The humming of the hovercar echoed softly inside the cabin. Johnrey sat stiffly in the back seat, clutching his bag as if it were a shield. The world outside blurred into streaks of light — tall towers, digital billboards, and the fading orange sky.
He glanced at the two men sitting across from him, both silent, faces unreadable behind their visors. Johnrey nervously rubbed the back of his neck.
"Uh… so, uh, how far is this Ryouko place?"
No one answered.
(Great. I'm stuck in a flying car with two robots in suits.)
Minutes passed before the view outside began to change. The cityscape faded into green — dense forests that stretched as far as the eye could see. A faint mist covered the trees.
Then, up ahead, Johnrey spotted something that made his stomach drop.
A massive waterfall roared in the distance, blocking their path completely.
"Wait, wait, wait—" Johnrey's eyes widened. "We're going straight at it! Are you guys blind!? There's a WATERFALL right there!"
The bodyguards didn't flinch.
Johnrey panicked, gripping his seatbelt with both hands. "Stop! Stop the car! Hit the brakes, hit—!"
But the car didn't slow down.
The hovercar passed through the curtain of water — and instead of crashing, it emerged into a hidden world.
Johnrey slowly opened one eye.
"...We're alive?"
Roken glanced back calmly. "We've arrived, Mr. Calden. Welcome to the Ryouko Household."
Johnrey's jaw dropped.
Beyond the waterfall was a breathtaking hidden valley surrounded by enormous cliffs. Dozens of tall trees glowed faintly with bioluminescent leaves. Security drones floated in the air, their red sensors scanning everything that moved. Around the main road, guards in black armor stood in formation — each wearing a dark visor and carrying laser rifles and sniper gear strapped across their backs.
Johnrey gulped. "...Are you sure I'm not in some secret military base?"
The car slowed to a stop at the center of the estate. The guards turned their heads toward the vehicle as if analyzing him. Their eyes behind the visors glowed faintly red.
Johnrey shivered. "Do they… have to look at me like that?"
"Follow us, Mr. Calden," Roken said, stepping out first.
Johnrey hesitated before following, walking awkwardly between the two guards. The air was crisp and smelled faintly of ozone from the hovering security drones. Every few steps, Johnrey felt a bead of sweat slide down his temple.
(Why do I feel like I'm being escorted to my execution…?)
He tried to lighten the mood, whispering to himself, "It's fine, Johnrey… you're just visiting some super-rich family's mansion, no big deal… You're totally not about to die…"
They stopped at a massive steel door engraved with a skull symbol. The entrance was enormous — at least five meters tall, with glowing red lines running through the metal like veins.
Johnrey's throat went dry. "Uh… is that the front door or the gate to hell?"
Roken turned to him. "Please enter here, Mr. Calden."
Johnrey hesitated. "Right… sure. Totally not suspicious at all."
The door slid open with a heavy metallic hiss.
Inside, the room was dark, illuminated only by a few floating light orbs. At the center stood a throne carved from black crystal. Seated upon it was a woman with long jet-black hair, legs crossed elegantly. One of her hands rested on her chin, the other holding a glass of wine that shimmered faintly pink under the light. A pink ring with a skull emblem glowed softly on her finger.
Her eyes — sharp and deep as midnight — locked onto him.
"So…" her voice was smooth, calm, and commanding. "This is the boy wearing the Inferno Ring?"
Roken bowed slightly. "Yes, Lady Sarah. His name is Johnrey Calden — student from Louse International High School."
Sarah's gaze didn't waver. "I see."
Roken turned to Johnrey. "Mr. Calden, this is Lady Sarah Ryouko, head of the Ryouko family."
Johnrey froze for a moment before awkwardly waving. "Uh… h-hi?"
(What are you doing, you idiot!? Stop waving at the mafia queen!)
He quickly lowered his hand, laughing nervously. "Sorry, uh, reflex."
Sarah smirked slightly. "Well then, Roken. Leave us."
"Yes, ma'am." The two guards bowed and exited, leaving Johnrey alone in the vast room.
The door closed behind him with a thud.
Johnrey swallowed hard. (I'm dead. Totally dead. I'm going to vanish and no one will even find my shoes.)
Sarah took a sip of wine before speaking. "Mr. Calden, do you know why you are here?"
Johnrey nodded quickly. "B-because of this ring, right?"
"That's correct." She leaned slightly forward. "Do you know what that ring does?"
Johnrey shook his head nervously. "Uh… not really, ma'am."
Sarah stood up from the throne and slowly walked toward him. Her heels echoed against the marble floor with each step.
"You see," she said, "each of the six rings holds an ancient element within — Fire, Water, Earth, Light, Darkness, and Poison. Each one can awaken what we call Flames of Courage. But to do so… one must possess true bravery."
Johnrey blinked. "Wait, so… this thing can actually do something? Like… superpowers?"
Sarah smiled faintly. "Something like that. These rings can enhance your body — strength, speed, reflexes, even perception — but only if you have the will to face your fear."
Johnrey scratched his cheek nervously. "So basically… no courage, no power?"
"Exactly," she said, stopping a few steps in front of him. "Though I doubt you fully believe me."
Johnrey quickly waved his hands. "N-no, I totally believe you! 100%! You're, uh, glowing and intimidating and—"
"Look closely," she interrupted.
Johnrey blinked. "Look at wha—?"
Her fist clenched.
Suddenly, a vivid pink flame burst to life on her forehead and around her arm — swirling like smoke yet burning with impossible intensity. The flame twisted in a spiral, dancing gently, but it didn't burn her skin.
Johnrey's jaw dropped. "W-what the—!? That's on fire! You're on fire! You're—wait—it's not even hurting you!?"
Sarah's calm voice cut through his panic. "These are called Undying Flames. Every bearer of a ring manifests one. It is the mark of their courage."
Johnrey stared, speechless. The flame's reflection shimmered in his eyes.
"So… I can do that too?" he whispered.
Sarah nodded. "Yes. In time. When you are ready."
Johnrey looked down at his hand, the faint red glow pulsing under the ring's crystal surface. For a moment, he felt something stir inside him — a faint warmth, almost like the ring was breathing with him.
Sarah turned away, walking back to her throne. "From this moment on, you will live here, Mr. Calden."
Johnrey's head snapped up. "W-wait, what!? Live here!? What about my apartment!?"
Sarah raised a brow. "That small box you call a home? Consider it… disposed of."
Johnrey's eyes widened. "You what!?"
"We already have your information — your address, your school, your daily routine," she said casually, sipping her wine. "You were easy to find."
Johnrey stepped back, uneasy. The ring on his hand faintly flickered red. "What if I say I don't agree to live here?"
Sarah placed her glass down and lifted a finger.
"Then this would happen."
A sharp sound echoed.
ZAAAP!
A laser beam shot from the ceiling, striking the floor just beside his shoe, burning a hole into the marble. Smoke curled up from the glowing mark.
Johnrey froze in terror. "O-okay! Okay! I'll stay! Totally fine! No complaints here!"
Sarah smiled faintly, satisfied. "Good answer. From this day on, you are no longer Johnrey Calden."
He blinked. "Huh?"
"You are now Johnrey Ryouko," she said, her voice firm, absolute. "Remember that."
Johnrey wanted to argue, to shout that it wasn't fair — but the words got caught in his throat. He simply nodded, defeated.
As the sun dipped behind the waterfall, its orange light spilled through the open ceiling, painting the room in gold. Johnrey stood there silently, the ring on his finger glowing faintly like a heartbeat.
He looked down and sighed.
"I guess… my new life starts tomorrow."