"System Update…"
"Synchronizing with user…"
"System calibration in progress…"
"Speech patterns optimized."
"Name: Erie Sunheart; no middle name detected."
"Race: Sun Warrior."
"Evolution Stage: Sun-let."
"Age: 5."
"Level: 2."
"Absorbed energy detected: FF-ranked crystals successfully integrated into the skill database."
"Attributes: Locked."
"Skills: Locked."
"Abilities: None detected."
"Protection mode: Deactivated."
—
"He's part of the Sun Warriors, sir," Lennox reported. "We saw him walking down Beast Valley Trail. Looked like he was heading toward the open fields to hunt."
'Thump.' Something heavy hit the floor.
"Then why bring him here, Lennox?" a voice questioned. Footsteps echoed in the background. "We should report him and send him off to intro training."
'Clang'. The sharp clash of metal rang out.
"But Grand Master, he has an ability—we all saw it."
'Burp.' The Grand Master set down his drink and wiped his face. "Let me guess. You saw a yellow, orange, or white aura around him?"
His gaze shifted to Erie, sprawled across the table. The boy's orange hair and tan skin caught his attention. His complexion was smooth—almost unnatural for someone who had been wandering the wilderness.
"That's the skill all Sun Warriors possess. The whiter the aura, the stronger their skill."
The Grand Master stepped closer, studying Erie's frame. "He's extremely fit for a five-year-old."
Catching his own reflection in a nearby mirror, his fingers traced the long scar running diagonally from the left side of his forehead down to the bottom right of his jaw. His straight silver hair partially covered his face, while his glowing silver eyes reflected back at him.
"My scar appeared when I first awakened my ability," he murmured. "His body… it's like mine was at that age. I was never too big, but I was strong—built for combat."
Turning back to Erie, he considered for a moment before giving his order.
"Lennox, Zain—take him to Sun Lake Academy. It's still under construction, but keep him out of our affairs." His silver eyes gleamed. "However, if our purple friends decide to bother him… treat him as one of our own."
"Yes, sir." Lennox and Zain lifted Erie off the table and carried him out.
The Grand Master remained standing, his gaze shifting toward the distant mountains beyond his window. A thin column of smoke curled into the sky. His mind, however, lingered on the boy that had just been in front of him.
"I've got my eye on you, Sun Warrior," he murmured. "Maybe one day, I'll be blessed by the gods themselves."
—
Erie's eyelids fluttered as he regained consciousness. A rhythmic motion rocked his body—rising and falling in steady intervals. His senses sharpened, and he realized he wasn't on solid ground.
He was moving.
No—he was being carried.
The wind rushed past his ears, leaves rustling all around him. Through his half-opened eyes, he glimpsed towering trees flashing by in a blur. He was slung over someone's back, soaring through the forest.
His instincts screamed at him to struggle, to escape—but something stopped him.
A translucent screen hovered in front of him.
"Welcome to the Sun Warrior System."
"Unread Notifications: 32"
"System Update: Meditate under the sun for 30 minutes."
"Congratulations! You are now Level 2."
"Mission Completed: Defeat 10 Hares (17/10 defeated)."
"Sun Warrior System?" Erie thought, blinking at the floating text. His gaze fell on the 32 unread messages notification.
"How do I check these?"
A voice—soft yet mechanical—echoed in his mind.
'Request detected. How many messages would the user like to view?'
Erie stiffened. His heart pounded.
"What's happening to me?" He hesitated before thinking, "Um… I guess the most important three?"
'Request granted.'
"New Quest Received: Given by Rose Sunflower—Defeat 10 Chicrains, Hares, and Ratlors."
"Quest Reward: 5 EXP for each beast defeated."
"Ability: No ability detected."
Erie's breath hitched. The words swam in his head, pressing into his thoughts like they had a presence of their own.
"Hey, Lennox—stop. The kid's awake."
The movement suddenly ceased. Erie felt his stomach lurch as his captor landed on the ground.
'Thump.'
Lennox set him down carefully. Erie remained silent, his mind still reeling from what he had just seen and heard. The words from the system continued to linger.
'No threat detected.'
'Analyzing… error.'
"I'm Lennox. We met earlier, kid."
Erie stood still, saying nothing. He watched as the two boys kept their distance, their hands raised in a non-threatening gesture. But Erie wasn't convinced. They were strangers. One moment, he was smacked by what seemed to be the group leader; the next, he ran into the forest, passed out, and woke up in front of two older boys wearing green bandanas.
"I'm Erie," he finally said. "Erie Sunheart."
He studied the boys in front of him, his gaze narrowing. Why do they both look goofy?
Lennox, the taller of the two, stood about two inches over Erie. He was skinny and flimsy, his blond hair hanging down to his shoulders. His eyes were narrow, matching the sharp angle of his nose.
"I'm Zain!" The shorter one stepped up.
Unlike Lennox, Zain had green hair and hazel eyes. His pale skin contrasted with his well-fitted clothes. A smooth jawline and a confident smile made him seem more composed than his companion.
"Sorry about earlier," Zain said. "We usually just talk things out, but I guess the mention of Sun Warriors really triggered Charles."
Erie remained silent, ignoring their introductions. His focus was elsewhere.
"Where were you taking me?" he asked.
Zain stepped closer. "We're going to report you to the Beach City school board. You're supposed to be in training."
"Training?" Erie muttered, his thoughts racing.
A voice shouted in the background. Before Erie could react, a muscular boy leaped out of the trees and landed in front of him.
Erie's nerves shot through him like a spark. His body tensed, and before he could stop himself, he let out a startled scream. He stumbled backward, his muscles twitching from the sudden shock. The figure before him wore an all-white outfit—one that, strangely, never seemed to get dirty.
"Charles, what are you doing here?" Lennox yelled from the background.
"The moment Grand Master said we had to protect this twerp, I had to see for myself," Charles scoffed.
He stepped forward, raising his hand toward Erie.
Erie flinched, instinctively covering his face.
Charles clicked his tongue in irritation and lowered his hand. "Don't look at me like that, you brat!"
He turned to the trees and raised his arm. "If I wanted to hurt you, I would've done it already!"
A ring of water formed around his forearm, swirling toward his palm with a rushing sound. In a swift motion, he released the water, sending a sharp stream slicing through the air. The attack struck a tree, leaving a deep, straight-cut gash across its bark.
"You see," Charles said, turning his gaze back to Erie. "I know you have an ability, and you're gonna show it to me."
Erie swallowed hard. "But… I don't have an ability," he protested.
Lennox and Zain exchanged a glance.
"Hey, Charles," Zain called out. "Leave the mate alone. Grand Master ordered us to look after him as if he's one of us."
Charles let out a low snarl. "I just want a simple spar."
'New Quest Received.'
The system's voice echoed in Erie's mind.
'Defeat Charles Raincutter in battle.'