Cynicism Is Made, Not Born!

Beep! Beep! Beep!... (sound of an alarm clock)

"Master Bobby, time to wake up! Time to wake up! It's already 6 O'clock."

"Wakey wakey, sleepyhead!"

A female AI voice kept speaking repetitively.

Ding! Ding! Ding!...

"It's 6:30 Am. Now, I am playing your favorite song." The AI spoke.

🎶 every day, when I wake up in this chaotic world 🎶 (Upbeat Pop song)

🎶 I remind myself to keep pushing forward 🎶 

🎶 Da-duh-duh-da-da, hahaha hah 🎶 

🎶 'cause I'm a fighter, a survivor 🎶 

....

A lanky youth sprang up from his bed. Stretching his half-unconscious body, he went inside the bathroom.

During his shower, he muttered. "Lucia darling, can you show me today's MBC morning news?"

Suddenly, a small ball flew beside him and projected a holographic-real-like 3D image of a hot female anchor.

"Good morning! I am Julia Hills. Right now on the morning news today, the 7th Johnson Space Corp under the command of Captain Jean Carlos has successfully driven out angels from the Delta Belt region. Now, the delta belt region has finally become the colony of our earth again." And she continued reading the important highlights of the latest news.

The youth came down with a fancy backpack. And the pair of thick glasses pointed out he was a total nerd!

"Good morning, love! Come, come. It's pancakes for today's breakfast." Margaret White greeted him with a warm smile. She was none other than his adopted sister. Also, a stunningly beautiful lady in her early 20s. She had a tall physique and silky black hair.

"Morning, Mar! " Bobby smiled and grabbed a chair nearby. Then, as usual, he started smearing butter over the top of the two pancakes on his plates and ultimately ended with syrup all over the stacks. And he took a bite, making a face.

"Did uncle and aunt already leave for work?" He asked with his full mouth.

"Um, mom and dad left an hour ago." She replied and watched him eating the pancakes.

Bobby was the silent type of guy with fewer words. After finishing the two pancakes, he stood up, saying: "Thanks for the pancakes."

"Hey, why don't you have another? You know, I think you're becoming thinner and thinner." She passed another pancake on his plate.

"Nah, I am stuffed. My stomach won't agree with another portion of it," said Bobby, looking at his wristwatch. "Ahm! I'm running late."

Then he rushed out of the house.

Orǎga'aon Institute of Space Science and Technology. It was previously known as MIT.

Currently, Bobby was presenting a theory he had prepared in a scientific symposium. It was such a lively day as hundreds of VIPs were also gathering inside the gallery. Most of them were renowned scientists, politicians, and successful business people.

A small flying ball was projecting a 3D image of a black hole. Bobby continued his lecture while pointing at the images from time to time.

After giving an enticing scientific explanation, the ending came. "Guys, my conclusion on this thesis is clear. As you have all seen it too. I believe in the name of Einstein that if my finding is financed properly, then we can finally tread our foot inside that black hole we claimed as unexplorable and which is still a mystery to us. In short, everything will come to light if we can harness the power of this 'Dark energy' which makes up over 68% of our Universe... Thank you, everyone." Bobby came off the stage after his speech.

The crowd seemed to like his idea as they showered him with cheers and applause.

Clap! Clap! Clap!...

Exiting the seminar, Bobby walked to the college canteen, which passed by the college's playground.

Thud!

A football came out of the blue, hitting his back, and making him fall flat on the ground.

"You fucking nerd! Bring the ball here." A bulky man among the three of them shouted at him.

"Hua hahaha. Sam, eh? It's very unlike you. Just go easy on him..." another bully jeered in a cynical tone.

Standing up briskly, Bobby scuttled toward the bullies along with the ball. He didn't bother to make eye contact with them as he knew it was best for him to avoid them as much as possible. Sadly, bullies will always be bullies. Avoiding them would not solve his current crisis. Taking a chance, he tried to run.

"Humph! Do you think you can run away from us? Hahaha. Wind punch!" Sammy said, punching the air. A strong wind of elemental energy in the shape of a greenish punch appeared in the air and landed on the running youth's back.

"Aaah-ahh!" Bobby shrieked in pain before he tumbled onto the ground, losing his footing.

The three bullies walked toward him slowly.

Clenching his fists, Bobby sprang up immediately and landed a punch on Sammy's belly. But it did little damage to his opponent. Feeling enraged, Sammy went berserk, pushing him down and putting one of his legs on Bobby's face.

"I have already warned you to stay away from Diana. Hmm! A nerdy little prick like you, who doesn't even have a shred of Origin chi in his body, has the gall to woo my girl." Sammy said, kicking him several times in the face. "Hmph, Defect! Know your place."

"Aahh! Ahh!" Bobby screamed, turning his body and covering his head with his arms.

"Enough, dude! Hahaha, this freak is too frail. Who knows, perhaps he might die if you keep hitting at this rate. And that'll be such a big trouble. A'ight, you've already taught him an excellent lesson today. Let's go." Tim said, stopping Sammy.

"Listen, freak! If I ever see you again with her, I will kill you." Sammy threatened him and turned around to leave.

"Wait! I forgot something." Tim blurted. Then he started frisking the youth and pulled out a gray wallet from his backpack.

Taking out all the cash, he threw it back to him and said with a mocking, dirty grin, "Yo! Listen to Sammy. And he's damn serious this time. By the way, thanks for the gift. Hahaha! Leave boys." The three left the scene immediately.

The youth crawled up. But the feeling of humiliation further made his heart grieve in a darker way. Every word of those bullies kept chiming in his head and he started punching the ground repeatedly, staining the grass with his blood. "Just what did I ever do wrong? For fuck's sake, just leave me alone. You fucking cowards. Picking on me just because I'm a Defect. Hmm, you fucking assholes, I'm going to slaughter you all this time."

Yeah, it had been very tough for Bobby in this society of magical power. This happened after two years of assimilation of Ogǎrian into human society, scientists of both humans and Ogǎrian researched and finally had a breakthrough regarding human genes. After that, they created a serum called 'Titan's Might' and vaccinated all the humans on the earth. Then, everyone developed superhuman powers. They were called the first generation. Their offspring had also developed special energy inside their bodies. They called it the 'Origin Chi'.

But 10% of the next generation was born without this energy. They were called Defects. Under the new social system, the Defects were scorned and had little social standing.

Suddenly, a beautiful lady wearing a white shirt and blue jeans dashed toward the playground and picked him up.

"Bobby, what happened? Who did this to you?" Picking him up, she asked worriedly.

Bobby looked at her and remained silent. Then, he flicked her hands away and said, "I don't need your damn pity."

"It's not like that," Diana responded.

"Hmm, then what are you doing here with a Defect? Just get lost. I have nothing to give you... Ah, forget it. Just do whatever the hell you want." Then he walked toward the Canteen.

"Hey, wait! I am here to tell you about something else." Diana shouted from far behind. "The director is expecting your presence in his office, right now." And she left shortly afterward.

Looking at Diana leaving, Bobby quickly calmed down. "That skinny bastard. Just what did he want from me this time? Ahh, I fucking hate this place."

Bobby couldn't help but feel defeated and resentful towards the society that discriminated against people like him. But he knew he couldn't let it consume him. He had to keep pushing forward and proving his worth, despite the obstacles that came his way. As Bobby walked towards the Director's office, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. He was still feeling the pain from the beating he received from the bullies and the anger towards the discrimination he faced as a Defect. However, there was a glimmer of hope as he wondered what the Director wanted to talk to him about. 

  (Edited: 19 January '23)