Shouta's life was nothing more than a meaningless routine. Wake up, go to school, sit through lessons, come home, study, and sleep—then repeat. The world never noticed him, and he didn't care much for the world either. He was just an ordinary teenager trying his best to stay out of the spotlight.
But everything changed that evening.
Shouta was walking home from school as usual, his mind preoccupied with the test coming up next week. His steps were slow on the bustling sidewalk, surrounded by the honking of cars and the chatter of passersby. Out of the corner of his eye, something strange caught his attention—a car speeding dangerously fast.
Before he could react, the car swerved and hit him.
He didn't even have time to scream. The impact was overwhelming, and his world went black.
When Shouta opened his eyes, he was no longer on the city sidewalk. Instead, he found himself lying on a cold, grimy floor that smelled of rot. The dimly lit room had walls made of wood, with faint light seeping in through narrow gaps. The clinking sound of chains echoed as he moved, sending a chill down his spine.
"Where... am I?" he whispered, fear creeping into his voice.
The heavy wooden door creaked open, and two large men in black uniforms entered. Their faces were hard, like stone, and they didn't bother answering his question.
"Get up, kid! Baron Gartok wants to see you," one of them barked as they grabbed his arm roughly.
"Baron? Who's that? What do you want from me?" Shouta protested, trying to resist. But his body was too weak to put up any real fight.
They dragged him down a dark corridor into a grand hall filled with extravagantly dressed men. They lounged in ornate chairs, laughing and sipping from goblets. At the center of the room sat an older man on a gilded throne, his bulky frame draped in robes embroidered with gold. His sharp eyes gleamed with malice.
"Ah, the new one," Baron Gartok said with a sly smile, his voice echoing through the hall. "Tonight's entertainment has arrived."
The guests snickered, their predatory gazes making Shouta's skin crawl. He felt like a lamb tossed into a den of wolves.
"This party has been a bit dull," one guest said with a chuckle. "Baron, make sure the boy puts on a good show for us!"
Baron smirked. "Oh, don't worry. He'll do whatever I say."
Shouta's chest tightened as dread gripped him. He didn't understand what was happening, but one thing was clear—nothing good awaited him here.
One of the guests stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with cruel intent. "Don't worry, boy. Just behave, and you'll get through this," he said mockingly.
Shouta trembled, his fists clenched at his sides. "No... I don't want this..." he whispered, tears welling up in his eyes.
But he wasn't given a choice. The guest reached out toward him, his hand hovering over Shouta's shoulder, when suddenly—
A brilliant blue light exploded from Shouta's body. It was searing hot and powerful, sending shockwaves through the room. The force knocked everyone off their feet, slamming them against walls and furniture.
Baron Gartok nearly fell from his throne, his expression shifting from smug confidence to fury. "What is the meaning of this?!" he roared, pointing at Shouta. "This boy... he's a sorcerer! Seize him!"
The guards scrambled to obey, but Shouta didn't wait for them to get close. Driven by fear, he turned and bolted for the nearest exit, his chains rattling as he ran.
The grand hall erupted into chaos as he fled, weaving through the dark corridors. His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't know where he was going—he just needed to get away.
Finally, he stumbled into a shadowy alley and collapsed against the wall, his legs trembling. For a moment, he simply sat there, trying to catch his breath.
"What... what just happened?" Shouta murmured, staring at his trembling hands. "That light... was that me?"
The questions spun in his mind, but he didn't have time to think. The faint sound of footsteps echoed behind him. Someone was following him.
He tried to get up and run again, but a voice called out from the darkness.
"Stop! That boy... who is he?"
The voice wasn't commanding like the guards'. It was filled with astonishment—and something else. Fear.
Shouta froze, his heart racing once more. Who was this person? Were they a friend or yet another threat?
One thing was certain: his ordinary life was gone forever.
To Be Continued...