I was drawing a comic in my room on my bed. The atmosphere felt heavy and dark. A girl sat next to me, sketching quietly while occasionally glancing at my page. Then, four boys appeared, like characters pulled from a story I didn't know. The girl stood without saying a word, and when her hand slid into mine, I gasped. She had already stolen my heart before she ever spoke.
But it was all a dream.
My name is Charlie, Vratsu level Class Five. I graduated from Mei University, and honestly? It felt like I earned a participation trophy. I'm fifteen, already an alcoholic, and I cause trouble more often than not. My "business" is shady by design. I use my Vratsu to help people, then ask for money afterwards. A man's got to eat, even if his hands smell like smoke and coins.
"Been talking to myself too long," I muttered as I opened my eyes. "Let's hit the guild and sell those 'rare' potions."
My hut greeted me as usual: triangular, full of holes, and smelling of mold and liquor. It had more holes than Swiss cheese. I didn't even have a bed, just the floor. Still, I somehow always slept like there was no tomorrow.
I tried to stand, but my legs felt like wet noodles. I grabbed the table for balance and steadied myself. My head swirled, pounding like a drum. But I had no choice. I had to feed my little partner.
In the corner sat a clay pot. I stuffed in some old barley bread and dried fish, a couple rations I could hardly afford. "For you, little guy," I said. The duck didn't live here. It was smarter than me, living by the river where it belonged. Still, it waddled in now and then, honest and cute in a way people weren't. I always left it something.
I shuffled to the bathroom and started brushing with a twig. I spat into the basin and blinked at the blood. My stomach dropped, then the memory hit.
"Right… yesterday. I got beaten up while selling potions." I winced. "And the most embarrassing part? It was a girl."
I gritted my teeth, staring into the cracked mirror. "One day I'll be respected again."
But the truth was, I wasn't angry at her. I was angry at myself for always taking the easy path, even when it didn't exist. The mirror showed me a bruised boy with black hair and a kind of cute face, but it wasn't me. It was a version of me I never thought I'd become.
With a sigh, I threw on my high mage's cloak and hat from behind the door. I looked the part, even if nobody believed it anymore.
Enough of this.
I stepped outside, my boots crunching on the dirt, with the bell ringing "Ting, Ting" from the tallest tower in Charma. Today was ceremonial day the hero was finally supposed to show himself. Charma, the strongest kingdom in Daura, was the land of mages, elves, and even demons who weren't treated like monsters.
That didn't matter to me. I had money to earn.
On the main road, I spotted her a blind girl with silver hair. Something pulled at me. I walked over.
"Hey sweet girl, have you eaten since yesterday?" I asked gently.
She didn't reply. She just stood there, thin and tired.
"Hey, if you don't want to talk, that's fine," I tried again.
"Wah… wah…" Her voice was raspy, like she hadn't had water in a long time.
"Oh. Thirsty, huh?" She nodded weakly.
I rummaged in my cloak. "Well, I don't have water, but… here, take this potion." She drank it without hesitation, and I also handed her some coins. I thought nothing of it and kept walking. I didn't know then that this act of kindness would come back to me in the worst way.
When I reached the guild, its medieval walls loomed tall. Inside, I headed straight for the receptionist, potions clinking in my hands.
"Hey shawty, wanna go on a date?" I smirked.
She gave me a dead stare. "Come back when you're my age. What brings you here today?"
"Not much, but… huh. The place looks empty. Where is everyone?"
"You don't know? Everyone was invited to the mages and elves guild."
I blinked. "What do you mean? I'm a mage too, and they didn't invite me."
"I'm sorry, Charlie," she said quietly. "They don't see you as a mage."
The words hit me like a blade. Even though they never treated me kindly, I was still a mage. At least, I thought I was.
Without saying a word, I turned on my heel, my thoughts spiraling and destructive.
"They don't think I'm a mage?" My fists clenched. "We'll see about that."
I stormed toward the mages' guild. But as soon as I stepped inside, my blood ran cold. Every mage who'd been invited lay dead. Torn, bloodied, and lifeless.
Shivers crawled up my spine. I was about to run when I saw her.
The blind girl. The same one I'd given the potion to.
Her feet were gone—cut off. Her small frame looked broken, beaten beyond belief. My heart raced as I dropped to her side and began casting, pouring all my healing magic into reattaching her limbs.
That's when I felt it.
A presence.
A silhouette, dark and unfamiliar, stood just ahead of me.