Ravi had lived in Raikari Village for almost two months now. He had spent his time observing the people, the village, and most importantly, the culture. Despite knowing everything from the novel, he needed to experience it firsthand. The daily rhythms of life here were soothing—a far cry from the chaos he knew was coming. But beneath the tranquility, he remained vigilant. This world was about to change, and the gears of destiny were already turning.
The village lay on the northern coast of **Isle Faria**, one of the 28 islands surrounded by the mysterious **Green-Violet Wall**. The wall was a colossal force that hemmed in the known world, its purpose still unclear to the common people. Only the higher-ups knew what it truly meant—or at least they pretended to. According to the novel, it wasn't just a barrier but also a seal. Outside the wall were treasures, monsters, and powers beyond imagination, and one day, those beyond would return.
As Ravi wandered down the village's cobbled streets, he caught snippets of conversation about fishing trips, crop yields, and the occasional skirmish with a rogue soul beast. Everything seemed so ordinary. Yet, for someone like him who knew the future, every mundane detail felt like the calm before the storm.
This island—this insignificant, remote place—was where the real story would begin. The hero would awaken here. And today, if things went according to the novel, he was about to meet him.
Ravi made his way to the outskirts of the village. There, just beyond the hill that overlooked the ocean, was a clearing where the villagers practiced combat. It was an open space where young men and women honed their skills, eager to prove themselves as future soul servants. Ravi didn't care much for the practice sessions, but he felt drawn there today, as if the universe was nudging him toward a fateful encounter.
And there he was—**Shin**.
The boy stood out even in the distance. He was sparring with a group of boys, but it was clear he wasn't taking it seriously. Shin's jet-black hair caught the sun as he moved, his form loose and playful, more interested in testing out new tricks than winning. He was everything Ravi had expected—reckless, talented, and burning with a desire for adventure.
Ravi leaned against a tree at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, watching silently. He already knew Shin's fate. In just a few months, Shin would awaken two spirit soul servants—one born from human lineage, **Suchi**, and the other a silver dragon named **Asuchin**, a beast-born servant of immense power. Shin would soon rise to become a legendary figure, but right now, he was just a dreamer with too much energy.
Suddenly, one of the boys Shin was sparring with threw a wide punch. Shin sidestepped, spun, and used the force of his opponent's momentum to trip him. The boy hit the ground with a grunt, causing the others to cheer and laugh.
"You're gonna have to do better than that, Ren!" Shin called out, a wide grin on his face as he offered the fallen boy a hand.
Ren, looking slightly annoyed but good-natured, accepted the help. "One of these days, I'm gonna knock you on your ass, Shin."
"Sure, when pigs fly," Shin replied, his voice filled with confidence and mischief.
Ravi couldn't help but smirk. **Classic Shin**, he thought.
As the group wrapped up their sparring session, Shin noticed Ravi standing by the tree. With a curious tilt of his head, he waved off the others and jogged over.
"Hey! You're that new guy, right? I've seen you around but never caught your name," Shin said, his voice filled with the friendly curiosity of someone who had never met a stranger.
Ravi pushed himself off the tree, keeping his expression neutral. "Ravi," he replied simply.
"Ravi, huh?" Shin sized him up, though it was more out of friendly interest than anything else. "You don't spar?"
Ravi shook his head. "Not really. I'm more of an observer."
"Observer, huh? Sounds kinda boring," Shin teased, but there was no malice in his words. "So what brings you here? Watching us screw around?"
Ravi shrugged, careful not to reveal too much. "Just passing the time. You're pretty good, though."
Shin laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Eh, not as good as I want to be. I'm still waiting, you know? For my spirit soul servants. I've got big plans once I awaken."
**There it is**, Ravi thought. Shin's burning desire for adventure. It was exactly as described in the novel.
"And what kind of plans are those?" Ravi asked, playing along.
Shin's eyes lit up. "I'm gonna see what's outside the Wall."
Ravi raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. "Outside? I thought the Wall was impenetrable."
Shin leaned in, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "That's what they want us to think. But a hundred years ago, there was this guy who went outside the Wall. He came back and said there's treasure, power, and... well, monsters too. But it's out there! I know it is!"
Ravi nodded, though inside he felt a wave of nostalgia. He knew how this story unfolded. He knew Shin's fate. But still, hearing the boy's excitement firsthand made it all feel more real.
"You think you'll be strong enough to go out there?" Ravi asked, testing him.
Shin's grin widened. "Hell yeah, I will! Once I awaken my spirit soul servants, nothing's gonna stop me. I've heard the strongest can have up to nine of them, but even two is rare enough to make waves. I just know I'm going to be one of the lucky ones."
Ravi bit back a smile. **Two spirit souls, huh? You don't know just how right you are**.
Before the conversation could continue, another voice interrupted them.
"Shin! We're heading back! You coming?" Ren called out from the other side of the clearing.
Shin waved him off. "Yeah, yeah, I'll catch up in a minute."
He turned back to Ravi, his expression still lit with excitement. "Anyway, you should spar with us sometime. You look like you could hold your own."
"I'll think about it," Ravi said, giving a small nod.
Shin smiled. "Cool. Catch you later, Ravi."
As Shin jogged off to join his friends, Ravi stood there, watching him go. The hero was every bit the energetic dreamer he remembered from the novel. The boy who would change the world, unknowingly dragging Ravi along with him.
But for now, Ravi would stay in the background, watching, waiting. **After all**, he thought, **the side characters survive longer.**
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