The sun rose over the bright streets of Zoton, casting a warm glow on the village. Aron Farno, a 16-year-old boy with a determined yet weary expression, was hard at work in Jita Fruits, the small fruit shop where he spent his mornings. His family was poor, and his father, Allen, had been the only breadwinner. Unfortunately, Allen had been injured while working and was now confined to rest, leaving Aron to shoulder the family's financial burdens.
Aron's mind wandered as he organized the baskets of fresh fruits, lost in thoughts of his father's recovery and the weight of their situation. The chime of the shop door snapped him back to reality. A lady customer had entered, her noble attire and air of arrogance immediately setting her apart from the usual patrons. She approached the counter, her eyes scanning the fruits with a hint of disdain.
"Excuse me, boy," she said sharply. "I need these fruits packed immediately."
Aron, still caught in his reverie, didn't respond right away. The lady's patience quickly wore thin.
"Are you deaf, or just incompetent?" she snapped, her tone icy.
Aron blinked and hurried to assist her, apologizing for his delay. The lady's rudeness stung, but he kept his composure, determined not to let her see how much her words affected him.
After the long day at the shop, Aron finally headed home, the weight of the world on his young shoulders. On his way, he encountered his tormentors: Liam, Mark, Laila, and Gustov. They cornered him in a narrow alley, their mocking laughter echoing off the walls.
"Look who it is," Liam sneered. "The fruit boy, daydreaming again."
Mark, the noble's son, stepped forward, shoving Aron against the wall. "Maybe you should stick to your fruits, Aron. You're not cut out for anything else."
Laila and Gustov joined in, their cruel taunts and jabs relentless. Aron's heart pounded with a mixture of fear and anger, but he knew better than to fight back. He endured their bullying in silence, waiting for the torment to end.
When they finally grew bored and left, Aron picked himself up, bruised and disheartened, and continued his journey home. As he walked, he couldn't help but wonder if things would ever change, if he would ever find his place in a world where strength was measured by elemental powers and the legendary Aetheria.
Aron's path was uncertain, but deep within him, a spark of hope remained—a hope that one day, he would prove his worth and rise above the hardships that plagued his life