《THE NEW WORLD》 Ashes of the past The New World ¨C Chapter 1: Ashes of the Past A deep, suffocating darkness pressed against him. The air was thick with smoke, the acrid scent of burning wood and blood filling his lungs. A hand¡ªhis mother¡¯s¡ªgripped his tightly, trembling. A shadow loomed over them. A voice, cold and merciless, whispered something he couldn''t understand. Then¡ª A flash of steel. A scream. Blood splattered across his face. His mother¡¯s grip went limp. Rein Aldric jolted awake. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body drenched in sweat. His chest ached as if someone had just stabbed him. He stared at the ceiling of the dimly lit orphanage room, his mind still tangled in the nightmare that had haunted him for years. ¡°Another bad dream?¡± The familiar voice pulled him back to reality. Rein turned his head to see Orin Veyron, sitting up in his bed across the room. His best friend, his only friend in this place. Rein exhaled sharply, running a hand through his messy dark hair. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Orin didn¡¯t push. He never did. Instead, he got out of bed and stretched, his toned muscles flexing slightly. Unlike Rein, who was lean but not particularly strong, Orin had been training in martial arts for years, even without formal lessons. He was a natural. ¡°Big day today,¡± Orin said, cracking his knuckles. ¡°Exam results are out.¡± Rein felt his stomach twist. The government officers exam¡ªthe test that determined who would get the chance to train under the nation¡¯s elite forces. It was a way out of this orphanage, a way to build a future. Both he and Orin had taken the test. He forced himself to sit up. ¡°Let¡¯s go, then.¡± --- The results were posted on a large board in the orphanage hall. A crowd of hopefuls had gathered, whispering, pointing, some cheering, others sighing in disappointment. Orin scanned the list first. A grin broke across his face. ¡°I made it.¡± Rein stepped forward, eyes trailing down the names, searching. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. Then¡ª His name wasn¡¯t there. A cold weight settled in his chest. He stared at the list, willing it to change. It didn¡¯t. ¡°I failed,¡± he muttered. Orin¡¯s smile faded. He placed a hand on Rein¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s just one test. We¡¯ll figure something out.¡± Rein swallowed hard, nodding, but his fists clenched at his sides. One test. But in this world, one test could decide your entire future. --- Later that evening, Rein wandered through the streets, lost in thought. Orin had stayed behind at the orphanage, sensing Rein needed space. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. He kicked a loose stone, frustration bubbling inside him. His whole life, he had trained, studied, prepared. And yet, when it mattered most, he had come up short. His thoughts were interrupted by a commotion up ahead. A group of thugs had surrounded an old man in a tattered cloak. The man clutched a small satchel to his chest, his frail frame trembling. ¡°Just hand it over, old man,¡± one of the goons sneered, cracking his knuckles. Rein¡¯s jaw tightened. He should walk away. It wasn¡¯t his problem. But he didn¡¯t. ¡°Hey,¡± Rein called out, stepping forward. ¡°Leave him alone.¡± The thugs turned, eyeing him with amusement. The leader, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, smirked. ¡°And what are you gonna do, kid?¡± Rein wasn¡¯t a martial artist like Orin, but he wasn¡¯t weak either. He rushed forward, throwing a punch at the scarred man¡¯s jaw. The hit connected, surprising the thug, but before Rein could react, another goon grabbed his arm and yanked him back. A fist slammed into his stomach. Pain exploded through him, and he stumbled, gasping for air. Another punch struck his cheek, sending him crashing to the ground. He groaned, struggling to get up, but a boot pressed against his back, pinning him down. ¡°You¡¯ve got guts, I¡¯ll give you that,¡± the scarred thug said, crouching beside him. ¡°But guts won¡¯t save you.¡± Rein clenched his teeth, struggling, but the weight on his back was too much. He was outnumbered, overpowered. Then¡ª A blur of motion. The pressure on his back vanished as the thug was sent flying with a powerful kick. Orin. He stood between Rein and the goons, his stance calm, controlled. ¡°You guys really think picking on an old man¡ªand my friend¡ªis a good idea?¡± The goons hesitated, eyeing Orin warily. The scarred leader wiped blood from his lip, glaring. ¡°Tch. Let¡¯s get outta here.