'Four hundred years ago, beasts began to evolve into something far beyond normal. They gained powers and strength as they attacked humanity.
The world was plunged into chaos. Humanity almost got swept out of the world when a divine being, whoever it was, granted the power of taming to humanity, allowing them to tame these terrifying monsters and balance the world again.'
The radio was kept going, its low static filling the room as the familiar narration continued without emotion.
Well, that was the well-known story to all around humanity, despite country or language barriers. A story every child heard before sleep, every student memorized, and every tamer carried in their blood.
Fray was just standing inside the office of his dad, no, the head of the Combat Tamers Association, Mister Lloyd Fenrir.
His back was stiff with tight shoulders, his fingers slightly curled at his side.
Not only him, but all three of his brothers and his sister, including his mother, were also there, sitting on the comfy sofa in front of the office desk. Yet the soft cushions did nothing to ease the tension hanging heavy in the air.
Mister Lloyd sat behind his office table, hands clasped firmly on the surface as his piercing purple eyes stared straight into Fray's figure, as if trying to look through him. His presence alone pressed down like an invisible weight.
"What a disgrace!" he spat coldly.
The room seemed to darken at those words. It felt as if the air itself had turned colder, like standing deep inside a frost forest. Even the yellow ceiling light blinked slightly, trembling under the silent fury that filled the office.
Fray tried his hardest to stay in the same place, forcing himself to listen to his father until the very end. His feet felt heavy, as if rooted to the floor.
Well, despite that, it was getting more boring with every passing second. The words felt repetitive, yet empty, striking him again and again like dull blades.
"What the hell are you going to do with an F-grade scrap like that, huh?!"
Lloyd slammed his hands on the table and stood up abruptly. The sound echoed through the office like a gunshot, making the glass frame on the wall tremble.
Damn, he is so loud.
Fray couldn't help but think that. His ears rang slightly, but his face stayed calm.
Well, he was used to this kind of treatment from a very young age. Despite being a Fenrir, he had never shown any kind of extraordinary talent like his siblings. No brilliance or a miracle, just disappointment, again and again.
"Hah, to think we have someone like this in our family."
Raiden Fenrir, the second-oldest son of Lloyd, spoke while scoffing. His lips curled upward as his eyes turned toward Fray, filled with mockery and quiet contempt. He didn't even bother hiding it.
"For my defense," Fray began slowly. "I did not choose the beast, nor did I ask for it to be weak."
He said it while looking away, his gaze dropping to the floor.
I did not ask to be born either!
"FRAY!"
Lloyd's voice rumbled against the walls, making the room feel smaller. Fray flinched a little before he could stop himself, his shoulders tensing on instinct.
"Fray, mind your words."
Alexis Fenrir, the eldest son, finally spoke calmly. He didn't even look at Fray. He was sitting on the sofa, leaning back comfortably, closing his eyes as arms crossed over his chest.
Alexis Fenrir, the Yorha Kingdom's youngest S-rank beast tamer.
Just hearing that title made Fray visibly shiver. His shoulders trembled slightly as his gaze wandered down to the floor, unable to meet those eyes again. Standing in the same room as that name alone felt suffocating.
"Father, we can't let him stay in our family anymore."
Raiden spoke with a light tone, smirking, he seemed to be almost amused. "This idiot will only get mud on our name. Just throw him out."
Fray's gaze narrowed.
Throw me out? So we are finally here at this phase, huh.
Well, he had figured it out the moment he got registered as an F-grade tamer. The moment that rank appeared beside his name, this ending had already been written.
Lloyd Fenrir didn't say anything more. No anger, no explanation. He simply grabbed a few papers from his desk and threw them toward Fray. They hit his chest before fluttering down to the floor like dead leaves.
Fray slowly crouched down and picked them up with stiff fingers. His eyes scanned the paper as he read what was written.
Disown papers…
He stared at the words for a long moment. A slight pang tinged his heart. Was he only worthy if he had talent? If not, was he never their child to begin with?
"Sign them and leave the household," said Lloyd Fenrir.
His voice was flat, and it did not leave space for argument.
Fray's mother stayed silent, her hands clenched tightly on her lap.
His sister tried to say something, her lips parting as she leaned forward, mostly to oppose their father's decision. But before any words could leave her mouth, Alexis opened his eyes.
He looked straight into hers.
That single glance shut her down completely. Her body stiffened, and she looked away, swallowing her words as the room sank back into heavy, merciless silence.
"You are disowning me… because I awakened an F-rank beast?"
Fray asked in a soft tone. His voice barely carried across the room as he finally looked into Lloyd's eyes, as if asking whether his father truly meant it. His fingers tightened slightly around the papers as his knuckles went pale.
"Isn't that a given?"
Raiden scoffed loudly, throwing his hands up with a dramatic huff. "If you want to be here, you have to earn your share!"
A brief silence passed through the room.
Then, a slight smirk tugged at Fray's mouth.
"I can't sign it," he said, shrugging lightly, almost casually.
For a moment, everyone froze. Even the air felt stunned by his words.