Prologue 1/2

On top of a school rooftop stood two people, one female and one male. Both wearing school uniforms with a black tailcoat, the tailcoat is required to be worn as per school rules, and the tailcoat is basically the school’s image and pride. The male boy around fifteen years of age has short sunshine blond hair, with a crystal face which gave of a disciplined feel. It was by no means a coincidence that the boy had gained such an aura. Evident by the countless engraved badges clipped onto his tailcoat, clearly shows the reason behind his natural clean and sorted look:

STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT

EDUCATION OFFICER

CLASS MANAGER

CLUB ORGANIZER

Moreover, his popularity always stayed at an all time high-standard. Whenever this boy’s name is spoken around the school, usually the image of a “talented student” and “always working hard” pops up in the student’s minds. Obviously there was looks of utter envy and jealousy, whenever his presence is seen. His name:

Atlas White

However, the female standing in front of Atlas was a complete opposite of what he represented. Dyed red hair, earrings drooping down onto her shoulders. A bruised face with a bandaid on her forehead, no doubt acquired from the countless fights that she picks around the school. She was the true example of how a delinquent looks and acts like. Those rebellious half-opened eyes scanned the person in front of her, and seeing the average form of his body. She rolled her eyes.

“You will get expelled if you keep up this attitude” Atlas immediately spoke out in warning after seeing an expression that showed no respect or dignity.

“Did you not know that my father runs this school?” The delinquent stated lazily. But it more or less sounded like a challenge to a fight, from her slightly tilted arms and clenched fists.

“I already knew that, so now let me ask you a question. Do you know who I am?”

“No, I d-” But before she could finish talking, Atlas interrupted with a calm voice.

“That is why you should pay more attention in school, maybe we wouldn’t need to have this conversation”

At this point she felt something was not right, so she opened her eyes and reeled her mind in from her daydreams. Her eyes first fell upon his blond hair and his chiseled face, and then...his golden badges. Face turning slightly pale, the slouched back becoming straight. Her fists clenched, with black nails digging into her calloused skin. It’s quite noticeable to see, she definitely knows the person in front of her. But who wouldn’t know him? Atlas is almost like a king, and the throne that he sits upon is obviously the school itself.

Her legs shook a little whilst her hands began turning a deathly white, a colour that looked strange with her spray tanned skin. But suddenly, she took a step forward and swung her fist at Atlas who was completely unprepared for it. After all, she is not a delinquent for nothing.

The punch sloppy and rigid smacked Atlas’ left shoulder with a loud thump. However, he did not move backwards nor did he let out a pained moan. But instead, he himself took a step forward, without swinging a fist of course.

“Thank you. With that clear breach of school rules as evidence, it will be a simple matter to have you gone.” After saying that, Atlas took out his phone and tapped the screen a couple of times before placing it to his ear.

Meanwhile, the naughty student stood frozen with depression written all over her face, as she mumbled: “What...if I don’t go to school, then...my mother will punish me.” Gradually, her face turned from worry and into a sinister grin. Her bloodshot eyes looked in the direction of the roof banister, a glint flashed through her coloured contact lenses.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Hello Mr Smith, I am sorry to tell you tha-” His phone suddenly disappeared from his hand as he felt someone snatch it away. Immediately his head turned into the girl’s direction, his face revealed annoyance and anger.

“You trash, give me my phone back this instance!” Along with a different expression on his face, his tone also changed. The kind of tone that could make you feel like an insect and below everyone. Along with a feeling of: that at any given time, someone could just plant his feet on you and that would be the end.

The girl, exceeding Atlas’ expectations, only gave a smile as she waved her arm in the air. While the arm was still making an arch, the hand released the phone it was holding. It flew over the railings of the roof and...smashed off the pavement. Perhaps some parts can be salvaged after a four storey drop to find evidence of her disobedience, but it’s definitely unlikely.

While the phone made it’s way to the ground, Atlas had run over to see where the phone landed. Every single little part shattered and flew all over the place.

“It was good that no one was standing there” Atlas stated silently.

He turned around to the girl after saying that to himself. But strangely, the girl was already in front of his face. Her arms raised to his shoulders, slightly touching him. From this action, Atlas had already guessed what this delinquent wanted to do.

Push him off the roof.

The courage and determination that she needed in order to be able to go through with this, caused Atlas to feel slightly amazed. If he knew that she had done this on a whim, would he have changed the situation?

Her leg moved forward, and her hands pushed strongly against his shoulders. But to her shock, he did not budge from the spot at all. Her strength that she acquired should be enough to make a boy with an average frame move, but some stuff about Atlas was not quite yet common knowledge. The fact that he has been learning martial arts ever since he was five years old, no one knew about that.

However, the girl let out a smile as Atlas unexpectedly started to fall backwards, as she believed that he couldn’t retain his balance and fell because of her strong push. It was correct, Atlas did start falling backwards but only for his own reasons. Atlas had something entirely different in plan, as he thought in his head: “Equality is a fundamental rule taught in this school; an eye for an eye, a life for a life”

Even as that boy fell backwards to an imminent doom dragging a redheaded girl together him, he stayed true to his life morals.

Time slowed down for Atlas and his memories revealed themselves in front of him before disappearing, except one memory stayed with him, as he fell. That piece of memory had great significance in Atlas’ life:

A five year old him playing a game of chess with his father. “Atlas, you should only move your pieces when you are sure to win” His father’s voice seemed so intelligent and full of wisdom at the time, that he had believed that father knew everything in the world. “Papa, isn’t the game we are playing right now, the same as this one?” The little kid pointed to himself and grinned, but his father revealed a glint of surprise and astonishment. “Atlas...then try play life as a game of chess from now on, I’d love to see how well you do” His life changed dramatically after that statement, it was almost as if he became a different person from that point on.

Now as he fell, the smile on his face seemed a little regretful as he voiced out the last thoughts in his mind:

“Good game, but too easy for my taste”