¡± The thugs retreated into the shadows, leaving Rein lying on the ground, breathing heavily. Orin offered a hand. ¡°You really gotta stop picking fights you can¡¯t win.¡± Rein took his hand, pulling himself up. He wiped blood from his lip, managing a weak smirk. ¡°And you really gotta stop bailing me out.¡± Orin chuckled. ¡°Not happening.¡± As the old man thanked them and shuffled away, Rein stared at his own trembling hands. He had failed the exam. He had lost this fight. But something inside him refused to accept this as the end. Not yet. --- The walk back to the orphanage was quiet, both of them still processing the day¡¯s events. By the time they reached their small room, Rein sat on his bed with a sigh. ¡°You sure know how to get into trouble,¡± Orin muttered, lying back on his mattress. Rein smirked slightly. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to follow me.¡± ¡°Yeah, well, I figured you¡¯d need someone to drag your ass home.¡± Silence settled between them before Orin spoke again. ¡°Tomorrow morning, I leave for training.¡± Rein had known this, but hearing it out loud made it real. Orin had passed. He was moving forward. And Rein was staying behind. ¡°I¡¯ll only be gone for a few months,¡± Orin continued. ¡°The training lasts about four months, and after that, I¡¯ll officially be a government officer.¡± He glanced at Rein. ¡°The exam happens again after that, right?¡± Rein nodded. ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Then you try again,¡± Orin said simply. ¡°Four months. Train harder, study smarter. Next time, you won¡¯t fail.¡± Rein exhaled, the weight of the day pressing down on him. He clenched his fists, feeling a flicker of determination rise within him. Four months. He had four months to change everything. He looked at Orin and forced a smirk. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t get too comfortable in the government forces. I¡¯ll be joining you soon.¡± Orin grinned. ¡°Damn right you will.¡± The two friends sat in the quiet of their room, knowing that tomorrow, everything would change. --- End of Chapter 1 Silent resolve The New World ¨C Chapter 2: Silent Resolve A Night of Restless Thoughts The wooden floor creaked softly beneath Rein¡¯s bed as he lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The dormitory was silent, save for the rhythmic breathing of the other children. But inside his mind, a storm raged. The fight from earlier played over and over¡ªthe way his fists had struck without power, the way the goons had laughed at him. If Orin hadn¡¯t stepped in, he would¡¯ve lost. No, he had lost. Weak. I was too weak. A sigh came from the bed next to him. Orin. By morning, he¡¯d be gone, taking his first steps toward becoming a government officer. Toward their shared dream. But only one of them had earned that future. Rein clenched his fists. He refused to stay like this. He wouldn¡¯t. The Last Morning The sky hung gray and heavy as Rein walked with Orin toward the orphanage gate. Orin¡¯s uniform was crisp, his bag slung over his shoulder. His usual easygoing expression was unreadable. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to come all the way,¡± Orin muttered. ¡°I wanted to.¡± A brief silence stretched between them before Orin spoke again. ¡°You¡¯ll try again in four months, right?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Orin paused before placing a hand on his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re not weak, Rein. You just need time.¡± Rein didn¡¯t answer. He just nodded. The gate creaked open, and Orin took a step forward. Then another. He didn¡¯t look back. Rein watched until he disappeared down the street. Now, I¡¯m alone. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. A Graveyard of Promises That evening, as the sun bled into the horizon, Rein found himself on the outskirts of town. The cemetery was eerily still, rows of stone markers stretching endlessly into the dusk. He stopped at two graves, the names barely visible beneath layers of dirt and neglect. His parents'' resting place. For a long time, he stood there, saying nothing. Then, without warning, the memories came flooding back. Flashback ¨C The Night Everything Changed The restaurant was warm, filled with chatter and clinking dishes. Golden light flickered from oil lamps, casting a comforting glow. Rein sat between his parents, listening to their voices blend into the background noise. Then, chaos erupted. Gunfire. Shattering glass. Screams. The doors burst open as armed men stormed in, their faces twisted in rage. A rival group retaliated, and the restaurant transformed into a battleground. ¡°Rein!