An eighteen-year-old young man with medium-length black hair lay sprawled across a queen-sized bed. He wore a simple black shirt and white shorts, his red eyes still heavy with the lingering weight of sleep. This was Hiro Yui, the outcast. In the city of Thalia, his name was well-known—though not for noble reasons. He was infamous for one thing: he possessed no Noble Arts.
Hiro slowly sat up, gazing out the nearby window. Outside, a group of magicians flew by, their robes fluttering in the wind. A magical girl on a broomstick led the pack, while accompanied by others drifted effortlessly through the air beside her. It was a common sight in Thalia, yet it always left Hiro with a strange, quiet ache.
Shaking off the thought, Hiro dragged himself to the bathroom to wash up, following his daily habit of taking a bath every morning. The cold water splashed over his face, refreshing him from the fatigue lingering in his body. Hiro was known to rarely have a peaceful night's sleep; he often drifted into unsettling dreams—dreams of unknown battles, lost faces, and something that could be a memory he could never quite grasp.
After taking his time bathing, he got dressed in his usual outfit: a light black sweater and shoulder armor on his left that barely looked like armor at all. It was more for fashion than protection. Slipping on his custom-made sports shoes, designed for quick movements in the tower, he slung a medium-sized brown bag over his shoulder—perfect for storing monster loot. Today would be just another day of survival.
As he stepped outside the inn, Hiro was met by the familiar bustle of Thalia. The city's streets were lively with adventurers preparing for quest and merchants haggling over goods. The clang of merchant bells echoed down the crowded roads, mixing with the lively chatter of passerby. Thalia, known as the "City of Beginnings," was a hub for novice adventurers seeking their first steps into the dangerous world of tower raiding.
Yet despite the liveliness, Hiro felt an isolating chill wash over him. Whispers followed him wherever he went.
"Hey, it's him. The one with red eyes," someone murmured.
"Yeah, let's not get too close to him. We don't want the constellation to curse us too." Another voice replied.
Hiro didn't flinch. He'd heard it all before. The outcast. The one born without a Noble Blessing, abandoned by the stars. It was the fate he'd carried since birth. He walked on, ignoring the words that stung more than he would ever admit.
The guild building loomed ahead, a massive structure with intricate carvings on its stone walls and tall, arched windows that reflected the sunlight. Before he could reach it, a familiar voice broke through the noise of the streets.
"Hiro!"
"Hiro froze, instantly recognizing the voice. Turning around, he saw a silhouette about his age sprinting toward him, her long black hair with blue highlights streaming behind her. She wore white armor paired with a brown midi skirt, her blue eyes filled with determination as she weaved through the crowd. That silhouette was none other than Camelya Von Stalia, or Aliya, as her pet name, Hiro's only friend."
"A-Aliya!?" Hiro stammered, shocked to see her calling his name in public, especially with so many people around.
"U-ughh... Huff... huff..." Aliya tried to catch her breath after sprinting full speed to Hiro. "A-Are you going to explore tower again today? Maybe we can get a quest together this time? I'm on my way to the guild as well; wanna go together? It'd be great to challenge Hermes's tower today!" Her words tumbled out in a hurried rush, making Hiro think she might start rapping.
"Aliya, calm down, !" Hiro placed his hand by her shoulders to steady her. "Wait, first of all, let's get away from here." He took her hands and led her into a narrow alleyway away from from the prying eyes of the crowd.
After catching their breath, Hiro leaned against the stone wall, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety.
"You know, if you hang around me too much, people will talk badly about you too." Hiro's voice low, laced with concern.
Aliya frowned, crossing her arms. "I don't care what they say! You're my friend, Hiro. We've been through so much together ever since we were kids."
"I know, but it's different for you. You're from a well-known noble family. The way people treat me... I can't let you ruin your reputation being seen with someone like me." He looked away, not wanting to see her disappointment.
Aliya's expression softned, though a hint of sadness flickered in her blue eyes. "You do know that my family doesn't care about that. Neither does my party. They're more upset with how the rest of the city treat you."
Hiro's gave a small, bittersweet smile. "That is exactly why I can't come with you. I don't want to drag everyone down and I'm...not strong enough to protect you.
Aliya's face fell, her shoulder slumping. "So, you're refusing to join me again? Even today?"
Hiro nodded, but guilt evidently showed on his face. "I have to. The guild's rule might protect me within the city, but outside...it's different. I can't risk you getting caught up in that."
Aliya looked down, her voice barely a whisper. "Okay, I understand," she said softly. "Just promise me you'll be careful, okay? And contact me if something bad happens..."
"I will." Hiro replied, offering her a smile."You, too. Be careful."
They parted ways as soon as they reached the streets. Hiro making his way to the towering guild, and Aliya went to meet her party at a nearby restaurant.
Hiro arrived at a very big building. The building's exterior was complex and beautiful. This was "Opus, the southeast guild branch."
As he entered the grand entrance, the atmosphere changed. He could see the cold stares and mocking laughter directed at him instantly. Hiro ignored them heading to the far-left corner where the only person in the guild who treated him kindly waited.
Mr. Arbalest Aaron Lugh sat slumped over his desk, snoring loudly at the desk. His long, light brown hair tied into a messy samurai bun, nicely trimmed sideburns and his muscular frame made him more like a warrior than a receiptionist. Despite his intimidating appearance, he was infamous for his laziness, earning him the disdain of many adventurers.
Knock, knock. Hiro knocked lightly on the desk.
"Mr. Arbalest, are there any F-rank quest available today?" Hiro spoke in a respectful manner.
Arbalest stirred, slowly opening his hazel colored eyes. "Ah, Hiro... full of energy again, huh? Why don't you take a day off? Feels much better to sleep on a day like this."
Hiro chuckled. "I'd starved if took a break. Gotta keep going and gather the reputation point to increase my rank."
Arbalest sighed as he lazily flipped through the quest book. "After three and a half years, they're still refusing to raise your rank, huh? You never fail a quest, and yet... I wonder what those bald-headed dumb fools are thinking."
Hiro rubbed the back of his head, chuckled sarcasticly "They are not bald. They probably think i'm hopeless. But i'll keep trying anyway. They can't hold me down forever."
Mr. Arbalest raised an eyebrow, giving him a sympathetic look. "So, what are you looking to tackle today? clearing the slime, or looting medicinal herb for those lazy merchant from the alchemist guild?"
Hiro shrugged. "Anything that pays. I need to earn points to increase my reputation. That way, the old farts wouldn't be able to hold my rank any longer, right?"
"Alright, let me see." Mr. Arbalest flipped through the quest book, finally stopping on a page. "Here's an F-rank quest. The payout is not bad, and you can earn a decent amount of reputation points too. It says to get a bluebell flower on the 3rd floor of Blue Tower, and it shouldn't be too dangerous for you."
Hiro nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Sounds good. I'll take it."
"And If you're feeling lucky, might as well clear the tower. The reputation points for clearing Blue Tower are worth 50 points, and I heard the boss drops a medium-sized magic bag that sells well these days," Arbalest added with a smirk.
Hiro grinned, "i'll think about it. Thanks, Mr Arbalest."
"Just don't get yourself hurt, Hiro. Remember, you're not invincible," Mr. Arbalest showed concern.
Hiro gave a small smile. "I know, I know. I'll be careful. Thanks, Mr. Arbalest!"
Mr. Arbalest sent him off with a smile and goes back to having a good rest.
With the quest in hand, Hiro set off, feeling the familiar thrill of adventure mixed with the weight of his worries. He couldn't shake off the thought of Aliya, but he knew he had to keep moving forward—both for her and for himself.