My Evil Spirit

There weren't always dragons in the valley. Once upon a time, this world didn't even have dragons at all. This world was mundane, as mundane as they get. It was a world of scientific innovation.

In the past, very few people awakened their spirit, less ever found out its use. But now was different. Three days ago, the whole world had awakened, and by extent, so too had its inhabitants. All of them.

Ring Ring Ring

Inside a small classroom, ten or so students took their seats in accordance with the bell. The teacher glanced at them over, barely counting if all of them were there. She didn't need to; most students had perfect records, never tardy. This was an established private school and the rules were strict. The students knew their place.

“Mr. Connors, would you please take the stand and present to the class.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

From amongst the seated class, a young man stood up and waltzed forwards. He stood straight and his blue eyes met the instructor’s.

“Mrs. Nancy. Classmates.” Felix regarded all those in the room, “I present to you, my innovative idea, which would revolutionize the agricultural sectors in desert regions…”

…

Because of his neat attire and confident demeanor, you might assume Felix was from a poshe family. No. He was here on scholarship. He was a runner, one sought after by many academia. Yet, his popularity as a runner was just a front, a disguise which he used to raise his status.

Felix was of a humble background. His single mother died during childbirth. He grew up in an unethical orphanage, cast aside by the world. He was destined to be no more than a lowlife, living off the system until he inevitably died in a mess of alcohol and his own filth. Yet, that void of love and friendship which raised him blossomed a crazed desire for power.

At 12, Felix, hidden beneath a thin black coat, began running packages for a shady group. They gave him a destination with the promise of cash, and it was his job to get it there. He was subject to several chases from police, competing groups, and random passerby who just wanted to steal something valuable from a weak child. He got away though, he always got away.

By 15, he’d become the newest member of this gang. The boss made him go back to school, like he'd done during his earlier years in the orphanage. The boss thought he had potential. The boss was right, too. The year he returned to public school, he was recruited to a poshe school, one which was the treading ground of many heirs to the top dogs in the financial world.

Felix had not spent these last years in vain. He’d been focused on teaching himself human psychology, and developing the skills necessary to manipulate it. His good posture came from the uncomfortable nights where he would tie his forehead, nape, and waist to a floorboard. His articulate ways of speech came from the afternoons he would attend game time at a nearby elderly folks home. He observed, day by day. Who was listened to the most? Who did everyone always agree with? How did they achieve that?

And so, upon arrival at the marble steps leading to the main entrance, he was unphased. His calm persona became one liked by the instructors, and soon, some of the more lackadaisical students.

…

Felix left the podium and returned to his seat.

A few minutes later, when the class’ attention was held by another presenter, Felix felt someone nudge his thigh. It was the black haired girl to his right. He knew this would happen, however, and became seemingly even more absorbed within the presentation. But, before anyone in the room could notice, a usb had found itself in the lap of the girl’s navy skirt. The usb contained this girl’s project and thesis, written to perfection.

This was the reason behind Felix’s enrollment here. It wasn't few students who would prefer to laze around, rather than do school work. They paid him, and in exchange, a team hired by his gang would draw up immaculate work, which would get the student the grade they purchased.

This wouldn’t be plausible within any regular school. The profits were too small, and there were too many goody-two shoes. Here, none of the hard working students cared about the supposedly dumb kids paying to be labelled as intelligent as them. In the long run, it only created a greater divide between their competence. Truly a fine example of the saying, Your only cheating yourself.

The rest of Felix’s day was filled with these deliveries. It was late may. The due dates for final projects were approaching fast; it was crunch time.

School let out at 4:00pm, then the students were free to go home. Felix stayed late, trained with the track team, then made his way out past the wrought iron gates. There was a large roundabout at the school’s entrance, currently filled up by either limousines or fancy cars.

Felix’s ride did not stick out from the rest. It was a sleek, azure blue Porsche 718. Once he got in, the driver, who was also a member of the gang, began driving. Their destination was a small mansion on the outskirts of the city.

A few months ago, right about when he was invited to attend this academy, the Boss had formally adopted him. This released the restrictions imposed on Felix by the state, and let him move about freely. As a bonus, his living conditions were better, too.

Felix noticed that the world in his peripheral vision seemed to dim. He raised his head and looked out his side window. Up in the recently blue sky, there were streaks with a purple black hue. The darksome streaks shimmered, as if they were the sun’s rays on a hot summer day.

The streaks gave off a feeling of oppression, and attracted much attention. The car in front of them suddenly swerved and hit the concrete which bordered the freeway. The car compressed and its front end crumpled.

The gang member driving the Porsche jerked the car out of the way. But before he could finish getting them to safety, his head bobbed down and he passed out.

“Useless bastard, passing out at a time like this.” Felix cursed. He took the wheel with his outstretched left hand and controlled the car to hit the concrete blockade as gently as possible. The car screeched to a stop, the car door grinding against concrete.

“Fucking hell.” Felix held his head with both hands. He was nauseous, finding difficulty breathing. He blacked out and went limp, head hung forward loosely.

…

When he awoke, the day was dark. His headache had faded for the most part. Felix opened the car door and unsteadily pulled his stiff body to its feet. He was fine for the most part, tired at worst, but whenever he closed his eyes, that familiar dark space he would see between his brows wasn’t the same. Sat in the middle of it was a bright white seed. It was untainted and would grow depending on what it absorbed; it was his spirit.

Just as Felix was about to leave the car, and its driver behind, he heard the haggard voice of his senior gang member, “Where are you going?”

“Just stretching my legs.”

He’d gotten out of the vehicle and was gazing towards Felix reproachfully, “This has happened, we should get going back to the base.”

“Okay, let's go.” Felix walked back towards the Porsche, whose left side was beyond repairable.

Hearing Felix’s agreement, the senior gang member refocused. The car wasn't in good condition. He couldn't waste time here. He needed to get back to the boss, so that he wouldn't be left out of any future plans.

Once the two of them were back in the car, the senior gang member started it up. There was a now dead pile up in front of them, and they had to back up to get around it.

With the man’s head turned, Felix saw his opportunity, and he took it. A quick flick of his wrist, and the black pocket knife hidden behind his waistband was drawn.

The senior gang member tried to speak and cough, but nothing really seemed to come out. His eyes were wide with disbelief, still not entirely understanding what had happened. He died in resignation, confused.

Felix didn't feel bad about this. He didn’t want to go back to the boss, and this man was a hindrance to that end. He’d already realized. This was an opportunity. To go back to the mansion was to submit to the boss. If he left now and gained power, he would no longer be a lackey; he’d be the boss.

Driving away in the opposite direction, Felix felt his blood start coursing, tightening. His entire body felt hot. He felt alive, strength coursing through his body. After a short bit, that sensation went away.

He was now stronger than before. That was what came of the change to this world. If he’d closed his eyes, he would have noticed that the seed had changed too. Its pristine white surface had been stained by a speckle of blood red.

It had found its path of evolution, and it craved more.