Yurrelian ran and ran, his breath ragged in the cold air. His vision blurred, not from tears because none came but from the pounding in his head.
"Why… why… why won't tears come out of my eyes?!" he yelled into the night, his voice cracking in anguish.
His boots slipped on the icy floor. He tripped, fell hard, but pushed himself up again without looking back. The cold bit into his skin as he burst out of the crumbling building and into an endless snow-covered field.
His foot caught on a buried rock, sending him sliding down a slope. Snow sprayed into his face.
He rose slowly this time, his legs trembling, and looked around. The vast whiteness seemed to swallow everything.
He took a few sluggish steps when a voice cut through the silent snowfall.
"Good… looks like someone made it out."
Yurrelian turned. Three figures walked toward him, their footsteps crunching in the snow.
"Just as the Goddess prophesied," the woman in front said. "We would meet a child out in the snowfields."
Her eyes softened. "Young boy, we're going to use you to save the world. Will you come with us?"
Yurrelian walked forward without hesitation. He said nothing just wrapped his arms around her.
---
Four Years Later
Wind whispered through the ruins of a forgotten street. The snow was gone, replaced by cracked stones and shadows. A boy walked alone, pulling on his worn gloves.
I see it every time I close my eyes, Yurrelian thought.
"Wait up, Yu!"
He didn't turn.
"Jeez, don't you think it's mean to leave your precious family behind?"
"I don't have a family, you idiot."
"Yeah, yeah… as I said, everyone from Blackwood is family. No two ways about it."
Marlowe leapt onto his back.
"Hey get off."
The other kids gathered around them, grinning.
"We're family, right?" one said.
"Of course we are," another added. "Don't you think so, Yu?"
Yurrelian sighed. "There's no arguing with you guys."
They all laughed. Yu tried to hide his smile, turning away in embarrassment.
I see their smiling faces my friends, my comrades, my precious family. And then… I see their lives taken by a demonic human.
Those words still echoed in his mind: You are an evil child.
Run, Yu! Run!
"Mar!" Yu shouted in memory.
---
Present Day
To this day, the same scene haunted him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Yurrelian sat on a chair, watching two soldiers clash with an armored horseman.
"Boom!" One soldier stumbled back.
"It's a horseman!" the other shouted. "Damn it"
Both froze when they spotted the boy standing there.
"Private Blackwood! What are you doing here? You need to leave right now! That thing is strong!"
"What? If I leave, that monster will rampage through the streets." He stepped forward. "I'm only here to support you. If you still want me to leave, fine but I won't take the blame for what happens next."
The monster roared.
"Stay back," Yurrelian said, drawing his sword. "I'll handle this one."
"That damn kid!" one soldier muttered.
Yurrelian dashed forward, dodging the creature's wild swings with ease.
"You're too slow. You'll never reach me with my skill."
Status Window
Name: Yurrelian Blackwood
Title: Extra
Slot Skill: Evasion – (Grade A)
He sprang into the air, blade flashing. In one clean motion, the monster split in two.
Status Window
Name: Yurrelian Blackwood
Title: Extra
Slot Skill: Swordsmanship – (Grade S)
He landed lightly, sheathing his blade as the horseman collapsed behind him.
The soldiers stared in disbelief. "Wow…"
---
Morning
Yurrelian walked toward school. He had been discharged from duty not for failing, but for fighting alone.
It was supposed to be a team battle, the voice of Gwysera echoed in his mind.
"Well, I still improved my skills," he muttered.
Status Window
Name: Yurrelian Blackwood
Title: Extra
Slot Skill: Swordsmanship – Grade S
Description: Instinctive mastery over sword techniques. Grants the ability to intuitively read and counter enemy moves with deadly precision.
Slot Skill: Evasion – Grade A
Description: Exceptional agility that allows the user to dodge incoming attacks with swift, fluid movements, making them difficult to hit.
Slot Skill: Divine Eyes – Grade S
Description: A supernatural sight that reveals an opponent's combat potential and predicts their next moves, providing a decisive advantage in battle.
Drains stamina quickly; overuse causes temporary blindness.
1-minute cooldown after use.
Other characters who get a cheat system always get good skills but I only have three
Damn that goddess.
"What's the point of suspending me for not using teamwork? I dealt with the problem. And she was the one who pushed me to go in the first place."
The teacher's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Hey, Yurrelian Blackwood! What are you mumbling about? Pay attention!"
Yurrelian looked at him without interest.
"
> Teacher: "Keep that up and you'll get a suspension."
Yurrelian (smirking faintly): "Please do. A week without classes sounds like heaven."
He leaned back in his chair, deliberately holding the teacher's gaze, the faintest ghost of a smile tugging at his lips.
The teacher's face flushed. "Stop messing around!" He hurled a piece of chalk at Yurrelian.
Without looking, Yurrelian raised his hand and split it in two with his fingers.
The class erupted in laughter.
The class burst into laughter.
A girl with pink hair tapped his desk and handed him a folded piece of paper.
My name is Serenya Hartwell.
"Huh?" Yu said, glancing at her.