¡± His father¡¯s voice cut through the chaos. ¡°Come with me!¡± His father¡¯s grip was tight as he pulled Rein toward the back. The air reeked of burning oil and gunpowder. A stray bullet shattered a lantern, sending flames licking up the walls. His father yanked open the washroom door, shoving him inside. ¡°Stay here. Don¡¯t move.¡± The walls trembled with the force of the battle outside. He heard his mother scream his father¡¯s name¡ªthen a wet, gurgling sound. Silence. The door opened, and his father pulled him out. ¡°We need to¡ª¡± They stepped into a nightmare. Blood pooled across the wooden floor. Bodies lay twisted, some groaning, others lifeless. His mother stood in the center, searching desperately for them. Then¡ª A blade plunged into her chest. Rein¡¯s breath caught. He tried to move, to scream, but his body refused. The man yanked the knife free, and she crumpled. Her empty gaze locked onto Rein one final time. ¡°NO¡ª¡± His father barely got the word out before a gunshot tore through him. His body jerked, then collapsed beside his wife. Rein¡¯s world shattered. The killers didn¡¯t even glance at him. To them, he wasn¡¯t worth the effort. By the time the officers arrived, the gangsters were gone. The restaurant lay in ruins. Just another crime. Just another incident. Back to the Present Rein¡¯s breath hitched as reality returned. His hands were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to release the tension. The scent of blood was gone. The gunfire was gone. Only the whispering wind remained. Their deaths had been reduced to a simple report. A forgotten page in an officer¡¯s file. But to Rein, it was everything. His fingers brushed the cold stone. ¡°I wasn¡¯t strong enough.¡± The words barely reached the wind. A deep breath. ¡°I will be.¡± The sun dipped below the horizon, casting shadows across the graves. But for the first time, the darkness didn¡¯t frighten him. From this moment on, he would carve his own path. Alone. Stronger. No matter what it took. End of Chapter 2 The first step into the unknown Chapter 3: The First Step into the Unknown
The sky was dark, the moon hidden behind thick clouds. A cold wind passed through the empty streets, carrying the distant scent of the sea. The city had settled into its usual silence¡ªat least, in the areas where people followed the law. Rein sat in the abandoned clearing behind the orphanage, Sector 7, Street 14. His body ached, his breathing was heavy, and sweat dripped down his forehead. He had done fifty push-ups, fifty sit-ups, and several short sprints. His muscles burned, but he wasn¡¯t finished yet. Beside him, a worn-out notebook lay open. He picked it up, flipping through pages filled with equations and notes. The government exam wasn¡¯t just about physical strength¡ªit had a written test too. If he wanted to pass, he had to train his mind as well as his body. Each night, after exhausting his body, he read newspapers and studied mathematics under the dim streetlights near the orphanage. (Orin wouldn¡¯t struggle with this¡­ but I can¡¯t afford to be left behind.) With a sharp exhale, he crouched down and prepared to sprint again. His legs burned, his muscles ached, but he forced himself forward.
A Night That Changed Everything Hours later, Rein found himself wandering the dimly lit streets, his mind lost in thought. Orin had left. The orphanage felt emptier without him. The silence of the night only amplified his loneliness. As he turned into a narrow back alley, the sound of voices pulled him from his thoughts. Angry shouting. The sound of fists hitting flesh. He pressed himself against a wall and peered ahead. Several gang members¡ªat least five or six¡ªwere surrounding two men. The victims were bloodied, barely able to stand, yet the beating didn¡¯t stop. Rein¡¯s fists clenched. (A gang¡­) He didn¡¯t know these two men, but that didn¡¯t matter. His parents had died because of a gang fight. The mere sight of these criminals made his blood boil. Before he could think¡ªbefore he could stop himself¡ªhis legs moved. He ran straight into the fight. The first thing he did was land a solid kick to the back of one of the gang members. The man stumbled forward, caught off guard. Another attacker turned toward Rein, swinging wildly. Rein dodged, stepping to the side before countering with a punch. His fist connected with the man¡¯s jaw, a sickening crunch sounding as teeth shattered. