《Vanity's Path》


 A Broken Kingdom

    The alley was narrow, suffocating. Towering stone buildings loomed on both sides, cutting off even the faintest slivers of moonlight. Shadows clung to the damp walls, long and unbroken, like the fingers of something ancient and hungry. The air reeked of rotting garbage, wet earth, and the coppery tang of blood. Filthy puddles scattered across the uneven cobblestones caught fractured glimpses of stars above, shimmering like broken glass.


    A rat skittered past, claws tapping against the stone before it vanished into the dark.


    And on that same stone, a young man lay motionless.


    His body was twisted awkwardly, half-curled as if he¡¯d fallen mid-breath. Torn clothes barely hung onto him, his shirt ripped and soaked with blood and grime. Bruises painted his skin in shades of deep purple and sick yellow, blooming like flowers in a dead field. Blood trickled from his nose, dripping steadily into the dirt.


    Golden strands of hair clung to his forehead, matted with sweat and filth. His eyes¡ªdeep red, unnatural¡ªflickered open. They glowed faintly in the dark, sluggish and unfocused.


    Somewhere beyond the alley, the world kept moving. Drunken laughter drifted from the main street, mixing with the occasional slam of a shutter and the quiet murmur of people behind closed doors.


    Ashenford wasn¡¯t a big village. Wasn¡¯t rich either. The kind of place where people were born, lived, and died without ever leaving. Roads turned to mud after storms. Roofs leaked. Gossip traveled faster than news. And the seasons were the only real change.


    But Ashenford had one thing most backwater villages didn¡¯t.


    A brothel.


    It brought travelers. Merchants. Even, sometimes, a noble or two. Just for a night. Just for a forgettable evening. They came and left, and the village returned to silence.


    To most, Ashenford was nothing but a stop on the road. A place to drink, waste coin, and forget.


    But for those who lived here, it was home.


    The boy on the ground exhaled, breath shaky and misting in the cold air.


    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡±


    He coughed, and blood sprayed onto the cobblestones.


    ¡°They finally left¡­¡±


    His fingers twitched. A dull ache throbbed behind his eyes, but something deeper twisted in his chest¡ªsomething sharper than pain. Resentment. Helplessness.


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    ¡°This country¡­ is fucking rotten.¡±


    The words tasted like ash in his mouth. He spat blood and dirt, his vision swimming.


    ¡°All this over four bronze coins?¡±


    His hand found the knife at his side¡ªsmall, rusted, useless. His grip tightened, knuckles pale.


    ¡°I should stop carrying a knife if I¡¯m not even gonna use it¡­¡±


    He forced himself to sit up, groaning through clenched teeth. Pain stabbed through his ribs. His body screamed, but he didn¡¯t stop. He wouldn¡¯t give them that satisfaction.


    A kingdom where life meant nothing. Where power decided who got to breathe. The weak were trampled without thought. He had always known it¡ªeveryone did¡ªbut tonight, the truth settled in his bones.


    This place wasn¡¯t broken.


    It was dying.


    For years, the kingdom had held together, barely. Corrupt, unfair¡ªbut stable. The king ruled. Nobles schemed. Commoners survived. Crime festered in the alleys, but order still held. Magic existed, sure¡ªbut only a few could wield it. The lucky ones.


    To most, magic was just a story. Something whispered about in candlelight, far removed from the daily grind of survival.


    Then six months ago, everything changed.


    The king made a declaration that echoed across the land:


    He had no heir.


    No son. No daughter. No chosen successor.


    Long ago, in the early days of the kingdom, the first ruler had faced the same problem. No family. No bloodline to pass the crown. So he made a decision¡ªbrutal and absolute. Nine individuals would be chosen from across the kingdom: nobles, peasants, criminals, soldiers. They would be given a single year. One year to rise. To build. To destroy. And when the time came, the strongest among them would take the throne.


    The tradition was buried after his death. Every king since had passed down the crown through blood.


    Until now.


    And so the ancient trial was revived.


    Nine were chosen once again.


    The moment they were marked, it burned into their skin¡ªa black emblem that no blade could carve and no lie could mimic. Some said the mark granted strength beyond comprehension, drawing out their potential tenfold. Others believed it was nothing but a symbol.


    But the truth didn¡¯t matter.


    Everyone recognized it.


    And then, the killing began.


    Heirs were hunted. Nobles assassinated in their estates. Commoners vanished in the night. Some of the Nine disappeared without a trace. Others raised armies. Fortified cities. Declared open war.


    The kingdom unraveled.


    Laws no longer mattered. Guards looked away. Assassins walked freely in the light of day.


    And for the first time in generations, murder became normal.


    The strong took what they wanted. The weak prayed to survive.


    Beyond the borders, neighboring empires watched with growing hunger. The kingdom had once been feared.


    Now it looked like prey.


    If things didn¡¯t change soon, war would come from outside.


    Half the year was already gone.


    For the first twelve months, the marks weren¡¯t permanent. That meant a title could still be stolen. The marked could still die, and their killer could take their place. Some chose to hide. Some chose to hunt. All of them were waiting.


    When the year ended, the Nine would be locked in. From that point on, the real war would begin.


    The trials wouldn¡¯t just test strength, but loyalty, leadership, cunning. The winner would be crowned by the king himself¡ªif he survived long enough to do it.


    But if no ruler rose in time¡­ there might not be a kingdom left to rule.


    And yet, for most, life trudged on.


    People worked. Suffered. Endured.


    Just like always.


    Vani limped down the empty streets, every breath sharp and cold in his lungs. Bruises burned. His fingers trembled. His legs barely held him up.


    But he didn¡¯t stop.


    He had to get home.


    His mother would be worried again. She always was. He could already hear her sigh when she saw him¡ªbloodied, bruised, half-conscious.


    She wouldn¡¯t even ask what happened. She¡¯d just clean the wounds.


    Like always.


    He turned onto a dirt path at the edge of the village. A single house stood there¡ªsmall, wooden, leaning like it was tired of standing.


    It should have brought comfort.


    But something felt off.


    The door was open. Just slightly.


    Vani froze.


    His mother never left the door open. Never.


    A cold dread crawled down his spine. He stepped forward slowly, heart thudding like a drum in his ears. The wood creaked beneath his weight.


    He pushed the door open.


    A flicker of candlelight danced in the corner. Shadows stretched across the floor.


    Then¡ª


    A voice.


    ¡°Oh, you got home early, Vani.¡±


    His breath caught.


    He recognized that voice.


    And yet, everything in him recoiled.


    Something was wrong.


    Very wrong.


    And in that moment, Vani knew¡ª


    Nothing would ever be the same again.

 Blood and Betrayal

    The boy stood frozen in the doorway, his body refusing to move. His breath felt stuck in his throat, his chest tightening as his eyes locked onto the sight before him.


    The only person he cared about. The only person who cared about him.


    His mother lay on the cold wooden floor, her body still, her skin pale as if all the warmth had been drained from it. Blood pooled beneath her, dark and thick, soaking into the floorboards. A knife was buried deep in her abdomen, its silver blade stained red.


    Her once soft lips were slightly parted, as if she had tried to say something before everything went dark. Her lifeless eyes, usually filled with warmth, were now frozen in place, staring toward the front door toward him.


    As if she had been waiting for him to come home.


    His lips trembled. His voice barely came out.


    "M-Mom¡­"


    Before he could say anything else, a voice interrupted him.


    "Oh, you got home early, Vani."


    His eyes moved from his mother''s dead body to the man standing next to her. Walter.


    A mercenary in his forties. Tall, around six feet, with a strong, rugged build. His dark brown hair was always unkempt, and a jagged scar ran from his left eyebrow down to his cheek, making his sharp eyes look even colder. He wore a worn leather coat over a chainmail shirt, his boots stained with dirt from the road. Arms crossed, he stood there, staring at my mother''s body like it was nothing.


    Walter wasn''t just some mercenary. He was Gerald''s right hand, the man who carried out his dirty work. If Gerald wanted something done, Walter made sure it happened. He was always there, standing guard whenever Gerald came to our house, watching in silence as his master played his little game.


    Because that''s all it was to Gerald-a game.


    He never came here out of love or anything like that. He came to remind my mother of her place. To show her the difference between them. He acted like he cared, like he belonged here, like this was his home. And every time, my mother had to smile and accept it, as if she had a choice.


    He had seen the bruises he left behind. Ugly, dark marks on her arms, her back, sometimes even her face. They always appeared after he left. She never spoke about them, never complained. But I could see it in the way she moved the next morning slowly, careful, like even breathing hurt.


    And now, she wasn''t moving at all.


    And he couldn''t do anything about it.


    Walter may not have been the strongest man in the world, but in this village, he didn''t need to be. Even though he was just a Novarion, unable to break through to the next stage, he was still stronger than anyone else here. And Vani hated it. Because everytime he looked at him it made him remember how powerless he truly was.


    Tears ran down his face as he shouted,


    "Why?"


    "Why did you kill my mother?"


    He couldn''t hold it in anymore. His whole body shook, but Walter just stood there, his face blank, like he didn''t care at all.


    "Stop crying."


    His voice was cold, like he was annoyed.


    "I just did what Gerald told me to do."


    "Wha¡ª"


    He couldn''t even finish before he cut him off.


    "Your mom was Gerald''s favorite toy. He''d come to this place just to play house with her in front of you."


    He paused for a second, then smirked.


    "But she was also the most beautiful woman at the Sunlight Brothel. She made a lot of money since she wasn''t exactly... cheap."


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    Vani clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his skin.


    "Then why¡ª"


    Again, he interrupted.


    "Because she was planning to run away, apparently."


    His mind went blank.


    Run away? Since when? Why didn''t she tell me?


    Walter let out a small chuckle.


    "Looking at your face, I guess you really didn''t know."


    He shook his head slightly.


    "Your mom saved every coin she could, just so she could escape with you."


    Vani swallowed hard. His voice was barely a whisper.


    "How do you know?"


    Walter sighed, shaking his head slightly.


    "Your mom only trusted two people, even though she was kind to everyone. And Eve... she was one of them."


    He paused for a moment, then continued.


    "She told Eve she was saving up, planning to leave at the end of the month when Gerald would be away. She thought she could finally escape with you, start over somewhere far from here."


    Walter let out a small chuckle, his voice laced with mockery.


    "But trust is a dangerous thing, kid. Eve ran straight to Gerald and told him everything."


    Vani felt like his stomach twisted.


    My mother... she had a plan. A way out. And someone she trusted betrayed her?


    Walter sighed, almost bored.


    "Well, kid, it''s time for you to go after your mom."


    His words sent a chill down Vani''s spine.


    Vani swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper.


    "Did he tell you to kill me too?"


    Walter tilted his head slightly, as if the answer was obvious.


    "Of course. Can''t have you growing up and causing problems for him later."


    After he finished talking, his cold gaze shifted back to Vani''s mother''s dead body. Without hesitation, he bent down and pulled the knife from her stomach. The sickening sound of metal sliding against flesh made Vani feel like he could throw up at any second.


    He wiped the blood off the blade using her clothes, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he had done this a thousand times before. Vani wanted to rip his heart out. He wanted to kill him. But all he could do was watch.


    A storm of emotions raged inside him. Grief, fear, helplessness. But one burned brighter than the rest.


    Anger.


    He was so angry he could barely see straight. His vision blurred, his breath came out in short, shaky gasps.


    He wanted Walter dead. He wanted him to suffer, to feel even a fraction of the pain he had caused. But no matter how much he wanted it, he knew the truth.


    Walter was a Novarion, someone who had awakened his energy core and could wield Essentia. Even though he had never broken through to the next stage, it would still be impossible for a normal person to kill a Novarion.


    And Vani?


    He was nothing. Just a normal kid. Weak. Powerless. He wouldn''t even be able to land a hit on Walter, let alone kill him.


    Walter took slow, heavy steps toward him. Vani''s body tensed, but he forced himself to speak.


    "What¡­ What were my mother''s last words?"


    Walter stopped right in front of me. His lips curled into a devilish grin, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement.


    "Her last words?"


    He let out a chuckle before continuing.


    "She begged."


    He fell into despair just from hearing those few words.


    "She said¡­ ''Please, let Vani live. He has no fault in this. He''s just a kid. It was all me."


    His grin widened as he leaned in slightly.


    "She died right after saying that, so she never got to hear my answer."


    Walter''s voice dropped lower, almost like a whisper.


    "But if she had, I would''ve told her¡­"


    His breath caught in his throat.


    "That''s impossible."


    After hearing those words, his anger turned into pure rage. Without thinking, he grabbed the knife hidden under his clothes. A simple kitchen knife he carried for safety. He never thought he''d actually have to use it.


    His mind went blank.


    Before he even realized what he was doing, he lunged forward and stabbed.


    He only managed to land a hit because Walter wasn''t expecting it. He had let his guard down. But the wound wasn''t deep enough. Nowhere near enough to kill him.


    The next thing he knew, a heavy force slammed into him.


    He didn''t even see Walter move.


    Before he could react, he was sent flying, his back slamming against the wooden wall. A sharp pain shot through his ribs as he collapsed to the ground, struggling to breathe, gasping for air.


    "Fucking shit¡­ you stabbed me?"


    Walter''s voice was filled with shock. He looked down at his wound, his face twisting in disbelief. He never imagined that Vani of all people would stab him. But the surprise didn''t last long. His expression darkened, his shock melting into anger.


    His footsteps were slow but heavy as he walked toward Vani, fists clenched. His face had turned red, his usual cold, emotionless look replaced by something worse, something terrifying. Vani, knew he was going to kill me. He should have been scared.


    But he wasn''t.


    Maybe it was because he had finally hurt Walter, even if just a little. Maybe it was because, for the first time, he had wiped that cold, unshaken expression off the man''s face. Or maybe it was because of the strange warmth spreading through his body. It wasn''t pain, it was something else, something he had never felt before. It made him feel¡­ calm. Yet his anger remained, burning inside him, refusing to fade.


    Walter stepped closer. Vani knew he had to move, had to stand up, had to do something. But before he could even finish the thought¡­


    THUD!


    A brutal kick to his stomach sent him crashing into the wall. The air was ripped from his lungs, and for a moment, he couldn''t even breathe.


    Walter''s hits¡­ they were on a different level. Vani had been beaten before, plenty of times by thugs in the streets, but this? This wasn''t even comparable.


    He gasped for air, clutching his ribs as he crawled along the ground, his body screaming in pain. Walter took a step back, rolling his shoulders like he was just warming up.


    "Damn brat," he muttered, cracking his neck."You''re tougher than you look."


    Then he grinned. A sick, twisted grin that made me feel sick.


    "Alright, I''ve decided. I''ll send you off in the most painful way possible."


    Before Vani could react, Walter grabbed the same kitchen knife he had been stabbed with. And drove it straight into his left leg.


    "AGHHHHHHH!"


    The pain was unreal. It felt like fire spreading through his veins, like his leg was being ripped apart from the inside. A scream tore from his throat, uncontrollable.


    Walter watched him writhe in agony, then grabbed him by the hair and yanked him up, forcing him to meet his gaze.


    "It hurts, doesn''t it?"


    The pain was unbearable. It felt like fire coursing through his veins, the sharp sensation of his body being torn apart from the inside. He wanted to scream, but the agony was so intense that no sound escaped him.


    But then¡­ his mother''s face flashed in his mind.


    Had she felt this pain? No¡­ she had felt worse.


    His vision blurred. Not from tears, but from the rage that surged within him. Walter must''ve noticed the change in his expression, because he chuckled darkly, savoring the moment. With a mockingly playful tone, he reached for the second knife. The one he had used to kill his mother.


    "Alright, kid," Walter said. "Here comes the second one."


    The blade sank into his right shoulder, and white-hot pain exploded throughout his body. His mind screamed, but his mouth barely made a sound.


    He was too exhausted to scream anymore. His body was giving out, his muscles weak and trembling. The overwhelming urge to shut down, to let go, pulled at him.


    For a moment, he considered it.


    He was tired. So tired. He wanted to close his eyes, to escape the pain, to rest.


    But if he did¡­ who would avenge his mother? Who would bear witness to the truth of what happened?


    There were no heroes in this world. No one was coming to save him. If he died here, it would be over. an end without justice.


