Myrrin shivered in the alley, his frame stretched thin with hunger. As he pulled on his cloak, another cold breeze blew through the alley, piercing through the tattered, black cloth. Today was his birthday, instead of spending it with friends and family with gifts and merry laughing, thirteen-year-old Myrrin was busy keeping warm in one of the colder cities of Kallos, Lythin's Maw. Apart from the shabby clothes on his back, the only things Myrrin possessed was a couple copper coins, some jerky, his citizenship, and a translucent gem—with small, brightly colored orbs intermittently dancing within. It hung around his neck, an old keepsake his father, Alec Lance, had handed to him before he passed away. Though here, it was just a target for the thieves, Myrrin nearly lost the keepsake a year ago because of thieves. He gripped his cloak tighter, his knuckles turning white as he remembered the incident again. But that was already of the past. Lythin's Maw was just north of Mizen Empire's legendary The Capital of the World, or more often heard as The Capital. Despite its arrogant name, if The Capital admitted they were only the second best city in the world, no one would have the guts to say their city was first. It was only at this place would Myrrin have a chance at turning his misfortune as an orphan around. Myrrin wasn't always an orphan, in fact, 2 year ago, he was still with his parents. Following a momentary lapse in judgement, Myrrin was daydreaming again, reminiscing about the warmth of a family. Of piles of food. The comfortable and clean bed. Myrrin shook his head. It was a weakness here. His head was wandering too much, he had to stay focused in order to survive. The cold, indifferent stone slabs here have welcomed many corpses who showed such weakness and longing. Here, if you wanted something, you would have to use your own two hands.
Myrrin slowly stood up, his legs shaking under the onslaught of the unrelenting gale. The week after his parents went missing he was handed down to an uncle on his dad's side of the family; despite ; Myrrin's father was a moderately wealthy man, and, under the normal circumstances, Myrrin should have been properly educated before being set to an academy in The Capital. Of course, if that had happened, Myrrin wouldn't be homeless, barely surviving in the desolate slums right outside the city. It had gone wrong about a month after his parents' disappearance, Myrrin began to suspect his uncles of squandering his inheritance, amidst his other suspicions. He could still remember his uncle's smug face as he promptly threw Myrrin out of his house, screaming something about respecting the family elders. The money-grubbing pig went as far as to banish Myrrin from his town. Myrrin had no doubt that his inheritance was used to bribe the officials and get him kicked out. In the past few years, Myrrin had to do all that he could to survive, eventually making his way to one of the neighboring cities of The Capital. Even though Myrrin thought he would never make it from the Northwestern corner of the empire, he was now just a city away. With new resolve, Myrrin began dragging his ragged soles across the pseudo-frozen ground underneath. As he plotted his way to the center of the Mizen Empire, Myrrin started traversing through the iconic valley Lythin's Maw was named after, the exit signaled the end of the northern territories. Myrrin wondered if his friend would still remember the promise they shared nearly 3 years ago.
...
Myrrin rose from the patch of mud, a toothy grin on plastered on his face as he wiped his cheeks. Although part of his face was obscured by the remainder of the dirt that he didn't wipe off, he still looked dashing and valiant nonetheless. On the other end of his gaze was Lucelle Astrelli, the heir to the Astrelli, one of the 3 noblesse of The Capital. Considering the political atmosphere of the greatest city in the world of Kallos, the Astrelli, who are an untouchable existence in The Capital, are a powerful group of Nobles in, not only Mizen Empire, but also in the rest of Kallos.
"That was a good hit but I'm not done yet. I gotta go before mom gets mad for being late to dinner again! Lets end this here, buddy."
"As many times as you want. Whenever you're ready."
Luc smiled at Myrrin's enthusiasm. If Myrrin was a raging fire with his emotions, Luc was a cool, calm block of ice. People who didn't know Luc might mistaken him as cold, when in reality, it was the pressure of becoming a heir that forced him to mature earlier than his peers. The two opposing personalities, however, had been friends since childhood. Luc pointed his wooden stick at Myrrin, today was the last day they would see each other. Luc and Myrrin currently lived in a small town that belonged to the Astrelli, but tomorrow morning, Luc would go with his mother to return to The Capital, since a specialized training for the heirs to the Asterlli began at the age of 10. Rather than spend the day talking and reminiscing, Myrrin and Luc pointed wooden sticks at each other, eager to break their current tie at 1000 victories and losses each. The two had been battling together for many years, each very familiar with how the other fought. It was only with Myrrin that Luc would become a child again, a fire for battle burning in his eyes. The two boys exchanged blows, neither able to penetrate the other's defense. After years of battling, they had grown much stronger and faster.
"Luc! Come home! The Mayor is visiting tonight, you must get cleaned and groomed properly!"
