The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm golden light over the village. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees surrounding the square, and the scent of blooming wildflowers filled the air. The small, humble village of Skelt sat on the edge of the Westland, its cobblestone streets leading to simple homes made of stone and wood. People bustled around, preparing for the most important day of their lives—the Ritual of Awakening.
The village was known for its serenity and simplicity, nestled between lush forests and vast, open plains. Yet today, there was an energy in the air, a palpable sense of anticipation. Every year, at age 16, the children gathered in the village square to discover their system stats, a moment that would define their futures.
Kale stood by the side of his humble home, his gaze distant, watching the commotion in the village centre. He was an average 16-year-old boy, slender and unremarkable in appearance. His messy brown hair fluttered with the wind, and his eyes, though bright, seemed clouded with a sadness that weighed down his shoulders. His life had been a series of losses, beginning with the tragic death of his parents during a war that swept through the region. Since then, his older sister, Carla, had taken care of him.
But Carla's story had taken a different turn when she unlocked her stats—S rank intelligence with A rank potential. It was a rare combination, and within days, she had been whisked away to the capital to attend an elite academy for those with extraordinary abilities. Carla's departure had left Kale behind, and ever since, he had been left to navigate the world alone, save for his two childhood friends, Nathaniel and Lina.
"Kale!" A voice called out, snapping Kale from his thoughts. He turned to see Nathaniel, his tall, muscular friend, walking toward him with a wide grin on his face. Nathaniel's expression was a mix of excitement and arrogance, the latter being a constant feature of his personality. Nathaniel had always been the strongest in their group, with a fierce desire to prove himself.
"Time for the big day," Nathaniel said, slapping Kale on the back with a force that nearly sent him stumbling. "Are you ready for your big moment?"
Kale forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I guess so."
Nathaniel's grin widened. "You're going to be fine. I'm sure you'll get some decent stats. After all, you're not that weak."
Kale only nodded, but inside, he wasn't so sure. His sister had been sent to the capital, and he knew deep down that he was never going to measure up to the high expectations set by her, let alone Nathaniel and Lina.
As they walked to the village centre, they were joined by Lina, the quiet and intelligent girl of their trio. Lina was a stark contrast to Nathaniel. Where he was bold and brash, she was reserved and thoughtful, always observing rather than participating in the loud conversations around her. With her sharp green eyes and dark hair, Lina was the one who always seemed to know more than she let on.
"You two are going to be fine," Lina said softly, offering Kale a reassuring smile as they approached the crowd. "No matter what your stats are, we'll be here for you."
Kale gave a faint nod, appreciating her words, though they did little to calm the nervous fluttering in his chest.
The village square was packed with people—nearly every villager had gathered to witness the ritual. At the centre stood the village elder, an old, wise man who had seen countless awakenings over the years. His wrinkled face was serious, as it always was on this day, and his voice carried authority as he addressed the crowd.
"Today, we stand on the precipice of a new chapter in our lives," the elder said, his voice echoing through the square. "For today, our children will discover their fates. Their stats will define who they become and what role they will play in our society. Remember, the system has given us these powers for a reason—to fight back against the monsters that threaten us all."
The elder paused, looking out over the crowd, his gaze lingering on the group of children gathered before him. He nodded toward the first, a boy named Orin, who stepped forward eagerly. The ritual began, and Orin's status window appeared.
"C strength, B speed, D endurance, C intelligence, and C potential," the elder read aloud. "Not a bad start, Orin. You will be a solid member of our village's defence force."
Next, a girl named Isla stepped forward, her face full of nervous anticipation. She blinked as her stats were revealed.
"B strength, A speed, C endurance, B intelligence, and C potential," the elder announced, causing a wave of murmurs through the crowd.
Lina glanced at Kale and Nathaniel, her eyes wide with surprise. "Her speed... A rank? That's exceptional."
Nathaniel smirked. "She's fast, but I'll be better. Watch."
Then it was Nathaniel's turn. He stepped confidently into the circle, his posture straight, his chest puffed out with pride. As his stats appeared, the crowd fell silent.
"A strength, B+ speed, B endurance, C intelligence, and B potential," the elder said, his voice filled with awe.
A murmur ran through the crowd, impressed by Nathaniel's results. His strength and potential were top-tier for someone of his age.
Nathaniel grinned, clearly pleased with the results. "Not bad at all," he said with a wink toward Kale and Lina.
Next, Lina stepped forward, her calm demeanour unchanged. As the stats flashed on the screen, the entire square went silent.
"C+ strength, A speed, C+ endurance, B intelligence, and A potential," the elder read, his voice filled with surprise.
The crowd exploded into whispers. Lina's speed and potential were exceptional. The village had never seen such potential in anyone her age beside Carla.
As the whispers died down, it was finally Kale's turn. He stepped forward, feeling his heart race. He tried to steady his breath as the elder read aloud the results.
"F strength, F speed, F endurance, E intelligence, and Blank potential," the elder declared, his voice heavy with disbelief.
The square fell into stunned silence. Kale's heart pounded in his chest. No one in the history of the village had ever received such a result. His potential... blank. It was as though the system had forgotten him altogether.
"What... what is this?" one villager muttered under their breath. "A curse?"
"That's impossible," another whispered. "No one has ever received F stats across the board. He must be cursed!"
The elder's face hardened, his expression unreadable. After a long, tense silence, he finally spoke.
"Kale... you are a disgrace to our village. You are unfit to live among us. You have to leave the village immediately."
Lina gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. "No... you can't... you can't make him leave!"
But the elder's decision was final. "It is for the good of the village. His existence... brings shame to all of us."
Nathaniel said nothing. He simply stood with his arms crossed, looking away, unwilling to meet Kale's eyes.
The villagers, their faces full of contempt, began to shout at kale. Words like "failure," "curse," and "worthless" filled the air. A few of them even threw stones at him as he turned to leave.
Kale's mind swirled with confusion and anger. He didn't know where to go, what to do, or why it had come to this.
With his heart heavy, Kale wandered into the Westland, the barren, desolate stretch of land that lay beyond the village. It was a place few dared to venture, a land of sand and harsh winds. The air felt dry and cold, the landscape barren and devoid of life. A grim silence enveloped the land.
Suddenly, Kale heard a rustling sound. He froze, his senses sharpening as a group of E rank desert rats emerged from the shadows, their beady eyes gleaming with hunger.
These rats were large, their fur matted and their claws sharp. They circled Kale, eager for the kill.
Kale's heart raced as he realised they were closing in. There was no way he could fight them—his stats were too weak. The rats bared their teeth, snarling, as they lunged at him.
As Kale braced himself for the attack, the desert rats leaping toward him with lethal intention.