[Note: While the first chapters may look like it. It is not what you thing.]
Chapter 1: The Four Creed Brothers I.
How do we start?
Yes. This is how this story begins.
Magic.
It is not a myth or legend but rather, a pivotal turning point in human history. The incident of this unprecedented awakening traces back to the year 2077.
Elymas Vale.
A renowned scientist, who is now known as the father of sorcery, in the past, detected a fluctuation in space-time. Using the machine: [Kaleidoscope], which was then created to measure this fluctuation.
Having tampering, with this fluctuation in space-time with the help of [Kaleidoscope] more so with the intent of measuring this anomaly to begin with.
Something unprecedented no human would have ever thought could happen, happened.
A catastrophic event happened. A portal was torn open, connecting Earth to another world unknown to modern humans of that time.
From the portal came creatures of unimaginable form—monsters and beings of other races. Their invasion was swift, and their otherworldly strength overwhelmed the humans of that time.
However, it didn't last long.
Humanity being on the brink found hope in the mysterious energy that flowed out from the portals.
Humanity Awakened.
"They" soon began to exhibit abilities far beyond the scope of normal humans' capacity. Strength, speed, magic—these powers were unlocked in certain individuals across the globe.
The science behind this sudden surge was quickly studied and, like magic before it, systemized.
With their newfound strength, Humanity fought back against the monsters, and made peace with the other beings who were left in awe of humanity's potential at that time.
By the end of the old era, humanity had not only reclaimed their lands, but had also made allies of other powerful beings that could help them lessen the threat of the monsters from the otherworld's.
And now that the world is at relative peace with little influence and dangers coming from the portal.
And currently....
"Haah."
On a forest trail that stretched ahead of a young boy like a path to oblivion. His breaths came ragged, his body aching from the sprint that carried him far deep into the dense forest path.
"Haah. Haah."
His pink hair, matted with sweat and dirt, clung to his forehead as he darted around the thick trees, occasionally glancing over his shoulder in sheer panic.
"They're close."
He muttered in dismay hearing the heavy pounding of footsteps echoed through the trees behind him.
Orcs—monstrous creatures of grotesque bulk and savage brutality—were pursuing him relentlessly.
His mistake had been signing up with an unregistered team to explore a dungeon, deep in the mountain range just beyond this forest.
They had promised glory, riches, and all that came with being an awakened, since he was getting desperate.
Instead, they'd all been greeted by death.
His companions lay somewhere in the dungeon at the mountain ruins, their screams seemingly still ringing in his ears. "Kuh."
The dungeon outbreak had been swift, and the orcs had swarmed them without mercy.
Now, Lucas was the last one standing—if he could even call this desperate flight standing. "Ack!"
He stumbled, almost falling face-first into the dirt. His legs screamed for rest, but fear pushed him forward. The orcs' growls reverberated through the air, growing louder, closer.
His pink hair, often a point of ridicule among his peers for its soft, feminine look, now felt like a cruel mockery of his helplessness.
Lucas had no weapons, no strength to speak of, just a body too delicate for the kind of hell he'd unwittingly walked into.
Suddenly, his foot caught on a root. "—Ahhh!" With a yelp, he tumbled forward, hitting the ground hard.
The impact rattled his bones, as if the sonic rings had been smacked the hell out of him, and for a second, the world spun in a dizzying blur. "Of all times..."
Dread froze him.
He scrambled to get up, but the pounding footsteps were now upon him, the orcs' foul breath hot on his neck. "No, no, no..."
Lucas whimpered, clawing at the earth to drag himself away. It was useless. By the time he would realise it.
A massive orc was already looming over him, its tusks glistening with saliva, yellow eyes gleaming as if they had enjoyed chasing him across such a distance.
The creature's meaty and deformed looking hand reached for him, ready to crush or devour—he wasn't sure which would come first.
Time slowed, and in that fleeting moment, Lucas's mind went blank. This was it.
But before the orc could lay a single finger on him, a voice cut through the air with calm.
"Would you be so kind as to not touch that boy?"
The orc froze mid-motion, its bloodthirsty grin faltering as if suddenly confused.
Lucas, still panting on the ground, looked up, dazed and disoriented.
He couldn't see the source of the voice at first, but then, from the shadows of the forest, a figure emerged.
The stranger's steps were light, and slow.
The trees casted a shadow over this person, so Lucas couldn't discern this person at first glance.
With a casual flick of his wrist, a golden chain shot from the ground hand, wrapping around the orc's limbs with an almost serpentine grace.
SCHLKK!
KACHAK!
The orc struggled, but the chain tightened, glowing faintly as it bound the creature.
Another flick, and more chains from the ground, beneath the orcs appeared, restraining all of them in an instant.
"Grrr—!"
"—Grra!?"
Their growls turned to confused whimpers as they were rendered utterly powerless, trapped by the golden restraints.