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. For a moment, Rein thought he had a chance. Then¡ªthree men came at him at once. He managed to block one strike, but the others grabbed him, holding his arms in place. The gang members gathered around, their faces twisted with amusement and rage. ¡°You think you¡¯re a hero?¡± one of them sneered. ¡°Coming here to save these bastards?¡± One of the men picked up a thick metal rod from the ground. Without hesitation, he swung it at one of the victims¡ªthe blow was so powerful that the man¡¯s nose, teeth, and jaw shattered instantly. The body slumped lifelessly to the ground. Rein¡¯s eyes widened in horror. Another gang member grabbed the second victim, wrapping his arms around the man¡¯s neck. Rein struggled against the ones holding him, but it was useless. With a sickening crack, the second man¡¯s body went limp. Rein froze. He had just watched two people die in front of him. A surge of rage and desperation flooded his veins. With all the strength he had, he kicked one of the men holding him in the leg. It wasn¡¯t enough to do serious damage, but it was enough to make the gang furious. ¡°Little bastard!¡± The one with the rod stepped forward and, without hesitation, brought it down on Rein¡¯s arm. A sharp, unbearable pain shot through him as the bone cracked. He gasped, vision blurring, body trembling in agony. ¡°He saw everything,¡± another gang member muttered. ¡°If we let him live, he¡¯ll talk.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± someone agreed. A knife gleamed in the dim alley light. Rein barely had time to register it before the cold steel was driven into his side. A sharp pain spread through his torso, and everything faded into darkness.
The Awakening Time passed. Minutes? Hours? Rein didn¡¯t know. Then¡ª His body moved. His eyes fluttered open. He was lying on the cold alley floor, the metallic scent of blood thick in the air. His fingers twitched, then curled into fists. (¡­I¡¯m alive?) Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself upright. His hand went to his side¡ªwhere the knife had pierced him. There was¡­ nothing. No wound. No blood. It was as if it had never happened. (What the hell¡­?) His heartbeat pounded in his ears. He turned his gaze to the ground. The two men were still there. Dead. It wasn¡¯t a dream. His hands trembled. Fear, confusion, and a strange exhilaration clashed inside him. He had been stabbed. He should be dead. But he wasn¡¯t. His mind screamed for answers, but his instincts told him one thing¡ªhe had to leave. If someone found him here, with two corpses, he would be blamed. He turned and ran.
A New Ability His feet pounded against the pavement, but something felt different. His movements were too fast, too light. He was moving at a speed he had never experienced before. Then¡ª He lost control. His body slammed into a nearby wall, the impact jarring his bones. He groaned, pushing himself up, trying to understand what had just happened. (That speed¡­ it wasn¡¯t normal.) He looked at his hands again, then back to the alley he had fled from. Everything inside him told him something had changed. Something inside him had awakened.
The Aftermath Rein stood outside the orphanage, his chest rising and falling in sharp, uneven breaths. (That wasn¡¯t just speed.) He clenched his fingers into a fist. (I was stabbed¡­ but there¡¯s no wound. I moved¡­ but it wasn¡¯t normal movement.) A slow, sharp realization crept into his mind. Something had awakened inside him. Something different. Something powerful. A mix of fear and excitement stirred in his chest. (This¡­ this changes everything.)
End of Chapter 3 From Shadows to Strength The New World ¨C Volume 1, Chapter 4 "From Shadows to Strength" The morning light seeped through the window, casting golden streaks across the wooden floor. Rein¡¯s eyes slowly opened. For a moment, he just breathed. Something felt¡­ different. His body was light. No soreness, no lingering pain from his injuries. He sat up, stretching his arms¡ªand froze. ¡°¡­Huh?¡± His physique had changed. He wasn¡¯t bulky, but his muscles were more defined. Strong, yet not overwhelming. He ran a hand over his stomach, searching for the spot where the goon had stabbed him. Nothing. No wound. No scar. Not even a bruise. Rein¡¯s breath slowed. "I really have powers." A thrill ran through his veins. His fists clenched as he stood, testing his body. It felt perfect. Dropping down, he started his usual workout¡ªpush-ups, sit-ups, running, weightlifting. But something was¡­ off. Everything was too easy. Before, he struggled to finish his sets. Now? He could do them effortlessly. ¡°This exercise feels way easier than before.