Zac was nothing more than a forgotten name among the masses. A faceless commoner scraping by with a mother who the world saw as nothing but a burden. They were the kind of people fate trampled without hesitation, the kind who lived in the streets and died there.
That was how it was meant to be. From the moment of his birth, the path laid before him was mediocrity, insignificance, and an end that no one would notice.
But destiny is a cruel thing.
It bends, it twists, and sometimes it laughs at its own design.
The moment Zac's hand wrapped around the hilt of the SSS-Rank Saint's sword, the world itself seemed to shudder. A nobody was never meant to touch it—let alone draw it. Yet, in that instant, he shattered every expectation. He did not just draw the blade; he claimed it. Becoming the most intriguing protagonist known in the novelverse :)
But, for us to fully understand his journey, we must go back to the day everything began...
Arrgh!" Zac cried as he tripped and fell in a puddle of water on the dirty streets of Menehem. His face landed right into the brownish-looking water that seemed to contain who knows what.
He quickly shut his mouth when he fell, afraid some of the water might get in and ruin his taste along with his day. His blunder caused a few onlookers to glance over; most of them already knew why he was rushing in the direction of the castle.
Zac's frustration didn't last very long though.
In the next second he was up again, speeding through the streets, ignoring his muddy face. He was nearly an adult, 17 this year. But this sudden childish outburst was for a good reason; he had to make it in time.
"Dammit, I have to hurry; I can't miss this event. I already missed it last year; this time I have to see."
Zac ducked, weaved, and maneuvered between the citizens that filled the street; his goal was simple. To reach the festival of heroes. If it wasn't for the two stressful jobs he alone juggled as the chef's assistant and the musician's assistant. He would have been present before the event even began. Still, he needed to work diligently to feed his single mother. She had no one else to help her, and she was wholly dependent on him.
The streets of the outskirts were as filthy as ever. Muddy roads, stained buildings with their paint peeling off. Stray dogs and cats, along with a few people that looked "stray" themselves. That was part of the reason Zac didn't mind his muddy face. Because whether it was mud, dirt, or torn clothes, everything was common in the outskirts.
He reached the place the event was happening. Quickly spotting two guards with menacing spears posted at the entrance. Their armor reflected the sunlight. The only shiny things in the dull outskirts.
"Oh... snap, I'll have to get past these two again. Why do I see them everywhere? Are these the only guards in the damn castle?"
Zac stepped from behind the corner he was peeking from. He sighed, preparing himself for the berating he knew he was about to receive.
"Halt!! Who goes there?"
Zac stopped in his tracks.
"What's your business here, boii? Shouldn't you be with your mommy somewhere? This place isn't for toddlers."
As he was speaking, a light of recognition passed over the other guard's face.
"Wait a minute! That's Zac the troublemaker. It seems he wants to enter the event, perhaps to cause some trouble?"
"Oh... you're right, it is him. Kid, don't you know the event is almost over? No one is allowed in after the first hero makes his move to lift the sword."
Zac's face burned with anger as he thought in his mind.
"Of course I know I am late!! And the two of you are taking even more of my time, dammit!! Idiots, all the king's men are idiots!!"
He didn't say this out loud, though; instead, he spoke calmly.
"Would you be so kind as to let a simple outskirts rat like me just glance at the event?"
Upon hearing his words, a devilish smile crossed the guard's face. A shiver ran down Zac's spine. He knew these two guards well. He should've been able to tell his pleas would have only caused more problems. But no matter what, he had to see this event. He couldn't miss it this year. Like he had the other years.
"Okay kid, since you're so eager. I'll give you a chance.
If you can guess my name, I'll let you pass. However, each time you fail, you'll face the blunt end of my spear."
Zac gritted his teeth and nodded. He guessed and failed. Then the guard would thrust his spear forward and knock him on his butt. Each time he woke up with more determination and urgency in his heart. He needed to hurry.
Meanwhile the guards would laugh at every failed attempt. Increasing the force in each thrust until Zac was sure the complexion on his shoulder had changed. This scene repeated itself until finally he got the name.
Or the guards just let him pass; he wasn't sure. But he was angry; his face was twisted as he finally entered the grand Festival of Heroes.
The event always took place in the outskirts. Three days before the event, the place would be cleaned thoroughly and decorated accordingly. The person overseeing this event was almost always one of the commanders.
The scent of meat and ale filled the air. Banners and sigils were etched on almost every surface. And the people surrounding the main spectacle were hyped. None of this improved Zac's mood as he squeezed his way through the crowd to get a better view.
He had made it just in time to see the last knight leave the stands detectedly. He had failed to pull the sword. Zac sighed; the event was already over. He clenched his fists as he thought of all the food, drinks, and exciting spectacles he had missed. That was when he heard the voice.
"You there, stop!" Zac turned and saw Commander Rufus looking at him.
"What is it this time? His guards just bullied me, and now he's trying to have a turn?"
"Kid, it's your lucky day. You have been chosen as one of the random candidates to draw the sword of the Sword Saint."
The words landed in his ears like a thunderclap.