The sun was setting over the small village, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. At the edge of the village, a quiet lake stretched out like a mirror, reflecting the vibrant colors above. A boy sat on its bank, holding a simple fishing rod. His name was Leo Raizen, a 16-year-old with messy black hair and sharp, focused eyes.
Leo stared at the water, but his thoughts were far away. The line of his rod hadn't moved in hours, yet he wasn't frustrated. Fishing wasn't about catching fish for him—it was about the silence, the time to think.
He thought about his life, about how hard it had been growing up. The boy everyone called selfish and lonely was, in truth, someone who had learned to survive on his own. The whispers of the villagers didn't bother him anymore. They didn't know his dreams, his purpose.
Leo wanted to uncover the truth of the Abyss World, a mysterious place that no one had ever returned from. Legends spoke of its connection to the secrets of the world, and Leo believed those secrets could change everything. If he could find it, he wouldn't just prove the villagers wrong—he'd prove to himself that he was destined for more than this small village life.
But for now, the fish weren't biting. He sighed, reeled in his empty line, and packed up his things. As he walked along the seashore, the waves lapping at his feet, disappointment crept over him. The day had been a waste, and he hadn't eaten anything since morning.
That night, Leo lay in his small bed with an empty stomach. The hunger didn't bother him as much as the gnawing feeling of being stuck. He stared at the wooden ceiling of his tiny home, his mind spinning with thoughts of the Abyss World and the grand adventures waiting for him beyond this village.
The next morning, Leo found himself at Lisa's house. She was 18, the owner of the village library, and someone Leo considered family. Six years ago, she had helped him during a tough time, and since then, their bond had grown. Lisa was like an older sister to him, always watching out for him.
Lisa placed a warm plate of food in front of Leo as he sat at her small wooden table. "Eat up. You look like you haven't eaten in days," she teased with a kind smile.
Leo took a bite and hesitated before asking, "Lisa, do you think I could join the Royal Academy in the capital?"
Lisa froze for a moment, surprised by the question. "The Royal Academy? Leo, that's for nobles. It costs a fortune to enter, and you'd need connections. Why do you ask?"
Leo's eyes lit up with determination. "Because it's the best academy in the kingdom. They say it holds secrets, Lisa. Secrets about the Abyss World."
Lisa laughed softly. "You and your Abyss World. Leo, those are just rumors. Nobody even knows if it's real."
"It is real," Leo said firmly. "And if I can get into the Royal Academy, I might find something. I could become like Sol Aether. He founded this kingdom 2,000 years ago, and they say he knew the secrets of the Abyss World. If I can find what he left behind, I can prove everyone wrong."
Lisa shook her head with a gentle smile. "You're dreaming big, Leo. But for now, you should focus on your studies at your current academy. One step at a time, okay?"
Leo nodded reluctantly, though her words didn't satisfy him. After finishing his breakfast, he thanked Lisa and left for the village academy, walking the long, winding road alone.
That night, the village was quiet. But in the distant capital, chaos erupted. A masked figure, dressed in dark robes, sprinted through the castle grounds, pursued by royal guards. The figure leaped over walls and dashed through narrow alleys with impossible speed, clutching a small device glowing faintly with energy.
The guards shouted, "Stop him! He's stolen the Aether Core!"
The thief reached the edge of the city and dove into a lake, vanishing into the night.
The next day, the kingdom was abuzz with news. The Aether Core—a device capable of storing immense energy—had been stolen from the king's castle. It was said to be powerful enough to destroy entire cities if misused.
In the village, Leo overheard the announcement. The king himself had offered a reward for anyone who could capture the thief and return the device.
Leo's heart raced. This was his chance. If he could catch the thief, he could ask the king to let him join the Royal Academy. His mind raced with plans.
That night, as the village slept, Leo packed his belongings. He didn't tell anyone, not even Lisa. But as he reached the outskirts of the village, he froze. Lisa stood there, waiting for him.
"Going somewhere, Leo?" she asked, her voice calm but firm.
Leo stammered, "Lisa... I have to go. This is my chance to prove myself. If I catch the thief, I can—"
"No," Lisa interrupted. "It's dangerous, and you don't even know where to start. You can't just run off like this."
Leo pleaded, trying every argument he could think of, but Lisa refused to let him go. Finally, he said something that made her pause, her eyes widening in shock.
"Lisa, I promise... I'll come back. But I have to do this. For me."
After a long silence, Lisa sighed and stepped aside. "Fine. But be careful, Leo. And don't make me regret this."
Leo smiled, though his heart felt heavy. "Thank you, Lisa. I'll come back. I swear."
As he walked into the night, the stars above seemed brighter than ever, guiding him toward the unknown. Leo didn't have a plan or clues, but he had something far more important: determination.
The hunt for the masked thief had begun.