RLRD Chapter 6

Chapter 6 The First Day

The days of troubled sleep, something Kyro had thought he'd left behind, were back, as he lay wide-eyed, staring at the dark expanse of his ceiling.

"This is troubling for me," Slith echoed in his mind, a resonant undertone of frustration threading his words. "You see, when you're unable to rest, it affects me too. I'm forced to stay awake as well."

"I'm sorry for causing so much trouble for you, I just…" Kyro's voice faded into the shadowy quiet of his room.

"Your mind seems to overflow the moment you even think about school. What is it about this institution that troubles you so deeply? In ancient times, schools were revered places, and people would have given anything to be taught by the great scholars of their era."

An image flickered to life in Kyro's mind. He'd heard tales of kids despising school, concocting any excuse for a day off, feigning illness with Oscar-worthy performances. But perhaps, Kyro realized, he had more in common with those of the past than the present.

School represented something he yearned for - a place to connect with peers, to engage in conversations about everything and anything from TV shows to current events.

Now, with the chance finally before him, the mere thought of school sent his stomach into tumultuous twists. It was his time to break out of isolation, yet every moment he pondered on it, his body recoiled.

"I'm at a loss, honestly," Kyro began, his voice tinged with a lighter, almost whimsical confusion. "Growing up was just... me and my parents. Talking was a chore—literally painful. Now, I'm supposed to mingle and make small talk? How does one even start?"

He chuckled softly, a sound more curious than distressed. "And what if I'm odd? What if I'm still the same old Kyro, just in a different package?"

Slith remained quiet as Kyro mused aloud, a departure from his usual stance. Dragons didn't typically engage in such human dilemmas, but even he could sense Kyro's light-hearted distress.

"Be the best version of yourself," Slith finally responded, his voice a deep rumble of ancient wisdom. "Believe in your strength, in your capacity to evolve. Your journey began with a desire to lift your family from their plight—let that drive your actions. Confidence will follow. Acknowledging your fears is the first step towards mastery over them."

Kyro paused, considering Slith's words with a new perspective. His worries seemed smaller, less daunting. "You're right," he admitted, a smile breaking through. "I'll start with my family. Everything else, like making friends, will follow in time."

After wrestling with his thoughts and reclaiming his resolve, Kyro finally found some semblance of rest. However, the tranquility was short-lived. His eyes flickered open to the pre-dawn darkness, the night's veil still drawn across the sky. Glancing at his old-style phone, the luminous digits displayed an ungodly hour: five in the morning.

A sigh escaped him as he sat up, discarding the quilt. "Great, wide awake and nowhere to go," he mumbled to himself, a restless energy coursing through his veins.

"It's the gift I gave you," Slith's voice echoed in the silent room, a hint of pride lacing his tone. "Your abilities surpass those of a Purger. You require less sleep, more prepared, more alert."

"Fantastic," Kyro replied, though his voice dripped with sarcasm. "But what's a guy to do at this hour? School's ages away, and it's not like I can teleport there."

His room, a sanctuary of solitude, offered no solace from boredom. No TV buzzed in the background; no games awaited his command. His phone, outdated as it was, provided no distraction, severed from the world without internet access.

He reminisced about the hospital stay, an odd mix of confinement and connectivity. There, a tablet had been his window to the world, albeit with the looming shadow of the debt that plunged his family into despair.

"If only I had the internet, I could search it up," Kyro mused, a hint of longing in his voice. "I'd dive into learning, figure out the mysteries of conversation, of friendship. But here I am, talking to the walls and well…you."

"Search?" Slith echoed, his tone laced with confusion, not fully grasping the concept Kyro had in mind. Choosing to bypass this unfamiliar territory, Slith shifted the focus. "It's actually to your advantage. Remember, I've mentioned that my reluctance to share more power with you stems from your body's current inability to handle it. Your physical form could, quite literally, burst under too much of my essence. To safely increase my power within you, strengthening your vessel is essential."

Kyro couldn't help but jest, "What, are you suggesting I take on a regimen of a hundred push-ups, a hundred sit-ups, and run 10k every day?"

A brief silence fell before Slith responded, "Basic training, albeit rudimentary, is our starting point. Utilizing your own body weight for exercises like squats and push-ups is ideal, and running is crucial for building stamina. You may not be ready for combat, but should you find yourself in a precarious situation like before, having the ability to run could very well save you."

Kyro found no grounds for argument. His body, previously incapable of such feats, now pulsed with a newfound readiness to tackle these challenges. With nothing more enticing than the prospect of staring at a blank wall, he felt a surge of motivation to embark on this physical journey.

It all started with push-ups, an activity Kyro had never envisioned himself doing. However, Slith was there every step of the way, offering guidance. Kyro often wondered how Slith possessed such detailed knowledge of human physiology.

It was hard to picture a colossal dragon performing push-ups, and whenever Kyro ventured to ask, Slith deftly changed the subject, instead focusing on encouraging—and occasionally chiding—the young boy to push beyond his limits.

Ultimately, Kyro astonished himself by completing thirty consecutive push-ups—a remarkable feat for someone who had never engaged in such exercises before. As his training progressed, he began to realize that, while he might not have the physique of a top-tier athlete, he was certainly above average.

"Now, as I've said, your next task is to run. Just head outside and keep circling the block for a while," Slith directed with a firm tone.

