It all began on that day.
A younger Bobby walks — broken, battered, barely conscious — into the heart of the village. Each step is agony. His clothes are torn. His feet bleed. He collapses near the central well.
Villagers rush to him in confusion and concern. Three of them gently lift him and rush him to the local healer.
Inside a modest hut, an elderly water user — calm and kind-eyed — begins to treat his wounds in silence.
Healer (softly): "Oh, poor soul... I think he suffered so much at a young age."
As her healing waters flow over him, she senses something unsettling.
Healer (whispers): "This boy... he's empty. No resonance. Not even a flicker."
Sometime later, Bobby slowly opens his eyes. The villagers lean closer, visibly relieved.
Villager 1: "Hey, you're awake now."
Villager 2: "What's your name, child?"
Bobby (quietly): "...Bobby."
Villager 3: "Where are your parents? Are they nearby? What clan do you belong to?"
Bobby remains silent. His gaze distant, lost. He simply shakes his head.
Healer: "I don't think he remembers anything... except his name."
Villager 1: "What should we do with him now?"
Villager 2: "Let's take him to the guards. They might be able to help."
The villagers take Bobby to the guard post and leave him there. The guards ask their questions patiently — but Bobby only gives one answer:
Bobby: "...Bobby."
Nothing more.
Just then, a young guard, passing by, notices the boy.
Young Guard: "What's going on here?"
Guard: "Found him alone. No family. No resonance. In terrible shape."
The young guard kneels beside him, studying his injuries and expression.
Young Guard: "I'll take him. He shouldn't be here like this."
With no objections, the young guard brings Bobby home. He serves him warm food, and Bobby eats in silence — finishing it within moments.
Young Guard (gently): "You must've been starving. Here, have another bowl."
After eating, Bobby drifts off to sleep almost instantly.
Young Guard (softly): "Who knows what he's been through..."
**The Next Morning**
Before dawn, Bobby quietly slips outside. The young guard wakes to find him gone and rushes to search. Eventually, he spots Bobby standing behind a tree, staring at the distant Resonance Alignment Camp.
Young Guard: "You want to go there, don't you?"
Bobby nods, without a word.
The Resonance Alignment Camp is meant for children aged 5 to 12. Bobby is only 5 years old.
The guard brings him to the camp, filling out the admission form. As he finishes, another guard calls out:
Guard: "We've got a mission. We need to leave now."
Young Guard (to Bobby): "Wait for me at the house. I'll be back in three days."
He ruffles Bobby's hair one last time and turns away.
But he never returns.
Days pass. Bobby doesn't even step outside. He always waits at the window — morning, evening, night — but no one comes.
On the third day, Bobby searches the house for food. Every shelf and pot is empty. Despite his hunger, he continues to sit by the window, waiting. That night, exhausted and starving, he falls asleep by the window.
.
On the fourth morning, strangers open the door and find Bobby inside. He wakes as they enter.
Man 1: "Hey kid, you can't stay here."
Bobby stays silent, unmoving.
Man 2: "Wait a sec... he's that outsider kid with no resonance."
Man (grabbing Bobby): "Outsiders like you don't belong here!"
He grabs Bobby by the arm and threw him out of the house. Bobby hit the ground hard, scraping his elbow. Still, he stood back up silently.
Man (spitting): "Tch… persistent little brat. The guard who brought you here? He's dead. So, get lost!"
Bobby's lips barely moved.
Bobby (whispering): "…Dead?"
The man turned and walked away without a second glance. Bobby stood there for a while. Then slowly, he began to walk — cold, starving, and alone. he begins to wander the village. But every everyone who sees him turns away — as if he doesn't exist.
While roaming, he stumbles and injures his leg. No one helps. He forces himself to stand and limps forward.
As evening falls, bobby sits alone on a stone bench. His stomach growls. staring at the ground.
Suddenly, an apple rolls toward him.
He lifts his head.
A young girl stands nearby, her hand held by a kind woman.
Even though he's starving, Bobby picks up the apple and holds it out to the girl — trying to return it.
The woman quickly pulls her daughter away
Bobby watches them go. Then, quietly, he eats the apple.
Then, it begins to rain.
Rain begins to fall. He walks again, cold and wet, he keeps walking until he sees a forest and enters it.
Deeper in, he finds an old wooden house built in the trees — abandoned, quiet. He climbs up and settles inside.
On the fifth day morning, alone and uncertain, Bobby heads to the camp.
The Resonance Alignment Camp buzzes with life — children brimming with energy. Among them, two stand apart:
Lian Vey: Son of the village leader, pride of his clan.
Lara Blaze: Noble-born, fire-wielder, fierce and composed.
Bobby sees them. He wants to speak, especially to Lian. But the words won't come.
Then a teacher enters and surveys the room.
Teacher: "Seems this year's cycle brought real talent."
Five more standout initiates are named:
Kael Zephyr – Aeris Vein (Wind): Tempest Blade Rush
Marin Flow – Aqua Vein (Water): Aqua Serpent Coil
Shade Sol – Umbra Vein (Shadow): Shadow Veil Strike
Rhea Lux – Lux Vein (Light): Radiant Crescent Flash
Dren Bolt – Volt Vein (Lightning): Thunder Lance Strike
Teacher: "Let's begin. Show me your Echo Arts."
Each initiate performs a stunning Resonance display. The seven standout youths — including Lian and Lana — showcase elite control and creativity. The teacher nods, impressed.
Then it's Bobby's turn.
Teacher: "And you… Bobby, was it? Let's see your resonance."
Bobby walks forward.
He closes his eyes.
He focuses.
Nothing happens.
He tries again. Harder. Still — nothing.
The murmurs begin.
Random Child: "He's got no resonance! He's just... empty."
Bobby lowers his eyes. The world seems to press down on his shoulders.
But deep inside, beneath pain and silence — something faint stirs.
The session ends. Bobby returns to his place. The seven prodigies glance at him — curious, cold, or indifferent.
Bobby sits a short distance away, alone.
Lara glances toward him, then nudges Marin.
Lara: "Should we go talk to that boy?"
Marin: "Alright."
A nearby girl overhears and frowns.
Random Girl: "You shouldn't. He's an outsider."
Marin: "And what's that supposed to mean?"
Lara (softly): "Outsider…"
Another Girl: "My father said he just showed up one day — no background, nothing."
Boy 1: "Aren't outsiders not even allowed here?"
Boy 2: "Yeah, but I heard he has no resonance. That's the only reason they let him stay."
Lara: "Still… I want to talk to him."
Marin: "Lara, what if he's dangerous? Please don't."
Lara (hesitating): "…Fine."
None of them speak.
He eats alone.
Overlooked.
Forgotten