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Chapter 2: The Messenger's Gift
The crow lay curled on the boy's bed, experiencing for the first time in his life a blissful comfort.
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A Few Minutes Ago — Before the Time Freeze
The boy walked along his path, passing shops and cafés nearby. Through his eyes, the world seemed ordinary—until he reached the zebra crossing, where his life was about to change.
"Guess however I try, I can't do the things I like."
His voice carried a sigh.
"I had a fun childhood, building dreams."
He thought back to being a kid—kicking a football, playing games. Then, as he grew older, creating videos and uploading them to social media.
"But the times I told my parents what I wanted to be instead of what they wanted, they said these things would harm me and my life."
He walked closer to the crossing, his expression dimming.
"I still tried to chase what I was interested in, until the beats were high."
Music rang in his memory—headphones, songs, energy pulsing.
"But now… the beats can't keep up. I've downgraded them from my mind."
His tone grew firm, almost responsible.
"From now on, I will live to earn and fulfill each and every need of my beloved parents."
The words filled him with a newfound sense of duty.
As he neared the zebra crossing, time itself seemed to slow. The blue aura that once surrounded him was gone, replaced by a single flame burning faintly around his heart.
Each step echoed with a strange beat—not from his heart, but from his very soul. The flame flickered, shrinking with every note, dimming more and more.
Finally, as his foot touched the start of the crossing, the beat surged unbearably loud. His face twisted with despair as the flame nearly vanished.
But in that instant—
—the flame reignited, swelling within his heart. A rhythm of life returned. Time moved normally again—except for him.
The world around him froze.
"Why am I suddenly feeling better…? And where did all the noise go?"
He turned his head, wide-eyed, and saw it: the world had stopped.
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In the Dark Dimension
Far away, in a void of shadows, the man in white from before stood before a great scar of light cutting through the dark.
"It's time. But… why am I feeling so good when I shouldn't? The individual must have a magnificent aura. Well… it should be obvious. After all, He Himself told me to do this task."
His voice was calm, though his face remained void of emotion. Depressed. Cold.
Yet, as he stepped through the scar of light, emerging at the zebra crossing's end—his expression changed.
A smile formed. His chest grew warm.
"Wait… why am I suddenly smiling and feeling this way?"
His gaze fell on the boy.
The screen darkened.
"Happy birthday, [Name]."
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Back in the Boy's Room
The crow awoke with a sound of hunger. Its eyes darted to the window, wings ready to take flight.
But then it spotted the food left by the boy.
In a rush, it reached the meal, thinking of the boy as a godly figure. After taking a few bites, it glanced toward the bed. Slowly, carefully, it carried the bowl of biscuits onto the mattress, then tucked itself beneath the blanket, holding the snacks with its wings like a human.
Sniffing the boy's blanket, comfort washed over it. For the first time, it felt safe.
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At the Crossing
Bright eyes, glowing white as snow beneath sunlight.
The man in white stood at the far end of the zebra crossing, his gaze fixed on the boy.
"He's not quite what I expected."
Through his radiant eyes, he studied the nervous boy glancing around at the frozen world.
"Well… I'll just do my job, as He asked me to."
He waited, patient, allowing the boy to finish his wonder.
"His aura feels average, just like any other earthling…"
His glowing pupils pierced deeper. What he saw was strange—no outward flow of energy, no radiance.
Only the heart.
A bright blue aura pulsed solely within the boy's chest.
"Unusual. For an earthling, an aura limited only to the heart…"
Curiosity stirred. He stepped forward.
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In the Shadows
Not far away, down a narrow alley, two hidden figures stood untouched by the frozen world.
"What's taking him so long?" one muttered.
"You'll wait your turn. Remember—we were assigned this task collectively," the other replied.
Their glowing eyes watched. Waiting.
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The Boy
His eyes fixed on the approaching figure. His heart raced.
"So it's true… magic is real."
His pulse quickened. Excitement lit his face.
"That man… I need to confirm it."
"Is this your doing? Is magic real?"
The man in white smiled faintly. "Magic is real. Some earthlings can use it as well. You seem… very happy with the idea. I can see it on your face."
The boy's grin grew wide, childlike.
"Your wish has been heard," the messenger said, his tall frame glowing faintly in the frozen air. "I am here to grant you the power you need."
The boy's eyes widened. "So you're here to give me power… then you must be God."
The man chuckled softly. "No. I am not God. You may call me His messenger."
"But before I grant it… are you ready?"
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In the Alley
The two figures watched through a glowing screen.
"Was he smiling this whole time?"
"Well, someone's in a good mood."
"The boy changed the moment he learned magic exists."
"You're right. His aura is shifting."
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Through the Messenger's Eyes
The aura spread slowly from the boy's heart, flowing outward through his body.
"Interesting… his aura responds to happiness. Joy strengthens it, sadness dims it. But in his case, it begins locked in his heart, then spreads when he feels joy. Curious."
The messenger couldn't help but smile wider.
"This boy… his presence makes me feel lighter."
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The Gift
The boy's thoughts raced wildly.
"Finally… a chance. This is it. This is where it begins. This feels like music inside me—so loud, so hype."
His aura burst outward, glowing brilliantly. His smile and eyes blazed blue.
The spectators—two in shadow, one in light—watched in awe.
"Do you trust me?" the messenger asked. "Shall I give you what you seek?"
"I do," the boy replied instantly.
"Then… here it comes."
The messenger raised his hand, releasing the gift.
The boy gasped as his aura erupted, far beyond expectation.
The messenger's eyes narrowed. "His aura skyrocketed… but I only granted him a single ability. Ah… I see. His true energy was sealed. My gift has unlocked it. This boy… he truly was the right choice."
The world glowed blue as his aura blanketed the frozen street.
In the shadows, one figure smirked. "Interesting."
The other grinned. "Very interesting."
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Vision of the Future
The light swelled—
—until it revealed a vast valley.
The man in the black cloak stood there, eyes blazing blue, his aura roaring. His face came into view.
It was the boy.
Three dark silhouettes appeared through the glow, their eyes gleaming.
The valley blazed with light.
To be continued…
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