¡± He paused, wiping the sweat¡ªor what little there was¡ªfrom his forehead. His thoughts raced. My speed¡­ my strength¡­ and I can heal myself. But do I have a specific ability? Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Stepping onto the orphanage terrace, Rein glanced at the city below. Kids played in the courtyard, townspeople bustled through the streets. Everything seemed normal. But then¡ªsomething shifted. His gaze lowered. The shadows. From his perspective, they were darker. Deeper. Not just normal shadows, but something more¡­ alive. His smirk widened. ¡°I¡¯m bored. When¡¯s the exam gonna start?¡± He stretched lazily. ¡°With these new powers, I can easily pass.¡± Then, his eyes flicked toward the orphanage¡¯s main gate. ¡°Let¡¯s hang out for a while.¡± And then¡ª The world shifted. A strange sensation rushed over him. It was like sinking into water¡ªthen suddenly, he was somewhere else. Cool air brushed against his skin. The orphanage was behind him. The streets were in front of him. Rein blinked. He was standing behind a tree near the main gate. For a moment, he just¡­ stood there. Processing. Then¡ªexcitement flashed in his eyes. A slow smirk formed on his lips. ¡°So, I have an ability other than physical enhancement¡­¡± He stepped forward, glancing at his shadow. ¡°I can merge into shadows and move through them.¡± The possibilities were endless. His fingers twitched with anticipation. ¡°I need to test this.¡± --- Same Day , In the night. The darker streets of the city were always lively at night. Not with celebrations, but with crime. Rein moved through the alleys, his senses sharp. It didn¡¯t take long. A group of thugs stood in a corner, surrounding a trembling merchant. One held a knife, laughing, while the others rummaged through the man¡¯s bag. Rein stepped forward. One of them noticed him. ¡°Keep walking, kid. This ain¡¯t your problem.¡± Rein tilted his head, shoving his hands into his pockets. ¡°You guys always talk too much.¡± The nearest thug lunged, slashing at him with the knife. Too slow. Rein sidestepped, grabbed his wrist, and twisted it violently. A loud snap echoed in the alley. The thug screamed, dropping the blade. The others reacted immediately. One swung a wooden club¡ªRein ducked, moving purely on instinct. He countered with a brutal gut punch, sending the man staggering backward. Another thug charged. Rein vanished. He reappeared behind the thug, stepping out of his shadow. Before the man could react¡ªRein grabbed his head and slammed it into the wall. Blood splattered. The remaining thugs froze. Fear flickered in their eyes. Rein smirked. ¡°You done?¡± One of them, panicked, pulled a hidden blade. Rein stepped forward¡ªand disappeared. The next second, he was behind him. Before the man could turn, Rein wrapped an arm around his throat and drove a knee into his spine. The last thug? He ran. Rein let him go. Instead, he crouched near the groaning man on the ground. His voice was low, dangerous. ¡°Your bad time starts now, criminals.¡± His eyes burned with conviction. ¡°Once I become an IBE officer, your whole gang will be over.¡± --- (Time Skip) ¨C Two Months Later Two months of intense training. And now¡ª The Imperial Bureau of Enforcement Entrance Exam had arrived. --- Imperial Bureau of Enforcement Headquarters. Orvann , Velmora. The IBE headquarters loomed over the district, a fortress of authority. Hundreds of candidates gathered¡ªeach one prepared to prove themselves. The exam was conducted into two categories. The first is the written test and the second is the physical test. The Written Exam Rein sat with the other examinees, scanning the questions. Laws, strategy, investigation skills¡­ For most, the test was difficult. For Rein? Too easy. He finished ahead of time, subtly glancing around. Some were sweating. A few¡ªlike him¡ªwere calm. Endurance & Combat Trials The next phase was brutal. A 20-kilometer run. Rein finished in the top 5. Strength trials¡ªlifting, carrying, and pushing weights. He held back, keeping his power controlled. Hand-to-hand combat. Here¡ªhe showcased ruthless efficiency. Every opponent was taken down in under a minute. The examiners took notes. Some candidates had enhanced abilities, but Rein¡¯s raw skill stood out. Final Rankings An hour later, the results were posted. Rein¡¯s eyes scanned the board. His name¡ª2nd place. He exhaled. "Exactly as planned." But then¡ªhis gaze flicked upward. 