The second chapter opens with Chris standing before the massive front gate of the military base.
For a few moments, he silently studies the towering entrance before tightening his grip on the lunch box in his hands and walking toward the guards.
Two knights stand watch at the gate.
Chris politely bows his head.
"Excuse me, sir. My name is Chris. I'm here to see Supervisor Knight Park."
One of the guards looks at him with curiosity.
"Alright. And who are you to Supervisor Park?"
"I'm his son."
The two guards exchange surprised glances before looking back at Chris.
One of them smiles.
"I see. Go ahead and wait at the training grounds inside the base. We'll inform your father that you're here."
"Thank you."
Chris nods respectfully before passing through the gate.
As he walks deeper into the base, a magnificent stone fortress comes into view.
Despite its age, the building radiates authority and strength.
Knights in polished armor move through the corridors, each carrying themselves with pride and discipline.
Chris watches them quietly.
A trace of sadness fills his eyes.
I wish... I could have become one of them.
Soon, he arrives at the enormous training grounds.
He sits alone on the stadium steps overlooking the field.
Dozens of young trainees are practicing below.
Some spar with swords and spears.
Others unleash extraordinary supernatural abilities—fire, wind, lightning, and earth magic illuminating the battlefield.
Chris watches with genuine fascination.
Then...
Footsteps approach from behind.
A mocking voice breaks the silence.
"Well, well... If it isn't the useless guy who doesn't even have a power."
Chris slowly turns around.
Three boys about his age stand behind him.
Leading them is a young knight with crimson-red hair and sharp black eyes.
A gleaming sword hangs at his waist, and a smug grin spreads across his face.
His name is Alan.
The two boys beside him laugh along with him.
"Seriously."
"How did someone like him even get inside the base?"
Chris lowers his eyes, gripping the lunch box tighter.
"It's been a while... Alan."
Alan chuckles.
"That's true."
"I've been busy."
"I heard you failed the Power Examination again."
"So I guess you've finally accepted that you'll never awaken a supernatural ability."
Chris silently closes his eyes.
Alan crosses his arms with a sneer.
"You know..."
"When we were kids, my parents always told me to learn from you."
He laughs bitterly.
"I wonder what they'd say now."
"A worthless nobody..."
"Compared to me."
"I'm already an official knight at fifteen."
"And you?"
"You don't even deserve to stand on these training grounds."
Chris slowly opens his eyes.
"I'm not here to fight with you."
"I only came to see my father."
Alan's smile disappears.
"Oh?"
"So you can get angry after all?"
His expression hardens.
"Someone as useless as you has no right to stand here."
He gestures toward his companions.
"Grab him."
Before Chris can react, the two boys seize both of his arms.
"W-What are you doing?!"
"Let me go!"
Ignoring his protests, they drag him behind one of the buildings at the back of the base.
Then they throw him to the ground.
Chris crashes hard onto the dirt.
Even as he falls...
He protects the lunch box with both hands.
Alan slowly walks over.
Without hesitation—
He kicks Chris in the stomach.
Chris groans in pain but refuses to let go of the lunch box.
Alan looks down at him with disgust.
"I've hated you ever since we were children."
"Everyone always praised you."
"'Chris is kind.'"
"'Chris is responsible.'"
"'Chris is amazing.'"
"And that smile..."
"It always looked like you were better than the rest of us."
He smirks.
"So..."
"Where's that smile now?"
Another kick.
Chris cries out in pain.
Yet his hands never loosen around the lunch box.
Alan notices.
"Oh?"
"You care more about that package than yourself."
"I wonder what's inside."
Chris looks up desperately.
"Alan... stop."
"You're a knight."
"You shouldn't be doing this."
"Knights are supposed to protect people... not bully them."
Alan laughs.
"And who are you to lecture me?"
He forcefully grabs the lunch box.
Chris struggles to hold onto it.
"Please!"
"Give it back!"
"It's my father's lunch!"
Alan raises an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"So that's what this is."
He casually tosses the lunch box into the air before catching it again.
"What do you think would happen..."
"...if I accidentally dropped it?"
Chris freezes.
Images of his exhausted mother carefully preparing the meal flash through his mind.
Something inside him snaps.
With all his strength—
He shoves Alan.
Caught completely off guard, Alan stumbles backward and falls to the ground.
Chris immediately catches the lunch box before it can hit the dirt.
Alan's face twists with rage.
"You idiots!"
"What are you waiting for?!"
"Hold him down!"
The two boys immediately restrain Chris again.
Even now...
He refuses to let go of the lunch box.
Alan slowly stands up.
Without warning—
He punches Chris directly across the face.
Blood trickles from the corner of Chris's mouth.
Alan grabs him by the collar.
"You've got a lot of nerve."
"You actually pushed me."
His eyes fall upon the lunch box once more.
"So..."
"That package really means that much to you?"
"Fine."
Alan raises his right hand.
A blazing flame suddenly ignites in his palm.
The intense heat spreads through the air.
He grins proudly.
"This..."
"...is my power."
"The power you'll never have."
"I'll give you two choices."
"You can protect that lunch box..."
"...or you can protect yourself."
"The choice is yours."
Chris's hands tremble.
But his grip on the lunch box only grows tighter.
Alan smiles cruelly.
"So..."
"You've made your decision."
He prepares to unleash the flames—
Suddenly...
Someone grabs Alan's wrist with overwhelming strength.
Alan's eyes widen.
He slowly turns around.
To be Continue....