Chapter 2: The Aftermath
Ain awoke with a jolt, his eyes snapping open to an unfamiliar ceiling. His body felt heavy, his limbs weighed down as though he had been carrying the burden of a dream he could no longer grasp. Sharp, shallow breaths escaped his lips, and a throbbing pain radiated through his skull—a lingering aftershock of an event that felt distant and fragmented.
Where am I?
The room was dimly lit, its barren walls offering no clues to its purpose or origin. Though his senses felt heightened, they were tinged with an inexplicable strangeness, as if the fundamental fabric of his reality had shifted. He sat up slowly, his head spinning as his body adjusted to the new environment. The air around him was dense, charged with a faint energy he couldn't yet identify.
I don't remember anything.
His memories lay shattered, broken fragments scattered beyond reach. Faces, names, moments of significance—they all seemed just out of grasp. A sense of urgency gnawed at him, a quiet but unrelenting panic that something crucial was slipping through his fingers.
A soft groan from the doorway broke his reverie. Turning sharply, Ain's gaze settled on the figure of a girl standing at the threshold. No older than eighteen, she had dark brown hair tied back in a messy ponytail and striking green eyes that seemed to glow with a faint intensity. Her slender frame carried an air of confidence, though her sharp gaze betrayed her curiosity—and perhaps a trace of concern.
"You're awake," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Good. I was starting to wonder if you'd make it."
Ain blinked, his voice hoarse with confusion. "Who are you?"
"Sophie," she replied, stepping closer. "I found you collapsed outside. You're lucky I happened to be nearby. Otherwise, I'm not sure what would've happened."
Ain's mind raced, searching for clarity but finding only a disorienting void. Who is she? Why am I here? He pressed a hand to his temple, as though the act might force answers to surface. The effort was futile, and the fog in his mind remained unbroken. The only sensation that felt tangible was the surge of power humming beneath his skin—alien yet strangely familiar.
Sophie studied him carefully, her gaze sharp but not unkind. "You've got power," she said finally, her tone measured. "I don't know what kind, but I can feel it. And that Battle intent…" Her eyes narrowed. "That's not something most people can hide."
Ain stiffened, unsure how to respond. "What do you want?"
"Relax," she said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "I'm heading to the capital. Figured I'd offer to take you along. These parts aren't exactly safe, and judging by the state you were in, I'd say you could use the help."
Ain hesitated, weighing her words. He didn't know her, didn't know himself, and yet... something told him she wasn't lying. His instincts, heightened by the strange power coursing through him, urged him to trust her—at least for now.
"I... don't know," he muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I don't even know who I am."
Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Lost your memory, huh?" She stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder in a surprisingly comforting gesture. "Don't worry. You'll figure it out. It could be related to messing around with Ether energy too much. But first, let's get you to a safer place."
Ain reluctantly nodded, accepting her help. As he stood, the power within him surged again, a heady rush of strength and control that felt almost intoxicating. Yet its source remained an enigma.
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As they began walking toward the door of Sophie's cramped apartment, she began explaining the world around them, filling the gaps in his understanding.
"Let me tell you the basics," she began. "This world runs on Ether. Think of it as the essence of everything—power, life, energy. Everyone has a system that's tied to the type of Ether they're born with. There are four main types: Mana, Qi, Arcana, and Aura."
"Ether?" Ain echoed, struggling to keep up.
"Yeah," Sophie nodded. "Each race has different affinities. Orcs, for example, are born with Qi and can train Aura. Elves are born with Mana and can train Arcana. Humans, though—we're lucky. We're born with Aura, and we can train all of them, as long as you have the talent."
"Training affects the system?" Ain asked, intrigued despite himself.
"Precisely. Some people are born with more than one Ether type, others with just one. It's rare to have all of them, but it's possible. Adding to what I've said every 20 levels, you gain an ability tied to your Ether. The abilities grow stronger as you level up."
Ain absorbed her words, though his thoughts remained clouded. [A system tied to Ether...] He glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers. [What kind of power do I have?]
"What's the highest level anyone's reached?" Ain asked.
"Ninety," Sophie replied without hesitation. "Valorion, humanity's greatest hero. They say he could topple entire nations on his own. But…" Her expression darkened. "There's also Atrax, the strongest villain in the Villor rankings. Rumor has it he's level ninety-two. If that's true, humanity might be in real trouble."
Ain's blood ran cold at the name. Atrax. He felt something stir deep inside him—something primal and undeniable. His chest tightened, and his heart raced, a strange unease creeping over him.
Sophie noticed his change in demeanor. "You okay?"
Ain shook his head. "I'm fine but don't remember how to access my system."
"Oh that's easy I was about getting to that," Sophie paused her voice becoming softer as she said. "Repeat after me: Fenestram status aperire."
Ain hesitated, then echoed the words. The air shimmered before him, and a translucent screen materialized. His eyes widened as he read the details displayed before him:
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Ain Atrax Moltern
Level: 92
Class: Mana Sage
Race: Human
Attributes:
Qi: 89,000/100,000
Mana: 98,000/100,000
Aura: 70,000/100,000
Arcana: 1,000/100,000
Main Ether: Mana
Sub Ether: Qi, Aura, Arcana
Inactive Ether: None
Main Abilities:
Gravity Manipulation ☆☆☆☆☆ (Mana)
Ability Amplification ☆☆☆☆ (Qi)
Battle Intent ☆☆☆ (Aura)
Sub Abilities:
Perception ☆☆ (Arcana)
"Double click an icon to a get more detailed format"
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Ain's breath hitched. Level 92? The numbers on the screen were incomprehensible, yet they stirred something deep within him—a sense of purpose, of power waiting to be unleashed. But more than that, a name on the screen sent a chill down his spine.