    Walter''s smile widened as he tightened his grip around Vani''s throat.


    "Very good, kid. You lasted longer than I expected." He chuckled. "But it''s time to say goodbye."


    His hand constricted. Vani gasped, his body instinctively trying to resist, but there was no strength left. His vision began to fade, his lungs screaming for air, his body shutting down.


    He was going to die.


    And then¡­


    "Congratulations, you''ve awakened your energy core."

 Shadow and Tears

    As Walter''s grip tightened around Vani throat, cutting off his air, he realized he was going to die.


    Vani vision blurred. His body felt heavy, like it no longer belonged to him. As the world began to slip away, memories flashed through his mind.


    Warm memories.


    His mother, standing in the kitchen, humming softly as she cooked, her bright smile making their small, broken home feel warm. She always told him to wait patiently, to be a good boy while she made dinner. Even though they barely had any money, she always tried to get him the things he wanted. She always put him first.


    When he was younger, and there was no one to watch over him, she would take him to the brothel where she worked. While she was busy, she''d ask one of her friends to look after him. They never refused. They never treated him badly.


    Even Eve¡­ the one who betrayed her.


    She used to sneak him candies when no one was looking. Sometimes, she''d pull him aside and tell him stories. Stories about the capital, the grand cities beyond, and the distant lands where people with long ears lived for thousands of years.


    After his mother caught an old man trying to give him alcohol, she forbade him from going near the brothel again. He listened. He never went back.


    But sometimes, late at night, when she thought he was asleep, he''d hear her whispering to herself. And every now and then, she''d mention Eve.


    "She was asking about you again today," she had told him once, running her fingers through his hair.


    "She said she wanted to come visit, to see how you were doing."


    But she never came.


    The last time he saw her was five years ago.


    And yet, she was the one who betrayed his mother.


    He couldn''t understand it. He didn''t want to believe it.


    She had once told him to grow into a strong man, one who would take care of his mother when she was old. She had told him to protect her.


    But that didn''t matter anymore.


    His mother was dead. And he would be next.


    Anger burned inside him, but his body refused to move. His eyes shut on their own. Every time he forced them open, his vision blurred even more. His body felt weaker and weaker.


    He was at his limit.


    And then...


    A voice echoed in his mind, like it were his own thoughts.


    "Congratulations, you''ve awakened your energy core."


    "Due to your energy core awakening, Essentia is now beginning to flow through your body."


    "You are now a Novarion. A path once closed to you has been unlocked."


    "Good luck."


    As the voice faded, his mind drifted between consciousness and darkness. His body was heavy. His thoughts, scattered.


    What¡­? I awakened? Novarion? Path? And what was that voice?


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    No, I don''t have time to think about that now. If I''ve really awakened, I should be able to use Body Strengthen or a spell. But how?


    Then, a memory clicked into place.


    Back when he was young, whenever his mother had no one to look after him, she would take him to the brothel where she worked. The place was always loud, filled with laughter, drunken voices, and whispered secrets. The women there knew everything, trading rumors like currency.


    He remembered one night, his mother sat at a table with a group of them. Their voices rose and fell between gossip and laughter, until one woman leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.


    She spoke about the third king... the man who had defended the kingdom when enemy nations invaded.


    With a single wave of his hand, he summoned black lightning, and everything in its path was erased. No bodies, no weapons, no blood... just ashes.


    A spell so powerful, so absolute, it wasn''t just magic. It was destruction itself.


    Vani had been fascinated. His eyes were probably shining with excitement, his young mind racing with images of the legendary spell.


    But before he could ask more, his mother cut in, her voice sharp.


    "What the hell are you telling him?"


    She scolded the woman, her words quick and angry. She probably thought he''d be scared... that he''d have nightmares about kings turning people into ash.


    But he wasn''t scared. He was thrilled.


    That night, when they got home, he couldn''t stop thinking about it. Shadowbolt. The name echoed in his head.


    For days, he kept chanting it under his breath, whispering it when no one was listening. He didn''t know what magic was back then... he barely even understood what the story meant. But he remembered the name.


    And now, as he lay there, his body broken, his mind fading, that memory came rushing back.


    That''s right. I remember.


    His trembling hand moved toward Walter''s chest. His surprise was obvious... shocked that Vani was still clinging to life. Vani middle and index fingers barely touched him, nothing more than a weak tap.


    Walter smiled. He was enjoying this. Watching Vani struggle.


    Vani didn''t care. With the last of his strength, he whispered.


    "Shadow... bolt."


    The air shuddered.


    A low, crackling hum filled the room... not the sharp, violent crash of normal lightning, but something deeper, heavier. The kind of sound that crawled through the bones. Black sparks flickered around Vanity''s fingers, cold and controlled, before suddenly bursting outward.


    Walter was launched backward. His body slammed into the far wall with a dull, echoing thud. Black static crackled along the path he flew, the remnants of the Shadowbolt still clinging to him, hissing and burning against his skin.


    It was weak. A weaker version of Shadowbolt, barely scratching the surface of its true power.


    But it was enough.


    Walter, a Novarion for over a decade, lay paralyzed, his smile long gone.


    No way¡­ It actually worked. I really had awakened.


    But there''s no time to think about that. Walter''s still alive.


    I have to kill him before he can move again.


    Vani pulled the knives out of his leg and shoulder. A sharp pain ran through him, but something felt different. His body¡­ it was healing. Slowly, but he could feel it. The wounds weren''t as deep as before, and the bleeding had already started to slow.


    He had heard rumors about this... about people who survived wounds that should have killed them. Some said a man was nearly cut in half and still lived because his body healed itself. He always thought those were just stories.


    But now he knew they were real.


    He pushed himself forward, step by step. His body still ached, his breathing was rough, but he could move. That was enough.


    Walter was lying on the ground, barely able to move. His eyes met Vanity''s, and in that moment, he saw it... Walter knew he was going to die.


    The smug look, the confidence, the joy he had when torturing him... it was all gone. Now, there was only fear.


    Vani crouched beside him, resting his arms on his knees, holding Walter''s own knife in his hand. Walter''s mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. He was too stunned to speak.


    Vani pressed the blade to his throat, just enough to break the skin. A thin line of blood ran down Walter''s neck. He squeezed his eyes shut.


    But Vani didn''t move the knife. Instead, he spoke.


    "Tell me where Gerald is. Right now. And I''ll let you live."


    He let the words sink in before continuing.


    "But if you lie¡­ or if your answer doesn''t make sense¡­ I''ll kill you."


    Walter''s eyes widened, and for a second, Vanity saw hope in them. He thought Vani was bluffing.


    "He''s at the brothel, on the third floor," Walter coughed. "Told me to finish quick and report back."


    His voice was weak, full of pain. He had taken more damage than Vani thought.


    "Is Eve there too?"


    "Yeah¡­ she should be with Gerald." Walter replied.


    Vani nodded.


    "Thanks."


    Walter let out a shaky breath, his body relaxing.


    And then, Vani pushed the knife into his throat.


    Slowly.


    Walter''s eyes widened again, but this time, it wasn''t hope. It was pure terror. His lips trembled as if trying to form words, but nothing came out except a weak, wet gasp.


    "Why?" he managed to choke out.


    Vani didn''t answer.


    He just kept pushing.


    The knife slid deeper, inch by inch. Blood poured from Walter''s mouth, his chest convulsing as he desperately tried to breathe.


    Tears mixed with the blood on his face. His eyes flickered, struggling to stay open, to hold on.


    Vani wouldn''t let him.


    He grabbed Walter''s face, forcing him to look at him.


    He wanted to be the last thing Walter ever saw.


    And then after a few more seconds, Walter stopped moving.


    Walter was dead.


    It was the first person Vani had ever killed, yet he felt no regret. He deserved it.


    After a few seconds, Vani eyes shifted to his mother''s body. He started walking toward her. It wasn''t more than ten steps away... he knew that. But with every step, his chest felt heavier, like something was pressing down on him. It was hard to breathe. The closer he got, the clearer her face became, and the harder it was to keep moving.


    Finally, he reached her. Her pale skin, her lifeless body¡­ and her eyes. Still open. As if she had been struggling to say something in her last moments.


    Then, something small fell onto her face. A tiny drop of water rolled down from the corner of her eye, tracing a path down her cheek. It almost looked like she was crying.


    More drops followed, landing near her face, on the floor beside her. Vani vision blurred. He wiped his eyes, only then realizing... it wasn''t water. It was his own tears.


    His legs trembled. Strength left his body. He fell to his knees.


    "I''m sorry, Mother."


    "I''m sorry."


    "Maybe if I had come home sooner..."


    "Maybe if I had been stronger..."


    "I could have protected you."


    He cried until there were no more tears left to shed.


    When he finally stopped, he reached out and touched her face. Gently, he closed her eyes.


    "Rest in peace, Mother."


    He got up, turned toward Walter''s body, and walked over. He stopped, grabbed the knife still lodged in Walter''s throat, and pulled it out without care. His body collapsed to the floor with a dull thud.


    Then, without looking back, he left the house.

 Oblivion

    Gerald exhaled slowly, staring at the ceiling. The warm glow of lantern light flickered across the lavish room, casting long shadows over the silk sheets tangled around him and Eve. The scent of perfume and sweat still lingered in the air, but his mind wasn''t on the woman beside him.


    Something felt wrong.


    "Walter should have been back by now," he muttered.


    How long does it take to kill a woman and a kid? They shouldn''t even be able to touch him... he''s a Novarion. He should have reported back already.


    A whisper of doubt crept into his mind.


    No¡­ it can''t be. Walter wouldn''t betray me.


    Just as the thought formed, soft fingers traced lazy patterns across his chest. Eve''s touch was slow, deliberate, her nails barely grazing his skin.


    "You''re worrying too much," she drawled.


    Her voice carried that playful lilt, the same one she used when coaxing drunk men into spending more money downstairs. She shifted against him, her body warm under the silk sheets.


    "Walter is probably just taking his time. Maybe he finished already and now he''s drinking with one of the girls downstairs, enjoying himself. If you want, I can go check," she murmured.


    Gerald eyed her. She was practically glowing, utterly at ease.


    Look at her, all happy now that she finally got rid of Rena.


    "No need," he said, forcing himself to relax.


    She''s right. I''m overthinking. Those two were nothing. Just regular people. Walter is the strongest man in this town. There''s no way¡­


    Eve''s voice cut through his thoughts.


    "But I''m really surprised," she said, tilting her head. "I thought you loved playing house with Rena and her little brat." She smirked. "Or was I wrong?"


    Gerald reached for the ornate box on the nightstand, pulling out two cigarettes. He placed one between his lips, then leaned over to light Eve''s. Smoke curled from his lips as he exhaled.


    "Well," he started, "it''s true I enjoyed toying with her. I even went to that shithole she called home, freezing my ass off during the winters just to be with her."


    Eve hummed, unimpressed.


    "Hmm. Is that so?"


    Gerald took another slow drag before speaking again.


    "I just wanted to break her."


    His voice carried an edge now.


    "She never knew her place. She looked pure and innocent, acting like she was better than the rest¡­ even though she was just a whore like everyone else. Poor, yet never begged. Even when you tried to help her, she refused without hesitation."


    His fingers tightened slightly around the cigarette.


    "It pissed me off."


    He exhaled a cloud of smoke.


    "She was so obsessed with that kid¡­ she even brought him to the brothel just so she wouldn''t have to leave him alone. Disgusting."


    His eyes flickered toward Eve.


    "But you¡­"


    he gestured with his cigarette.


    "You were always friendly with her. You watched her kid when she had customers. Never seemed like you had any grudge against her."


    Eve took a final drag from her cigarette before pressing the smoldering tip into the ashtray. The room was silent for a moment as she twisted it, watching the embers fade.


    "Hmm¡­ Maybe I just hated her."


    Gerald smirked. He knew the truth. Eve''s inferiority complex ate away at her every time Rena was praised.


    "She was the most beautiful woman here,"


    he admitted.


    "Brought in the highest-paying customers. Men even traveled from neighboring villages just to see her."


    He sighed.


    "Honestly, she was like a goldmine. Always polite, always giving her best."


    He flicked away some ash.


    "Feels like a waste now that she''s dead."


    He gave Eve a sideways glance.


    "If it weren''t for you tipping us off that she was planning to run, I wouldn''t have even considered it."


    Eve grinned and slid on top of him, resting her hands on his chest.


    "Aren''t I the best?"


    Gerald chuckled, his earlier unease fading. He ran his hands along her waist.


    "Sure, sure,"


    he said, amused.


    "You''re the best."


    Outside, the cold winter wind rattled against the window. Though there were no signs of snow, tiny droplets of water hinted at an approaching rain. But Gerald didn''t notice. His mind had finally started to ease, convinced that Walter would take care of everything.


    ¡­


    ¡­..


    The wind howled through the empty streets.


    Vani, with his clothes torn and tattered, felt the cold wind seep into his wounds. His breath came out in slow, misty puffs, each step forward aching, but he didn''t stop. The Sunlight Brothel was close. Gerald and Eve were inside.


    As he neared the brothel, a man approached from the opposite direction. Even in the dim light, Vani could tell the man was drunk from the way he staggered, muttering under his breath.


    "Damn those whores¡­ worked so hard just to drink my money dry and toss me out the moment I had nothing left¡­ I''ll make a long complaint to Gerald tomorrow."


    Vani hid the knife beneath his ragged clothes, the cold blade pressing against his skin. As the man stumbled closer, his voice became clearer, and Vani recognized him¡­ one of the thugs who had beaten him earlier over four bronze coins.


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    Worked hard?


    Vani''s jaw clenched.


    All you bastards do is rob and beat people.


    Anger bubbled up in his chest.


    If it weren''t for you, maybe I could''ve made it home earlier¡­ Maybe¡­


    A bitter taste filled his mouth.


    Maybe Mom¡­


    His thoughts shattered as the man bumped into him.


    Vani took a slow breath, forcing himself to stay calm.


    I don''t have time for this drunk bastard.


    But the man turned on him, voice slurred with irritation.


    "Hey, brat, watch where you''re going! Don''t you see I''m passing through?" He scoffed. "Kids these days got no damn respect."


    Vani''s response was cold.


    "If you want respect, maybe you shouldn''t go around bumping into people."


    The man blinked, caught off guard, then scowled. He took a closer look at Vani, and recognition flickered in his dull eyes.


    "Ohh¡­ it''s you."


    His lips curled into a smirk as he swayed slightly, steadying himself.


    "Didn''t get enough earlier?"


    He stretched his neck with a crack, rolling his shoulders.


    Then, after a moment of exaggerated thought, he let out a low chuckle.


    "You know¡­ now that I think about it, maybe I was too rough on you. Maybe I should make it up to your dear mother."


    His grin widened, eyes gleaming with something vile.


    "She must be worried sick. Alone. Helpless. Tsk¡­ I bet she''d be more than happy to¡­ entertain me in exchange for her precious son''s safety."


    Vani''s grip tightened around the knife.


    The thug took a step closer, chest puffed up, emboldened by Vani''s silence.


    "What? No snarky comeback now? Cat got your tongue, kid?"


    He lifted his fist, aiming to drive it straight into Vani''s face.


    But Vani had already moved.


    The punch was slow¡­ pathetically so. His eyes saw every little shift in the man''s stance, every muscle tightening before the swing. He sidestepped effortlessly, grabbed the man''s wrist, and pulled him forward.


    The knife buried itself deep into his chest.


    The thug choked on his own breath, blood bubbling at his lips. His legs trembled, struggling to hold him upright as Vani leaned in, whispering coldly into his ear.


    "What''s wrong?"


    His voice was steady, almost emotionless.


    "You don''t look so good. Maybe you should sit down."


    Vani shoved him backward, twisting the blade free as the man collapsed onto the dirt.


    He turned away without a second glance at the dead body, his grip on the knife steady as he resumed his path toward the brothel.


    The Sunlight Brothel wasn''t far.


    Minutes later, he stood before its entrance. Laughter and drunken shouting spilled from within, muffled slightly by the heavy wooden doors. The scent of cheap perfume and ale drifted through the cracks, mixing with the distant chill of the night air.


    Vani exhaled slowly, his fingers brushing over the hilt of his knife.


    Gerald was inside.


    Without hesitation, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.


