After Noelle entered the headquarters of the "Light Guardians," she was shocked to find her deceased cousin, Serajo, standing next to the elevator door.
Serajo, with a tight smile: Welcome, dear Noelle… I haven't seen you in a while.
Noelle, sarcastically: You don't need to see me. I don't like you. And don't call me "dear"—I'm married. Call your wife that.
Serajo, seriously: If that scoundrel Dekar hadn't come between us, you would've been my wife… But now, you belong to him.
Noelle, confidently: Even if Dekar didn't exist, I would've never married you, Serajo. Wake up from your dream… You're dreaming.
(She presses the elevator button. Serajo follows her. Inside, she presses floor seven.)
Serajo: Why, Noelle? Why don't you love me?
Noelle: Because I see you as family. We grew up like siblings—there was never anything between us, not in the past and not in the future. So show some respect. We're both married, and each of us has our own family now.
A heavy silence filled the elevator as Serajo clenched his fist tightly.
Moments later, the elevator reached the seventh floor and the doors opened.
Noelle stepped out, and Serajo quickly followed her, then said:
Serajo: Listen, Noelle… If you had married me, we could've had powerful children bearing the legacy of the Serano family. With your skill and intellect, and my strength… we could've built a powerful family.
Noelle, with a calm smile: I already have strong children… with my husband Dekar. So don't worry.
Serajo, mocking: Strong children? They didn't inherit anything from you! Just that stupid curly black hair and ordinary eyes… from a fool like Dekar. And a weak son, born by violating the laws of the Serano family.
Noelle, angrily: Don't speak lightly of my children! Do you think blond hair and blue eyes are everything? Love, compassion, and care—that's what I give them as a mother. People like you… will never understand that.
Serajo, with contempt: You're so naive, Noelle.
At that moment, they reached the office of one of the guild lords… Lord Cardel's office—Noelle's father.
Lord Cardel exited his office after hearing familiar voices that sounded like his daughter Noelle and his nephew Serajo. When he opened the door and saw them, he sighed and said sternly:
Cardel: Just one day… can't you go one day without fighting?! Even now, at thirty-eight years old, you still act irrationally. Argument after argument…
Noelle, annoyed: Talk to your stupid nephew, Father! He's the one chasing a married woman!
Cardel: Haven't you let it go, Serajo? She's married. Leave her alone.
Serajo, eyes burning with hatred: She married a man whose family has no distinguishing traits… No heritage, no honor, no noble abilities. Then she bore a weak son with no abilities! Isn't that a disgrace to our family?! For his mother to be from the Serano line, and then produce such weakness?!
In a moment of fury, Noelle raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.
Immediately, Cardel snapped: Why did you slap him? What he said is true! Do you think the world will accept a child born to a powerful father and an even stronger mother—elite among the elite—yet ends up weak? He'll be seen as a nobody… a worthless shadow!
Noelle, with a sad face and a shattered heart, looked him directly in the eyes and said: I know why you treat me so harshly… because I didn't obey you and marry Serajo. You didn't just expel me from the family for its dignity—you stripped me of my position as head of the family and gave it to him… just because I married a man outside the noble bloodlines, a man without "inheritance." But I won't let you talk about my son that way… your grandson, whom you've never even seen!
Cardel, coldly: And what's the point? I am the family head… I decide.
Noelle, bitterly: You always favored Serajo over me. Even after I rejected marrying him, you cast me aside as if I were invisible. Without a doubt… you fathered me, but you never loved me. All you care about is the family's reputation, its dignity… even if your daughter dies, that doesn't matter—as long as the family name stays "pure" in the eyes of others. Am I really less than your family's pride?
(In rage, Cardel raised his hand to slap Noelle...)
But Serajo grabbed his uncle's hand quickly and said, emotionally: Uncle, calm down! Let's solve this with reason… please, lower your hand…
Noelle looked at her father with sad, hopeless eyes...
Noelle, with tear-filled eyes, said in a trembling voice: If you want to slap me… then do it. You used to hit me sometimes anyway. And your hurtful words… your scornful looks… they still hurt.
She turned and hurried away from them. Serajo chased after her, saying:
Serajo: I'm sorry, Noelle… Please, forgive me for what I said...
