Sitting on the rooftop of a house, I gazed down at the bustling streets of the capital. It had been ten days since I arrived, ten days of research, exploration, and survival. I had learned much about this place—its people, its systems, and its magic.
During this time, I discovered something extraordinary about myself.
---
It began when I tried to learn magic. Through practice, I realized I could use telekinesis, but only on humans. At first, I thought it was a limitation of my skill, but then I uncovered a deeper truth.
One day, when I stole a piece of bread from a shop, mage guards caught me. They attacked with fire magic, and I barely escaped, but not before a fireball struck me. It burned my hand, yet, to my astonishment, I found myself able to wield fire magic afterward.
This pattern repeated. Back when Veori used telekinesis on me, I gained the ability to use it as well. That confirmed my theory: if I come into contact with magic or its attack and survive, I can not only use it but also become immune to it.
---
As I stood on the roof, lost in thought, I couldn't help but wonder about Veori. Where was she? Was she doing well? I clenched my burned hand, now wrapped in cloth, and sighed.
Jumping from roof to roof, I made my way through the city. As I moved, I sensed something—or rather, someone—following me. I activated my red eyes and spotted three figures trailing behind.
"Tch," I muttered, halting my steps. "What do they want?"
Turning around, I called out, "Come out! There's no need to hide."
A blade flew toward me from the shadows. I caught it mid-air with ease. From my right, a man dressed entirely in black lunged at me, his movements swift and aggressive.
"Don't waste my time," I said coldly.
With a flick of my hand, I used telekinesis to lift all three of them into the air. They struggled, their faces etched with shock.
"What?! Telekinesis? How is this kid holding all three of us?!"
Ignoring their confusion, I pulled out my knife and pointed it at one of their necks.
"Why are you following me?" I demanded.
The man stammered, "D-don't kill me! Please!"
"Shut up and answer my question!"
He hesitated before blurting out, "We… we're from an organization. We kidnap kids and sell their organs!"
Hearing this, a dark rage boiled within me. "Humans don't deserve to live," I muttered, turning away.
"Please, let us go!" one of them pleaded.
Without looking back, I raised two fingers. A sharp motion, and their bodies split in half, blood spilling onto the rooftop. I dropped their lifeless remains to the ground and began running.
---
Using my red eyes, I scanned the city for others like them. Near a river bridge, I found them—men dressed in black, standing beside carts filled with locked cages.
Jumping high, I landed in the middle of their group.
"Who the fuck is this kid?!" one of them shouted.
I raised my hand, targeting them all with my telekinesis. A split second later, I crushed every single one of them to the ground. The force was so immense their bodies exploded, their organs and bones scattering across the area.
Unlocking the cages, I released the children inside. As they stumbled out and saw the carnage, their terrified screams pierced the air.
I ran away, not because I wanted to save them but because they were just children. Innocent, for now. Who knows? Perhaps one of them might grow up to be just like those monsters.
---
The next day, I left the capital. People had already started whispering about the incident at the river, and I couldn't risk staying any longer. Scaling the city walls, I slipped out and began walking, letting my feet carry me wherever the path led.
---
After hours of walking, I found myself in an abandoned village. The place was eerily silent, its streets lined with crumbling houses. As I walked, I noticed an old man in strange clothes. His face was obscured by a tattered hood.
I paid him no mind and continued on my way. But as I passed him, a sudden shift in the air stopped me in my tracks. Turning around, I found the man had vanished.
A split second later, he appeared behind me.
I barely managed to raise my arms in time to block his kick. The impact sent me flying backward.
As I steadied myself, the old man chuckled. "Hohoho… so you can see me, young boy."
I narrowed my eyes, confused. "See you? What are you talking about?"
That's when I noticed something strange—he cast no shadow on the ground.
Raising my hand, I tried to use telekinesis on him, but nothing happened.
And that's when I realized
"he isn't human".