    The heavy wooden door creaked shut behind him. The warmth of the brothel hit him instantly¡­ a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. A thick haze of smoke hung in the air, mingling with the scent of perfume, alcohol, and sweat.


    The first floor was exactly as he remembered¡­ loud, crowded, and reeking of cheap perfume and alcohol. Red couches lined the room, tables filled with drunken men and flirtatious women clinging onto them. Laughter and drunken shouting echoed through the air.


    As he stepped inside, the women lounging around took notice of him.


    "Oh? Who''s this little cutie?" one teased, raising an eyebrow.


    "Come have a drink with us, kid!" another cackled.


    "Hah! Look at him, all ragged and serious. What''s wrong, sweetheart? First heartbreak?"


    Vani ignored them and kept walking.


    But then, he heard it.


    "Wait a minute..." one of them whispered.


    "Isn''t that Rena''s kid?"


    The chatter shifted. Some women murmured amongst themselves, stealing glances at him. Others squinted, trying to recall if they had seen him before. A few finally started to recognize him.


    "Damn, it''s been years, hasn''t it? He never came back after Rena stopped bringing him around."


    "Huh? Are you stupid? She caught him trying to drink alcohol, so she didn''t let him come here anymore."


    "Didn''t that happen because an old man tried to give it to him?"


    "He looks different... but yeah, that''s definitely him."


    Vani kept his head down and walked toward the stairs. He had no interest in their conversations.


    But before he could reach the stairs, a firm voice called out.


    "Hey, kid."


    He stopped.


    "You know Rena''s not working tonight, right? So what are you doing here? And why do you look like you''ve been through hell?"


    That voice. He knew it.


    Vani turned his head and saw her¡­ Sophia.


    She stood near one of the tables, arms crossed, watching him with a sharp gaze. Her dark, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, the dim lighting casting shadows over her pale skin. Even dressed in revealing clothes that fit the brothel''s setting, she held a certain air of dignity, like she was above the place she worked in.


    For a moment, Vani just stared. He remembered her. When he was younger, Rena had sometimes left him under Sophia''s care when no one else could watch him. But Sophia had never been warm. She never spoke much to him, never played with him like some of the other women did. She simply made sure he didn''t cause trouble, watching over him from a distance.


    And now, after all these years, she was the first to directly address him.


    Vani met her gaze and replied, his voice calm yet firm.


    "I''m not here for my mother."


    She gave him a quick, indifferent reply.


    "Then why are you here?"


    Vani''s expression remained calm as he answered.


    "Why can''t I be here? Am I not allowed?"


    Sophia''s reply was as cold as ever.


    "Not really. Aren''t you around fifteen?"


    Vani shrugged slightly.


    "Well, it doesn''t look like rules mean that much these days."


    Sophia raised an eyebrow.


    "Looks like you''ve gotten better at talking back since the last time you were here."


    She crossed her arms.


    "Even so, I can''t allow you to go to the second floor. If Rena finds out we let you up there, it''ll be chaotic here for the next week. You know how protective she is when it comes to you."


    Hearing those words, something inside Vani twisted. His firm expression wavered, his face darkened with sadness. His voice, which had been cold until now, dropped to a softer tone.


    "Yeah¡­ I know."


    Sophia noticed the change immediately. The cold confidence he had just moments ago was gone, replaced by something much heavier. Just as she was about to ask if something happened, a voice interrupted them.


    "Hey, Sophia! Is it true? This guy''s Rena''s son?"


    The man sounded like he recognized Vani. Sophia shot him a glance and replied flatly,


    "Yeah, it''s true. Do you know him Brad?"


    Brad looked a bit surprised.


    "Yeah, I know him. Me and Joe roughed him up a few times for money."


    Sophia''s gaze turned sharp. "You beat him for money?"


    Brad smirked, unfazed. "Heh, don''t look at me like that. We didn''t beat him so bad." He shrugged. "And I didn''t know he was Rena''s kid. Actually... I wonder if Joe knew. That bastard probably kept it a secret." He let out a short chuckle.


    "I''ll ask him tomorrow, since he got kicked out earlier. He''s probably passed out on the street somewhere."


    Before Sophia could respond, Vani cut in, his voice cold and composed.


    "Sadly, you can''t. He''s dead."


    Brad''s smirk faded.


    "Dead? He was definitely alive a few minutes ago before he got thrown out."


    Sophia turned to Vani, her expression unreadable.


    "Did you do it?"


    Vani didn''t answer. He just met her gaze, his eyes cold.


    Brad, on the other hand, burst into laughter.


    "Hah! You''re joking, right?"


    His amusement grew as he glanced between Sophia and Vani.


    "Come on, look at the kid. You think he could''ve killed Joe? He looks like he got put through hell himself."


    He kept laughing as he took a step closer to Vani.


    Sophia''s voice cut through the noise.


    "Brad, don''t do anything to him."


    Brad waved a hand dismissively.


    "Don''t worry, don''t worry. I just wanna ask him a few questions."


    People were watching as Brad reached Vani, a sly grin spread across his face. He casually extended his hand, aiming to grab Vani''s shoulder.


    But before his fingers could make contact...


    Schlick!


    A blur of motion. A flash of steel.


    Brad''s hand was no longer attached to his wrist. It spun through the air before landing with a soft thud on the wooden floor. For a moment, there was silence. Brad just stood there, his mind struggling to register what had happened.


    Then¡­


    "AAAAAGHHH!"


    A guttural scream ripped from his throat as he clutched the bleeding stump. He collapsed onto the ground, writhing, his body convulsing from the sheer agony.


    "It hurts! IT HURTS!"


    The brothel erupted into chaos. Gasps. Screams. The clatter of chairs scraping against the floor as people scrambled back. The lively, drunken laughter that had filled the room moments ago was now drowned in sheer panic. Women shrieked, some backing away in horror, others pressing their hands over their mouths, too stunned to move.


    The air reeked of iron. The severed hand lay motionless on the ground, fingers slightly curled as if still grasping for something.


    And in the center of it all stood Vani... calm, cold, and completely unfazed.


    The room was stunned into silence. Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire.


    "Did that really just happen?" someone stammered.


    "No way¡­ A kid can''t do something like that!" another whispered, disbelief laced in their voice.


    "Are you blind? Look at that cut¡­ it''s too clean! No normal person can do that with just a knife," someone else argued.


    "Then¡­ does that mean he''s an Awakened?" a woman questioned, eyes wide with fear.


    "Hah? You serious? You trying to tell me that this brat is a¡­ Novarion?"


    "I mean, what else could it be?"


    The murmurs grew louder, but Vani didn''t care. The noise around him was just that... Noise. He took a slow step forward, closing the distance between him and Brad, his gaze as cold as ice.


    "Still think I couldn''t have done it?"


    His voice was calm, almost indifferent, but the weight of his words sent shivers down Brad''s spine.


    Brad''s breath came in ragged gasps, his entire body trembling. Blood poured from the stump where his hand once was, pooling beneath him as he writhed in agony.


    Vani tilted his head slightly, studying the man''s pitiful state.


    "Ah, don''t worry," his voice devoid of emotion.


    "You can go visit him... Your friend I mean."


    In one swift motion, his blade sliced across Brad''s throat.


    A wet gurgle escaped Brad''s lips as his body spasmed, then fell limp. Blood sprayed onto the floor, mixing with the chaos and fear that now gripped the brothel.


    The brothel descended into chaos. People screamed, pushing past each other in a frantic rush toward the exit. Some, however, stood frozen, their eyes locked on the blood-stained floor, on Brad''s dead body, on the boy who had just killed him so effortlessly.


    They couldn''t believe it. Brad was dead. Just like that.


    But amidst the panic, one person remained unfazed... Sophia. She stood still, her cold eyes fixed on Vani.


    "Why did you kill him?" Her voice was calm, but there was something beneath it... something unreadable.


    Vani met her gaze, unfazed.


    "Was he your boyfriend?"


    Sophia blinked.


    "Huh? How did you even come to that conclusion?"


    "Then why do you care?"


    "I don''t."


    "Then I have no reason to tell you why I did it."


    Sophia was speechless for a moment. In the silence, Vani turned away, stepping onto the staircase leading to the second floor.


    Her voice followed him.


    "When Gerald finds out what you did here, you''re going to be in trouble. You know he has Walter. Even if you''re a Novarion now, Walter has been one his entire life. And more importantly¡­"


    She paused, her voice growing lower, sharper.


    "Even if you survive, your mother won''t."


    Vani''s grip on the knife tightened. His knuckles turned white, but he didn''t stop. Focus. Don''t let her get to you.


    Sophia''s voice grew colder.


    "Do you think she''ll be happy when she hears about this? Even if Brad beat you, you shouldn''t have killed him. She raised you better than that."


    Vani stopped. His shoulders tensed. She''s wrong. He clenched his teeth, staring down at the bloodied blade in his hand. Then, slowly, he turned back. His expression was no longer cold but filled with something much heavier.


    "My mother is dead."


    The room fell silent.


    The screaming. The running. The panicked whispers.


    All of it stopped.


    Sophia''s eyes widened. She stared at him, frozen in place. "What¡­?" she breathed.


    Even the people who had been trying to escape turned their heads in disbelief.


    Sophia took a step forward, her voice shaking for the first time.


    "Even for a joke, this is too much."


    Vani lifted his head, locking eyes with her. His gaze was heavy, filled with something raw. Let her see. Let her know what I''ve been through.


    "Do you think I would joke about something like that?"


    Sophia didn''t answer.


    Vani exhaled, his breath unsteady.


    "She was planning to run away, Gerald found out¡­ No¡­ Eve told him. So he sent Walter to kill us."


    His voice wavered for a second, but he kept going.


    "When I got home¡­ my mother was already dead. Walter was standing right next to her."


    Sophia''s lips parted, but no words came out.


    Vani''s eyes darkened.


    "And I wasn''t even there because I was late."


    His hands trembled slightly. It''s not my fault. It''s not my fault.


    "I don''t know if I was late because those two pieces of shit were beating me, but¡­ maybe¡­ if they hadn''t held me back, if I had gotten home faster¡­ Maybe I could have saved her."


    Silence.


    No one moved. No one breathed.


    Then¡­


    "If you''re worried about me, don''t be."


    Vani''s voice cut through the tension like a blade.


    "I already killed Walter before coming here."


    A gasp rippled through the crowd.


    The silence that followed was suffocating. People exchanged looks of horror and disbelief.


    Walter was dead?


    Killed by this kid?


    Vani didn''t let the weight of their stares slow him down. He turned back toward the stairs.


    "And about Gerald finding out¡­"


    He took the first step up. Then another.


    "Don''t worry. He''ll be keeping Walter company soon enough."


    Sophia stood frozen, unable to say a word.


    All she could do was watch as the boy disappeared up the stairs, his back turned to the chaos he had just left behind.

 Liar

    Vani had never been on the second floor before. Even when his mom brought him to the brothel, he wasn''t allowed past the first floor. So naturally, he was curious about what kind of place it was. But in the end, it wasn''t anything special¡­ just a long hallway with rooms on both sides.


    After everything that had happened downstairs, he assumed people were aware of the situation. He even feared that Gerald might have already escaped. But as he walked through the corridor, he realized something strange¡­ this floor was completely silent. It was as if some kind of magic canceled out all noise. He couldn''t hear a single sound from the first floor or from the rooms around him. The only thing that reached his ears was the sound of his own footsteps.


    Even more unsettling, some rooms had their doors wide open, revealing exactly what was going on inside. People were having sex, yet no sound came from them, no matter if they talked or even screamed. It was like they were trapped in their own little worlds, unable to hear or be heard.


    As he continued walking, he started noticing familiar faces¡­ people he used to play with on the streets, or old people he had helped with chores before. But among them, one person stood out.


    A young woman, with short pink hair, pink eyes, and pale skin. She wasn''t very tall, maybe around 152 cm. The first time he met her was a few months ago, completely by chance. It had started raining while he was outside, so he took cover and ended up petting a white cat with black spots that had wandered over to him. That''s when she appeared, making a big fuss about why he was outside in the rain. As if he had a choice¡­ it wasn''t like he planned to get caught in the downpour.


    Turns out, the cat was hers. And even though he hadn''t actually found it¡­ the cat had found him¡­ she insisted on thanking him. Before he could say anything, she grabbed his hand and dragged him off like he was some lost child.


    She took him to her home, which wasn''t all that different from the one he and his mom lived in. She lived with her grandmother, and what surprised him the most was that she was the one providing for both of them. Her grandmother was sick, and the girl paid for everything¡­ medicine, food, clothes. Anything they needed.


    When she went to change out of her wet clothes, he took the chance to ask her grandmother where she worked. But the old lady didn''t know¡­ just that her granddaughter had a job somewhere in the village. Later, when he asked her, she just said she did chores for old people. Hard to believe. He did that sometimes too, but he never had the kind of money she did.


    Why didn''t she just tell me she worked here?


    At one point, he asked to use the bathroom. While he was in there, she brought him new clothes¡­ even though they were clearly meant for girls. And she didn''t even bother knocking before barging in. The moment she saw him naked, she turned red and either slapped or punched him¡­ he wasn''t sure which. But whatever it was, it left a mark on his face for a whole week.


    Why did she react like that? She had obviously seen naked men before.


    After that, the atmosphere between them turned awkward. He just waited for the rain to stop so he could leave. She didn''t say a word to him, only her grandmother spoke, cracking jokes or asking questions. Even when he saw her a few times after that, she completely ignored him.


    He never caught her name, so he just called her Pinky.


    Lost in thought, he hadn''t realized he had stopped right in front of her door. She saw him.


    At first, she looked shocked. Then her face turned bright red.


    She didn''t look like she needed any help, so he just gave her a little wave and walked past.


    A few steps away, he reached the stairs leading to the third floor. Without hesitation, he started climbing.


    When he reached the third floor, it looked a lot like the second, just fancier. The walls were nicer, the furniture looked expensive, and everything had this rich, heavy feel to it. There were eleven rooms¡­ five on each side and one big door at the end of the hallway, the only one closed. That had to be Gerald''s.


    He was heading straight for it when something made him stop. A glimpse of movement from the corner of his eye.


    He turned.


    Gerald.


    He saw the side of his face, and just like that, his whole body tensed. Gerald was sitting there, relaxed, completely unaware of him. In front of him, Eve was on all fours, her body moving back and forth, while Gerald sat behind her, eyes closed, enjoying himself.


    These fuckers¡­


    He stepped in without other thoughts.


    And the second he did, they both noticed.


    Eve was the first to speak, her voice confused.


    "Huh? Uhhh? A kid? Did you¡­ invite him here?"


    At first, she didn''t recognize him. But Gerald did.


    "No¡­"


    Eve tilted her head, still on all fours, looking even more confused. But then Gerald continued, his voice uncertain.


    "This kid¡­ He''s Rena''s¡­ son."


    Eve blinked, processing his words. Then, as the realization hit her, she grabbed a pillow to cover herself and let out a shocked gasp.


    "Ehhhhhh? This kid is Vani?"


    She squinted at him.


    "He looks so different since the last time I saw him."


    But Gerald wasn''t listening. He was too busy trying to figure out what was happening. A cold sweat ran down his back.


    "Hey, Vani¡­ how did you get here?" he asked, his voice tense.


    Vani took a slow breath, barely holding himself together. When he spoke, his voice was icy.


    "How do you think I did it?"


    The moment those words left his mouth, the air in the room changed. A crushing pressure filled the space. Both Gerald and Eve froze. Their eyes widened. A chill ran down their spines. It wasn''t just fear¡­ they could feel it deep in their bones. One wrong move, one wrong word¡­ and they knew they wouldn''t leave this room alive.


    Gerald''s mind raced.


    Did Walter fail? No. Did he betray me? Or did the kid escape? Does he know? Is Rena still alive? Nothing made sense.


    Trying to calm himself, Gerald opened his mouth to speak.


    "You kno¡ª"


    But Vani cut him off before he could even finish.


    "Be careful of what you say."


    With that, he stepped forward.


    Gerald instinctively took a step back, but he was too rattled. His mind clouded with fear, and he made a fatal mistake. He spoke without thinking.


    "I don''t understand what you m¡­"


    The words barely left his mouth before a sharp pain shot through his body.