Atrax.
He could feel something shifting within him, a realization clawing its way to the surface.
Ain's eyes widened. The name that appeared on his status sent a chill down his spine. Atrax. That name wasn't just familiar—it was him.
Ain's hands began to tremble as something dark stirred deep inside him.
Sophie tilted her head, noticing his reaction. "You look shaken. Is something wrong?"
Ain swallowed hard and shook his head, trying to calm himself. He didn't want to reveal anything, not yet. Not until he fully understood his situation.
"Nothing. I just... don't remember this. It's overwhelming." He quickly scanned the rest of the information. "So... I think I'm a Mage?"
Sophie's eyes brightened. "A Mage? That's great! I'm a swordsman myself. We could make a good pair."
Ain's thoughts raced. Mana Sage. He had no memory of how he obtained this power, but there it was—his abilities laid bare. His strength, his capacity, his limits... all reflected a past he couldn't remember but now had to confront.
Sophie watched him closely, trying to gauge his reaction seeing his nevorsness. Her expression softened into a confident smirk, but her aura still exuded the confidence of someone who could handle anything.
"So, uh... you said you don't remember much, right?" Sophie asked, breaking his focus. "It's common. People forget their memories when they mess up while channeling Ether. Since you're on your own, I'd suggest applying to the Hero Academy with me. It's the best place to train, and if you're lucky, you might even find an expert who can help you recover your memories."
Ain listened closely. The Hero Academy. He had heard about it before, even through the haze of his fractured recollections. It was a place for those who aspired to become heroes—to protect people. And something about it called to him, despite his amnesia.
" Alright then I'll go with you," Ain said, a strange sense of conviction surging within him. He didn't know why, but Sophie's confidence made him want to follow her. Perhaps, with her guidance, he could finally discover what kind of person he truly was.
Sophie smiled, her expression softening. "Good. We'll make it together. But just so you know, there's always a risk.To put you through lemme give you some basic knowledge .Villor is an underground organization involved in just about everything shady—assassinations, exploitation, and especially targeting uprising heroes headed by Atrax. Their influence is so widespread that even the Capital isn't immune to their reach. If you want to survive in this world, you need to be prepared for anything. And whatever you do, don't offend anyone if you can help it."
Ain nodded, understanding the weight of her words. If Villor was connected to the power he could feel stirring inside him, he knew this wouldn't be easy. But with Sophie by his side, his path ahead seemed a little clearer.
However, as he recalled what he saw in his status window, a heavy truth pressed against his chest. He was Atrax—the Atrax. The number one villain on Villor's rankings, feared by everyone.
Fortunately, Sophie didn't see his status. She couldn't, as she'd explained earlier. No one could see another's status window, as it was directly linked to their power core.
Screech, scrape, clink, click...
Sophie fumbled with the lock on the door, the sound of it echoing in the quiet alley. Ain's thoughts began to race, and he muttered under his breath, barely audible. "I'm Atrax... and I'm going to a hero academy. How ironic."
Sophie didn't hear him, still focused on getting the door shut. She looked up at him, a curious expression on her face. "What was that?"
Ain quickly recovered, forcing a casual smile. "Ah, nothing. Just... excited to become a hero."
Sophie tilted her head, watching him for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "That's good. Let's see what kind of hero you'll become."
Ain exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. He had almost slipped up, but for now, everything was fine.
Meanwhile, Sophie was still struggling with the door. Her hand pressed against the heavy wood as she pushed, trying to force it shut. The physical effort mirrored the strain in her mind. The dim alley light flickered in the faintest breeze, offering little comfort.
She had never planned on helping Ain—not in the way he thought, at least. She had her own reasons, motives far beyond mere kindness. After all, a girl like her didn't survive on charm alone—she'd learned that lesson the hard way. Sophia Angelis wasn't a name she used anymore. Not since she left her prestigious noble family behind. The Angelis family had their expectations: arranged marriages to noble houses, political alliances. But Sophie had rejected it all. They had tried to marry her off to a man who saw her only as a pawn for his own ambitions.
Her hands trembled slightly as she remembered the life she had fled—the lavish rooms, the high society dinners, the cold, calculating smiles of her relatives. They had treated her like a commodity to be bartered, and she'd had enough. So, she ran. She chose the slums over the suffocating expectations of her noble birth. And here, in this harsh world, she had grown stronger in ways the rich could never understand.
But even in the slums, she couldn't completely sever ties with her family's influence. She needed leverage to survive in this world.
And that's where Ain came in.
As she struggled to close the door, her mind raced, calculating every possible angle. She could use him. She had to. Ain already owed her a favor, and what she'd done for him was no small thing. Helping him had been only the beginning. If he agreed to pose as her boyfriend, she could use that as leverage to ensure he attended the academy. Not for his sake, but for hers. She had her own ambitions. Being linked to someone with potential could help her rise up the social ladder again, though through unconventional means.
Ain wasn't just a tool, though. There was more to it. He was attractive—there was no denying that. He exuded a quiet strength, an air of someone who wasn't easily intimidated. And that intrigued her. She didn't know what he was capable of,or how strong he really was, but there was something about him that made her hesitant to underestimate him. Still, she was confident she was stronger—at least for now. That could change, of course. But for now, he needed to be useful to her, and she would ensure he was.
Sophia Angelis might have abandoned her noble title, but the ambition that came with it was something she couldn't easily shake off. Ain might not know it yet, but his future was now tied to hers. In the world she inhabited, the right connections were everything.
With a final push, the door clicked shut. Sophie allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. She had her plan. Now, she just needed to convince Ain.
"So, um... I never really asked you your name," Sophie said, her voice soft but steady.
T.B.C.
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