Aether Ascendant

Kael walked through the gates of the orphanage, his eyes scanning the crowded streets of the city. The sun was shining brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets. People of all ages and abilities hurried to and fro, each with their own destination in mind. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted from the nearby bakery, mingling with the sounds of vendors calling out their wares.

As Kael made his way to school, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over him. He knew what to expect - the snickers, the whispers, the constant reminders of his useless ability. But he pushed on, determined to make the best of it. He had to; he had no other choice.

The school was a large, imposing building that loomed over the surrounding streets. Its stone walls seemed to absorb the sunlight, casting long shadows across the ground. Kael walked through the gates, his eyes scanning the courtyard for any signs of his tormentors. He spotted a group of students gathered near the entrance, their eyes fixed on him with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.

As he approached, one of them, a tall, muscular boy with a sneer on his face, stepped forward. "Hey, Temperature Boy!" he called out, his voice dripping with mockery. "What's the weather like today?"

The other students snickered and laughed, and Kael felt his face heat up with embarrassment. He tried to ignore them, but it was hard to shake off the feeling of being an outcast. He had been bullied and teased for as long as he could remember, and it seemed like no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape it.

The day dragged on, with Kael facing the usual barrage of teasing and bullying. His classmates would mock his ability, calling him names like "Useless Kael" and "G-Rank Garbage." Even some of the teachers seemed to share the same sentiment, treating him with a mixture of disdain and pity.

But Kael refused to give up. He knew he had to keep pushing forward, no matter how hard things got. And so he focused on his studies, determined to learn as much as he could and make a better life for himself. He devoured books on magic and abilities, hoping to find some way to improve his own powers.

As the day drew to a close, Kael packed up his belongings and headed out of the school gates. He felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing that he had made it through another day. But as he walked through the streets, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

He noticed a group of rough-looking men eyeing him from across the street. They seemed to be sizing him up, their eyes lingering on him with a mixture of curiosity and menace. Kael quickened his pace, feeling a sense of unease creeping in.

Suddenly, one of the men stepped forward, his eyes locked on Kael. "You're the one with the G rank ability, aren't you?" he sneered. "What a waste of space."

Kael felt a surge of fear, but he stood his ground. "What do you want?" he demanded, trying to keep his voice steady.

The man sneered, taking a step closer to Kael. "We might have a use for you," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Meet us at the old warehouse at midnight. Come alone."

Kael's heart racing, he nodded, unsure of what he was getting himself into. What did these men want from him? And what would happen if he didn't show up?

As he walked away, Kael couldn't shake off the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't even imagine.