    His vision blurred. He stumbled, lost his balance, and collapsed onto the floor. His gaze darted around in confusion. That''s when he saw it¡­ A knife. A blade covered in blood.


    His blood.


    A cold realization hit him. He looked down.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    His leg was gone.


    The pain hadn''t even fully registered yet, but when it did¡­


    "Aaaaaaaaghhhhhh!!"


    A gut-wrenching scream tore from his throat.


    Eve was frozen. She had seen everything but hadn''t even processed it. She couldn''t follow Vani''s movements. He was too fast. She didn''t dare look at him. Her entire body trembled as she covered her mouth, terrified to even breathe too loudly.


    Gerald kept screaming, writhing in agony. But Vani just stared, expressionless.


    "Stop!"


    But Gerald couldn''t hear him. The pain was too much.


    Vani sighed. Then, without warning, he grabbed Gerald by the neck and lifted him as if he weighed nothing.


    With terrifying force, he slammed Gerald''s face into the wall.


    Once.


    Twice.


    Again.


    And again.


    Blood splattered. Teeth clattered to the floor.


    Gerald''s screams died out. His body twitched, barely conscious.


    Vani let go, throwing him near the door like a piece of trash.


    Vani''s gaze shifted to Eve. She didn''t dare look at him, didn''t want to catch his attention. She stood frozen, so still that an outsider might think she wasn''t even breathing. But she knew. She could feel it in her bones¡­ he was watching her.


    Then, just as suddenly, his eyes returned to Gerald.


    Vani stepped forward. Gerald was groaning in pain, but Vani didn''t care. He pressed his foot against Gerald''s head, silencing him.


    Then, in a cold voice, he asked,


    "Do you want to live?"


    Gerald flinched at the question. But as much as it shocked him, he wouldn''t let the chance slip away. His voice trembled as he answered:


    "Y... yes¡­"


    "Good."


    Vani''s tone remained flat, emotionless.


    "Then we''ll play a little game."


    "A game?" Gerald echoed, dread creeping into his voice.


    "If you win, I''ll let you live. But if I win¡­ I''ll kill you. What do you think?"


    Gerald didn''t like the sound of it, but what choice did he have? He had to play along.


    Swallowing his fear, he asked,


    "What game?"


    Vani didn''t hesitate.


    "Catch. The goal is the first floor. If you reach it before I catch you, you win. But if I get to you first¡­ you lose. The stairs don''t count¡­ you have to be on the first floor."


    Gerald''s mind raced. He was missing a leg, but this was still a chance. If he could reach the first floor, maybe someone would be there¡­ maybe Walter. Maybe he could turn the tables. What he didn''t know was that Walter was already dead.


    Vani tilted his head slightly.


    "Do you want a head start?"


    Gerald hesitated for a second, but then hope flickered in his eyes.


    "Yes¡­ I''d like a head start."


    A smirk tugged at Vani''s lips.


    "Alright. Then choose. Your remaining leg or one of your arms."


    Gerald''s face twisted in confusion.


    "What?"


    Vani''s reply was flat, devoid of emotion.


    "It''s simple. Pick which limb I''ll cut next. Your arm or your leg. If you don''t choose, I''ll decide for you. You have five seconds."


    Gerald''s heart pounded. His mind refused to process what was happening. He had already lost one limb¡­ how could he choose another?


    But he took too long.


    Vani''s voice cut through the air.


    "Time''s up."


    Before Gerald could react, Vani crouched down and pressed the blade against his right shoulder.


    "W-wait, plea¡­"


    The knife sank in before he could finish. Pain exploded through his body as the blade carved through flesh and bone. Gerald screamed, begged, pleaded for it to stop¡­ but it didn''t. The agony was unbearable. A normal person would''ve passed out, but his desperation to survive kept him conscious.


    Vani didn''t like his screaming.


    Without a word, he grabbed Gerald and threw him out of the room.


    "You have a one-minute head start. Start crawling."


    Then he shut the door.


    Now, it was just him and Eve.


    The room was silent. Eve, having witnessed everything that happened to Gerald, knew there was no escape. Running wasn''t an option. She had to think of something¡­ anything¡­ that might make him spare her.


    Then, the tears came.


    She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.


    "I''m sorry, I''m so sorry, I''m so sorry for what I did!"


    Her voice trembled, barely coherent between her cries.


    Vani watched her, unmoved. Her tears meant nothing to him. But after a moment, he finally spoke.


    "Why did you betray my mom?"


    Eve continued crying, shaking her head desperately.


    "I''m sorry, I''m so sorry! Please forgive me! I didn''t have a choice! Gerald threatened me, he said he''d do horrible things to the girls here if I didn''t tell him what I knew! I was scared!"


    She was gasping for air between sobs, her words spilling out in a frantic rush.


    "I don''t know why your mom trusted me so much. It''s true we were friends¡­ I liked her a lot. She was always kind to me. But I never understood why she told me about her plan to leave. She said she couldn''t tell Sophia, because if Sophia found out, she''d do anything to stop her, she said it was too dangerous. So she told me instead, because she thought I''d understand.


    "You have to believe me, Vani! I liked your mom¡­ and I liked you, too! Back when you were little, when you used to come here. I played with you, I gave you candies! We had fun together! Please, you have to understand¡­ I had no choice¡­!"


    She kept repeating it over and over.


    "I had no choice, I had no choice¡­"


    Her voice cracked with every word.


    Vani''s face remained blank. Emotionless. He didn''t believe a single word she said.


    "Is that really true?" His voice was quieter now, almost hesitant. His expression shifted slightly, as if he was trying to process it, as if he was hurt by what he just heard.


    Eve, desperate, latched onto that moment.


    "Yes! It''s true! I swear it! I''m so sorry!"


    Vani stepped closer. The room fell into silence once again. The only sound was Eve''s quiet, broken sobbing.


    For a brief moment, hope flickered in her teary eyes. She thought she had convinced him.


    She was wrong.


    Vani''s left hand moved slowly, deliberately. His palm touched the underside of her jaw, tilting her face upward. He looked straight into her eyes, his expression unreadable.


    Then, with a voice as cold as death, he whispered.


    "Liar."


    The knife moved.


    Slow. So slow she could see it happening.


    The blade started just above her mouth, gliding upward. Cutting through her cheek, slicing through her eye, tracing a line up her forehead.


    Her screams shattered the silence.


    She fell backward onto the bed, screaming in pain.


    "My eye! It hurts! Why? Why don''t you believe me? I didn''t do it on purpose. I had no choice! Please, you have to believe me!"


    Vani''s reply was cold and unwavering.


    "Why don''t I believe you? It''s simple. Because before coming here, Walter told me everything. He told me how my mother trusted you, how she confided in you about her plan, and how you ran straight to Gerald and betrayed her."


    Eve froze. Her mind raced, realizing that her attempt to deceive him had been hopeless from the start. But she couldn''t give up. Desperation took hold as she screamed,


    "Then why do you believe Walter but not me?"


    "Why?" Vani echoed.


    "Because he told me everything right before he tried to kill me. And in the end¡­ I was the one who killed him."


    Silence hung in the air, suffocating and heavy. Then, Vani tossed his knife onto the bed, the blade landing just inches from her hand.


    He said, his tone empty.


    "You get a chance, just like Gerald did."


    Eve''s breath hitched as she stared at the knife, her body trembling.


    "You¡­ you''re serious?" she choked out.


    Vani said,


    "Take that knife. Stab yourself in the stomach and hold on for three minutes. If you can do that, I''ll let you live."


    Her breath caught in her throat.


    Stab myself?


    The thought alone sent waves of panic through her. How could a normal person do something like that? Her hands trembled as she looked at the blade.


    "I¡­ I can''t," she whispered, her mind spiraling.


    I can''t. I can''t. I can''t. I can''t do that. Why is this happening to me?


    Tears streamed down her face as a mantra of denial played in her head.


    I did nothing wrong¡­ I did nothing wrong¡­ I did nothing wrong¡­


    Vani watched as Eve sat there, overwhelmed by her own thoughts. He tilted his head slightly and asked,


    "What''s wrong? You can''t do it?"


    Eve, panicked and trembling, shook her head.


    "How? Even if I do it, I''ll die after three minutes. Even if I somehow survive that long, I''ll still die in the end."


    Vani remained unfazed, his voice calm and confident.


    "Didn''t I tell you? Before coming here, I killed Walter. Now, think. If I managed to kill him, how do you think I did it?"


    Eve''s breath hitched.


    Walter was a Novarian. That meant¡­


    "The only answer," Vani continued, his voice cold, "is that I''ve awakened too. I''m a Novarian now."


    Her eyes widened.


    "You... You''re saying you can heal me?"


    Vani nodded.


    "That''s right. I can heal you."


    Eve''s thoughts raced.


    If he truly killed Walter, then he must have awakened. He wasn''t lying.


    And yet, her hands refused to move. The fear of pain, of death, paralyzed her.


    "Can I really trust you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are you really going to heal me after?"


    Vani''s expression softened. An illusion of sympathy.


    "Yes. I will heal you. Honestly, Eve, I feel bad for you. Even though you betrayed my mother, she trusted you. And I can''t forget the memories I have of you from when I was a kid... You were kind to me back then. That''s why I want to forgive you."


    For the first time, hope flickered in Eve''s eyes.


    But then, his voice dropped, his words turning sharp.


    "But you still have to pay for what you did. You need to feel what my mother felt."


    Eve''s heart pounded.


    "What? What do you mean? What did Rena feel?"


    Vani''s gaze bore into her.


    "She was stabbed, just like I''m asking you to do now. She held on for about four minutes before I healed her."


    Eve swallowed hard.


    "Do you think... Do you think she could forgive me?"


    Vani shrugged.


    "I don''t know. You''ll have to ask her yourself."


    Tears streamed down her face. Her entire body trembled as she reached for the knife. Her fingers curled around the handle, her breath uneven. And then, gathering every ounce of strength she had left¡­


    She stabbed herself.


    Half of the knife was buried in her stomach. Eve screamed in agony, her entire body trembling.


    "I did it! I did it!"


    she cried, gasping for breath. The pain was unbearable, unlike anything she''d ever felt before. But she forced herself to say it again, desperate for reassurance.


    "I did it¡­"


    Vani, calm and unmoved, simply replied,


    "Not yet."


    Eve''s eyes widened.


    "What?"


    "That''s only halfway. You have to push it all the way in."


    Her mind froze. The pain was already too much. If she drove the knife in deeper, she couldn''t even imagine how unbearable it would be.


    "You''re already halfway there. What? You can''t do it?"


    Eve looked up at him, her vision blurred with tears. He was serious. There was no way out. No room for hesitation.


    With a choked sob, she gritted her teeth and pushed the knife deeper. Her entire body convulsed as waves of searing pain shot through her. She screamed, her voice raw, her hands trembling as she forced the blade in until the hilt pressed against her skin.


    She gasped, head tilted back, tears streaming down her face.


    "It''s¡­ all the way in¡­"


    Her voice was weak, but she managed to ask,


    "Do you think Rena will forgive me?"


    Vani stared at her, expression unreadable. Then, with a slight tilt of his head, he said.


    "I don''t know. You''ll have to ask her yourself."


    A weak, broken smile formed on Eve''s lips.


    "Yeah¡­ I can ask her¡­ later¡­"


    Vani stepped closer and sat beside her on the bed. Gently, he placed a hand on her cheek, his thumb wiping away her tears. For the first time, his face softened, his eyes filled with something almost¡­ human. Sadness.


    Eve, despite the pain, found comfort in his touch. In his gaze.


    Vani looked into her eyes and spoke, his voice quieter than before.


    "If you somehow meet my mom¡­ tell her Hi for me. Tell her I''ll try to live my life the best I can. And¡­"


    He hesitated, his grip tightening slightly.


    "Tell her I''m sorry¡­ that I couldn''t protect her."


    Eve blinked in confusion.


    "What¡­ What does that mean?"


    Vani''s expression didn''t change. He slowly lowered his hand from her face, resting it on the bed, his gaze drifting up toward the ceiling.


    He spoke, voice almost wistful.


    "Ah¡­ I lied to you. I didn''t heal my mom. She was already dead when I got home."


    Eve''s mind refused to process what she had just heard.


    What¡­?


    Confusion clouded her thoughts, her breath quickening. She couldn''t understand¡­ she didn''t want to understand.


    But Vani continued, his tone eerily calm.


    "If you had just stopped and thought for a second, you would have realized it. If I really had healing powers like that¡­ don''t you think I would''ve healed myself first before coming here?"


    Eve''s breath hitched.


    Vani motioned toward his body, still bruised and bloodied.


    "But as you can see, my wounds are still here. My body is healing, sure, but that''s because of the ability I got when I awakened as a Novarian. It''s not something I can control¡­ and even then, it''s slow."


    Realization crashed down on her like a tidal wave. She had been tricked. Played.


    Her entire body trembled. Not just from pain but from sheer despair. Her lips quivered before twisting into a furious snarl.


    "Y-You fucker!"


    she screamed, her voice raw.


    "You lied to me! I trusted you! You filthy little bastard. How dare you!?"


    She gasped, rage overtaking her fear.


    "You''re just the son of a prostitute! How dare you do this to me?!"


    But Vani felt nothing. No sympathy. No guilt. Not even satisfaction. Just¡­ emptiness.


    He slowly stood up, his eyes cold as he looked down at her.


    "That''s probably how my mom felt,"


    he said, his voice quiet yet sharp enough to cut through the air.


    "She trusted you¡­ and you betrayed her."


    He tilted his head slightly.


    "Sucks, doesn''t it?"


    Eve''s breath came out in ragged gasps. She tried to move, tried to crawl, do something, but her body wouldn''t respond.


    The realization hit her like a final, merciless blow.


    She was going to die.


    Vani walked toward the door, his steps slow and deliberate.


    Behind him, Eve''s voice cracked with desperation.


    "Hey! Where are you going, you fucker? Don''t leave me! Please¡­ don''t leave me! Help me, you bastard!"


    Her words turned to frantic pleading.


    "You''re a Novarian, right? You can save me! Please!"


    But Vani didn''t stop. He didn''t even look back. He stepped through the door and shut it behind him, sealing her fate. Her screams faded into the silence of the room, swallowed by the inevitability of death.


    Outside, he exhaled, his voice calm, almost bored.


    "Now. Let''s pick up where we left off, Gerald."

 Beneath the Quiet Sky

    As Vani stepped down from the third floor to the second, a long trail of blood stained the red carpet, seeping into the fabric like the aftermath of a slaughter. He glanced left and right. The second floor was empty. Everyone had fled. Someone from the first floor must have warned them, and now, not a soul remained.


    The silence was unsettling.


    He reached the staircase leading down to the first floor. Halfway down, he spotted Gerald, crawling. The man clawed at the steps, dragging himself forward, his breath ragged and desperate. He wasn''t running anymore, he couldn''t. He was bleeding out, but his will to survive kept him moving.


    Vani followed behind him, step by step, unhurried. Gerald must have sensed his presence because he looked back for a split second. The moment he saw Vani descending, his panic doubled. His hands scrambled against the wooden steps, pulling his broken body forward with everything he had left.


    He was so close.


    Three steps away.


    Two.


    He stretched his hand forward, his fingertips reaching, trembling, trying to touch the first floor. Just a little more. Just one more push, and he would win.


    And then, Vani stepped on his leg.


    A sharp, strangled scream tore from Gerald''s throat as pain surged through his body. His fingers twitched, his arms shook, and he tried desperately to keep moving. His hand stretched forward, his fingertips barely brushing the edge of the first floor.


    But he couldn''t move.


    His body jerked as he struggled, muscles tensing, breath coming in short, ragged gasps. He clawed at the floor, trying to drag himself just a little further, but Vani''s foot pinned him in place. No matter how much he fought, he wasn''t going anywhere.


    "No, no, no!" Gerald cried, his voice breaking. "I was so close!"


    Vani watched as despair finally settled in Gerald''s eyes. It was over.


    Down below, onlookers remained frozen in place. They had gathered on the first floor, watching, waiting. No one moved. No one spoke. Gerald turned to them, eyes wild with desperation.


    "Help me! Someone¡­ please! I''ll give you anything! Help me!"


