Senor Philosophical University – Junior High School Graduation Day
A group of boys surrounded their classmate, laughter spilling from their mouths like knives.
[Felix Torregosa, Grade 10 – Rank 3]
"Hey, Felix! Thanks for being such an idiot and letting us outrank you."
"Even if you're smarter than us, you've got zero idea how to treat people. We've hated how you've always looked down on us."
"Even your friends abandoned you, Felix. What's the point of being a genius if you can't control your emotions?"
The boys' faces were hidden in shadow betrayal, control, and disappointment etched in the cold silence.
I wanted to forget. I thought they appreciated me. Was I wrong for being myself? Now, all I have is this brain... and nothing else.
A piercing light filled the room.
"Ugh… another nightmare."
A shout echoed from downstairs.
"Fely! Come down now, breakfast is ready!"
"Yes, I'm coming!"
It had been a week since summer vacation started, yet the memories from graduation still lingered like bruises that wouldn't fade. At least I still had my family my safe haven.
I sat at the table with everyone, savoring the comfort of breakfast.
Dad placed his coffee down. "Son, have you decided where you'll be attending Senior High School?"
"Oh, right… Actually, I want to go back to my old school in the city."
"Puno Academy? It's been seven years since you were there. Are you sure?"
"Well, there are other options, but I heard from some alumni that it has one of the highest pre-med acceptance rates. That fits perfectly with what I want to pursue."
Both of my parents exchanged warm smiles, nodding in support.
"If that's what you want, we'll start looking for an apartment in the city," Dad said. "And maybe take a walk after breakfast you could use the exercise."
"Yeah… right."
Now here I am, walking around my hometown of Katigbian, trying not to dwell on my weight—or my failures. Dieting's hard enough. I stopped by the local marketplace to grab some groceries and overheard whispers from vendors and strangers alike.
Rumors. Strange attacks in town. People getting hurt. Some even mentioned a mechanical rhino tearing through streets.
I remembered hearing something on the news but didn't take it seriously. According to the reports, it looked like some kind of giant robotic beast. Sci-fi in real life? Yeah, right.
I stopped by a nearby resto and ordered my favorite: sinigang. Just as I was digging in, my phone rang an overseas number flashed on screen.
[CALL CONNECTED]
"FELIX! How've you been, man?"
"Jeez, Luvin. You don't have to shout into the phone. I'm doing alright. It's been a pretty quiet summer."
"Aww, wish I was there. But y'know, stuck here in the Netherlands physically and emotionally."
His sarcasm hadn't changed one bit.
"Obviously."
"Oh, right! Have you seen the news? There's been a global outbreak mechanical creatures, man."
"Mechanical... what?"
"HUHH!? You're totally out of the loop! Cities are in chaos, infrastructure's wrecked, people are getting hurt everywhere."
Wait so it wasn't just rumor?
"I haven't been online lately…"
Luvin sighed. "Figures. Okay, here's the crash course. The creatures are called PSYTONOIDS. They come from a dimensional rift called PSITUM. Apparently, it opened up due to some secret experiment gone wrong."
My head spun from the explanation, but I locked it into memory.
"So that's what they are…"
"Oh, so you do know something."
"Only bits. Word of mouth. There have been some attacks near town."
"Seriously? Be careful, bro."
"Thanks, man. I should get going—"
As I stepped out of the resto, I froze.
There it was.
A massive, metallic rhino towering, fuming, and staring straight at me.
"Oh sh—"
"Felix? What's going on?!"
"Huge problem. HUGE."
It roared and charged.
I barely dove aside, pain shooting through my leg as it clipped me. It was as big as a Multicab, and its sheer weight shattered the resto's entrance as it turned.
Screams filled the air. Chaos erupted.
Think.
My leg throbbed, but I could still move. Nearby lay a twisted steel frame and debris. I grabbed both this was either bravery or stupidity.
As it charged again, I lunged the steel bar toward its exposed joints, aiming for the mechanical gap near its head. It worked the bar lodged in.
But the beast didn't stop. It dragged me along as it charged through the streets. I held on, pulling myself up, and smashed the steel into what looked like its optic sensor.
It let out a shriek and hurled me off like a rag doll.
I hit the roadside hard.
Damn it... it's still not down.
It locked onto me again. Its final charge.
I braced for impact one last deep breath, ready to face the end.
And then—
A blinding bolt of light pierced through its head.
The creature collapsed, smoke rising from its now-silent frame.
Voices shouted in the distance. "Medic! We need a medic over here!"
I turned my head weakly.
A man stood there, examining the remains of the Psytonoid. He looked back at me curious, sharp-eyed.
"You fought that... What are you?"
Those were the last words I heard before everything went dark.
– END OF CHAPTER –