On the countryside, in a humble village under the rule of the cruel Lumina Empire, lived a 15-year-old boy named Arthur Vryheid.
A peasant unremarkable by appearance. But his eyes—burning with quiet anger and a longing for freedom—set him apart.
Since birth, Arthur had been hot-tempered and impulsive. He picked fights with boys his age, and even older. It was his way of fighting back against a world that never felt fair.
One day, during the Great Dragon War, everything changed.
News arrived that Arthur's father—dragged off to serve in the war—had died by the breath of a dragon.
His mother, Elena, was crushed by grief, overtaken by sadness and sorrow.
But Arthur didn't cry. He couldn't cry. He had to stay strong for his late father and his mother. He saw her pain and chose to grow up that day.
Started selling charcoal. Cutting wood. Carrying burdens no child should.
That day he grew up. Not for himself—but for his MOTHER.
Two years passed.
Then came the day that would change his life forever.
"Arthur dear, can you fetch firewood from the forest today to last for the week?" Elena asked gently, her voice soft and loving.
"MOTHERRR... seriously, you ask too much sometimes. I spent all day selling charcoal in the market," Arthur groaned in tiredness.
"Come on, sweetheart. Can't you do this much for your mother?" she pleaded with hint of teasing .
"Ugh... fine. But you better prepare a warm dinner for me today," he said in mock frustration, rolling his eyes, grabbing the basket and heading out the door.
But just as he stepped outside, he saw something that froze him.
A retainer had arrived—surrounded by six soldiers in black armor and helmets with small slits to see through—carrying the Lumina Empire flag with them.
"I hereby speak on behalf of the Emperor. You have been chosen as his concubine and slave, and going forward, you are to remain in the palace and serve His Majesty the King." said the retainer to Elena
This was the concubine selection, where retainers were to bring the most beautiful girl in the empire whenever the Emperor desired.
This had happened several times before. And if the Emperor didn't feel the woman was worthy, both she and the retainer were executed.
Arthur's blood boiled.
"What? Concubine...? Mother?!"
Rage filled Arthur, turning his eyes red. He picked up a stone covered with mud and threw it at the retainer with all his might.
The retainer, a Level 5 mage, easily stopped the rock mid-air using mana. But hadn't accounted for the mud.
It splashed across his pristine white robes.
"You little brat…" he hissed. "Soldiers, I want his head," he said in rage.
As Elena heard this, she didn't hesitate for a second and stood in between the soldiers and Arthur like a wall.
"Run, Arthur! Run!" she cried.
Two soldiers approached, drawing their swords.
Arthur's rage vanished, replaced by fear—raw, paralyzing fear.
The fear of death. The only fear every mortal under the heavens shares.
"RUN!" Elena shouted again, her voice trembling with desperation.
Something in Arthur snapped. His legs moved on their own.
He ran—through the fields, into the woods—blinded by terror.
His heart pounded. His breath caught in his throat.
He didn't stop, didn't think, didn't feel. Like he had entered a trance.
He ran until his legs gave out.
And he collapsed, face-first into the dirt, gasping. His trance faded.
And then—he heard them.
"This way!" a soldier shouted nearby.
Arthur's heart sank.
"They already caught up?...
Of course they did. They're trained soldiers… Strengthened by magic.
How did I even get this far?"
What kept him alive wasn't speed.
Or power.
It was his will. A burning, stubborn will to survive.
But now… he could barely lift a finger.
"It's over. I'm sorry, Mother. I couldn't protect you… or avenge Father."
"Maybe… if I hadn't run away…"
"Maybe… if I were stronger…"
Doubt filled his heart.
His body lay still, just behind a bush.
The sound of boots grew louder. Closer.
He braced himself for the end. Closing his eyes.
Argh.. ahhh. *Thump!
Who? Where? Wait—no! Ahh...* Thump!
"W-what was that?" Arthur thought, eyes widening. "Who's there?"
Footsteps followed—but they weren't heavy or rushed.They were calm. Controlled. And barely touched the ground.
From the darkness emerged a figure.
A man cloaked in black, dressed for stealth.
Only his emerald green eyes were visible beneath his hood.
The man walked over and stood beside Arthur's head.
He removed his mask.
Arthur, barely conscious, lifted his head to look—and saw something he would never forget.
The man stood before the full moon, the breeze gently pulling at his cloak.
The silver light lining made him a silhouette—mysterious, beautiful, powerful.
Arthur couldn't think of anything in that moment and just started with awe inspiration and admiration.
The man stared into his eyes, silently
He asked one question:
"Do you want to change?"
Arthur's mouth moved, but no words came.
"Ug... Ye... Ah... ia..." he tried to speak, but his lips failed him.
But the man didn't need to hear his voice.
He saw the answer in Arthur's eyes.
The boy passed out.
The man gently lifted him onto his back, tied him securely, and looked up at the moon once more.
"Maybe… just maybe," he whispered.
And jumped off the cliff—disappearing into the night like disappearing in moonlight.
[This is an original work begin published exclusively on webnovel by Kusan. All rights reserved]