Leon stood in front of the Archery Academy's grand entrance, gripping his brand-new bow.
It felt perfect in his hands—light but strong, balanced like an extension of his own body. Hugo had outdone himself.
For the first time since arriving on Earth, Leon felt like he belonged.
This is it.
No more running. No more begging. I have a real bow. I have real skill. Nothing is stopping me now.
With confidence, he walked into the registration hall.
The room was immaculate—polished floors, glowing holographic banners displaying past champions, students in crisp uniforms adjusting their bows.
Leon stepped forward and placed his application form on the desk.
"I'm here to register."
The receptionist, a middle-aged man with thin-rimmed glasses, barely glanced at him.
"Name?"
"Leon Ortez."
"Place of birth?"
Leon hesitated. He knew how Earth people looked at Martians.
Still, he straightened his back.
"Mars."
The man's hands, which had been lazily typing, suddenly froze.
His expression shifted—from boredom to cold disapproval.
"You're a Martian?"
Leon clenched his fists.
"Yes. But I—"
"Application denied."
The words hit him like an arrow to the chest.
"…What?"
The receptionist sighed, rubbing his temple.
"Martians are not accepted at this academy."
"Why not?" Leon's voice hardened.
"Because," the man said flatly, "you people lack the physical and mental discipline to become elite soldiers."
The words stung.
Leon looked around. Other students were watching, some whispering, some laughing.
One student, a young man in an expensive-looking uniform, smirked.
"Go back to your dust planet, Martian. This school is for real archers."
Leon's fingers tightened around his bow. He could feel his pulse hammering in his ears.
"I could fire an arrow right now.
I could prove them all wrong.
I could—"
He exhaled. No.
Not like this.
Without another word, Leon turned around and walked away.
Outside the academy, he stood motionless, staring at the blue sky.
On Mars, the sky was red and suffocating.
Here, the air was crisp, the sun warm against his skin. It was paradise.
And yet, he wasn't welcome.
" I fought to get here.
I risked everything.
And they won't even let me try?"
Across the street, Hugo leaned against a lamppost, arms crossed.
He had seen everything.
He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.
"Tsk… These Earth bastards don't know what they just lost."