A deep, suffocating darkness pressed against him. The air was thick with smoke, the acrid scent of burning wood and blood filling his lungs. A hand—his mother's—gripped his tightly, trembling. A shadow loomed over them. A voice, cold and merciless, whispered something he couldn't understand. Then—
A flash of steel. A scream. Blood splattered across his face. His mother's grip went limp.
Rein Aldric jolted awake.
His breath came in ragged gasps, his body drenched in sweat. His chest ached as if someone had just stabbed him. He stared at the ceiling of the dimly lit orphanage room, his mind still tangled in the nightmare that had haunted him for years.
"Another bad dream?"
The familiar voice pulled him back to reality. Rein turned his head to see Orin Veyron, sitting up in his bed across the room. His best friend, his only friend in this place.
Rein exhaled sharply, running a hand through his messy dark hair. "Yeah…"
Orin didn't push. He never did. Instead, he got out of bed and stretched, his toned muscles flexing slightly. Unlike Rein, who was lean but not particularly strong, Orin had been training in martial arts for years, even without formal lessons. He was a natural.
"Big day today," Orin said, cracking his knuckles. "Exam results are out."
Rein felt his stomach twist.
The government officers exam—the test that determined who would get the chance to train under the nation's elite forces. It was a way out of this orphanage, a way to build a future. Both he and Orin had taken the test.
He forced himself to sit up. "Let's go, then."
---
The results were posted on a large board in the orphanage hall. A crowd of hopefuls had gathered, whispering, pointing, some cheering, others sighing in disappointment.
Orin scanned the list first. A grin broke across his face. "I made it."
Rein stepped forward, eyes trailing down the names, searching. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. Then—
His name wasn't there.
A cold weight settled in his chest. He stared at the list, willing it to change. It didn't.
"I failed," he muttered.
Orin's smile faded. He placed a hand on Rein's shoulder. "Hey, it's just one test. We'll figure something out."
Rein swallowed hard, nodding, but his fists clenched at his sides. One test. But in this world, one test could decide your entire future.
---
Later that evening, Rein wandered through the streets, lost in thought. Orin had stayed behind at the orphanage, sensing Rein needed space.
He kicked a loose stone, frustration bubbling inside him. His whole life, he had trained, studied, prepared. And yet, when it mattered most, he had come up short.
His thoughts were interrupted by a commotion up ahead.
A group of thugs had surrounded an old man in a tattered cloak. The man clutched a small satchel to his chest, his frail frame trembling.
"Just hand it over, old man," one of the goons sneered, cracking his knuckles.
Rein's jaw tightened. He should walk away. It wasn't his problem.
But he didn't.
"Hey," Rein called out, stepping forward. "Leave him alone."
The thugs turned, eyeing him with amusement. The leader, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, smirked. "And what are you gonna do, kid?"
Rein wasn't a martial artist like Orin, but he wasn't weak either. He rushed forward, throwing a punch at the scarred man's jaw. The hit connected, surprising the thug, but before Rein could react, another goon grabbed his arm and yanked him back.
A fist slammed into his stomach.
Pain exploded through him, and he stumbled, gasping for air. Another punch struck his cheek, sending him crashing to the ground.
He groaned, struggling to get up, but a boot pressed against his back, pinning him down.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that," the scarred thug said, crouching beside him. "But guts won't save you."
Rein clenched his teeth, struggling, but the weight on his back was too much. He was outnumbered, overpowered.
Then—
A blur of motion.
The pressure on his back vanished as the thug was sent flying with a powerful kick.
Orin.
He stood between Rein and the goons, his stance calm, controlled. "You guys really think picking on an old man—and my friend—is a good idea?"
The goons hesitated, eyeing Orin warily.
The scarred leader wiped blood from his lip, glaring. "Tch. Let's get outta here."
The thugs retreated into the shadows, leaving Rein lying on the ground, breathing heavily.
Orin offered a hand. "You really gotta stop picking fights you can't win."
Rein took his hand, pulling himself up. He wiped blood from his lip, managing a weak smirk. "And you really gotta stop bailing me out."
Orin chuckled. "Not happening."
As the old man thanked them and shuffled away, Rein stared at his own trembling hands.
He had failed the exam. He had lost this fight.
But something inside him refused to accept this as the end.
Not yet.
---
The walk back to the orphanage was quiet, both of them still processing the day's events. By the time they reached their small room, Rein sat on his bed with a sigh.
"You sure know how to get into trouble," Orin muttered, lying back on his mattress.
Rein smirked slightly. "You didn't have to follow me."
"Yeah, well, I figured you'd need someone to drag your ass home."
Silence settled between them before Orin spoke again. "Tomorrow morning, I leave for training."
Rein had known this, but hearing it out loud made it real. Orin had passed. He was moving forward.
And Rein was staying behind.
"I'll only be gone for a few months," Orin continued. "The training lasts about four months, and after that, I'll officially be a government officer." He glanced at Rein. "The exam happens again after that, right?"
Rein nodded. "Yeah."
"Then you try again," Orin said simply. "Four months. Train harder, study smarter. Next time, you won't fail."
Rein exhaled, the weight of the day pressing down on him. He clenched his fists, feeling a flicker of determination rise within him. Four months. He had four months to change everything.
He looked at Orin and forced a smirk. "I hope you don't get too comfortable in the government forces. I'll be joining you soon."
Orin grinned. "Damn right you will."
The two friends sat in the quiet of their room, knowing that tomorrow, everything would change.
---
End of Chapter 1