    His voice broke, pleading, promising.


    "I have money! Power! I can change your lives!"


    No one stepped forward.


    The only sound was Vani''s voice, calm and final.


    "Looks like I won."


    Gerald shook his head violently, refusing to accept reality.


    "No! No, you didn''t! I won! I was right there! If I had just stretched a little further."


    Vani tilted his head.


    "Didn''t I say? The stairs don''t count. You have to be on the first floor."


    His gaze lowered to Gerald''s trembling form.


    "Not even your fingers touched it."


    Gerald''s mouth quivered open, his face contorted with fury.


    "That''s bullshit! I was right there! I."


    His words cut off as realization set in. He turned to the onlookers again, his voice growing more frantic.


    "Someone bring Walter! Bring him here! I''ll reward you for it! I swear, I..."


    Vani sighed.


    He spoke Gerald''s name like a weary thought.


    "Gerald."


    The man turned his head to him, eyes filled with a flicker of hope.


    "I didn''t tell you, did I?"


    Vani''s voice was quiet, almost casual.


    "I killed Walter before coming here."


    Silence.


    Then, a laugh, a broken, incredulous chuckle from Gerald''s bloodstained lips.


    "You killed Walter? You''re lying. You''re fucking lying, kid. There''s no way."


    Vani crouched down, resting his forearm on his knee as he watched Gerald.


    "Think about it. You sent Walter to kill me and my mother. He never came back. Never reported to you. Never showed up. Didn''t it ever cross your mind that maybe¡­ he was already dead?"


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Gerald''s pupils shrank. He swallowed, his breath shallow.


    "No¡­ no, you''re bluffing."


    Vani shrugged.


    "Believe what you want. It doesn''t matter. What matters is." He gestured at Gerald''s broken body, sprawled out before him. "You lost our bet."


    Gerald''s nostrils flared, fury overriding fear.


    "You''re fucking crazy! Do you have any idea what you''re doing?! I have connections in the capital! People who will avenge me!"


    Vani sighed again, tired of hearing the same desperate lies.


    His voice dropped lower, colder.


    "Do you really think I care? The only thing you should be thinking about is whether your death will be painful¡­ or agonizing."


    Gerald screamed. He clawed at the floor, dragging himself forward with every last ounce of strength he had left. His body twitched, shaking from blood loss, but he kept going.


    Vani reached for his knife¡­ only to realize he had left it buried in Eve''s stomach upstairs.


    No matter.


    Gerald''s leg was still propped awkwardly against the stairs, just slightly lifted from the wooden step. A perfect angle.


    Vani raised his foot.


    And then he stomped.


    A sickening crunch echoed through the brothel.


    Gerald shrieked, his voice raw with agony. His leg bent unnaturally beneath Vani''s foot, bones shattered beyond recognition. The first-floor onlookers flinched, some gasping, others covering their mouths. But no one moved to stop him.


    Among them, Vani spotted Sophia. She stood there, silent, watching. Her expression was unreadable.


    But he didn''t care.


    Gerald convulsed, his body trembling violently from the pain. His screams were hoarse, broken, desperate. But Vani wasn''t done.


    He stepped in front of Gerald.


    The man looked up at him, eyes filled with terror. Tears streamed down his face. His lips moved, forming words that never left his throat.


    Vani raised his foot again.


    And with all his strength, he crushed Gerald''s head.


    The sound was sickening, like a ripe fruit splitting open. Blood splattered across the wooden floor, pooling beneath him. The room fell into complete silence.


    There was nothing left of Gerald. Nothing but pieces.


    As soon as it was done, a wave of relief washed over Vani. His revenge was complete. Gerald and Eve were gone. He should have felt satisfied. Happy, even. But instead, a strange emptiness settled inside him.


    He stood there, body weak, barely holding itself together. Around him, the remaining spectators whispered among themselves, some still shocked, others indifferent. A few even smiled, as if Gerald''s death was a cause for celebration. But then there were those with uncertain expressions, their eyes darting around as if wondering, what happens now?


    Vani didn''t care.


    Whatever came next was up to them.


    Exhaustion weighed him down, and he dragged himself toward the nearest table. His legs felt heavy, his arms like lead. He collapsed into a chair, his body sinking into it. On the table before him, a glass of untouched wine sat, dark and rich in color, with a faint fruity aroma.


    He reached for it. His thirst was unbearable, and he didn''t care who had left it there. He lifted the glass and drank, swallowing half of it in one go. The taste was unlike anything he had ever had before. Sweeter than juice, richer than milk, entirely unfamiliar.


    With a sigh, he set the glass down and rested his head against his hand, elbow propped on the table. His gaze drifted toward Gerald''s mangled body, still lying there.


    And then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw her.


    Sophia.


    She walked toward him, her expression unreadable. In her hand, she carried a glass of water. Without a word, she placed it in front of him, sliding it across the table before sitting down across from him.


    Her voice was calm, but there was something else beneath it.


    "So, are you satisfied now?"


    Vani expected her to scold him. To lecture him about what he had done. But when he looked into her eyes, he saw sadness instead.


    He took a sip of the water before answering.


    "I am. He deserved it."


    Sophia hesitated, like she wanted to say something but wasn''t sure how. He could see the struggle in her expression, the way she searched for the right words. Finally, she asked.


    "Did you kill Eve too?"


    His voice was steady.


    "Yes. She deserved it as well."


    Sophia''s fingers tightened around the rim of her glass. Then, after a moment, her voice wavered.


    "Do you have any idea why she betrayed Rena?"


    Vani exhaled slowly, staring at the table.


    I had my theories. Jealousy, an inferiority complex, maybe both.


    But in the end, it didn''t matter. Whatever her reasons were, they wouldn''t change what she did. What she tried to do.


    "She had her reasons¡­ But honestly? I don''t care."


    Sophia swallowed hard. Then, softly, she asked,


    "Did Rena ever tell you why she didn''t tell me about her plan?"


    Vani lifted his gaze to meet hers.


    "She knew you would try to stop her."


    I didn''t know about the plan either, I just heard this from Eve.


    Sophia''s expression fell. A shadow passed over her face, and for the first time, she looked truly devastated.


    "Yeah, I thought so," she murmured.


    Silence settled between them. Heavy, suffocating. Neither of them spoke.


    Vani finished the glass of water she had brought him, setting it down quietly. And just like that, the moment lingered, stretching between them like an unspoken truth.


    After a while, Sophia finally spoke.


    "So, what do you plan to do next?"


    Her question lingered in the air, but he had no answer. He had done everything he set out to do. He killed Eve, Gerald, Walter, and those two bastards. He couldn''t pretend he was innocent. Not that crimes mattered much these days, but he would still have to face trials. That thought weighed on him for a moment before he finally replied,


    "For now, I just want to give my mother a proper funeral. I''ll bury her somewhere peaceful, away from all this noise."


    But Sophia wasn''t satisfied with that answer. She pressed further.


    "And after that?"


    He sighed.


    "Honestly? I don''t know."


    She didn''t look surprised. In fact, it seemed like she had expected that response. After a brief silence, she spoke again.


    "How about you travel somewhere?"


    He raised an eyebrow.


    "Travel where?"


    She said simply,


    "Anywhere. You have nothing keeping you here anymore."


    There was sadness in her eyes as she spoke.


    She isn''t wrong. I have no idea what to do next, no direction, no purpose.


    Then she added,


    "How about the capital?"


    "The capital?" he echoed.


    "Yeah. Why not?"


    He hesitated before asking,


    "And what about the mess I caused here?"


    Her answer caught him off guard.


    "It won''t matter. Gerald had plenty of enemies here and probably elsewhere, too. It won''t be hard to cover it up."


    He stared at her for a moment.


    "Is that so?"


    She nodded. "Besides, if you stay here, you''ll be stagnant, like water trapped in a well. But if you go on a journey, you might break through the second stage. Maybe you''ll even find a purpose, or answers. Who knows?"


    He thought about her words.


    The idea of leaving hadn''t even crossed my mind until now. But maybe she is right.


    "Alright, I''ll do it."


    Hearing that, she stood up and walked toward the stairs. She didn''t say anything, but he could tell she was heading to the third floor, to Eve. Even after everything, there had to be some kind of connection between them.


    He watched her leave, then exhaled deeply. A moment later, he pushed himself up from his seat and walked toward the exit. There was something he needed to do first.


    He was going home.


    To bury his mother.


    ¡ª


    And just like that, Vani stood before a tree, its sprawling branches stretching toward the sky like an ancient guardian watching over the land. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting golden light through the skeletal limbs, illuminating the mist that clung to the earth like a lingering whisper. Beneath the tree, the roots twisted and curled, half-submerged in the gentle waters that reflected the sky above. A perfect, trembling mirror of the world.


    This was where he buried his mother.


    The earth here was soft, untouched by the filth of the city, and the air carried the scent of damp soil and distant greenery. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the occasional ripple in the water, disturbed by the evening breeze. It was quiet. Peaceful. A place far removed from everything he had come to know.


    She would rest here, away from the noise, away from the suffering. No more dim candlelight, no more heavy footsteps outside her door, no more waiting for a life that never gave her kindness. Just this. An endless sky above, the whispering wind, and the stillness of the water reflecting the fading sun.


    As he stood before the grave, lost in thought, a voice spoke from behind him.


    "So this is where you decided to bury your mother."


    He turned around. It was Sophia. She carried a small bag, and behind her stood another figure¡­ Pinky.


    She held a bouquet of flowers. Of course, they were pink. It had to be pink.


    Somehow, that''s funny.


    But what surprised him more was seeing her here. When Pinky noticed his gaze, her face turned red. Maybe she was embarrassed that he had found out the truth about where she worked. He wasn''t sure. But as he kept staring, she frowned, almost glaring at him.


    Did I do something wrong?


    Before he could ask, Sophia spoke.


    "I came to check on you. You''re planning to leave now, right?"


    "Yeah, that''s right."


    She didn''t seem convinced. "And do you even know which direction the capital is? Do you have any money on you?"


    He froze. Truthfully, he had no idea. He had never left the village before, never needed to know where the capital was. And as for money, he had found the coins his mother had hidden at home¡­ but he didn''t answer. He just stood there in silence.


    Sophia sighed, shaking her head.


    "Yeah. I thought so."


    She lifted the bag in her hand and handed it to him. When he opened it, he was shocked, five gold coins and around twelve silver coins. That was a lot of money. There was also water and some food.


    She didn''t give him a chance to react before continuing,


    "For now, head west. Don''t go through the next village. Take the woods instead. Word might have already spread about what happened here, and you might not be welcome."


    She looked serious. He took her words to heart. He had no idea what kind of people lived in the next village, and he wasn''t about to find out the hard way.


    He nodded.


    "Thanks¡­ for everything."


    And just like that, he left. He didn''t look back. But as he walked away, further and further from the grave, he could still feel their eyes on him¡­ like a quiet goodbye neither of them wanted to say out loud.

 Unseen Eyes

    The cold remnants of last night''s rain still clung to the earth, the scent of damp soil and wet bark filling the crisp February air. Pale sunlight flickered through the skeletal branches of the surrounding trees, casting uneven shadows across the clearing where two figures stood. The ground beneath them was still soft from the rain, but neither seemed concerned.


    Elsera Kelyndor adjusted her stance, exhaling as she steeled herself. She was tall for a woman, standing at 173 cm, her frame lean but deceptively strong. Her long, violet hair, normally pristine, was now loosely tied back, stray strands clinging to her face from sweat and exertion. Unlike the elaborate gowns she usually wore as the bastard daughter of a noble, today she had dressed for battle. Her outfit consisted of a fitted black tunic with silver embroidery tracing the edges, snug leather gloves, and dark trousers tucked into knee-high boots. Over her tunic, she wore a deep blue waistcoat, cinched tightly to her frame, marked with the subtle sigil of her house. The outfit balanced functionality and status, allowing her to move freely without abandoning her noble identity.


    Across from her stood Darius Bane, He was 178 cm tall, broad-shouldered, and carried himself with a confidence that came from years of experience. His striking red hair, loosely tied at the back, cascaded over his pauldrons, framing his sharp crimson eyes. Eyes that gleamed with unshaken composure. Unlike Elsera, he remained utterly untouched by exertion. His pristine white tunic, adorned with black and gold armor, bore the symbol of the royal order. Every part of him, from his attire to his presence, exuded the aura of a warrior far beyond her reach.


    Elsera wiped sweat from her brow. Her breathing was uneven, but her resolve was unshaken. She raised her hands, Essentia surging to life at her fingertips.


    "Again," she said.


    Darius exhaled through his nose, the closest thing to amusement he ever showed.


    "You''re stubborn. But fine. Show me what you''ve learned."


    Elsera didn''t waste a second. With a flick of her wrist, a sharp blade of wind tore through the air toward him. It was nearly invisible, moving fast enough to cut through steel. But Darius merely tilted his head, sidestepping it as though he had predicted it before she even cast it.


    She clenched her fists. The moment his feet touched the ground, she followed up, sweeping her hand forward. A torrent of water surged from her palm, twisting mid-air as it transformed into jagged spears, aimed straight for him.


    Darius finally drew his sword. With a single, effortless swing, the glowing blue runes along the blade shimmered, cutting through the water as if it were nothing. The force of his swing sent a shockwave outward, rippling through the clearing.


    Elsera barely managed to shield herself, raising a wall of wind to absorb the impact. Even so, she skidded back, boots digging into the damp soil.


    Her heart pounded. This wasn''t a fight.


    It was a lesson.


    And she hadn''t even managed to make him move yet.


    Darius lowered his sword, expression unreadable.


    "You''re improving. But if you want to survive against real threats, you''ll have to be faster. More precise. Less predictable."


    Elsera grit her teeth.


    "Then hit me seriously."


    Darius tilted his head.


    "You sure?"


    "Yes."


    In the next instant, he vanished.


    Elsera barely registered the hilt of his sword slamming into her gut before the world blurred. Her breath hitched, and before she could react, Darius was already behind her. A sharp strike to the neck, not enough to break anything, but more than enough to knock her unconscious.


    Her vision darkened.


    The last thing she heard before the world faded was his voice, low and certain.


    "You keep improving day by day."


    Uh¡­ I lost again.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    I knew the difference in ranks was unimaginable, but I never thought the gap would be this overwhelming. Even though I told him to take me seriously, Darius didn''t hesitate to land his blows. He got used to hitting me so quickly¡­


    At least let me hit you once, damn it.


    My body aching, the taste of blood faint on my tongue. I really am weak¡­


    My name is Elsera Kelyndor, and I am eighteen years old.


    Eight months ago, I received one of the nine marks.


    Beran Kelyndor, a middle-rank noble, is my father. My mother was just a maid in his household. When she discovered she was pregnant with me, she panicked. She didn''t know if my existence would be tolerated, whether I''d be discarded or used. So, she tried to run.


    But my father found out before she could escape.


    Even though he let her stay, my life wasn''t an easy one. A bastard child, no matter how noble her blood, is still just a stain in the eyes of the aristocracy. People looked down on me from the moment I could understand their whispers. But my father couldn''t just ignore me¡ªhis reputation wouldn''t allow it. Instead, he did what nobles do.


    He turned me into an investment.


    From a young age, I was trained relentlessly. He brought in instructors, hoping I''d awaken my Essentia Core and prove my worth. When I became a Novarion at the age of seven, he was ecstatic. He paraded me around, boasting to other nobles. After all, awakening that early wasn''t common.


    And when I advanced to Idem at nine, wielding two elements, the whispers changed. Genius. Prodigy. A rising star.


    But then¡­ I stopped.


    No matter how much I trained, I couldn''t progress further. My talent, once praised, became meaningless. The same people who once called me a prodigy began looking at me with pity. Or worse, disdain. My father no longer had a reason to boast. And just like before, my mother and I were pushed aside.


    Then, eight months ago, everything changed.


    I was chosen.


    One of the nine marks appeared on my skin, a mark that grants its bearer the right to compete for the throne. No one fully understands these marks, but rumors say they accelerate one''s growth, pushing them beyond their limits.


    And maybe there''s some truth to it.


    Since receiving the mark, I''ve changed. I feel stronger. Even Darius, my assigned Scion, admitted I''m different from before. But it''s not enough. I still can''t break through.


