Eren sat in the dim light of his forest shelter, the faint glow of his Survival System interface illuminating his face. He leaned against the rough wooden frame of his makeshift table, fingers drumming lightly on the surface as he stared at the blinking cursor on the screen of the magical communicator. This was it—a final attempt to sever the lingering threads of the life that no longer belonged to him.
The communicator, a relic of convenience often used by students to keep in touch with their families, had sat untouched in Eren's possession since his exile. For weeks, he'd ignored it, avoiding the painful reminders of Raynor Velcroft's past—his entitled upbringing, the hollow conversations with his family, and the pressure of expectations he never cared to fulfill. But today, something compelled him to use it. Not for reconciliation, but to close the door permanently.
He typed slowly, his words sharp and precise:
To: Lord and Lady Velcroft
Subject: Final Notice
I write this not as your son but as someone who no longer holds any ties to the name Velcroft. Whatever pride you placed in me, let it die. Whatever shame you feel, let it remain yours. I have no intention of returning to your house, your influence, or your plans.
Consider this the last message you will receive from me. Do not write back.
R. Velcroft
Eren stared at the message for a long moment before pressing the "Send" rune. A soft chime confirmed its delivery, and just like that, the last tether to Raynor's past was severed. Eren exhaled, his chest lighter yet hollow.
"Good riddance," he muttered under his breath.
The Survival System chimed immediately after, as if responding to the emotional weight of the moment.
Achievement Unlocked: Severing the Chains
You have chosen to walk your own path, free from the burdens of your predecessor.
Rewards: 30 Experience Points, +5% Mental Resilience.
Eren rolled his eyes at the notification. "As if I need a system to congratulate me for cutting ties with people I never cared about."
Before he could close the interface, a loud knock at the door startled him. The sound was firm, impatient, and unmistakably out of place in his secluded refuge. His instincts kicked in immediately. Who had found him here? And why?
Rising to his feet, Eren grabbed a dagger from the table and moved cautiously toward the door. He cracked it open just enough to see who stood on the other side. His stomach dropped.
It was Headmaster Aldric.
The older man's imposing frame was accentuated by the flowing robes of his station, his piercing gaze cutting through the narrow gap of the door. Behind him stood two guards in academy uniforms, their expressions unreadable but their postures tense.
"Raynor Velcroft," Aldric began, his tone stern. "You have violated the academy's housing policies by constructing an unauthorized residence on school grounds. This behavior is unacceptable."
Eren opened the door fully, leaning casually against the frame. "I've been exiled from the dorms," he said flatly. "Where else was I supposed to go?"
"The rules are clear," Aldric replied. "Exile from the dorms does not grant you permission to build a private dwelling on academy property. Your actions are disruptive and set a poor example for other students."
Eren's eyes narrowed. "And what exactly do you want me to do? Sleep in the dirt?"
The headmaster's expression hardened. "Your disregard for authority is precisely why you were exiled in the first place. Effective immediately, you are to dismantle this… structure and relocate off academy grounds. You have until the end of the week."
Eren's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm. "And if I refuse?"
"Then you will be expelled from the academy entirely," Aldric said without hesitation. "Do not test my patience, Velcroft. This is your final warning."
Without waiting for a response, the headmaster turned and walked away, the guards following closely behind. Eren stood in the doorway, watching them disappear into the trees. The faint sound of leaves rustling in the wind filled the silence they left behind.
He closed the door and leaned against it, his mind racing. Being forced to leave the academy grounds would complicate everything. The forest had become his sanctuary, a place where he could survive and adapt without interference. But now that sanctuary was being stripped away.
The Survival System chimed again, its timing almost mocking.
New Quest: Forced Relocation
Objective: Prepare for relocation by finding a new base of operations outside academy grounds.
Optional Objective: Create a portable shelter to minimize resource loss.
Rewards: 50 Experience Points, Blueprint: Advanced Shelter (Portable).
Eren's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Looks like I'll be starting over again."
With a deep breath, he began gathering his supplies, his mind already calculating his next move. If the academy wanted him gone, so be it. He'd survive—just as he always did. But one thing was certain: the world would regret underestimating him.