1st place. A name he didn¡¯t recognize. He turned slightly¡ªand saw her. A girl stood near the results board. She was calm, composed¡ªher presence dangerous. Rein¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Interesting.¡± The exam was over. The next step awaited. But first¡ªhe had something to do. __ Later that evening, Rein walked through the graveyard. He stopped before two headstones. His parents. For a long moment, he stood silent. The wind whispered around him. Then¡ªsoftly, he murmured, ¡°I made it.¡± His fists clenched. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure this world changes. No one will suffer like we did.¡± Turning away, his eyes burned with determination. The real journey was just beginning. --- End of Chapter 4 The truth about abilities --- 5th of Varentis, Year 1247 PGD Capital City Orvann, Velmora Imperial Bureau of Enforcement Headquarters The massive structure of the Imperial Bureau of Enforcement (IBE) Headquarters stood tall, a testament to the power and authority it held over the nation. The air was thick with anticipation as Rein arrived at the entrance precisely at 8:00 AM, his sharp eyes scanning the fortified security towers and high-tech barriers surrounding the facility. As he approached the main gate, two security officers halted him. One of them, a stocky man with a stern expression, gave him a scrutinizing look. ¡°Halt. State your business.¡± Rein calmly pulled out his trainee ID and held it up. ¡°I passed the IBE exam this year,¡± he said evenly. The officer took a moment to verify the ID before giving a slight nod. ¡°Proceed through security.¡± After undergoing a quick but thorough security check, Rein was finally allowed inside. Just as he stepped through, another officer gestured toward a hallway. ¡°Go straight, then turn left. You¡¯ll reach the Trainee Hall.¡± Rein gave a short nod. ¡°Thank you.¡± Stepping inside, he took in the grandeur of the main entrance hall¡ªa vast space with polished floors reflecting the sunlight pouring in from the high glass windows. The banners of Velmora and the IBE insignia, a golden phoenix with its wings spread wide, adorned the walls. He moved through the hall, eventually reaching a smaller chamber where numerous trainees had already gathered. --- Trainee Hall: First Impressions The hall buzzed with conversation. Rein estimated there were around 500 trainees in total, ranging from teenagers to young adults, none older than 25. Some spoke in hushed excitement, others stood in silence, their expressions unreadable. Choosing to keep his distance, Rein leaned against a wall, arms crossed, quietly observing. He immediately noticed something¡ªsome of these people felt different. Their presence alone exuded a certain intensity. Are they ability users? he wondered, though he couldn¡¯t be certain yet. His thoughts were interrupted by a heated argument unfolding nearby. ¡°Like I said,¡± a tall, broad-shouldered trainee sneered, ¡°you¡¯re not worthy of being here.¡± His opponent, a shorter but sharp-eyed young man, scowled. ¡°And what makes you think you are?¡± The taller man smirked, puffing out his chest. ¡°Dante Novas. Ever heard of the name? My family has served in the Velmora military for generations. My father, my uncle, my older brothers¡ªthey''re all in the military. I¡¯ve been training for years. I ranked 4th in the IBE exam. That¡¯s why I belong here.¡± If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. The shorter trainee didn¡¯t back down. ¡°Rank and family have nothing to do with worthiness.¡± Dante scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s what weaklings say.¡± Their argument escalated, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Just as it seemed a fight was inevitable¡ª ¡°Attention, everyone!¡± A sharp, authoritative voice rang through the hall. Instantly, all eyes turned toward the speaker. A woman in a crisp IBE uniform stood at the front, her piercing gaze silencing the room. She had short silver hair, a strong posture, and an air of discipline about her. ¡°I am Veronica Calsan,¡± she announced. ¡°First of all, congratulations to those who passed the IBE exam. From this moment forward, you are no longer just civilians. You stand at the gateway to becoming officers of the Imperial Bureau of Enforcement.¡± A momentary pause. Then she continued. ¡°We will not waste time. You are to proceed in an orderly manner to the Auditorium Hall, where your seniors will explain everything about the IBE¡¯s mission and the dangers we face.¡± She gestured to the right. ¡°Move now.