In this world…
there is no complete justice.
Nor is there absolute injustice.
Everything… depends on the power you hold,
and how you use it.
---
This world was not a single planet ruled by one authority,
but a vast map stretching across countless cities, scattered islands, and unknown regions no one dared to explore.
Three main powers rule this world:
The first… the Royal Army.
A force that represents "order," where anyone—poor, noble, or even of royal blood—can join… but under harsh conditions.
Power alone decides who succeeds and who fails.
The second… the Kings.
Royal families who rule their territories with an iron grip.
They see themselves above everyone… and do not hesitate to crush those who oppose them.
The third… the Organization.
Its name is unknown to the public,
but its shadow… exists everywhere.
Part of its land is abandoned, as if dead…
and the rest?
No one knows what truly happens there.
Rumors say…
it is not just an organization.
But… something far more dangerous.
---
In this world, every human is born with a power known as:
"Aether."
Each person possesses their own unique power,
and that is what makes battles… unpredictable.
---
But…
not everyone is equal.
---
In a distant city…
where the poor live under the shadow of nobles…
A young boy stood in a quiet forest,
holding a wooden sword,
his body covered in sweat.
Ren Kazuki.
A sixteen-year-old boy…
who had nothing.
No status…
no wealth…
not even a remarkable power.
---
*Slash!*
He swung his sword with force,
but his movement was slow… unrefined.
He breathed heavily, staring at the ground.
"Damn…"
He clenched his fist tightly.
"Why… is there no progress?"
---
For years…
he had been training.
Every single day.
Without stopping.
---
"Ren!"
A voice called from afar.
He turned to see two boys and a girl approaching him.
They were his only friends.
---
"Still training?" the first said with a laugh.
"At this level… you'll never pass the Royal Army exam."
The second smirked.
"Even I'm stronger than you… without training."
---
The girl looked at Ren quietly…
then said:
"Don't underestimate him…"
"He's trying."
---
There was no hatred in their words…
but the truth was clear.
Ren… was weak.
---
He lowered his gaze, saying nothing.
Because he knew…
they were right.
---
After they left,
he sat under a tree, staring at the sky.
"Two days left…"
Only two days…
until the Royal Army entrance exam.
An exam held once a year,
where thousands gather from across the region.
The strong…
the talented…
and nobles who believe the world was made for them.
---
As the sun set…
Ren returned home.
A simple house…
where the family that raised him lived.
---
He entered his room quietly…
and closed the door.
---
"… "
He looked around in silence.
---
Then…
his eyes stopped.
---
In the corner of the room…
something covered in dust.
---
A sword.
---
He slowly approached it.
---
"I forgot…"
he muttered softly.
---
That sword…
was the last thing his father left him
before he died.
---
He tried using it when he was 13…
but…
nothing happened.
---
"Just a normal sword…"
he said coldly.
---
He stepped away.
---
"I don't need it…"
---
He looked at his hands.
"I have to succeed… with my own strength."
---
But deep inside…
he knew the truth.
---
He wasn't improving.
---
The first day passed…
then the second…
Training… changed nothing.
---
On the final night…
he returned from training…
exhausted.
---
He stood in his room.
---
"… "
He looked at the sword again.
---
A long silence.
---
Then…
he sighed.
---
"Guess…"
"…I failed."
---
He walked toward it slowly.
---
This time…
he didn't hesitate.
---
He reached out…
and grabbed the sword.
---
The moment his hand touched the handle…
everything went silent.
---
The air…
the sounds…
even his thoughts.
---
"… "
He narrowed his eyes.
---
"This time…"
he said quietly.
"…I'll try it."
---
He raised the sword slowly…
his feeling was strange.
Not heavy…
not light…
something… unclear.
---
"Let me try…"
He took a stance…
then swung.
---
*Whoosh—*
Nothing.
---
He froze.
---
"… "
He clenched his fist.
---
He swung again… harder.
---
*Whoosh—*
The same result.
---
No power…
no change…
nothing.
---
"Damn it!"
He shouted, swinging repeatedly.
---
*Slash!*
*Slash!*
*Slash!*
---
But…
every attempt was empty.
---
His breathing grew heavier,
his eyes filled with frustration.
---
"Even you…?"
He glared at the sword.
---
"Even you are useless…?!"
---
Silence.
---
Then…
he lowered it slowly.
---
All the effort…
all the training…
all the hope…
---
"… "
Gone.
---
He put the sword back.
---
"There's no point…"
---
He walked to his bed…
and collapsed onto it.
---
His eyes remained open…
but empty.
---
"Tomorrow… the exam…"
---
He exhaled slowly.
---
"The result is obvious…"
---
He closed his eyes.
---
Sad…
angry…
but too tired to change anything.
---
The next morning…
---
Ren opened his eyes slowly.
---
Sunlight entered through the window…
announcing a new day.
---
"… "
He sat in silence.
---
Today…
was the exam.
---
He looked at his hand…
then…
at the corner of the room.
---
The sword.
---
He stayed silent for a moment…
then stood up.
---
He walked toward it…
and picked it up.
---
"I know…"
he said quietly.
---
"…I'm going to lose."
---
A pause.
---
"…but I'll try."
---
Before leaving the room…
he stopped.
---
"Ren…"
a voice called from outside.
---
He opened the door slightly…
to see the woman who raised him.
---
She looked at him gently…
then said:
"Don't give up…"
---
A brief pause…
---
"Try."
---
Ren looked at her…
then said:
"I'll try…"
---
A short silence…
---
"…even if I lose."
---
She didn't reply…
she just smiled.
---
He carried the sword…
---
and walked out of the house.
---
Heading toward…
the entrance exam.
---
End of Chapter 1 🔥