Legacy: The Inheritor's Path

     As the icy grasp of winter loosens all over the land, birds begin to chirp their happy songs and the flowers once again fill the fields with their bright colors. This heralds the reign of warmth, days spent with friends and families out in the sun, and the season of new beginnings. Yes, spring has come.      On this particular day, a young man named Michael Callista starts his day getting ready for school. He would often sleep in even on most school days, but today was different. He got up earlier than usual and finished his morning chores promptly. In less than half the time he would have normally spent to get ready, he was already changed and prepped. He took one last look at the mirror to inspect his appearance before heading out.      In his reflection you could see a tall young man with a lean build, although he wasn't particularly muscular. He stood at about 6 feet and 2 inches tall and had an average weight. He grew out his spiky black hair which now reached the back of his neck. His deep violet-blue colored eyes and sharp pointed nose went well with his thin face. His complexion was normal with a neutral undertone and his face showed no signs of facial hair, but just like his height he believed he was still growing, among other places. He was also wearing their standard uniform and he carried a plain blue backpack containing his tablet computer, other essential school things and a change of clothes.       "Mmm good enough!". Satisfied with his look, he hummed a happy tune as he was leaving the door only to come running back in because he forgot something. How typical.       "Gah! I almost forgot my- There it is!" he exclaimed as he picked up a massive book from his nightstand. He quickly crammed it inside the big pocket of his bag.       After making sure that he was really ready to go out this time, he locked the door to his apartment, raced down the stairs and got on his bike, then started pedalling to school just as he usually would every morning.      It wasn't that far, only a mere 1.8 kilometers from his apartment. It took around 15 minutes to get there on bike, so it saves on transportation costs and serves as really good exercise too. On the way, he passed and greeted a number of people who he had come to know after living there for the last couple years. He smiled on the outside, but he knew deep down that it was only superficial. Well, at least the cool morning air hitting his face as he zoomed through neighborhoods felt really good. "This is fine," he thought.       Only ten minutes have passed and he was nearly there. "Wow, I think I'm gonna set a new personal best", he said to himself as he climbed a small hill that posed as the only thing standing between him and destiny. When he got to the top, he took a moment to catch his breath and appreciate the view. Filled with a childish sense of achievement, he marvelled at the sight. From here he could see his magnificent campus to the left, the cradle of youth and a place where hopes and dreams came together, and on the right was the beautiful morning sun rising slowly across the horizon.      Michael couldn't help a smile from forming on his lips as he braced himself for what was about to come. Today was the first day of his first year in college. He was taken back to when he was a child, pulling on his mother's coat as he was so eager to go to school for the very first time. He could feel the excitement, the curiosity and the nervousness all coming back.       The only thing he had to keep him company during the entirety of the holiday season were his books and video games. It wasn't necessarily bad, but just like every other teenager he craved company. He had already decided to attend college after graduating from high school last fall, and he was really looking forward to the people and experiences waiting for him in college.       The reason for all this was because he spent the last four years in high school miserably. He had zero motivation for going to school, and even less for meeting people. He didn't even bother to get a smart phone. There was no point. He wasn't expecting anyone to call or message him anyway. Yes, he had friends, but only on the surface. He never formed a deep bond with anyone before. After skipping out on the first week of school due to his late enrollment, he was devastated to find that his classmates had already formed little circles whem he arrived. He had no place there.       He forever lost his chance at making a real friend. He would at times get invited to hang out by some of the guys in class, but he always felt like his presence didn't matter. In fact, he felt more alone when he was with them compared to when he was by himself. Whenever he stopped to tie his shoelaces, no one waited for him. When people were grouped or paired for class activities, he was never picked first, and always had to go with whoever was left. He knew full well that they were only with him because of his status. He came from a well off family and his so called friends only sought to take advantage of that. Those people only laughed with him during happy times, but in his darkest moments when he needed them most, those same people were nowhere to be found.       He hated it. He really did. So much that tears started to--      "No no no, what am I thinking? I'm over that! Right!"       Realizing that his mind was once again slowly descending into the dark place he worked so hard to get out of, he shrugs off his thoughts and faces forward. He eyes the long downward slope below him and excitement once again begins to buildup. At the end of the slope was an overhead footbridge that felt like a finish line. He could already feel the adrenaline kicking up, and his momentary despair vanished in a flash.      With a deep breath, Michael gently kicks off with his foot and begins his descent. The pull of gravity and the quality of his tires greatly increased his acceleration. He was practically flying in a matter of seconds. As he was nearing the bridge, he stretched out his arms despite the speed he was going at, and with the widest smile his face could make, shouted "MY NEW LIFE STARTS NOWWW!" as he crossed the finish line.       At that moment, time felt like it came to a brief stop. A bright flash of light was the last thing Michael saw before he realized that the landscape had changed. It suddenly went dark. "What the-?!". When he realized he was still in motion, he immediately took hold of the handle bars and did a hard brake with both his bike brakes and with his feet. In the end his efforts only managed to lower his momentum, but it wasn't enough to stop him from crashing into something he guessed was a solid wall. He was thrown off his bike and landed hard on the ground. He tried to get up, but his body disagreed. His mind slowly went blank, and the last thing he heard before completely losing consciousness was the voice of a gentleman and the words "Assimilation Complete".