'A–amazing. A Saint-Class Awakened?' Lucas's eyes widened in awe.
For all he knew, only those on the Saint-Class were capable of treating enemies below them as lightwork as these.
And certainly, this was no ordinary person.
The stranger took a step closer, and Lucas finally got a good look at him.
His hair was black, tied back into a short, neat ponytail, adonred with glasses that fit his frame, but what stood out the most were his piercing green eyes.
"GRRRRR—!"
The orcs snarled, still trying in vain to break free, but the stranger paid them no mind.
With a brief, almost disinterested glance in their direction, he muttered something under his breath.
"[■]"
The chains tightened once more, then ignited into a brilliant golden flame.
Within seconds, the orcs were engulfed, their monstrous forms disintegrating into ash without so much as a scream.
The forest fell silent with none but the rhythmic creaks from crickets.
Lucas remained where he had fallen, mouth slightly agape, unable to process what had just happened. Surely, it must have been as he thought.
But then, he looked way to young, no, there are only a few Saint-Class, but those were akin to National Treasures that are affilated to [Helia's Central].
He wasn't sure if he was still in shock from the chase or utterly dumbfounded by the display of power he had just witnessed.
The stranger turned his gaze toward Lucas, his expression unreadable. For a moment, they simply stared at each other.
Then, the stranger extended a hand, his voice soft but firm. "What's your name?"
Lucas blinked, his brain still catching up with the situation. He swallowed, trying to find his voice.
"I—uh—Lucas. My name's Lucas."
The stranger raised an eyebrow after hearing his name, followed by a long stare.
"—Uhm…"
"No, forget it." Noticing the stare Lucas let out a wry smile, but the stranger shook his head.
He then helped Lucas to his feet with surprising gentleness for someone who had just decimated a pack of orcs with little more than a thought.
"Lucas," the stranger repeated, before then looking around the surroundings. "You shouldn't be here. What exactly are you doing here?"
The stranger spoke as if they already knew why he was here. And Lucas ..... he hung his head low, biting his teeth as he thought this through.
He'd been reckless, joining that unregistered team, and him being a weak Awakened in urgent need for money didn't help things.
He knew the risks, but they had seemed so confident.
And now... now he was standing amidst the ruins of his own stupidity, saved only by this stranger's intervention.
"I—" Lucas started, but his words trailed off. What could he say that didn't make him sound even more foolish?
In the end. Lucas concluded there was no need to complain or retort, as it would make him look more stupid instead.
And thanfully, the stranger, didn't press him for details. "Haah."
Instead, he looked Lucas over again with a critical eye, assessing him like he was trying to decide something.
After a few seconds of doing that, the stranger gave up. With an exhale.
"You're lucky I was around the area, I sensed some abnormal mana fluctuations, no wonder…. This explains a lot."
The stranger continued muttering to himself, holding his chin as he spoke. As soon as he finished, he then turned over to Lucas.
"Next time, make sure the people you're with actually know what they're doing."
Lucas felt a twinge of indignation rise in his chest. "I wasn't... It wasn't my fault. I didn't know the dungeon would break."
"And... you ventured in even without considering such a possibility?"
The stranger tilted his head, a faint frown pulling at the corners of his mouth. Lucas couldn't think of a single argument in return.
What he—the stranger—said was right.
Dungeon outbreaks were rare, sure, but that didn't mean they never happened.
And to make things worse, the team he had joined was weak from the start.
Not that he had any room to criticize them—he wasn't exactly strong himself.
"I... I... Thank you."
In the end, Lucas gave up trying to justify his actions.
Instead, he bowed deeply, overwhelmed by the realization that he would've died if this person hadn't shown up.
And in truth, he had nowhere else to go. Not to mention, he being ridden by many debts that hung on his neck.
"Uhm..." Lucas's voice trembled slightly, stretching his hand forward towards the back of the stranger, as he broke the silence.
"Hm?" The stranger, who had started to walk away, stopped and turned to face him.
"I... I want to be as strong as you. Please, train me!" The words tumbled out before Lucas could stop himself.
Silence.
The stranger blinked, clearly taken aback by the suddenness of the request. "Eh?"
"Ah... That..."
He muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked away, seemingly lost in thought.
After a long pause, he glanced at Lucas again, his gaze sharper, as if a decision had already been made.
"Hm, I suppose... with a little convincing..." His voice trailed off, leaving Lucas to stand there in nervous anticipation.
Then, with a sigh, the stranger shrugged.
"Haah. Fine. If that's what you want, then follow me."
Without waiting for a response, the stranger turned his back and started walking.
"A-ah, wait for me—!"
Lucas scrambled after him, his heart racing with a mixture of excitement and fear.
Little did he know, the decision he had just made would become both the wisest—and most dangerous—choice of his life.