    And because of this mark, countless people have come for my life. Assassins. Mercenaries. Even other nobles.


    But I didn''t hide.


    I didn''t run like some of the others did.


    I chose to stay in the light and push forward.


    Now, only four months remain until the one-year mark.


    I have to break through.


    "Sera¡­"


    A voice?


    "Is¡­ to wake¡­"


    "Elsera."


    Her eyes snapped open, a sharp gasp tearing from her throat. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, the lingering echoes of unconsciousness leaving her body heavy.


    "How long was I out?" Her voice was hoarse.


    Darius''s voice was firm, steady.


    "Hmm, around thirty seconds."


    Elsera exhaled sharply, trying to steady her breath. Sweat clung to her forehead, her muscles burning from exertion. She had pushed herself harder than before, yet it still wasn''t enough.


    "That was longer than before."


    Darius, standing tall with an easygoing expression, smirked.


    She''s improving.


    He replied, rolling his shoulders,


    "I hit you a little harder this time."


    Elsera shot him a cold glare.


    Darius simply chuckled, completely unbothered.


    Her irritation flared. Even after all this training, the gap between them remained insurmountable. A faint breeze swirled around her fingers, her Essentia instinctively responding to her frustration.


    Darius raised an eyebrow, intrigued.


    She still has enough left to fight?


    But before she could unleash her next attack, an eager voice interrupted.


    "Lady Elsera! That last move was incredible! One moment, mist covered everything, and then you just¡­"


    Elsera sighed, cutting him off.


    "Oh, Rowan. You were watching?"


    Rowan beamed. "Yes! Me and the others saw everything! You were amazing! And Sir Scion Darius. What was that technique? I swear you disappeared for a second!"


    Darius laughed.


    "You''re full of energy, Rowan."


    Rowan straightened, puffing his chest.


    "Yes, sir!"


    Darius, amused by the boy''s enthusiasm, laughed even harder.


    The moment of levity didn''t last.


    Elsera''s voice turned sharp.


    "Rowan. If you have time to chat, you should be training. You''re close to breaking through to Idem, but you haven''t yet. Focus."


    Rowan stiffened, his excitement fading.


    "Yes, Lady Elsera. You''re right. I''ll go get the others and resume training."


    Darius sighed.


    "You should let them rest, Elsera. They''ve been pushing themselves without pause for eight months..."


    Elsera hesitated. Before she could respond, Rowan cut in.


    "No, sir. Lady Elsera is right. We''re not here for a vacation. I''ll return to training immediately."


    Both Elsera and Darius exchanged glances. They knew Rowan''s dedication, but also how close he was to breaking


    Elsera''s voice softened.


    "Wait, Rowan. Darius is right. Resting is just as important as training. You need to recover your Essentia, too."


    Darius nodded.


    "That''s right. Let''s take the rest of the day off. We leave in two days, anyway."


    Elsera exhaled, relenting.


    "Fine. Let''s get something to eat and call it a day."


    Rowan hesitated, uneasy at the idea of rest, but nodded.


    "Alright. I''ll tell the others."


    Suddenly, Darius''s usual warmth disappeared, his expression turning dark.


    "Before that," he muttered, "We have something else to deal with."


    Rowan frowned.


    "What do you mean?"


    Darius turned away from them, his tone sharp.


    "You. Hiding behind the trees. Come out."


    Silence.


    Elsera''s stance shifted, unease creeping in. She hadn''t sensed anyone nearby, but Darius had.


    Darius sighed, his hand drifting to the hilt of his sword.


    Rowan''s eyes widened. Someone had been watching them?


    A hum filled the air as blue Essentia flickered along the blade''s edge.


    Slash.


    A single swing tore through the air. Despite the distance, over twenty meters, the force of the strike cleaved through everything in its path. Trees splintered, and dust swirled around them.


    Elsera''s narrowed eyes shifted to the wreckage.


    "Did you kill them?"


    Rowan stood frozen, unable to speak. He hadn''t even seen Darius unsheathe his sword.


    Darius exhaled deeply.


    "No. Just one person. I didn''t aim to kill."


    Elsera scanned the debris.


    "Come out now."


    Another pause.


    Then, a faint movement.


    A boy appeared from behind the fallen trees.


    He was around Elsera''s height, but his crimson eyes were the first thing to catch her attention¡ªsharper than even Darius''s. His blonde hair was matted with dirt, unkempt as though he''d been in the wild for months. His clothes were torn, hanging off his malnourished frame.


    Elsera broke the silence first.


    "Just a kid¡­"


    "Hey, Darius¡­ did you just try to kill a kid?"


    Darius blinked. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. Finally, he muttered,


    "I¡­ didn''t sense the presence of a kid¡­"


    Elsera softened, her gaze lingering on the boy.


    "What''s your name?"


    Silence.


    Darius sighed.


    "Sorry, kid. Can you tell us your name?"


    More silence.


    Then, the boy spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.


    "Vani."


    The name hit them all like a wave.


    Elsera''s brows furrowed.


    "Is that your name?"


    The boy met her gaze unwaveringly.


    "Yes. My name is Vani."

 A name to Remember

    Vani trudged through the dense forest, his steps slow and unsteady. His body felt weak, his throat dry, and his stomach twisted in hunger. It had been two months since he left the village, and in all that time, he hadn''t seen another living soul. The last faces he had encountered were Sophia''s and Pinky''s.


    He had money, but it was useless here. He hadn''t prepared enough before leaving. Hunting was difficult, and most of his meals had been scraps¡ªwild berries, edible roots, and whatever small creatures he could catch. It wasn''t enough. He was exhausted, barely able to keep going.


    Ugh. How much longer do I have to walk?


    The woods stretched endlessly before him, and though he had no map, he hoped he was nearing a village or a city... somewhere he could finally eat a proper meal and regain his strength. His ragged breath came in shallow puffs, the cold air biting at his skin. If he had to spend another night in this damp, unforgiving wilderness, he might just go crazy.


    Then... movement.


    At first, he thought it was just the rustling of leaves in the wind. But no, the noise was rhythmic, deliberate. He crouched, instinct taking over, and pressed himself against the rough bark of a tree. Carefully, he peeked out.


    Two figures stood in the clearing ahead. A woman and a man. The woman''s stance was firm, her hands raised as Essentia swirled around her. She wasn''t just fighting... she was training. The man stood with a relaxed but commanding presence, his tone calm yet teasing.


    Vani''s eyes narrowed as he observed them. He could feel the intensity of their exchange, the clash of Essentia, the sharp gusts of wind as they struck at one another. His heart pounded. He had never seen anything like this before.


    So he stayed hidden, watching.


    Wow, this is crazy... I can''t even see their moves clearly, especially the red-haired guy. It feels like he''s just playing around... No, even the girl... She''s using Essentia in a completely different way than I am.


    For the past two months, I''ve trained my Shadowbolt almost every day. I''ve managed to control it to a certain extent and use it more freely than when I started, but it doesn''t even come close to her level... She''s gathering Essentia from the surroundings. It''s not coming directly from her core like how I''m doing it. I didn''t even know that was possible.


    Hmm? She''s saying something to him... Did they finish?


    "Hit me seriously."


    Wow, she''s crazy. It''s obvious the red-haired guy is helping her improve and isn''t fighting seriously. If he actually hit her with full force, she''d definitely die. I''m curious... What will he do?


    Huh? He disappeared? Wait... when did he get in front of her?


    Oh. She''s on the ground... Did he actually hit her? Damn, is she dead? Poor soul.


    But thanks to this, I''ve confirmed what was worrying me.


    First, the way I was using Shadowbolt was definitely wrong. Now, I have an idea of how to do it better.


    Second, the gap between ranks is massive. Forget about the guy... even the girl could kill me before I even move. I should avoid people stronger than me for now.


    And third, the mark on her hand... I can''t see it clearly from here, but it looks like some kind of flower. The moment I saw it, I felt it... she''s one of the heirs. And if they''re here, that means a village or city isn''t too far away. Hahaha, I can finally eat real food and take a bath.


    I''d like to watch them a little longer, but...


    Huh? Another person just appeared when I didn''t pay attention. And he looks as strong as Walter was. I feel like I could fight him.


    No, there''s no time for those kinds of thoughts, I shouldn''t stay here any longer. More people could come. It''s better to leave before they find me.


    But just as he turned to slip away, a voice rang out.


    "You. Hiding behind the trees. Come out."


    Huh? Is someone else hiding?


    No...


    There''s no way...


    Shit... he actually found me, didn''t he?


    He''s looking right this way.


    And why is Essentia gathering around his sword?


    Damn... should I go out and reveal myself? They don''t seem like bad people, but because of the girl''s mark, they might see me as an enemy...


    What should I do?


    Just as this thought flew through his mind...


    Slash.


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    A force tore through the air above his head, cutting down all the trees around him.


    Holy shit... That would have definitely killed me. There''s no way I could''ve dodged that¡ªI didn''t even see the attack coming. This guy is insane. Why tell me to come out if you''re just going to try to kill me in the next few seconds?


    No... if he really wanted to kill me, I''d already be dead. He didn''t aim to take my life. Was it a warning? If I don''t come out, will he actually kill me...?


    "How about you come out now?"


    Huh? That''s the girl''s voice...


    Agh, whatever. I can''t run away anyway. I should go out before the crazy guy launches another attack...


    "Is this just a kid...?"


    "Hey, Darius... did you just try to kill a kid?"


    That''s right.


    "I... I definitely didn''t sense the presence of a kid¡­"


    What kind of presence did you feel then? You insane bastard...


    "What''s your name?"


    Shouldn''t you tell me your name first?


    "Sorry, kid. Can you tell us your name?"


    Sigh. Hopeless bastards.


    "My name is Vani..."


    And just like that, their first encounter began.


    Elsera asked.


    "So... Vani... what are you doing in a place like this?"


    I expected this question. Telling the truth here shouldn''t be a problem.


    "I''m heading to the capital, but I left without preparing properly... and I got lost."


    Her eyes widened in surprise.


    "Alone?"


    "Yes..."


    She doesn''t look satisfied with my answer... but I told the truth, though.


    Her gaze shifted to Darius, but he looked just as speechless as she did.


    Then Rowan spoke up.


    "Ohh, I get it! You''re from Dunwick, right? And you''re running away to the capital because of that crazy orphan killer from your neighboring village, Ashenford?"


    What? I''m from Ashenford, though... And crazy orphan killer? What the hell is that?


    Darius looked just as confused as Vani was.


    "Crazy orphan killer?" he asked, turning to Rowan.


    Rowan nodded before explaining. "Yeah. Before we came here, I heard a rumor that an orphan from Ashenford awakened as a Novarion and started killing normal people... brutally. They say he even went to a brothel, dragged a woman up to the VIP floor, and when people tried to stop him, he killed someone to make an example. Then, after he had his fun, he stabbed the woman in the stomach and just... left her there."


    Silence.


    All eyes were on Rowan.


    Wow. Who the hell spread those rumors about me? Sophia... I trusted you...


    I haven''t met anyone in two months. So I didn''t hear anything about those rumors. But... this could actually work in my favor.


    "Huh? Why are you all looking at me like that?"


    Rowan''s gaze bounced between Elsera, Darius, and vani, his face practically begging for someone to say something.


    Vani exhaled and nodded. "Yeah... that''s right. I left because of the... crazy orphan killer."


    Rowan''s face lit up with a wide smile, satisfied that he hadn''t been wrong.


    Darius glanced at Elsera. "What should we do?"


    Elsera folded her arms. "Do you think the kid is a threat?"


    Darius hesitated, then shook his head. "I don''t know... he''s definitely awakened, but he''s not stronger than Rowan."


    Elsera smirked. "Then let''s let him stay for now. We can always get rid of a kid if needed."


    Then she turned toward Vani. "Hey, kid. We can talk while we eat, so come with us."


    I don''t want to follow you though... but I have no choice, right? Maybe I can get more information if I play my cards right.


    And just like that, they all started moving, leading Vani toward the others.


    The moment they arrived at their camp, Vani saw five more people.


    The area was arranged with trees laid out in a triangular shape, likely serving as makeshift seating. In the center, a bonfire flickered, probably used to keep them warm while they ate or talked late into the night. A little further away, 4 tents stood in a row¡­ but one stood out. It looked far more luxurious than the others.


    He didn''t need to ask who it belonged to.


    Elsera crossed her arms and spoke.


    "Go sit by the bonfire. We''ll bring you something to eat after we''ve talked with everyone."


    Vani nodded and made his way to the bonfire.


    They don''t seem like bad people, but the red-haired guy and the girl still seem wary of me. But more importantly... I just confirmed something.


    The mark on her hand.


    It''s a symmetrical black floral emblem, with four rounded, petal-like shapes extending outward from a small central circle. It''s different from mine.


    Two months ago, on the day Vani left his village, his forearm started burning slightly. Small black dots formed on his skin. At first, he thought it was just a side effect of his awakening and ignored it. But two hours later, the pain became unbearable. It felt like he was being burned alive while someone carved something deep into his flesh with a knife. He watched as black lines took shape, twisting into a design he couldn''t yet recognize.


    He endured it for an hour, rolling on the ground, slipping in and out of consciousness. The pain was so unbearable that, for the first time in his life, he genuinely considered ending it all just to make it stop.


    And then, it was over.


    A stylized bird with a gracefully curved body and a regal crest atop its head. Its tail extended in elegant, swirling lines, adorned with leaf-like shapes and small circular accents, giving it an intricate, flowing design.


    It was a deep black imprint.


    A mark.


    The moment Vani realized what it was, he tore a piece of his clothing and wrapped it around his forearm, pretending it was a wound. He hadn''t known at the time that covering it would prevent people from recognizing it as a mark. But he was lucky¡ªso far, no one has suspected anything.


    Now he just had to make sure no one saw it.


    But this was bad. He never expected to run into another marked individual while wandering through the woods. He didn''t know what kind of person she was. Until he did, he should avoid letting them know about his mark.


    He was still lost in thought when they all started making their way toward the bonfire. Some sat on the trees, while others leaned against them, resting their backs. A girl carrying a wooden box sat next to him.


    She looked around his age, maybe a little younger. Her long, slightly messy white hair framed her pale blue eyes, and furred ears twitched atop her head. She wore a simple black tunic beneath an off-white linen cloak, paired with dark trousers and scuffed leather boots. Her clothes were practical and well-worn, suited for a traveler.


    With a gentle flick of her wrist, she tossed a small wisp of Essentia into the bonfire, making it burn gently.


    The moment she did, all eyes turned to him.


    Just from their stares, he could tell. He wasn''t welcome here.


    "My name is Tessa. I heard your name is Vani. Is that right?"


    The girl beside him was the first to speak.


    He simply nodded.


    Immediately, they all started whispering amongst themselves.


    Did I do something wrong? Why are they looking at me like that¡­?


    The whispers stopped when a sharp clap echoed through the air. Elsera.


    She spoke, her voice firm.


    "It''s a little late for introductions, but from the guy sitting across from you, starting from his right until me, their names are Darius, Rowan, Garrik, Lioren, Varik, and Sylas. As you already know, the girl next to you is Tessa. And I''m Elsera."


    "Tessa and I are both Idem. Darius is a Verdan. The others are Novarions, just like you."


    "I''ll say this as nicely as I can, don''t try anything stupid, and we won''t do anything to you."


    She paused, then raised her arm, showing him her forearm.


    "As you''ve probably already noticed, I''m one of the marked heirs."


    Well, that explains why they''re so wary of me.


    The real problem here is Darius. He keeps staring at me.


    I feel like if I so much as move the wrong way, he''ll kill me.


    "That''s right." A voice cut through the air. "So if you want to stay here¡­ how about you tell us your real name instead of whatever you made up?"


    Vani turned toward the source.


    Was this guy Varik? And what the hell does he mean by my real name?


    "Is there something wrong with my name?" Vani asked, confused.


    Varik''s brows furrowed. "HUH? Are you crazy? Who in the world would name their son like that?"


    "But I''m serious," Vani replied. "At least¡­ that''s what my mother always called me."


    Silence.


    The moment those words left his mouth, the entire atmosphere shifted.


    They all looked completely stunned.


    ¡­Is my name really that weird?


    Nobody ever questioned him about it before.


