Dorian's Diary - Year 2029
I'm exhausted. I'm guarding the border between our kingdom and the realm of demons, and I feel a heavy weight on my shoulders. I've lost many people; others have betrayed me. Who would have thought there would be a traitor among humanity so close to me? Just thinking about it makes my anger boil inside.
The war is ongoing. After finishing the Luminar Academy, my brother and I, as part of the Thereon family and humanity, had to enlist to face the demons. They are a race similar to ours but possess terrifying power. Thanks to a demigod, we've been able to use mana, a power that rivals that of the demons, although its nature is different.
Unfortunately, we were separated and are in different squads. All I want is to rest, but what's the point in stopping now? There's a saying that it's better to fear someone who has nothing than someone who has everything because, in the end, what could I lose? I've already lost friends, family, and her. Who would have thought that my parents' death, their murder, would hold a great secret that would change my life and my view of the world?
I'm holding on in the shadows, my mana is running low. I'm constantly battling for survival, trying to stop most of the demons from crossing. I just wanted to be happy. Is that too much to ask? All I hope is that my brother isn't facing the same difficulties I am. My entire squad is dead. I can only ask the gods to give me strength so that reinforcements arrive as soon as possible.
Dear diary, year 2021
I introduce myself as Dorian Thereon. The pen glides smoothly over these pages, seeking to release the thoughts that have remained captive in the labyrinths of my mind. This is my refuge, a private space where solitude has woven its threads around my life. Here, every word is a whisper, an attempt to find complicity in the shadows of my isolation.
I have no friends, and it's not a mere whim of fate. My background, steeped in prestige, forces me to be cautious about whom I let near me. I remember that incident from when I was just a few years old, an attempted kidnapping of which I was barely aware. Now, in a few days, I will begin my first year at Scintilla Academy, a bastion of knowledge reserved for the elite, where brilliant minds are expected to shine even brighter.
Today, I find myself in my room, wrapped in the tranquility of my home. My parents, eternally absorbed in their businesses, have left this place echoing with emptiness. The mansion, imposing and solitary, resonates with whispers of unseen presences, as if the walls hold secrets that dare not be revealed.
In a few days, I will have to decide between the refuge of the school residence or staying at home. However, I doubt the choice matters, as in the residence I will have more opportunities for interaction, something I long for amidst the loneliness that surrounds me. My family is far away, on endless journeys, leaving my world even more devoid of warmth.
The Thereon family is one of the oldest in the city, its lineage traced with ink of recognition and power. Yet that ink fades on the pages of my life, which are marked by stillness and insecurity. This diary stands as a beacon in the darkness, a voice seeking to resonate beyond the shadows.
Dropping the pen, I contemplate the diary and its contents. "Tch, I think this bores me," I murmured. "If it weren't for the psychologists, I wouldn't have to do this."
Like every day, I head to the center, immersing myself in the bustle of the underworld, dressed in casual clothes. I don't do it for the food, though I enjoy savoring it while the laughter of people resonates around me. It's more of a curious fascination with observing the lives of others, so distant from my own. As a noble in the 21st century, my presence in this dark corner of Obsidianus Umbra is as unusual as a rose blooming in a field of ashes. However, the truth is I often frequent these places.
Nobles rarely mingle with those who inhabit the shadows of society. But here I am, immersed among laughter and chatter, like a silent observer of a world that doesn't belong to me. This place reveals the true face of the city, far from the opulence of mansions and the glimmer of ballroom lights.
Obsidianus Umbra, the city that bears the name of a legend. It is said that long ago, a hero sacrificed his life to close the gap between our world and that of the demons. However, I've always considered those stories mere tales, fables meant to instill fear or hope. Truth in legends? I doubt it.
As I devour a plate of spicy Chongqing noodles, my gaze lands on a young woman of enigmatic beauty. Her black hair cascades, and her deep violet eyes shine like stars in the dark. Something compels me to approach her, perhaps an unusual attraction for me. But before I can exchange words, something catches my attention: a nearby alley.
As I approach, my steps come to a sudden halt. Two figures lie on the ground, revealing an unexpected and macabre occurrence. My heart races as I recognize the two people: my parents, dressed in dark clothes with a strange symbol that seems foreign to our lineage. A chill runs down my spine as I realize I've seen that symbol before, though I can't recall where.
The scene grows increasingly grim. The ground is stained red, and my face pales at the horrifying reality. Despite the shock, I find the strength to call the imperial police.
As I try to comprehend the situation, I analyze my surroundings. The arrival of the authorities surprises those present, especially upon seeing a noble in this place. My reaction, however, seems to further confuse the officers. "Why is he fine? Why isn't he crying?" they seem to ask with their incredulous looks.
The officer in charge suggests that the motive for the crime might be robbery. "They had nothing of value," I murmur, as the silence grows heavy around me. The search for clues proves fruitless, and a sense of emptiness engulfs me.
Finally, they decide to take me home in a patrol car so I can give my testimony later. As we leave, the officer warns me: "We'll summon you to give a more detailed statement. Stay in touch and be ready to answer more questions, Mr. Thereon."
The journey is a tense silence, where the only company is my thoughts and the weight of what has happened. What secrets does that symbol on my parents' clothes hold? Unease consumes me as fate unfolds before me, like a dark labyrinth full of enigmas to solve.