But inside, his heart broke seeing her crying face.
Noelle, while walking away, screamed: Stay away from me! Leave me alone, Serajo! Just go away!
Cardel returned silently to his office, sat in his chair, and picked up a picture of his wife Selina. He looked into her painted eyes and, thinking of Noelle, full of sadness, he said to himself:
Cardel (internally): I failed… I failed to show my love to my daughter. Oh Selina… if only you were here, I wouldn't have lost our grandchildren… and our daughter… All I wanted was for our family to flourish, just like you wanted. But I failed… I couldn't do it. I wish you were still alive… and hadn't left that day, my dear Selina...
Noelle sat alone in a quiet corner and pulled a picture of her mother from her pocket. She stared at it for a long time, her eyes tearing up, and then said to herself:
Noelle (to herself): I wish you hadn't protected me, Mother… Even now, I'm a mother of three, yet I still don't understand your kindness… your radiant smile… I wish I didn't remember that accident...
Then she whispered softly:
Noelle (whispering): I'm the reason you died, Mom… forgive me...
And she wept bitterly, her heart completely shattered.
Far from the Serano family, Dekar arrived at the guild building, where Jackie was waiting for him at the entrance.
Jackie: Finally, sir… you're here!
Dekar, urgently: How is Raja? Is he in bad shape?
Jackie: Yes, his condition is deteriorating. But after contacting Kisamo, he gave urgent instructions to the guild's medical team to keep him stable until he arrives.
At that moment, Kisamo arrived and stood before Dekar and Jackie.
Kisamo: Welcome… Fortunately, I was nearby. Let's go, lead me to him.
Jackie: Please follow me, Mr. Kisamo. I'll take you to the patient's room.
Kisamo entered the room where Raja lay. But as he approached, he was shocked by the dark aura emanating from him.
Kisamo (internally): What is this...? Evil magic of the Ringka type… and his wounds?... They're spreading a poison that's draining his magical energy! I must begin treatment immediately!
He started giving instructions to the medical team, then began the treatment himself...
Three hours later...
Jackie (worried): Sir, it's been three hours, and he's still not out...
Dekar: Silence, Jackie! Kisamo knows what he's doing… He's from the Carfasil family—the noble house known for their rare hereditary powers… their crimson hair, glowing red eyes… and their amazing healing magic.
Jackie: Sorry, sir… I was too hasty.
Moments later, Kisamo exited the room and said:
Kisamo: His condition is now stable, but he needs complete rest for a full month. No effort or magical activity is allowed. Now… come with me, I'll explain some other important details.
Dekar: Let's go to my office, shall we?
Kisamo: Alright, let's go.
The three entered the office and sat down.
Dekar, inspecting his friend's face: What's wrong, Kisamo? What did you see in that room? I know you well… we studied together in the elite class and were part of the demon hunter magic team. You're always cheerful—what made you look so serious?
Kisamo, smiling slightly: You're right...
Jackie, who had been listening attentively, interrupted with concern: Please, Mr. Kisamo, what exactly happened?
Kisamo (seriously): Raja's wounds weren't caused by a normal Ringka beast or demon… but by a Demon Warrior Imp. These wounds carry a poison that depletes magical energy… a known ability of theirs. I managed to stabilize his condition temporarily, but I'll need to check on him regularly.
Dekar (firmly): Tell me—what worried you most?
Kisamo: The Ringka energy I treated… was frighteningly strong. If there are more of them like this, roaming freely… that's a major threat, not just to civilians, but to guild members themselves.
Dekar: You mean we, the masters, may need to intervene? Because this is beyond regular teams' capabilities?
Kisamo: Honestly, I didn't mean for the masters to step in directly… but this mission requires fighters ranked B to A, at the very least. As for elite masters… only if things get worse.
Dekar: You're right… But I won't let things worsen. I'll intervene myself.
Kisamo, with a motivated smile: As always! Then… let me join you. What do you say?
Dekar (confidently): Agreed… but we must act fast.
Meanwhile, our hero Zokzoka was at school.
It was 11:30, and the children were playing in the schoolyard, showing off their powers and boasting. But unlike them, Zokzoka was sitting in a corner, leaning against the shade of a tree, motionless.
