After the march toward San Maero began, countless thoughts circled inside Xers' mind.Would he see his childhood friends on the other side—or only their corpses?
As he was lost in thought, the battlefield drew closer. Explosions, chants of sorcery, screams of men—all combined into a chaotic roar. At that moment, Hanken placed a hand on his shoulder.
— "My friend, you know what? When this war ends, let's head straight to the village port. We'll have a drink, relax, and laugh a little. What do you say?"
Xers knew well that Hanken was just trying to lighten the mood. He nodded anxiously without saying a word.
Meanwhile, Ahez, too young for the front lines, was cleaning trash from the camp and preparing the tents for the night.
When Xers and his group finally reached the plains of San Maero, they realized they were truly inside the war now. Fireballs streaked over their heads. A mage nearby sharpened his blade, his expression grim. While Xers and Hanken carried supplies and rations to the soldiers, one of the sorcerers barked:
— "Hey, brat! Get over here!"
Startled, Xers rushed over.
— "You Kurotsume kids… show me how well you can handle power."
— "B-but I can't—"
— "(mocking him) 'I can't, I can't, I can't!' What a cowardly Shadowian you are. From now on, you're a Ranshi soldier. Prove it—show them your power!"
Reluctantly, Xers took the staff and prepared to cast a fireball.
— "Point the staff directly at the enemy. Gather the energy in your arm."
Xers focused for a single moment. A purple light wrapped around his arm. Suddenly, a fireball four times larger than normal burst forth. It struck the enemy's bunker dead-on, shattering it into rubble.
The sorcerer stared at him wide-eyed.
— "What are you? A monster hidden in human skin! Listen, boy, I mean you no harm. If you show this ability again in front of the commander, he might grant you Ranshi citizenship and a higher rank in the army. What do you say?"
— "I-I… uh… Fine. I'll do it."
Just then, the enemy bunker exploded into the air. The Ranshi army roared as one:
— "CHARGE!"
The entire army surged forward. Xers, with his strange power, had helped defeat his homeland's soldiers. But instead of guilt, the hope of escaping his suffering clouded his heart.
After the Kurotsume were driven from the plains, the Ranshi quickly built a new line of defense there. Evening fell. Xers and his companions prepared to return to camp when a voice rang out:
— "The commander is arriving! Everyone, line up!"
The soldiers scrambled into formation. Xers and his friends stood in the far rear as everyone saluted.
— "Long live our commander! Long live our commander!"
His name was Sabre—from one of the richest families of Shadowia, wielder of an A+ Tier Mask, a swordsman whose strikes cut down foes like wheat. His speed was unmatched, his special ability Sakuran Kriega allowing him to slow time itself. For everyone else, the world crawled; for him, it flowed normally. Countless victories had been earned this way.
Sabre stepped forward.
— "My glorious army! Today we celebrate victory together! Yet I see that among us are youths from the enemy's side. Fear not—they are under my protection. But among them is someone truly… special. Let the one I name step forward. Thend Xers!"
Xers stepped out quickly.
— "At your command, sir!"
— "Xers, I hear you destroyed the enemy bunker. They say you hold great potential. Let's test it. I've brought with me the third-place champion of the Ranshi Sword Olympics. You will duel her. If you win, I'll take you to the army's special training center. Do you accept?"
— "Gladly."
The field grew silent. The champion's name was Zahre—first place in the women's division, third in the overall tournament. Since childhood, she had devoted her life to the blade.
Wooden swords were handed out. The duel began.
At first, Zahre attacked lightly. Xers parried with ease. She pressed harder, lunging at him again and again, but each strike was blocked. Sabre's eyes lit with interest.
Then Zahre unleashed her speed, circling Xers in a blur. His eyes couldn't follow. In one sudden burst, she lunged from his blind spot. Xers turned his head—and saw her blade descending.
Something inside him ignited. His arm glowed with purple light once more. With a swing faster than thought, his sword slammed into Zahre, sending her flying. Her weapon clattered far away.
Xers froze. That strike hadn't been his. It felt as if someone else had taken hold of his arm in that instant.
Sabre stood stunned, mouth agape. The mages rushed to lift Zahre and carry her away. Then Sabre placed a hand on Xers' shoulder.
— "There is a hidden potential within you. Even my eyes struggled to follow what just happened. Tomorrow morning, report to the center. You have the day off until then."
Gasps rippled through the army. An orphaned boy had defeated the Olympic champion. Hanken watched with pride. Xers met his gaze, his eyes silently promising: I will save everyone.
That night, the camp buzzed with talk of Xers. Yesterday he was a nobody. Tonight he was the center of admiration. Even some of the bullies looked up to him. Oli approached, shame-faced.
— "We treated you wrongly, Xers. Forgive us. For Ahez, for Hanken, for all of us."
— "Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is that you've learned from them."
Peace settled at last. Everyone retired to their tents. Xers lay awake, staring at the ceiling, fiddling with his pearl bracelet.
Who was that inside me? How did that happen? Am I a hidden sorcerer? Born with it? An accident? Or trained without my knowing? I don't know. But I do know this: for a moment, I felt it. That presence. Its aura was strange—a mix of hunger and serenity. Will I feel it again? I don't know.
Morning came. The soldiers prepared once more for the front. Xers gathered food, dressed, and prepared to leave for the training center. Before parting, he bid farewell to his companions.
— "Hanken, my friend, the days I spent with you were precious. Maybe I'll return. If I do, I swear I'll save you all."
— "Ahez, the same goes for you. The days we shared were unforgettable. We've all carried the same burdens… and I wanted to say goodbye to you too."
He parted from the others as well, then began his walk. Soon, a carriage would pick him up, but until he reached the road, he had to go on foot. He turned back once, giving the camp a final glance—then stepped forward into the unknown.