Chapter 1 - First Day of School

Leon’s eyes fluttered open as the alarm clock blared its relentless ring. He found himself in a room adorned with pictures of dragons and wizards. With a clumsy motion, he turned off the alarm, rolled onto his back, and stared at the poster on the wall showcasing his favorite MMO in vibrant colors. Today was the first day of ninth grade—a calling adventure, but one he’d rather avoid.

He slipped into his clothes and descended the stairs to the kitchen, where his family had already gathered around the breakfast table. The room pulsated with life and warmth, and his little sister chattered incessantly about her new school, which she had entered for the first time just days ago. Her enthusiasm was infectious.

His mother slid a stack of pancakes across the table and smiled. “I hope you find something that truly excites you this year, Leon.”

His father nodded in agreement, his eyes serious and probing. “Education is the key, my boy. Seize your opportunities.”

The words hung in the air, and Leon felt the weight of their expectations. He ate in silence, his mind drifting to distant lands, worlds where he could be the hero.

After breakfast, he bid his family a fleeting wave and stepped out into the morning. The air was fresh and invigorating, and the sun cast a golden glow on the quiet streets of his neighborhood. As he rounded the corner, the cheerful laughter of his friends reached his ears.

“Leon! Are you ready for the new school year?” called Tom, a boy with a mischievous smile and eyes that sparkled with enthusiasm. Next to him stood Jenny, always up for a prank, a roguish expression on her face.

Leon’s mouth twisted into a grin, and he joined them. “Of course! What are we up to this year?” The answer came in the form of wild and audacious ideas, plans, and proposals for making the upcoming school year an unforgettable experience. He felt alive and inspired in their presence.

As they walked down the street, their words fluttered around him like butterflies, yet his attention was distracted by a fleeting glance. Izzy stood a few meters away, talking with some other girls. She cast him a skeptical, almost concerned look, and Leon’s heart clenched. Izzy was different from his other friends; she understood him in a way that no one else could. At that moment, however, a chasm seemed to yawn between them, a silence that words could not fill.

He shook off the thought and forced himself to focus back on Tom and Jenny, but Izzy’s words from the previous school year echoed in his head, sounding like a soft echo in the depths of his soul: “You could be the best if you only wanted to.”

The school loomed on the horizon, and his excitement mingled with an indeterminate longing. Would this year really be different? Or was it just another beginning that would turn into routine over time? The thoughts swirled in his head as he and his friends drew closer, and the school grounds spread out like a little world of their own.

The school building itself was impressive, built of gray stone, with tall windows that magically captured the morning light. Towers and battlements rose up, and Leon couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to live in a world of knights and wizards, where adventure lurked behind every corner. The path to the school was a kaleidoscope of colors, lined with blooming shrubs and trees that had not lost their splendor even in autumn.

Laughing students streamed down the paths in groups, their voices blending with the cheerful chirping of birds and the gentle rustling of leaves. Leon’s gaze drifted to the sports fields on the right, where the teams were already practicing. He observed the serious, concentrated faces, the young bodies dancing in synchronized motion. Further back, the swimming pool shimmered, a place Leon only knew from afar but was home to many.

On the left lay the park, an oasis of calm with benches and ponds. His heart clenched as he remembered how he and Izzy had often sat there, lost in thought, philosophizing about life. The place was soaked in memories.

They reached the main building, and the massive front door swung open as if greeting him personally. The halls and classrooms that would soon be his world waited beyond the threshold. Student artwork adorned the walls, and the corridors hummed with life and expectation.

With one step across the threshold, Leon felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The school was familiar, but on this day everything seemed new and uncertain, as if he were standing on the edge of an unknown adventure.

The hours dragged on, marked by lectures, notes, and discussions that were all too familiar to Leon. Everything felt monotonous and routine. Math confused him, history left him cold, and even in English, where he usually loved literature, he felt unusually bored. Only during the breaks, in lively conversations with his friends and in short, meaningful moments with Izzy, did he find solace. Yet even these joys could not quell the nagging feeling within him that he yearned for more.