    "You said your mother called you that," Tessa spoke up. "So that could just be a nickname. What we''re asking for is your full name. Your family name."


    My full name¡­ I never asked my mother what our family name was¡­


    But just as he was about to answer, a memory surfaced.


    A memory of him, pretending to be asleep one night before his mother returned home.


    He remembered how she came into his room, sat on his bed, and hugged him.


    And he remembered her voice.


    "I heard you got into a fight today because some kid was making fun of me for working in a brothel¡­ It makes me happy that you stood up for me, but you shouldn''t beat up other kids."


    "Your father named you Vanity because when you were born, he looked into your eyes and said they were empty. That no matter what path you chose, it would end in futility. But I disagreed."


    "To me, you were radiant¡­ full of life beyond compare. So remember, whenever you feel lost or defeated, you are Vanity Von Vessaire. The one who will walk a path even the gods cannot foresee."


    She never mentioned my father before that. Or after.


    I wonder if he''s still alive.


    "So?" Tessa''s voice pulled him back to the present. "Can you tell us your real name?"


    He let out a quiet breath, pushing the memory aside for now.


    Right now, he needed to focus on this.


    Regaining his composure, he met their eyes and spoke with a steady voice.


    "My full name is¡­ Vanity Von Vessaire."

 Echoes of the Unwritten

    Fifteen minutes had passed since Vani told them his real name.


    In those fifteen minutes, not a single word was spoken. Not one.


    Some of them stared at him with uncertain expressions, their eyes clouded with something he couldn''t quite place¡­ pity, doubt, maybe even suspicion. Others avoided his gaze entirely, as if unsure how to respond. The flickering bonfire cast shifting shadows across their faces, making it even harder to read their thoughts.


    But what was certain was the silence. Thick. Unyielding. Pressing down on him like an unseen weight.


    And then, at last, someone broke the silence.


    Darius crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "Is that really your real name?"


    Vani let out a small sigh.


    "Yes, it''s my real name. Is that so hard to believe?"


    Darius shook his head.


    "No, it''s just¡­ kind of a unique name."


    "Is that so?" Vani tilted his head slightly. "No one in my village ever said anything about it being strange."


    Darius raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"


    "Yes. So, can we stop making such a big fuss about my name?"


    Darius went quiet at that, but before he could respond, Tessa stepped forward. "Alright, give me your hand."


    Vani blinked. "My hand?"


    "Yes, your right hand. Give it to me."


    "Why?"


    Tessa sighed. "Darius noticed you have bandages on your forearm. That''s why I sat here. I was waiting for things to settle before treating your wound. I wanted to make sure you didn''t have any bad intentions first."


    Darius frowned. "Wait, Tessa. We haven''t confirmed anything yet."


    Tessa cut him off. "Confirmed what? We''re making such a big deal over his name. Even if he used a fake one, so what? We''re all strangers here. Not telling us his real name wouldn''t be that unusual."


    Vani''s voice was firm. "No, it is my real name. I''m not lying about it."


    Tessa raised a brow. "Really? That''s actually crazy."


    Vani tensed, his expression darkening. "I feel like you''re insulting my mother right now."


    Tessa immediately waved her hands. "No, no! That''s not what I meant. I don''t have such intentions, I swear. Just¡­ stop worrying about it and give me your hand."


    Shit¡­ can''t you mind your own business? I can''t let any of you see my hand.


    Tessa crossed her arms, her patience wearing thin. "Come on, hurry up. Give me your hand."


    Vani hesitated, pulling his arm slightly closer to his body. "It''s fine. It''s nothing you should be worried about."


    That only made everyone more suspicious.


    Tessa let out an exaggerated sigh. "Just give me your hand already. We don''t have all the time in the world."


    Vani exhaled slowly, choosing his words carefully. "It''s fine," he insisted. "It''s not a wound or anything dangerous. It''s just¡­ a scar. I don''t like leaving it uncovered, so I¡­"


    Elsera cut him off.


    "It''s fine Tessa, if he said he is not hurt then leave him be."


    Thank you.


    "But," she continued, "tell us about yourself, Vani."


    "What do you want to know?" he asked.


    "Anything. How did you get that scar? Why did you actually leave your village? Why are you heading to the capital and so on."


    I guess I have no choice.


    After giving them a partial version of the truth, carefully avoiding anything about the mark on his hand, Vani managed to gather some useful information.


    They were heading to Blackmere City, moving at a steady pace toward the capital. Three months¡­ that was how long they estimated it would take to get there. They weren''t in a rush, but they weren''t moving aimlessly either. The reason for their slow pace was something called the Heir Gathering.


    Elsera explained that she didn''t know much about the other marked individuals, only that their existence was public knowledge. Unlike Vani, she had never hidden her mark. Instead, she used it to build a reputation for herself, hoping to secure a stronger foothold before the gathering. Apparently, at this event, nobles from all over the kingdom would attend, offering their support to those they saw as valuable. Of course, their motives weren''t pure¡­ alliances were built on mutual benefit, not kindness.


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    Every marked person was required to attend the gathering. What happened if someone refused? No one knew for sure. Some rumors claimed that the kingdom would hunt them down and kill them. Others believed the punishment wasn''t as severe, but no one had tested it yet.


    Another major part of this gathering was the assignment of the Nine Scions. One by one, each of the nine would be paired with a marked heir. But none of them had made a choice yet¡­ except Darius.


    That made Vani wonder. Why did Darius pick Elsera before the gathering even began? What did he see in her that the others didn''t? He wanted to ask, but something told him it wasn''t the right time.


    Beyond that, the only thing Elsera knew for certain was that after one year, the rules of the game would change. Only the king himself understood what would happen next. Would the marked be protected? Abandoned? Forced into conflict? No one knew. And that uncertainty bothered him more than he wanted to admit.


    He didn''t want any part of this battle for the throne.


    Darius also took a moment to explain the Essentia Core ranks, something Vani had only heard bits and pieces about. The power system was structured as follows from lowest to highest.


    Novarion


    Idem


    Verdan


    Sypheris


    Vaelstrum


    Onirith


    Zenorith


    There were two more ranks beyond Zenorith, but Darius dismissed them as irrelevant. According to him, no human had ever reached those levels. Even among Zenoriths, there were only a handful in existence¡­ so few that you could count them on one hand. Those final two ranks were meant for something else¡­ mystic beasts and creatures beyond human understanding. And above even them? That was the realm of the gods.


    The fact that they were surprised by how little he knew about the kingdom actually worked in his favor. The less he spoke, the more information they fed him.


    He learned that the kingdom was called Solmire, ruled by King Edryon Solmire, a man in his fifties. He rarely intervened in the kingdom''s affairs, preferring to let his appointed nobles handle things¡­ unless a situation truly required his attention. His Essentia rank was Vaelstrum, meaning he was among the strongest people alive.


    The kingdom was divided into four major territories, each governed by a noble:


    The Western Territory, where Vani''s village was located, was ruled by Lord Darius Evernigh. He was an enigmatic and dangerous ruler, known for controlling his lands directly rather than appointing mayors or chiefs. Verdan-ranked, just like Darius. Elsera warned him that crossing him would be a mistake.


    The Eastern Territory belonged to Duchess Selene Valtara, a cunning noblewoman who thrived in political manipulation. Unlike the others, she preferred diplomacy over warfare, earning a reputation as a pacifist. But pacifist didn''t mean harmless. Her Essentia rank was Idem¡­ not particularly strong in battle, but strength wasn''t the only weapon that mattered.


    The Southern Territory was ruled by Marquis Alistair Cindren, a noble obsessed with honor, loyalty, and military strength. His forces were among the most disciplined in the kingdom. Like Lord Darius, he was Verdan-ranked.


    And then there was Lord Alastair Valtore, ruler of the Northern Territory. Unlike the others, his power didn''t come from land¡­ it came from military dominance and unwavering loyalty to the crown. He was a man who cared little for politics and nobility, focusing solely on the kingdom''s security. His Essentia rank was Sypheris, making him one of the strongest humans in Solmire.


    Elsera also added an odd little remark.


    "Oh, and¡­ he''s too tall, too handsome, and he never smiles."


    The way these nobles ruled their territories differed as well. Duchess Selene and Marquis Alistair appointed Chiefs to manage their cities and villages. Lord Darius preferred direct control, which explained why Vani''s village never had a leader. Lord Alastair barely governed at all, focusing entirely on warfare instead.


    Beyond them, there were the Hexarchs¡­ six high-ranking nobles who acted as the king''s advisors, handling political and administrative matters.


    Elsera admitted that she was doing everything she could to gain noble support, but it wasn''t easy. Even with her mark, most nobles were hesitant to take a side.


    Vani also ate real food while they were talking. Finally, after almost two months. He wanted more, but the pot was empty¡­


    The biggest problem right now is that every heir is obligated to participate in this gathering. I don''t wanna participate but I don''t wanna be hunted down either.


    "By the way, Elsera, is there no possibility where you can give up on the mark?"


    "Lady Elsera," she replied.


    "What?" Vani asked, confused.


    "We are not buddies, so I won''t allow you to call me Elsera."


    ¡­Crazy woman.


    "Can you please answer my question, Lady Elsera?"


    "No."


    ....


    "You can take the mark, but you can''t give it." Darius replied.


    Vani frowned. "I heard you have to kill someone to take the mark. Is that true?"


    Darius exchanged a glance with Elsera before answering. "Yes. As far as we know, killing is the only way to claim a mark."


    So, do I have no choice but to attend?


    Darius shifted the conversation. "Since you awakened while training as a kid, how about a fight tomorrow? You''ve never had a real battle before, right? You can go up against Rowan."


    That was one of the half-truths Vani had told them. He hadn''t mentioned the deaths. He hadn''t talked about his mother. Saying too much could lead to one terrifying realization¡­ that he was the crazy orphan killer.


    Across from him, Rowan crossed his arms. "Are you sure? He''s still a kid."


    Darius looked at Vani. "It''ll help you improve."


    Vani sighed. "I''ll hear you out first before making a decision."


    Darius laid out the conditions:


    Leaving the designated area meant a loss.


    Vani could choose any weapon they provided, but he had to return it afterward.


    The fight would end when one of them landed a clean hit, but the witnesses would have to confirm it.


    A practice fight.


    Honestly, this works in his favor. Since Rowan has been training for a long time. The win condition is just landing a clean hit, so the gap between us isn''t impossible to bridge. But still¡­ I''m still at a disadvantage.


    Plus I don''t want to use Shadowbolt. Not yet. It''s my trump card. But judging by their expressions, I don''t think, I have much of a choice.


    "Fine. I''ll do it," Vani finally said.


    Darius seemed pleased with the answer, but before the conversation could continue, Elsera crossed her arms and fixed at Vani with a sharp gaze. Her voice was cold.


    "By the way, Vani, what did you hear when you awakened as a Novarion?"


    Huh?


    Is she talking about that voice?


    The voice that had spoken in my head... the one that had told me¡ªCongratulations. You''ve awakened your energy core?


    Rowan cut in before Vani could think further. "Oh, that''s right! You didn''t tell us. What did you hear?"


    Vani frowned. "Are you asking about the voice that spoke when my energy core awakened?"


    Elsera gave a slight nod.


    So, he told them.


    The room fell silent as his words lingered in the air.


    "A path once closed to you has been unlocked."


    Elsera murmured the words under her breath.


    Vani narrowed his eyes. "Is that¡­ something unique?"


    She hesitated. "It''s... different."


    Apparently, when someone awakened, they heard a voice¡ªsomething called the World Voice. It was an announcement, informing them that their Energy Core had awakened and that they had become a Novarion. But what came after was always unique. Different for everyone.


    Elsera''s voice was thoughtful as she continued, "I heard, ''A flower will bloom.''"


    Darius spoke next, his tone unreadable. "''A red rain will fall.''"


    Rowan scratched the back of his head. "Mine was kinda weird. It just said, ''Avoid the dog.''"


    Tessa, who had been quiet all this time, finally chimed in. "''Avoid the full moon.''"


    Others had heard things like Work hard, Don''t give up, and Keep moving forward.


    But A path once closed to you has been unlocked?


    No one had ever heard something like that before.


    "Nobody knows where the voice comes from," Elsera continued. "You only hear it when you first awaken as a Novarion¡­ and then once more when you reach Sypheris rank. But beyond that, no one has heard it again."


    The voice either warned, congratulated, or motivated in some way. It was never more than a single phrase.


    "For me," Elsera mused, "I think mine predicted my fate as a Marked One. The flower could have been a reference to the mark on my hand."


    Rowan nodded.


    "In my case, I was in a city once, and there was this illusion of a dog. It looked completely real. But if you tried to pet it¡­ it exploded. If I hadn''t remembered the voice''s warning, I would have died right then and there."


    Tessa shifted uncomfortably.


    "For me, something terrible happened on a full moon. If I hadn''t stayed inside that night, I wouldn''t be here right now."


    Vani turned to Darius, but his expression had darkened. His usual calm, unshakable presence wavered, just for a moment. Something haunted him.


    Vani decided not to ask.


    Whatever he had heard¡­ it wasn''t something he wanted to share.


    A heavy silence settled over the group.


    "...Do you think it''s a bad sign?"


    Elsera shook her head. "Not necessarily."


    "Then what do you think it means?"


    She hesitated.


    "I don''t know. We can only guess at the hints."


    Vani frowned.


    Suddenly, a memory surfaced. His mother''s voice, whispering his real name.


    She had told him something back then.


    A path that even the gods cannot foresee.


    Wait.


    What does that¡­ mean?


    Just as they were all lost in thought, a voice broke the silence.


    "It''s kinda late, so I''m gonna sleep."


    Another voice followed.


    "Yeah, we should all get some rest. I''m heading to bed too."


    Vani turned toward the speakers. It was Lioren and Garrik.


    A brief silence passed before Elsera spoke up.


    "Yeah, let''s call it a night." Then, as if remembering something, she added, "Oh, right. We don''t have a tent for you, Vani. Each tent is shared between two people, so you''ll have to sleep with Darius and Rowan."


    Vani frowned. "It''s fine. I can just sleep outside. I don''t want to bother them."


    Neither Darius nor Rowan looked bothered in the slightest, but still¡­ he had never shared a sleeping space with other men before. It felt strange.


    Rowan waved off the concern. "Nah, don''t worry about it. There''s plenty of space."


    Darius gave a small nod of confirmation.


    With no other choice, Vani accepted.


    And just like that, everyone quietly drifted off to sleep.

 First Clash

    A crisp morning breeze slipped through the fabric of the tent, carrying the faint rustle of leaves and the soft whisper of snowfall. The world outside was quiet, muffled by the thick layer of white settling over the forest.


    Inside, warmth lingered from shared body heat, but Vani stirred as something disturbed his sleep. A dull thud, followed by a sharp pressure against his ribs.


    Rowan, still deep in slumber, had rolled over and smacked him in his sleep.


    Vani exhaled, blinking sleepily at the dim light filtering through the tent''s entrance. He was surprisingly relaxed, far more than he had been in weeks. After two months of sleeping on the cold ground or whatever improvised bedding he could manage, the simple comfort of a tent felt almost luxurious.


    Shifting slightly, he glanced toward Darius, who remained motionless, seemingly unaffected by the cold or the cramped space.


    Vani sat up carefully, making sure not to wake Rowan or Darius. He moved slowly, slipping out of the tent as quietly as possible.


    The moment he stepped outside, the crisp morning air hit him. The cold from the snow lingered in the air, sharp but refreshing. He took a deep breath, letting it fill his lungs as he glanced around. The campsite was still, the soft crunch of snow under his feet the only sound.


    Then, his eyes landed on Tessa.


    Vani started walking toward her.


    She was near the bonfire, focused on preparing breakfast. It seemed like she had been up for a while, moving with practiced ease as she tended to the food. The faint smell of something cooking mixed with the crisp morning air.


    When he reached her, he gave a small nod.


    "Good morning."


    Tessa looked up at him with a small smile.


    "You''ll have to wait a little longer for breakfast,"


    Breakfast, huh?


    Just hearing the word made Vani pause. It had been so long since he had a proper meal. Yesterday''s dinner had already felt unreal, and now he was about to have breakfast too. The thought was almost strange. For months, he had survived on scraps, whatever he could find in the wild. Nothing like this.