He hugged his knees, resting his head on his arms, lost in memories—remembering the start of his school day.
That morning, when he entered the school, everyone greeted him with harsh looks and ridicule. They ignored and avoided him as if he didn't exist.
But deep in his heart, his mother's words echoed, giving him strength. He said to himself with determination: "Without a doubt, I'll make friends… I'll never give up. I'm Zokzoka from the Idari family!"
He entered his classroom to find everyone ignoring him. Even the boy next to him put his bag on the seat to block him from sitting.
Still, Zokzoka didn't give up. He spotted an empty seat at the back, walked over, and sat alone.
Moments later, the teacher entered and greeted them sweetly: "Welcome, everyone!"
The students responded in unison: "Welcome, teacher!"
She smiled and said: "The first thing we'll do today is get to know each other… Are you ready?"
The students were excited, each standing to introduce themselves, stating their name, abilities, and magic type—even what their parents had taught them.
But Zokzoka was anxious, nervous, not knowing how to act—he felt like he didn't belong. A lonely child… without power… without "Ringka magic." And when it was his turn, fear overwhelmed him.
The teacher asked him to stand and introduce himself beside her. He gathered all his courage, stood up, and looked at his classmates who stared coldly, indifferently.
Zokzoka, firmly: My name is Zokzoka Idari, I'm eight years old, and I don't have any powers. But my father told me: "Even if you don't have strength, you can still make a difference in this world. You can become someone everyone knows and respects."
The classroom went silent, then a boy named Bruno mocked: What? Your dad told you that? He must've been so annoyed he tried to comfort you with lies! In this world, ranks and strength are everything. Each group has a teacher based on level, right, teacher?
Zokzoka expected the teacher to defend him, to be an adult and support him. But his hope was shattered when the teacher said:
Teacher: Yes, Bruno is right… People whose families don't possess Ringka magic are commoners. While we, from powerful families, are taught by teachers who also wield that magic. Power is everything… Even I, though I'm ranked F, have status because I possess strength. But you… the world will see you as a nobody because your parents have Ringka magic, but you don't.
The word echoed in Zokzoka's head... "Nobody"...
Like a knife to his heart, his gaze dropped, his sorrow deepened, and he hated everything around him. He just wanted to disappear from this world.
After school, Zokzoka left silently where his mother Noelle was waiting for him. He didn't speak a word. She tried to start a conversation, but he remained quiet the whole way, and his silence broke her heart.
When they arrived home, he threw his backpack to the ground and rushed to his room. Noelle followed, but he slammed the door in her face.
She said softly from behind the door: "Darling… sweetheart, open the door and talk to your mom."
He didn't answer. She knocked again and pleaded: "Please, talk to me… don't worry me."
Then Zokzoka exploded in bottled-up anger: "You're annoying me! Leave! Don't knock on my door again!"
Noelle was hurt by his words and began to cry, pleading with him: "Please, my darling, open the door… your mother just wants to make sure you're okay."
Zokzoka approached the door and whispered in a broken voice: "Forgive me… for shouting at you. You can open the door, Mom… Use your power."
Noelle, sadly: It's okay… I'll open it.
With a simple spell, she opened the door and entered to find him looking at her with sad eyes.
She asked gently: "Why didn't you open it for me yourself?"
He lowered his gaze and said: "Because… I'm a nobody."
Noelle froze for a moment, then asked calmly: "Who said that?"
He replied: "My teacher… She said if someone doesn't have Ringka magic but their family does, they're a nobody… and everyone laughed."
Zokzoka burst into tears, and Noelle rushed to hug him tightly, wiping away his tears:
Noelle: You are not a nobody, my dear… You're my son, and that's enough.
She stayed with him until he fell asleep in her arms.
Shortly after, Naraka and Jinoa came upstairs and found their mother in Zokzoka's room.
Naraka asked: What's wrong, Mom? Is he okay?
She gestured for them to leave and said: "Come… I'll tell you outside."
They left Zokzoka sleeping, but he began to have a strange dream… a mysterious voice whispering:
"Come to me… gain power… make the world disappear… become the best, the first, the greatest…"
To be continued…