kempt except for a few clutters of fresh milk tetra pack on the floor.

This may seem a little bit out of place but at this time of unprecedented technological advancements, nature has been well preserved, both fauna and flora, through the efforts of the former generations in reverting the effects of Climate Change when there was a time in the past where drastic ecological entropy was at its peak, endangering the whole human kind into destruction. It was achieved through the unification of the World Powers and the inception of the "World Government" which then imposed strict guidelines and protocols regarding Wildlife and Nature Preservation.

Surprisingly, Connor Schneider was living in a rural place even in this age and year, 2096, where overpopulation is a worldwide crisis, but not to the extent that large countries like Yvent, previously Russia, is exhibiting the latter. But still, for the last few decades, this has been a persisting dilemma and the World Government is supplementing amendments to battle these.

Connor Schneider's family was previously located in the middle of the economic hierarchy, in short, they're not poor neither rich but shortly after his father, Nicholas Schneider, died of rather confidential and suspicious causes, they skyrocketed towards embracing poverty where his father is only their stable source of income.

As Connor was preparing for school since he is still a student, nonetheless, at the same time, he is also thinking about how to gain money and change their dire situation. This is also one of his duties towards his family since his father died , not too long ago, to be the one standing in his place.

He is living with his cute and rather adorable sister, not too far a gap in age, Grace Morgan Schneider and with his worrywart but tender mother, Lauren Schneider.

"I think everything is pretty much ready."

" I'm good to go!" Double checking on everything if something is missing. It may not seem to be too important to others, but to him lacking in school means slacking off and he cannot afford to act that way regarding their current circumstance.

"I'm off to school mom."

Said Connor while walking towards the door, ready to go.

"Always take care and don't cause yourself trouble"

Replied mother Lauren, a bit worried.

"You too, mom."

Replied Connor jokingly.

Taking the Maglev train off to school, he hurried off to the sliding doors securing himself from being late, not wanting to be on the next stop.

Being an honor student really means a lot to Connor Schneider as to that can be a ticket for them to get out of oppression and get admitted to a prestige school, thus acquiring himself a high-paying job, for the sake of his family.

After a couple of minutes, Connor arrived at the entrance of the his school and made his way towards his classroom but have to pass through the hallways first.

Unsurprisingly, he met a bunch of thugs. The thugs' faces are very familiar to begin with, much to the thought that they are his classmates who bullies him all the time and does everything with regular intervals.

Receiving contemptuous gazes from these hooligans is a normal occurrence for Connor. Be it on the way to school grounds, cafeteria, and unfortunately, in the classroom where Connor felt it was only natural for these kinds of people to stick around and eventually paid them no mind, making them even more infuriated and cursing under their own breaths to make Connor Schneider's life miserable as possible. Just what did he do to deserve this kind of attention?

Truth be told, they were just rather jealous of Connor's attainment and prestige as a straight A student. Not only he excels very well in academics, he also claims his rightful place when it comes to being an extracurricular activities hog.

"F**k off!! Why don't you just go? Ehh!?" the bully 1 shouted while walking towards Connor with a provocative countenance mixed with a sly smirk.

"Hahaha! Yeah!! Why don't you just do that?" Replied the other in the same annoying way.

"If I would do that, I would be void of my studies and activities today and that is not in my slightest favor." Replied Connor blandly.

"Do we look like we care? Huh?!" replied bully 1 while at the same time pushing Connor backwards with both hands angrily, using blunt violence to deal with him.

"Please guys, I don't want to cause a scene in here" said Connor with a face that is too worried. What would happen if anyone reports this to the principal? I can't afford to be expelled! Connor thought.

"You arrogant little piece of shit!" said bully 2, throwing a sucker punch directly at the face of Connor. He cannot react in time and got hit, causing dizziness in his head, and sending a trickle of blood down his nose.

"Need some more?!" said bully 3, angrily questioning Connor who is already in a pitiful state. He received kicks and punches from these reluctant individuals and how unfortunate that it really hurts. He tried to show resistance but it is of no use.

"Are you really proud of this? Ganging up on me for no reason?" said Connor while coughing his lungs out, lying in the ground helpless.

The crowd is really starting to gather up to know what the commotion is all about.

"Is that Connor? How helpless…"

"Its those three again. How ruthless!"

"Che! You're one lucky bastard, next time you will won't have a chance of escaping" said bully 1 who seems to be the leader while simultaneously making a death sign, crossing his thumb across his throat while walking away, radiating with arrogance in his every step.

The crowd gradually dispersed as if like nothing happened.

"Are you okay?" said one girl who walked towards Connor in an approachable way.

"I'm ok. I can still walk" said Connor casually.

"Can I assist you to the nurse's Infirmary?" asked the girl in an amiable tone.

"It's not that appropriate for the lady to do the gentleman a favor but it is the gentleman's intention to do so. Really, It's ok. I can deal with it. It's not that bad."

What is your name? Mine is Connor. Connor Schneider. Nice to meet you." Connor reached out his hand for a handshake.

"My name is Jasmine Luna. Nice to meet you, too" said the girl with a smile while also receiving a handshake.

"I see, so you're from this school too?"

"Yeah, I just got transferred recently."

"May our faith be intertwined and see each other again. It's not what you think it is. Hahaha!!" said Connor. " Ouch, I shouldn't have laughed too hard, hehe."

"Ha-ha" Jasmine just laughed in a fake manner to go with this guy's flow. She was already weirded out by Connor but immediately come to his aid while Connor felt a little bit of pain in his ribs. "Are you really ok?"

"Yeah, I'm really ok."

Jasmine then waved goodbye and walked away.

"I'll get going too" Connor said to himself. Humming happily on the way to his classroom, he seem to be saddened by the encounter but happiness replaced it when he met that beautiful goddess in front of him and got to show off his 'wits' he thought. He felt quite proud because of it, much to the status this genius has. This proudness is somewhat different to what people see him as.