Black World/Negura

The alarm rang at exactly 6:30. Alex didn’t move. It kept ringing. Sharp. Annoying. Persistent. Like the world refusing to let him rest. Finally, he slammed his hand down on it. Silence. For a few seconds, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling. “…Another day,” he muttered. Outside his window, the sky glowed faint orange. Morning in the city of Vireon was never quiet. Even now, he could hear it—the distant hum of energy, bursts of sound, people already using their powers like it was nothing. Because for them… It was nothing. Alex sat up slowly and ran a hand through his messy black hair. His eyes looked tired. Not just from sleep. From something deeper. Frustration. Resentment. Maybe even… emptiness. He stood up and walked to the mirror. Same reflection. Same disappointment. He lifted his hand and focused. Nothing happened. No energy. No glow. No power. He clenched his fist. “…Yeah. Of course.” A knock on the door broke the silence. “Alex! You’re awake?” his mother called. “Yeah,” he replied, voice flat. “Come eat before it gets cold!” “I’m coming.” He grabbed his hoodie and stepped into the hallway. And immediately paused. Across from him— A door. Closed. But glowing faintly blue from underneath. Alex stared at it. “…Of course you’re already training,” he whispered. That was his brother’s room. Darius. The prodigy. The one everyone talked about. The one who had everything Alex didn’t. Alex hesitated… then turned away and walked downstairs. Breakfast His mother smiled the moment she saw him. “You look like you didn’t sleep again.” “I slept,” Alex said, sitting down. “You say that every day.” She placed a plate in front of him. Eggs. Bread. Something warm. Something normal. “You should ask your brother to help you train,” she added gently. Alex froze for a second. “…No.” “Alex—” “I said no.” The tone was sharper than he intended. His mother sighed but didn’t push further. Upstairs— A sudden burst of energy shook the house slightly. The blue light intensified for a moment. Alex didn’t look up. “He’s getting stronger,” she said quietly. “…Good for him.” But inside— Something twisted. Going to school: The streets were alive. A girl floated beside her friends, laughing. A boy created small explosions in his palm like a toy. Two people raced across rooftops using wind currents. Alex walked through all of it like he didn’t exist. “Hey, it’s him.” “Still no power?” “That’s sad…” He kept walking. Hands in pockets. Head down. Ignoring everything. Until— A voice called out. “Alex!” He turned. A tall guy with messy brown hair jogged toward him. “Wait up, man.” “Ryan,” Alex said. Ryan grinned. “You look like death.” “Thanks.” “You ready for today?” “No.” “Same,” Ryan laughed. “But hey, rumor is they’re testing abilities again.” Alex didn’t respond. Ryan noticed. “…Sorry.” “It’s fine.” It wasn’t. At School: The classroom buzzed with energy. Literally. Students showed off. Teachers observed. It was all a system. Power = worth. Alex sat in the back. Like always. The teacher stepped forward. “Today, we evaluate progression.” A crystal device was placed at the center of the room. Students went one by one. Fire. Ice. Telekinesis. Light. Then— “Alex.” Silence. He stood slowly. Walked forward. Placed his hand on the crystal. Nothing happened. Not even a flicker. A few students laughed. “Expected.” “Still zero.” Alex pulled his hand back. Walked to his seat. Didn’t say a word. The First Sign Class ended. Students left. Alex stayed for a moment. Staring at the desk. “…Why?” He didn’t expect an answer. But something moved. The shadow under his desk… Shifted. Just slightly. Alex froze. “…What?” He leaned closer. It stopped. Still. Normal. “…I’m losing it.” He stood up quickly and left. But something followed him. Not physically. But… quietly. Watching. Waiting. After School: The door was open. Alex stopped. “…Mom?” No answer. A strange feeling crept in. Cold. Wrong. He stepped inside slowly. “Mom?” Still nothing. Then— He saw it. And everything broke.