Seven years later, in the country of Filonas, a boy named Shendo Thermal was born into a wealthy family.
Even in kindergarten, Shendo carried an aura of cruelty. Protected by his family's influence, he bullied others without fear of punishment. His favorite victim was Bren Brightwind, a quiet child he mocked as worthless and unintelligent. By the age of seven, Shendo was already known as "Evil Bully."
But one day, his shadow revealed itself. Shendo became a perfect vessel for a being from another universe—Blacktier, the destroyer of Universe 1. With his psychopathic nature, even generals bent to his will. There was no doubt: Shendo's evil was absolute.
---
Bren Brightwind – Age 4
Bren lived a simple life with his grandfather, Palku, who worked as a rice farmer. The farm was their only livelihood.
While Palku worked hard under the scorching sun, Bren always followed him around, eager to help. But his grandfather refused.
> "Bren, farming is too hard for you. It's hot, the pay is small, and I don't want you to suffer like I did,"
said Palku, patting the boy's head.
"I want you to live for the future, not the field."
Because Bren was obedient and easy to teach, Palku decided to send him to school early—even at just four years old.
---
Kindergarten Days
Half a year later, Bren enrolled. But life at school wasn't easy. Shendo bullied him constantly, and none of their classmates dared to befriend Bren.
One day, during recess, Bren sat alone in the corner, eating quietly. A girl noticed him—Ann Taja. She had seen him eating alone every break, and her heart ached for him.
Walking over, she held out a juice box.
> Ann: "Want some juice? You can have this. I don't really like juice."
Bren: (startled, looking at her) "O-okay… thank you."
Ann: "Mind if I sit here?"
Bren: (hesitant, then nods) "Yeah… it's fine."
For the first time, Bren shared a meal with someone. They even exchanged food. But Shendo and his lackeys soon noticed. He stomped over, grabbed Bren's lunch, and sneered.
Before Bren could react, Ann clenched her fist and punched Shendo square in the face.
> Ann: "Try that again, and you'll regret it!"
Shendo: (teary-eyed, holding his cheek) "F-fine! I won't!" (runs away with his friends)
Bren was left frozen, shocked by Ann's bravery.
> Ann: (grinning) "Don't worry. If anyone bullies you again, tell me! From now on, we're friends."
Bren: (flustered, stammering) "O-okay… ha…ha…"
From that day, Bren finally had a friend.
---
Graduation Memories
A year passed quickly, and soon it was graduation day. After the ceremony, Bren searched for Ann to ask which school she would attend next. But she had already gone home.
He felt crushed—Ann was his only friend. On their way home, Palku noticed Bren's gloomy face and decided to cheer him up.
> Palku: "Bren… want some ice cream?"
Bren: "I do… but it's too expensive."
Palku: (smiling) "Because you graduated, I'll buy you one."
Bren's face lit up with joy. They entered a gelato shop, and Bren picked chocolate strawberry. While Bren ate happily, he asked his grandfather why he wasn't eating any.
> Palku: "I'm too old for sweets. What matters is that you enjoy it."
As Bren devoured his ice cream, he excitedly told Palku all about Ann. His grandfather listened with a warm smile, glad to see the boy happy.
---
Elementary School
Two months later, Bren entered elementary school. To his dismay, Shendo was in his class again. Bren avoided him as much as possible, but Shendo hadn't forgotten the humiliation from Ann.
From that day, Bren's torment continued—at recess, in the bathroom, everywhere. Bren endured it all in silence.
By third grade, Shendo cruelly revealed Bren's deepest wound:
> "You don't even have parents! That's why no one wants you. You were abandoned!"
The words cut deep, and Bren began to wonder about the parents he had never known.
---
A Grandfather's Secret
After years of bullying, Bren graduated from elementary school. Palku noticed his sadness again and brought him back to the gelato shop.
> Palku: "Do you remember this place?"
Bren: "Yes… why?"
Palku: "We'll eat here again."
Bren beamed, ordering another ice cream. But then he gathered courage to ask:
> Bren: "Grandpa… where are my parents?"
Palku froze. At last, he revealed part of the truth.
Flashback:
Bren's mother, Mariven Brightwind, had fled through a battlefield under heavy rain, carrying her infant son. Wounded and desperate, she sought safety. Before collapsing, she entrusted her baby to Palku, hoping her child would live on. Soon after, soldiers caught up to her. Gunshots echoed, and she never returned.
To protect Bren's heart, Palku only said:
> Palku: "They're in another place… working hard. Don't worry, Bren."
Though unsatisfied, Bren let it go. What mattered most was that he still had his grandfather.
---
High School Reunion
Months later, Bren entered high school. To his dismay, Shendo was still there. Resigned, he lived quietly, eating alone in the cafeteria.
One afternoon, a girl from another section noticed him. She walked over and offered him juice.
> Ann: "Want some juice? I don't like it anyway."
Bren looked up. The memory hit him instantly. He choked on his food, spat it out, and stared.
> Bren: "W-wait… Ann? Is it really you!?"
Ann: (eyes widening) "Bren!? You've changed so much—I didn't recognize you!"
They laughed, embarrassed yet overjoyed. The bond they once had sparked back to life.
From then on, Ann stayed by Bren's side again—through meals, study sessions, and walks home. Slowly, Bren's heart began to realize something more than friendship.
But destiny was cruel. By the time of their high school graduation, Ann had already left. She had moved abroad to Tharwald to attend the prestigious Hero Academy.
Bren was left behind, staring at the empty space where his only light once stood.