¡± Without hesitation, the trainees began filing into the auditorium. --- The History of Abilities The auditorium was vast, with seats arranged in tiers around a large central stage. The trainees settled in, murmurs of curiosity rippling through the crowd. A giant holographic screen flickered to life at the front, displaying the Imperial Bureau of Enforcement¡¯s insignia. Then, the lights dimmed. A deep voice echoed through the hall. ¡°What you are about to see is the true history of our world.¡± A holographic simulation began. The room fell into silence as vivid images played before them¡ª --- Centuries Ago¡ªThe Age of Magic Long ago, every human possessed natural magic. The world thrived in a delicate balance¡ªuntil the rise of the Great Devil. A colossal, shadowy figure appeared, standing against entire armies. Nations that had long been divided were forced to unite against this single overwhelming threat. ¡°The Great Devil sought to conquer the world, but even in defeat, he ensured his legacy would endure.¡± The scene shifted¡ª The Great Devil, surrounded and near death, suddenly absorbed all of the world¡¯s magic into his body. The overwhelming energy consumed him¡ª And then, he exploded. A massive shockwave of corrupted energy spread across the lands. People collapsed, their magic vanishing forever. In its place, a new energy formed¡ªgiving birth to abilities. But unlike before, not everyone was capable of wielding them. --- The simulation ended, and the room remained silent. A senior officer stepped forward onto the stage. ¡°My name is Darius Venn,¡± he introduced himself. ¡°What you just witnessed is the true history of abilities. And now, you must understand what the IBE truly stands for.¡± The screen changed to footage of criminals with abilities wreaking havoc¡ªdestroying buildings, slaughtering innocents, taking down entire squads of officers. ¡°The IBE exists to protect society from both external threats and internal conflicts. Some criminals are ordinary humans¡ªmasters of deception, violence, and war. But the true threats¡­ are those with abilities.¡± A heavy silence settled over the trainees. ¡°After this orientation, you will receive your dorm assignments,¡± Darius continued. ¡°Each dorm will house four cadets. These people will be your roommates throughout your training.¡± With that, officers began distributing papers detailing dorm numbers, locations, and what each cadet was required to bring. --- A Silent Decision As Rein walked out of the auditorium, his mind raced. He thought about the Great Devil¡¯s explosion, about how abilities were born from corrupted magic. And then, his own ability came to mind¡ªhis shadow powers. What does this mean for me¡­? His fists clenched. Regardless of the past, he had made his decision. This was the path he chose. He would walk it without hesitation. --- [End of Chapter 5] The First Step Chapter 6 ¨C The First Step 6th of Varentis, Year 1247 PDGDorm Residency, IBE Headquarters The sun had already begun to set over the sprawling compound of the Imperial Bureau of Enforcement. The warm glow of dusk bathed the trainee dormitory buildings in amber light, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Rein walked alone, a sturdy duffle bag slung over his shoulder, the strap digging into his collarbone. He glanced at the folded document in his pocket¡ªthe same one that had assigned him to Room 5 in the residential wing. > Room number 5...That¡¯s right, that was my assignment. Top-ranked candidates grouped together...It¡¯s not just a coincidence. He pushed the door open. Inside, the room was surprisingly spacious. Four neatly arranged beds lined the walls, each with its own small cabinet and wardrobe. Two washrooms and a shared bathroom connected through a side hallway. The lighting was warm and clean, though there was already a clear sign of chaos¡ªone of the beds had clothes thrown carelessly over it, boots scattered on the floor nearby like they''d been kicked off mid-run. Rein¡¯s sharp gaze swept the room. A quiet man sat on the bed closest to the wall, calmly polishing something in his hands. Across the room, a woman reclined on her bed, flipping through a newspaper, her eyes occasionally darting up from the page. Both of them looked toward Rein as he entered. He nodded politely, then glanced between the two unoccupied beds. One was a mess¡ªthe other, untouched. Rein stepped forward and dropped his bag on the clean bed. He sat down, stretching his back slightly, feeling the tension settle in his shoulders. Just then, the door swung open. A tall, broad-shouldered trainee with wild black hair and a smug grin stepped inside. ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re the fourth roommate,¡± he said with a deep, casual tone. Rein looked up. The man¡¯s voice was familiar. > That guy... what was his name again? Dante... something. The man approached him directly, stopping just a step too close, eyes sizing Rein up. ¡°What¡¯s your name, and which rank did you get?¡± he asked. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Rein didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Rein. And I assume you already know that room assignments are based on ranking. So if I¡¯m here¡­ the rest of you must be the top four as well.¡± The man blinked, then laughed. ¡°Hah! Serious type, huh?¡± He extended a hand. ¡°Name¡¯s Dante Novas, Rank Four. Nice to meet you, Mr. Stoic.¡± Rein smirked slightly and took the handshake. ¡°Rein Aldric, Rank Two. I remember you¡ªyou made quite the impression during the ranking announcement.¡± Dante gave a mock-sigh. ¡°Oh, that guy? Pfft. Weaklings everywhere. Not that I¡¯m cruel, but come on¡ªthis job isn¡¯t for the soft-hearted. You can die out there, y¡¯know?¡± Rein¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°He passed the exam. That alone proves he¡¯s not as weak as you think. Even if he ends up in a safer branch of the IBE, he¡¯s still in.¡± Dante scratched the back of his neck, then shrugged. ¡°Yeah, I guess. I always thought joining the IBE meant fighting criminals head-on, not... paperwork.¡± At that, the silent man on the bed finally stood up, walking over to join them. His movements were calm and precise¡ªlike someone who thought before he acted. ¡°The Imperial Bureau isn¡¯t just about fighting,¡± he said. ¡°Information gathering, crisis analysis, negotiations, incident cleanups... there¡¯s a lot more behind the scenes.¡± He gave a small nod. ¡°Revin Irene, Rank Three. Nice to meet you both.¡± Dante raised a brow. ¡°Oh wow, the quiet guy can talk. Nice to meet you too, man.¡± Rein responded with a courteous nod. ¡°Likewise.¡± Dante turned toward the woman still on her bed. ¡°And you? What¡¯s with the silence? Planning to be our introverted roommate?¡± He chuckled. The girl lowered the newspaper and gave a deadpan look. ¡°I¡¯m not an introvert. I¡¯m just the only girl in this room.¡± Rein gave a small grin. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we won¡¯t eat you alive. IBE doesn¡¯t discriminate between genders, after all.¡± She sighed and stood up, folding the newspaper neatly. ¡°Elena Charles. Rank One.¡± Dante blinked. ¡°Whoa, number one? Respect.¡± ¡°So,¡± he continued, ¡°anyone know what kind of hell they¡¯ll throw us into tomorrow?¡± Revin pushed his glasses up. ¡°Didn¡¯t you read the induction packet?¡± Dante rolled his eyes. ¡°Too many pages. I skimmed it.¡± Revin sighed. ¡°It¡¯s two-month intensive. Strategy classes, emergency simulations, and daily combat training. At the end, there¡¯s something... different. They mentioned a special test during the final week.¡± ¡°Ugh, school again?¡± Dante groaned. ¡°Why do we have to go through lectures here too?¡± Elena answered without looking at him. ¡°Because not every battle is won with brute strength. Some fights are decided before they even begin.¡± Rein lay back on his bed, arms behind his head, a rare lightness in his tone. ¡°I¡¯m excited for tomorrow. It¡¯s the next step to becoming an IBE officer.¡± Revin nodded. ¡°Also, just a heads-up. The packet mentioned that room assignments are fixed¡ªunless there¡¯s a major issue, we¡¯re stuck together.¡± Dante smirked. ¡°Guess that makes us a squad now.¡± Rein turned his head, staring at the ceiling. ¡°I¡¯m okay with that,¡± he said quietly. ¡°I¡¯ve never had many friends¡­ but I¡¯m willing to try.¡± Elena folded her arms. ¡°As long as no one causes problems, I¡¯m fine with it too.¡± Dante threw himself dramatically onto his own bed. ¡°Man, this is gonna be fun!¡± The room fell into a calm silence as the sun finally disappeared beyond the horizon. A faint hum of energy lingered in the air¡ªanticipation for what was to come. > This is just the next step, Rein thought, eyes slowly closing.And I won¡¯t stop walking until I reach the end. ¨C Chapter 6 End ¨C --- Info box :- [World System: Timekeeping] [Calendar System: PGD (Post Great Devil) Full Form: Post Great Devil Year 0 PGD: Marks the year of the Great Explosion caused by the death of the Great Devil and the fusion of magic with his energy, which reshape the world and its power system.]