My Talent's Name Is Generator Chapter 1 1: Me and My Best Friend Steve (Somehow, We're Famous?)

The wind tore past me, sending my hair into a frenzy as I accelerated down the asphalt. While the city was only beginning to stir, I was already darting through the streets on my bike, slicing through traffic like a flickering shadow.

My flip-flops were hanging on by a thread, and my shirt, only half-buttoned, billowed behind me like a cape, but I couldn't have cared less. My backpack was cinched tight against my spine, exactly the way I preferred it.

As my speed climbed, the biting wind forced tears to well up in my eyes.

Then, gripped by a sudden impulse, I released my hold on the handlebars.

Spreading my arms wide, I shut my eyes for a fleeting moment, savoring the raw sensation of the air against my skin.

The adrenaline, the sense of liberation… it was absolute perfection.

I let the bike coast and spotted a school bus ahead that I was closing in on. Through the glass, children were staring, nudging their peers and pointing in my direction.

I was certain they were captivated by my riding prowess.

Reclaiming the bars, I looked them right in the eye and executed a sharp wheelie. The front tire snapped into the air, and I gave the engine a loud rev for dramatic flair. The muffled cheers and shouts of the kids echoed from inside the bus.

A wide smirk tugged at my lips, and I let out a boisterous laugh.

Dropping the wheel back to the pavement, I pulled alongside the windows and yelled.

"Who doesn't want to go to school?"

The bus erupted instantly with a chorus of

"Me! Me!"

I grinned and shot back.

"Then why don't you grow up already? School's for kids!"

Chuckling at my own wit, I throttled past the bus and left it behind.

I truly cherished the mornings when I could rise early and ride. There was a specific quality to these dawn journeys that made my entire body feel like it was on fire.

I pushed the pace further, racing toward my goal.

Before long, I veered off the main artery and entered a more tranquil district. The towering skyscrapers receded, replaced by modest homes and paths lined with trees. The traffic here was nonexistent—no blaring horns, just the rhythmic purr of my machine.

A short distance ahead, I finally arrived at a specific house. With a sigh of contentment, I brought the bike to a halt, the engine giving one final throb before I cut the ignition. For a moment, I remained seated, stretching my limbs once more.

Catching my reflection in the side mirror, I saw my green eyes looking back. My brown hair was a chaotic disaster, completely wild and unkempt.

"Eh, I like it," I muttered with a shrug, dismounting and letting the bike rest against the curb.

I took another moment to stretch, inhaling the crisp morning air while scanning the silent street. Closing my eyes briefly, I let the stillness wash over me.

Then, I dropped into a deep squat.

Squats—I had a passion for them. I always had.

They were basic but potent. Squats provided true power. Those who mastered the squat were kings; everyone else was merely a peasant.

I rolled my neck, listening to the satisfying cracks as the tension vanished.

I drew a long breath, filling my lungs with the cool atmosphere.

I blinked several times in rapid succession, shaking off the lingering fog of sleep.

I delivered a sharp slap to my own cheek, hard enough to snap myself into full focus.

Finally, I was entirely awake, alert and primed to seize the day.

Today was the milestone I had been anticipating for so long.

Before me stood a standard two-story residence with pristine white walls and a porch furnished with a few casual chairs. To the left was the garage and driveway, while a manicured garden blossomed on the right. A path of stones cut through the lawn, leading directly to the entrance.

I walked up to the door, whistling a tune as I pressed the bell, my thoughts already racing toward the events scheduled just hours away.

"I wish I could just time travel," I whispered to myself.

I pressed the bell a second time.

Today was Awakening Day for my class. In truth, it was Awakening Day for every graduate from every academy in the city.

My eyes wandered to the grass, and a random thought struck me... what if I performed a backflip right now? Even if I messed up, the grass would cushion the fall, right?

So, I went for it.

Stepping into the center of the yard, I took a deep breath and...

"Hiyyyahhh!"

I launched off the turf, flipped through the air, and stuck the landing perfectly.

Beaming with pride, I gave myself a small round of applause as I returned to the porch.

I rang the bell once more.

And then... I rang it again.

At last, the door creaked open, revealing the person I had come to see.

My closest friend, the guy I’d been inseparable from since I first learned what friendship meant.

He stood there clad in white shorts and a simple undershirt. His hair was a bird's nest, and his eyes were barely open. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen his eyelids fully retracted.

And, well, a clear morning wood was prominently tenting his shorts.

"Yo, Good Morning."

I flashed a grin and rang the bell one more time just to see him scowl.

He glared at me with what I estimated to be a 25% level of annoyance. I waited for a greeting, but he just exhaled heavily and spoke.

"I hate you man."

I don't know why I ever expect anything different.

"Oh, come on. It's graduation. It's Awakening Day! Surely your drowsy brain can grasp the importance of that. Show some spirit, brother. Let's get this show on the road!"

I brushed past him and entered the house. Tossing my bag onto his sofa, I spun around, gripped his shoulders, and stared into his eyes with exaggerated gravity.

"Steve, I need your help. You have to ground me. I feel like my heart is going to detonate. My blood is moving at light speed; I might just evaporate. As my best friend, it is your solemn duty to prevent me from exploding."

Steve responded with his specialty—a threat.

"Billion, if one more word comes out of your mouth or if I even see you flinch, I swear I’m ending our friendship right here, right now."

He gave me a look that suggested he was entirely serious if I didn't comply.

So, I obeyed.

That’s the sacrifice best friends make.

He slipped out of my hold, leaving my hands hanging in empty air. I stood there, motionless as a monument, staring into the void of our bond.

I heard him head toward the upper floor, likely for a shower. He might act indifferent, but I knew he was just as hyped for graduation as I was.

I mean, who wouldn't be? Today was the day we’d finally unlock the path to leveling up and gaining powers.

Powers!!!!

The mere thought sent a fresh wave of adrenaline through me. My hands began to shake, my pulse quickened, and my blood felt like it was boiling with anticipation.

I checked the stairs out of the corner of my eye to ensure Steve was gone. Once the coast was clear, I sprang into motion—my internal energy was overflowing, and I had to burn it off somehow.

I dropped into my first squat, desperate to vent the restless fire inside.

"One," I whispered, focusing on the form.

Steve was my complete opposite. That was the consensus, anyway. I was considered too high-energy for most people, while Steve was… what was the term? Energy-deficient? No. He was just incredibly low-key.

"Two," I grunted, pushing through the tension.

People joked that if I was a lit stick of dynamite, then Steve was a dormant volcano.

But I knew the truth. He was just as much of a bomb as I was, but his explosions were internal. I was a bomb in the physical world; he was a bomb in his mind. I suspected that’s why his eyes were always half-shut—he was spending half his time living inside his own head.

I wondered if there was some hidden secret behind those heavy eyelids.

"Three."

What if his power turned out to be eye lasers?

"Four."

What if he opened them all the way and a beam shot out?

"Five."

Would his head burst because his eyes weren't open wide enough? Would he accidentally take himself out with his own ability?