"I was dragged around like a puppet, tossed from one side to the other. Everyone grabbed me like a toy while repeating the same stupid phrase over and over…"
So recounted our blue-haired boy, wearing the dullest expression imaginable. Meanwhile, the group carried him everywhere they could fit, drawing the attention of passersby who greeted them each time. And every time someone looked, they said: "Isn't that Marín?"
This irritated him deeply, and a silent fury grew in his chest.
Ignoring his feelings, the group led him outside the building, filling him with new sensations and unfamiliar scents.
"It smells like forest… and something new. What is this scent, this feeling? Strong yet calming, overwhelming yet refined, powerful yet natural… What is this supposed to be?!" he thought, astonished. Until now, he had been able to identify nearly every smell with his senses.
"I guess I should ask." He formed his questions, but just as he was about to speak, he felt the energy grow hot and surge forward toward him.
The group scattered, leaving him and a girl who stumbled behind. She closed her eyes, and the blind boy sensed burning danger. His senses sharpened—he grabbed her and rolled across the floor.
A deafening explosion followed, ringing in his ears. He stood, released the girl, and his senses picked up scorched grass and earth. Before he could escape, a voice spoke:
"Forgive me if I was discourteous." The voice began, then fell silent upon seeing him. Through his senses, he perceived surprise. Suddenly, the owner of the voice embraced him.
Terrified, he thought: "Not again." The embrace revealed strength, that same new scent, and the burning danger he had felt before. Intrigued but alarmed, he snapped back to reality when the stranger tried to kiss him. Quickly, he jammed his elbow into the man's neck and cried out for help.
The onlookers were baffled. They saw a bizarre scene unfold: Mark Megdrinzon, one of the most prodigious students of Sola Academy, trying to kiss his friend Marín. That was what everyone thought.
The "Prodigy" didn't stop. While pressing his attack, he asked: "My lovely flower, are you still upset about the Roro incident? Or is this a new lovers' game, where I—with all my power—claim this delicate damsel, Marín?"
The blind blue-haired boy couldn't believe how stupid this place was. Crying in frustration, he shouted: "What century do you think this is? Your lover? I'd have to be an idiot or a miner. Besides, I'm not Ma—"
A powerful voice silenced everyone before he could finish.
"But if it isn't our dear Mari-chan! It's been so long since we've seen you. Surely you've returned to take your Beginner Launcher exam. Am I wrong?"
The voice used strange power to separate the attacker from him. Relieved, the boy thanked the mysterious voice silently. Intrigued by every word, he began to imagine what kind of person Marín was—but the voice repeated its question.
He turned toward it, trying to sense its nature. To his surprise, he felt the strong energy of the forest. Doubt crept in. Why could he sense this energy now? He stored the thought for later.
He approached the old man and told the truth.
The elder's eyes widened in shock. He looked again, realizing it wasn't a joke. Then his gaze dropped to the bulge in the boy's pants, confirming the truth—and leaving him saddened.
The blind youth didn't understand why the elder was sad, but he didn't care. All he wanted was to escape these lunatics.
The elder politely invited him to his office to speak in peace. The boy agreed, and a light surrounded them, transporting them to a room. Exhausted, he ignored the new scents and feelings, sat across from the elder, and waited.
"Young man, would you like me to give you an introduction to the basic principles of this world, or speak about something specific?" asked the elder kindly.
"The basics, please." he replied, settling into the chair.
The elder began: "Long ago, life everywhere was peaceful. Daily concerns were simple: food, shelter, family. Until everything changed. Spirits, monsters, fantastic beasts, Differents, demi-humans, demons, and gods appeared—making even basic tasks nearly impossible."
He paused, then continued: "In later decades, humanity began to vanish under constant attacks from demons and gods, nearly reaching extinction. But we weren't the only ones affected. The Differents and demi-humans also suffered losses. To prevent annihilation, our kings and theirs forged an alliance: their superior strength, our solid strategies. Together, we survived. A thousand years passed, and alliances deepened through marriage, producing the first hybrids. Mixing other races with weak humans increased their abilities, and natural law elevated them to new levels."
The elder leaned closer: "Your case is interesting, child. Did you know most people transported to this world become slaves or criminals with high bounties on their heads?"
The boy was stunned, questions racing in his mind. But before asking, he begged the elder to keep his secret, fearing future trouble. The elder smiled gently and replied:
"No."
The boy panicked. "OLD MAN, YOU CAN'T DO THIS! YOU MUST KEEP THE SECRET!" he demanded.
"No." the elder repeated.
Shocked, the blind blue-haired boy argued, but the elder ignored him. Frustrated, he surrendered.
"At least they won't call me 'miss' anymore…" he thought, trying to stay positive.
"Who am I supposed to be?"
...
End.
And with nothing more to add—I bid farewell to my bald and nearsighted readers (just kidding, don't be offended ;3).