    As he stood there watching her work, Tessa suddenly walked over, holding a small wooden cup.


    "Here." She said, handing it to him.


    "You can drink this until I finish preparing breakfast."


    Vani took the cup, feeling the faint warmth seep into his fingers. Steam rose from the dark liquid inside. He lifted it slightly, inhaling the scent. It was earthy, with a hint of bitterness.


    Taking a sip, he let the flavor settle on his tongue. The bitterness was the first thing he noticed, but there was a subtle, almost smoky aftertaste. It wasn''t the best tea he had ever had, but it was warm. And right now, that was enough.


    Vani thanked her, but instead of responding, Tessa glanced at his clothes and frowned.


    "Do you not have any other clothes? This one looks like garbage."


    Vani stayed silent for a moment, thinking about how unprepared he had been when he left the village. He hadn''t packed spare clothes, supplies, or anything useful, he just took the money his mother hid and what Sophia gave him. And after that he just simply left.


    Since he didn''t reply, Tessa sighed and said,


    "You can ask Rowan for some spare clothes. He''s just a bit taller than you, so they should fit fine."


    Vani took another sip of the tea, letting the warmth settle in his chest.


    "No, I don''t wanna be a bother. These are fine."


    She looked at him for a moment before replying.


    "Fine."


    A few moments of silence passed before they heard a voice.


    "Good morning."


    It was Darius.


    With a bright smile, he walked over.


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    "Vani, you woke up early."


    Vani took another sip of his tea before replying,


    "Yes."


    Oh... my cup is empty¡­ It was really good.


    Darius looked at Vani and asked.


    "Are you ready for today''s fight?"


    Vani''s gaze remained on the empty cup as he replied.


    "Well, you said I can improve, so I''m looking forward to it."


    Darius noticed something different about him. His demeanor was calmer, colder than yesterday.


    Darius asked him.


    "Did you not sleep well?"


    But Vani was still staring at the cup


    "No, I slept well."


    But before he could say anything else, Tessa snatched the cup from his hands and poured another.


    "If you want another cup so bad, you can just ask for it. Jeez."


    She looked irritated.


    Vani blinked, surprised.


    "Oh. Sorry."


    ¡­I''m feeling like this again. I feel like I''m losing something, but I can''t figure out what¡­


    As time passed, the others woke up, and they had breakfast together. We talked about the fight and decided to do it right after eating, in the same spot where Elsera and Darius trained yesterday.


    At some point, Darius asked Vani if he uses any weapons. Vani didn''t know what to say. He had no real experience. He only used a knife a few times, but that was nothing close to a real fight.


    Darius suggested Vani should try a sword since Rowan used one too.


    He said I might have a talent for it. I doubted that.


    Once breakfast was over, they headed toward the spot.


    As they arrived at the training ground, Darius handed Vani a sword. The weapon felt unfamiliar in his grip, its weight slightly heavier than expected. He had never wielded a sword before, and now that he held one, the realization of his inexperience hit him harder than he expected.


    Rowan drew his own sword, and the moment he did, Vani noticed something about him. Normally, Rowan carried himself with an air of carefree naivety, speaking and acting without much thought. But now, all of that was gone. His expression was sharp, focused. Whether it was because he refused to lose or because he simply took every fight seriously, Vani couldn''t tell.


    Yet as he observed Rowan, the uneasy feeling that had been clawing at him since the night before only grew stronger. He was missing something. Something important. But no matter how hard he tried to grasp it, the answer remained just out of reach.


    Elsera raised her hand.


    "Begin!"


    Rowan lifted his sword with one hand, holding it in front of him as Essentia gathered around him. Small blue and yellow particles floated in the air, swirling toward his blade.


    Vani had yet to even unsheath his weapon.


    No time.


    The moment the energy condensed, a sharp instinct kicked in. If he didn''t move, he would die.


    His gaze flickered toward Darius, searching for some sign that this was going too far. But Darius only offered him a warm smile, as if this was exactly what he expected. That was when Vani understood. This wasn''t just a spar. Darius was testing him. That was the reason he suggested this fight in the first place.


    But there was no time to think.


    Rowan shouted.


    "Wave Cleaver!"


    The instant those words left his mouth, his sword pulsed with Essentia, expanding with a translucent blue aura that rippled like water. The blade extended, stretching into a crescent of fluid energy. Then, with a single motion, he swung.


    Vani knew. If that hits him, he dies.


    He had no time to think, no time to plan. His body moved on instinct.


    His fingers tightened around the unfamiliar grip of his sword as he drew it in a rush. It wasn''t steady, his form was all wrong, but he had no choice. He had to act.


    In that moment, he reached deep inside himself.


    The power surged forth.


    Black lightning crackled.


    Dark energy pulsed along the blade, splintering streaks of Shadowbolt snapping and crackling along the metal''s edge. He didn''t know how to wield a sword, but that didn''t matter now. He just needed to survive.


    Vani raised the sword to meet Rowan''s attack.


    The two forces collided.


    Wave Cleaver crashed into Shadowbolt.


    For a heartbeat, everything went still.


    Then¡­


    A violent shockwave erupted from the impact.


    Essentia howled as two opposing energies clashed. The watery crescent of Rowan''s Wave Cleaver surged forward, its liquid force pressing down like a crashing tide, while Vani''s Shadowbolt crackled in resistance, arcs of black lightning ripping through the air.


    The ground beneath them trembled.


    A deep, electric hum filled the space as the two forces struggled against each other, neither yielding immediately. Shadowbolt surged up the blade, flickering with unstable power, while Wave Cleaver pulsed and twisted, its form shifting like a living current.


    For a brief second, Vani thought he could hold on.


    Then¡­ His sword cracked.


    It was slight, just a faint fracture along the edge where Shadowbolt met Rowan''s strike. But it was enough.


    The moment his focus wavered, Rowan''s attack overpowered him.


    A final burst of energy tore through his defenses.


    The force sent Vani flying backward.


    His feet left the ground as the impact threw him across the field. His body hit the dirt hard, the breath knocked from his lungs. His grip on the sword loosened, and the weapon slipped from his grasp.


    Rowan remained standing, his Wave Cleaver still intact. Meanwhile, Vani''s Shadowbolt had already flickered out, the last remnants of black sparks fading into the air.


    He lay there, gasping, his fingers twitching from the lingering static. His arms felt numb, his body aching.


    He lost.


    Elsera crossed her arms as she spoke.


    "Rowan wins."


    Vani lay on the ground, staring up at the sky, his breath still uneven.


    I lost, huh? At least he survived.


    As he turned his head, his eyes met Darius''s. The man gave him a warm smile before walking away toward Elsera. Just then, Vani noticed movement from the corner of his eye, someone approaching.


    Tessa.


    She moved toward him with calm, measured steps, though her face looked vaguely annoyed.


    When she reached him, she spoke.


    "You''ve been here for one day, and you''re already so annoying."


    What did I even do¡­?


    She sighed and sat down beside him.


    "Can you move?"


    Vani tried, but his body refused to respond. It was like his limbs were made of stone.


    "I don''t think it''s possible right now. I can feel my body healing, but it''ll take a few hours before I can move again..."


    Not even when Walter beat and stabbed me did it take this long to recover. I was able to move as soon as my body started healing. Just what was that attack¡­? How was it so powerful¡­? I was a fool for thinking I had an advantage.


    Hearing his response, Tessa placed one hand on his chest and the other on his ribs.


    "Try not to move. It''ll only hurt more."


    I just told you I can''t move¡­


    The moment she said that, Vani felt a change. The pain dulled slightly, and he could feel Essentia flowing into his body through the points where she touched him. It was different from his own. Softer, more controlled. The energy carefully avoided his core as it wove through his body, repairing the damage. His bones felt like they were being forced to regrow at an unnatural speed, knitting themselves back together.


    Then the pain surged.


    A sharp, unbearable agony tore through him, so intense that he coughed up blood.


    Tessa spoke, her voice was steady.


    "Endure it a little longer. Your bones aren''t fully recovered. If you move too soon, they''ll break again, and you''ll be in even more pain."


    Vani clenched his jaw, gripping the dirt beneath him as he bore through it.


    As Tessa worked, Rowan approached. He hesitated, opening and closing his mouth as if struggling with something. Eventually, he clenched his fist and asked, frustration clear in his voice:


    "How did you block it?"


    Did I even block it? Look at what state I''m in right now¡­


    Vani didn''t answer, but Rowan pressed on.


    "I don''t want to sound arrogant¡­ but no Novarion has ever blocked that attack before. Veterans, newbies¡­ it didn''t matter. Some managed to dodge it, but no one stopped it. If your sword hadn''t cracked, you would have completely blocked it. So tell me, how did you do it?"


    Vani frowned.


    Even if you ask me, I have no idea. My body just moved on its own. I didn''t even know I could channel Shadowbolt through a sword. I only thought about it after seeing you infusing your sword with Essentia. But I think he will not be satisfied with such an answer.


    Before he could say anything, Tessa let out an exasperated sigh.


    "I''ve done what I can, your body should heal much faster now, but you shouldn''t make any sudden movements for a few hours just in case. And just so you know, it''s not fully healed. I couldn''t approach your energy core. You should be able to stand and move around, but don''t push yourself."


    Testing her words, Vani slowly sat up. A dull ache remained, but the searing pain from earlier was gone. He felt¡­ mostly fine. But if she said it wasn''t fully healed, then he''d listen. No point in making things worse.


    The problem now was Rowan. He was still staring at Vani, waiting for an answer.


    Vani hesitated.


    Tessa must have noticed because she spoke up before he could.


    "Rowan, let him rest. You can talk about this later."


    Rowan didn''t look happy about it, but after a moment, he exhaled sharply and walked away.


    Just then, Darius and Elsera approached. They both looked satisfied.

 What Lies Within

    After Elsera announced Rowan''s victory, Darius approached her with a satisfied smile.


    He clasped his hands behind his back, his tone light but curious.


    "So, what do you think?"


    Elsera, watching the aftermath of the fight, nodded slightly.


    "I was certain Rowan would win."


    She glanced toward where Vani lay, still recovering.


    "But I didn''t expect him to block that attack. Makes me wonder¡­ if he had a proper sword, how different would the outcome have been?"


    Darius'' smile widened, clearly pleased with her answer. But before he could speak, Elsera turned to him with a knowing look.


    "So, are you satisfied now, Darius?"


    He let out a small chuckle and give her a playful push on the back.


    "So, should we go ask him?"


    Elsera exhaled but nodded, and the two started walking toward Vani.


    As they arrived, Elsera crossed her arms, nodding slightly as she assessed the fight.


    "You reacted well, considering your lack of experience. Most Novarions would have frozen the moment they saw Wave Cleaver forming."


    Vani dusted off his clothes before speaking.


    "I still lost, though."


    Darius chuckled, stepping forward.


    "Of course. But this was never about winning."


    Vani glanced at him, unsure of what he meant.


    Darius continued, his tone calm but firm.


    "You can''t wield a sword. You don''t know any techniques. Rowan is far more trained than you. Expecting victory would have been foolish."


    He placed a hand on Vani''s shoulder.


    "But you adapted. You felt the danger and acted. Even without training, you instinctively reached for your power. That''s what I wanted to see."


    Vani frowned slightly.


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    Is that really all?


    Elsera spoke, her tone confident.


    "I have a proposal for you."


    She crossed her arms, watching him closely before continuing.


    "Travel with us. By the time we reach the capital and the Heir''s Gathering is over, you can decide whether you want to stay with us, and help me win the throne."


    She shifted her weight slightly, glancing at Darius before adding,


    "This was another reason he suggested this fight."


    Darius gave a small nod, his arms crossed.


    "If you accept, I''ll personally teach you how to use a sword. I''ll help you train while we travel to the capital."


    His expression was firm, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice.


    "So, what do you think?"


    It doesn''t sound like a bad deal. Besides, just like with Walter, this time too, I got lucky. I need to get stronger. I can''t always rely on luck. But the real problem is my mark. The longer I stay with them, the higher the chance they''ll find out about it.


    On the other hand, traveling with them would make reaching the capital much easier. I don''t even know where the next village is¡­


    Seeing him lost in thoughts, Darius spoke, his tone light. "You don''t have to decide right now. We''re leaving tomorrow, so think it over."


    Tessa, who had been watching from the side, let out a sigh and shook her head.


    "What''s there to think so hard about? You looked pretty pathetic at the end there, flying through the air like a ragdoll."


    She tilted her head slightly.


    "And you got injured so badly, you won''t even be able to train properly on your own. Traveling with Darius would fix that."


    Vani glanced at her, but there was no real mockery in her voice, just her usual blunt way of speaking.


    Vani sighed.


    "Alright, I will think about what I have to do while we are traveling to the capital, and I will give you an answer after the heir gathering.''"


    Darius and Elsera looked pleased with Vani''s answer. Even Tessa, despite her usual bluntness, seemed satisfied.


    With that settled, we started walking back toward the camp.


    After a moment, Vani turned to Darius.


    "I have a question."


    Darius glanced at him.


    "What is it?"


    Vani hesitated briefly before asking,


    "What kind of skill was that? The one Rowan used in our fight?"


    Darius let out a small chuckle, clearly amused.


    "I knew you were going to ask about that."


    Vani frowned slightly at his tone, but Darius continued, his voice calm.


    "The technique Rowan used comes from his energy core. Some say it''s a reflection of oneself, a manifestation of something deeper."


    Darius paused, then added,


    "It''s called an Essence Trait."


    Vani furrowed his brows.


    "Is it really that special?"


    Darius placed a hand on the hilt of his sword as he spoke.


    "More than you think. Everyone can discover their Essence Trait, but not all do. Some people awaken as Novarions and remain at that stage their entire lives. But they still manage to unlock their Essence Trait. Meanwhile, others can rise to Sypheris or even higher yet never awaken theirs."


    Vani''s curiosity grew.


    "So¡­ have you discovered yours?"


    Darius smirked, his answer deliberately vague.


    "Who knows? You can try to guess."


    Vani decided to give up on prying further. It was clear that Darius wouldn''t give him a straight answer. Instead, he shifted to another question.


    "What about Elsera? Does she have an Essence Trait?"


    Darius''s response was immediate and firm.


    "As far as I know, she doesn''t."


    Vani thought for a moment before asking,


    "Then¡­ let''s say Elsera and Rowan were to fight seriously. Who do you think would win?"


    Darius didn''t hesitate.


    "Elsera, of course."


    Vani raised an eyebrow.


    "Even though Rowan has an Essence Trait?"


    Darius nodded.


    "An Essence Trait is important, but the gap in ranks can''t be closed by that alone."


    After hearing Darius'' response, Vani asked a few more questions, but Darius remained vague, insisting that he would answer in time and that it was enough for today.


    As they continued walking, they eventually reached the camp. Tessa busied herself with preparing food, while Elsera went straight to her tent, mentioning that she needed to rest. There was a troubled look on her face, but no one questioned her about it. The rest of the group scattered¡ªsome heading to sleep, others tending to their own tasks. Rowan stepped in to assist Tessa with the cooking, while Vani lingered behind, speaking with Darius a little longer. He threw a few more questions his way, but Darius remained just as vague, repeating that he had answered enough for now.


    Eventually, Vani gave up and stopped pressing him. With nothing else to do, he approached Tessa and offered to help, but she simply waved him off. Instead, she told Rowan to lend him some clothes. Rowan didn''t seem to mind, though he took the opportunity to pester Vani with questions about how he had blocked his earlier attack. He wanted details¡ªan exact explanation.


    Vani ignored him.


    Rowan kept asking. Vani kept ignoring him.


    After receiving the clothes, he headed to the tent, letting the others know he was going to rest. Darius mentioned that they would be leaving for Blackmere City first thing in the morning.


    Once alone, Vani unwrapped the bandages on his right hand. Tessa had given him fresh ones earlier, advising him to change them despite it being just a scar. She had insisted it would be best to keep it clean. He followed her advice and replaced the old wrappings with new ones.


    He didn''t even remember lying down properly. Sleep must have taken him before he had the chance to eat. Maybe it was because, for the first time in a long while, he could finally relax. Or maybe his body was still exhausted, not yet fully recovered.


    Either way, he slept for a long time.