Kyro managed to tiptoe through the living room with surprising stealth and soon found himself embracing the cool morning air. With two hours to spare before school, he was ready to take on this new challenge.

"Alright, let's do this!" Kyro mentally geared up, feeling an unexpected exhilaration at the prospect of running.

To his surprise, running brought a sense of freedom and joy he had never experienced. The rush of wind against his face, the rhythmic pounding of his heart, and the fluid motion of his limbs created a symphony of sensations. Even the aches in his muscles were a welcome change from the debilitating pain he had endured in the hospital. Energized, he continued to loop around the block, each step fueling his newfound love for this simple, yet liberating activity.

Lost in the sheer joy of his newfound passion, Kyro was oblivious to the curious gaze of another early riser. At the edge of the street, a tall, athletic student was lacing up his jogging shoes, bouncing slightly in place to warm up. His eyes caught the distinctive figure of Kyro, his long hair trailing behind him as he ran with an infectious enthusiasm.

This onlooker was Dan Thatchem, a youth whose gentle features were unmarred by the blemishes that plagued many teenagers. His physique was lean but strong, often attributed to good genetics by those who knew him.

Running was a staple in Dan's daily routine, a cherished activity that he indulged in every morning before school. Hence, the sight of another teenager, particularly one around his age, pounding the pavement at such an early hour was a novelty.

"He's full of energy, isn't he?" Dan mused to himself, scrutinizing Kyro's appearance. "This is a first for me, seeing someone else out running this early. But what on earth is he wearing?"

Dan's gaze dropped to Kyro's feet, spotting the flat shoes that seemed to offer little in terms of support or comfort. His attire, too, was less than ideal for running, likely to cause overheating due to its lack of breathability.

Yet, despite the apparent discomfort and the unconventional choice of gear, Kyro continued his laps around the block, each time returning to his starting point with undiminished vigor and a beaming smile.

Dan couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and admiration. "That kid is definitely unique," he thought, a smile creeping onto his own face as he watched Kyro. "But there's something utterly compelling about his joy. If he keeps up with running, maybe I should join him one day. It would be good to have a morning partner."

Choosing to set aside the peculiar sight of the student’s early morning enthusiasm, Dan shifted his focus back to his own regimen, the infectious spirit of the younger runner lingering in his mind as he set off on his route.

Meanwhile, after about an hour of relentless running, Kyro decided it was time to conclude his unexpected adventure. Despite the heavy breathing and the sweat glistening on his skin, his smile was unwavering—a testament to his newfound zest for life.

"You truly found pleasure in that, didn't you? You are an oddity," Slith remarked, intrigued by Kyro's uncharacteristic appreciation for physical exertion, a stark contrast to the usual complaints Slith had grown accustomed to.

Kyro, still catching his breath, replied with newfound determination, "It's difficult to put into words, but living the life I've had, every moment, every movement now feels like a blessing. With this new strength you've given me, I refuse to let it go to waste. I'm going to harness it, improve it, and I'm eager to unlock the full potential of the power you speak of."

Upon reentering his home, Kyro was greeted by the anxious faces of his parents, who had been stirred by his unexpected absence. Relief washed over them as they spotted their son, safe and sound.

"What were you thinking, leaving like that? We were worried sick!" His mother rushed to his side, her concern evident as she noticed the sweat drenching his clothes.

"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I just needed to run, to clear my head. I've got so much energy now," Kyro explained, trying to ease their concerns.

His father, still processing his son's early morning escapade, reminded him, "Well, make sure to take your phone with you next time, son. We need to be able to reach you if something happens, or if you run into any trouble."

Kyro, understanding his parents' concern, nodded in agreement, realizing that keeping them in the dark would only lead to more worry. He couldn't fault them for their concern, especially considering the recent changes and challenges in his life.

After getting dressed in his school uniform, which now fit him impressively well thanks to his new, slightly more muscular build, he stepped out to face his parents. "How do I look?" he asked, a mix of anticipation and nervousness in his voice.

His mother's reaction was instant; her eyes welled up with tears as she covered her mouth in a gesture of overwhelming emotion. His father, ever the pillar of support, gently placed his hands on her shoulders, a silent rock for both his wife and his son. "You look dazzling," his mother managed to say, her voice choked with pride. "I can't believe you're finally going to school!"

Trying to keep the atmosphere light and not overwhelm Kyro with their emotions, his father added, "Let's not put too much pressure on him now."

After a heartfelt hug from his mother, Kyro set off, the comforting sight of his parents watching over him as he walked away. With each step toward the school, the unfamiliar sensation of anxiety grew within him, a stark contrast to the confident strides he had taken just that morning.

"Slith, I might really need your help with this one," he confided quietly, seeking solace in the presence of his dragon companion.

Slith's response was dry, tinged with humor. "Yes, because a dragon is going to have better social skills than a human. Let's talk about the breeding cycle that comes around every ten years!" Despite the sarcasm, there was an underlying message: Kyro had to face this on his own, armed with the resilience he had built through his unique experiences.

As he continued forward, Kyro's eyes finally met the imposing structure of Middleton High School, the sign by the gate confirming his new reality. The sight marked the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with potential, challenges, and the promise of growth. With a deep breath, Kyro stepped forward, ready to confront whatever awaited him inside those gates.