The clear voice of Luc's housemaid called out just below the hill that Myrrin and Luc were on, breaking the tension that was lingering before the fight.
"Dammit! We can't just end it without knowing who is better than who!"
"Don't worry Myrrin, we promised to meet in The Capital. Get strong, and we'll settle it there."
Myrrin began tearing up as he released the sadness he had been holding back. It had been 4 years since they've met, Myrrin accidentally fell from a tree while trying to see the parade signaling the first public debut of the Astrelli heir. Amazingly, Myrrin fell from the tree and onto Luc who was in the center of the parade. Luc, who had been treated like royalty and lived a luxurious life, was instantly entranced by the sight of dirty Myrrin. They had been friends ever since, with two starting their fated rivalry after seeing a powerful [Contractor] stop by the town and demonstrate a couple moves with a flame releasing from his hand.
Rather than start crying, Myrrin raised his head and looked Luc in the eye. Without a word the two understood each other's feelings in that moment. Myrrin slowly nodded before running back home, refusing to turn back in case Luc saw his snotty nose. Dirt and sweat were warrior-like, but tears and snots were not something to be admired. In the world where power was everything, Myrrin promised to himself that he would remain Luc's rival and equal.
…
Myrrin blinked as he realized he had been day dreaming again. He let out a deep sigh, promising to himself that he would stay focused. Suddenly, he began to hear rolling wheels in the rough, dirt road behind him. He turned around to see a small group of carriages heading in his direction from the city gates. He began wiping his face the best he could, maybe they would let him hitch a ride to The Capital. Myrrin slowed his pace as he waited for the group to reach him. Within minutes the group arrived, slowing down as they reach Myrrin. At the head of the group was a jolly-looking man with graying hair and a slight belly.
"Hoho! Ahoy young man!"
The man exclaimed as Myrrin sauntered to the side of the road in order to them to pass. Myrrin's haggard looks caused others to view him as older than he actually was, which was just what Myrrin wanted. Myrrin pulled up a couple copper coins and pointed in the direction of The Capital. Although Myrrin might look old, his voice was still a dead giveaway.
"Gross. Go back to the slums you dirty rat. You'll dirty our merchandise. Even silver coins won't be enough for someone like you. Hmph."
A voice rang from the carriage window. Upon closer inspection, Myrrin could see a girl, about his actual age, peering out from the curtains in the carriage window.
"I'm terribly sorry. That's my daughter. My wife influences her too much, she does not really mean that. I am Arwin, and that was my daughter Reila. She had her [Awakening] a week ago, so we're going to The Capital for her."
Myrrin turned his head toward Reila, taking a look at Reila from between the messy bangs that hung off his head. Reila had large, purple eyes and was sporting a pigtail. Although she was pretty now, Myrrin had no doubt she would grow up into a beauty. Reila, who noticed the staring was spooked by the piercing amber eyes under the bangs.
"What is a street rat like you look at. Keep dreaming if you think you can even touch me."
"Reila!"
Arwin immediately shouted. As a successful business man, Arwin knew that anyone could be a crouching tiger in this world, he was worried that his daughter would provoke someone she shouldn't have. He signaled to a couple of his employees, who immediately made enough space on one of the cargo carriages for Myrrin. Arwin was incredibly efficient, taking care of the matter in the blink of an eye. The Capital wasn't too far, and, as a merchant Arwin appreciated money no matter how small. Meanwhile, Myrrin stayed quiet. He hadn't had his [Awakening] yet, so he couldn't retort. After handing Arwin his coins, Myrrin casually made his way over before nodding in satisfaction. He had indicated to Arwin that he was tired and needed some rest. Before he boarded the creaking brown carriage, Myrrin waved his thanks at Arwin before getting onboard. As he sat down in between two boxes of cargo, he began to think about his own [Awakening].
The [Awakening] is a phenomenon that occurs when a body perceives mana for the first time. It overwhelms the body which is oversensitive to the existing mana in the world, as a protective measure the laws of Kallos prevents anyone from perceiving mana before thirteen-years-old. As a result, the thirteenth birthday is usually a festive event in the world of Kallos, signifying the passing over into manhood or womanhood. Myrrin turned gloomy, thinking about his own birthday that passed without anyone's acknowledgment. Although Myrrin hadn't had his [Awakening] yet, it was rare for anyone to get it right after their birthday. Some took years before [Awakening]. Myrrin was sure his would come soon, simply because he had come from a family of people that had their [Awakening]. Of course it wasn't completely guaranteed, but it was very likely he would. For now, Myrrin could only pray that his [Awakening] would come sooner rather than later.
Myrrin slowly shifted around the carriage looking for a comfortable position. He wrapped his cloak around his frail body, and deeply fell asleep. A slight tear in his eyes as he surrendered to his tiredness reminiscing about birthdays with his parents he could still remember.