The bell rang, long and sharp, cutting through the grey noise of the classroom like a sword. But for me, it didn't signal freedom. It was just the start of another round. Another hour of surviving without being noticed.
I stayed seated.
Most students rushed out, laughing, pushing, alive. I didn't join them. I never did.
My fingers trembled slightly as I reached into my desk to pull out the metal lunchbox. Bent at the corner. It looked just like me—kicked around, dented, but still trying to hold something warm inside.
I opened the lid slowly, hoping today they wouldn't notice. Hoping they'd forget I existed for one lunch break.
"Oi. What's a ghost doing eating food?"
Too late.
I flinched.
The lunchbox flew out of my hands, slammed against the wall, and burst open. Rice scattered across the floor like fallen snow.
My heart didn't even race anymore. It just... dropped. Like it always did.
"Tch. Didn't your mom teach you manners? Oh wait... I forgot, she's probably dead."
That was Toma. Star of the football team. Leader of the pack. Everyone laughed at his words like they were gospel.
I didn't reply. I just got up and crouched next to the mess. Picking it up grain by grain, pretending the sting behind my eyes was just the light.
Someone kicked my side. It wasn't hard. Just enough to remind me I was allowed to be hurt.
"What a loser," someone muttered. "Why does he even come to school?"
Why do I?
My hands stilled. I stared at the crushed rice in my palm.
Do I matter to anyone?
I stood up slowly. Quietly. I didn't look them in the eyes. That always made it worse.
The teacher entered, her heels clicking on the floor.
"Alright, everyone take your seats!"
The room turned innocent.
I stood with my back to the wall, trying to look invisible.
"Akio," she said, glancing at the mess. "You again? Clean up and return to your seat."
Again.
I said nothing. I picked up the box, shoved the soiled food inside, and made my way back to the desk in the farthest corner.
No friends.
No allies.
No light.
Just shadows. And silence.
---
That night, I lay on my bed staring at the cracked ceiling. My room was small, with peeling walls and a single fan that made more noise than wind.
"Is this all I am...?" I whispered.
The streetlight outside flickered.
My phone buzzed once. A message. I didn't expect any.
\[You have been chosen.]
I blinked.
A second message followed.
\[Do you want to rewrite your life, Akio Rensuke? Yes or No?]
What kind of prank was this?
I tapped the screen. Nothing happened. Then suddenly, my room vanished.
Or maybe I did.
---
I found myself standing in the middle of nothing.
Pure darkness stretched endlessly in every direction. No sound. No floor. Yet I stood.
A soft voice echoed.
"You were ignored by the world. Hurt. Broken. Forgotten. But what if I told you... your weakness is the key to a new system?"
A faint light blinked before me. Then a floating screen appeared.
\[Welcome to the GODCODE System.]
My mouth went dry.
\[Analyzing Host Potential... Scanning Trauma History... Syncing Memories... Done.]
\[Status: Compatible.]
Another beep.
\[Class: Reclaimer]
\[Ability: Pain Conversion]
I read the words twice.
Pain Conversion?
"Your power is simple," the voice continued. "Every pain you endure, every insult, every broken moment... can now be transformed into strength."
My knees buckled.
"W-Why me?"
"Because you have more scars than most. And scars, Akio, make powerful weapons."
---
I woke up gasping. The ceiling was still cracked. The fan still clicked. But my hand—
It glowed faintly.
\[Level 1 Acquired]
My mind raced.
Was it a dream? No. Not this time. My body felt... different. Not stronger. But aware. Awake.
The next morning at school, the insults came as usual.
"Hey Ghost!" Toma grinned. "Back from your grave?"
This time, I didn't look away.
A message flashed in my vision.
\[Emotional Damage Detected: +5 EXP]
I smiled.
Let them laugh.
I was done being weak.