As the last hour drew near, Leon noticed the serious look of his homeroom teacher, Mrs. Schmidt. She was a middle-aged woman, whose wise eyes did not readily reveal how much she cared for her students. Behind her strict facade hid a heart, understanding, and patience that only a dedicated teacher could possess. She had a reputation for tolerating no nonsense, yet at the same time, she showed care and attention that her students appreciated.

“Leon, I’d like to speak with you,” said Mrs. Schmidt after class, her voice calm but firm. In her eyes lay a determination he could not ignore.

With a dry swallow, he followed her into her office, his thoughts swirling. He knew what this was about, and a feeling of apprehension gripped him, as if he already knew what was coming.

“Leon,” Mrs. Schmidt began as she sat down and looked directly at him, “I’ve reviewed your performance last school year, and I’m concerned. Your grades were dismal, and I know you can do better.” Her gaze pierced him, and he felt the weight of her words, heavy and inevitable. “If you don’t buckle down and it starts off like last year, you’re going to have serious problems. I want you to succeed, but you have to want it too.”

Her words reverberated within him, a punch that reached far beyond the moment. He nodded silently; words failed him, thoughts too complex to put into language. “Think about it,” she said gently before dismissing him. Her voice was now softer, but no less serious.

With a heavy heart and confused thoughts, he left Mrs. Schmidt’s office. Her words still rang in his ears, mingling with his parents’ expectations and the concern in Izzy’s eyes. A burden rested on him, heavy and pressing. He felt the need to change but did not know how. And deep within, he felt an indeterminate longing, as if something beyond the school was calling him—a call he could not understand.

No sooner had he left the school building than he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned around and met Izzy’s concerned gaze. She said nothing, but her eyes expressed all she felt. She knew something was wrong, and she was there to help him.

Together, they strolled down the familiar path that led to their favorite spot. Their steps were slow, deliberate, the silence between them heavy but not oppressive. They understood each other on a level where words were often unnecessary.

Their favorite spot was a quiet corner in the park, hidden between trees and bushes, a place where they could be undisturbed. The sun dipped the sky in soft gold, filtering through the leaves and dancing on the grass. They sat down beside an old tree, its bark rough and weathered, a silent witness to many years and many conversations.

“How was your day, Leon? You look troubled,” Izzy asked gently, her eyes warm and understanding. He sighed and leaned against the tree. He told her about his conversation with Mrs. Schmidt, about the heavy weight of expectations and his own confusion. He spoke of his yearning for more and the emptiness he felt at school.

Izzy listened, her hand reassuring on his, her attention fully on him. When he finished, she said, “You are more than what others expect of you. You need to find your own path, but you also have to be willing to make an effort. I believe in you, and I’ll always be here to support you.”

Her words touched him deeply, and he felt something break within him, a feeling of hope and resolve. With a grateful smile, he said, “Thank you, Izzy. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She smiled back, squeezed his hand, and assured him, “You’ll figure it out, Leon. I know it.”

At that moment, in that place, with Izzy by his side, Leon felt a peace and resolve he hadn’t felt in a long time. He felt strong, ready to face the challenges ahead. The sun sank lower, and the shadows grew longer as they left their favorite spot, but the warmth of Izzy’s words stayed with him.

The echoes of the day faded, and a new, determined note resounded within Leon. He knew he had to change, and Izzy’s support gave him the strength to believe it. After they had warmly said goodbye at the street corner, he made his way home. The streets were quiet, the colors muted, as if the world was holding its breath just before the moment of great change.

As he reached his house, he felt a strange tingling, a sensation as if something unseen were watching him. He shook off the thought and entered his home. In his room, at his desk, he sat with the words of Izzy, his teacher, and his parents in mind, determined to be more, to do more.

He opened his textbook and began to study. What once appeared dry and boring now came together, taking shape and meaning. The numbers danced, the words spoke, and the world opened up to him in a way he had never experienced before.

Then, unexpectedly and inexplicably, a glowing pop-up window appeared before his eyes:

Congratulations, you’ve reached Level 1!

Leon stared, his heart pounding, his hands trembling. What was this? Where did it come from? The words burned into his consciousness, an inexplicable promise and an unavoidable challenge. At that moment, he knew that nothing would ever be the same again. A door had opened, and a new adventure was calling. Real life had just begun.