Arin huddled in a cr dirty alley of the empire . his eyes scanning the dark corners for any sign of movement. The neon lights of Elysium City's streets cast an unforgiving glow, making him squint. He was an orphan, surviving on scraps and street smarts. No one cared about him here.Arin an orphan of the war was misstreated by almost everyone and the reason wa simple he was a orphan the dead weight of the empire who only take up space .
A gang of street kids were lurking into the alley, led by a big boy named Jax . "Oi, orphan boy," Jax taunted, kicking Arin's makeshift bedroll. "What'd you loot today?"
Arin scrambled up, eyes flashing. "Got some bread and—"
Jax snatched the bread, laughing. "Payment for breathing our air." The gang laughed, and one of them shoved Arin. He stumbled, landing hard on the ground.
"Useless orphan," Jax sneered. "You can't even fight back."
Arin picked himself up, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and shame.
_Later, alone in the alley_
Arin whispered to himself, "One day... one day I'll be the one they fear. Not Jax, not anyone. Me." His eyes gleamed in the dark. "Only the strong are respected. I'll be strong."
He balled his fists. "I'll make sure of it. When I'm strong, no one'll push me around again."
_Arin glanced at his reflection in a broken mirror shard_
"Arin: Orphan, nothing. Someday: Arin, the one they can't touch."
The night wore on. Arin curled up, eyes fixed on the stars. Tomorrow was aptitude testing day. Maybe..
Scavenging for Survival
Arin had learned to navigate Elysium's harsh environment by scavenging for food and avoiding danger. He'd steal from market stalls, chase off city guards, and sleep in hidden corners. It was a hard life, but it was his.
He'd heard stories of the Imperial Magic Academy, where students learned to harness their elemental powers. Arin had never seen magic, but he knew he wanted more than this life.
Years of Struggle
Years passed, and Arin grew into a lean, resourceful teenager. He'd fight for scraps, work odd jobs, and avoid the gangs. His only peace was the broken mirror shard, where he'd talk to himself about a better future.
He'd seen others like him – orphans who'd either rise or fall. Arin was determined to rise.
The Examination Day
The parchment arrived, tucked into his ragged clothes. "Imperial Magic Academy – Aptitude Testing. Report at dawn." A chance to escape? Arin's heart flickered like the flames he kept hidden (though he didn't know he had any magic).
He spent the night polishing his only pair of shoes, fixing his torn clothes, and memorizing the academy's rules. He'd do whatever it took to pass.
The night wore on. Arin curled up, eyes fixed on the stars. Tomorrow was his chance. Maybe...
Inner Monologue
"Arin, you've survived this long," he whispered. "You can do more. Be more."
He thought of Jax, the gangs, and the endless struggle. "I'll show them. I'll show myself."
As dawn broke, Arin stood up, his makeshift bedroll slashed and discarded. He walked out of the alley, into Elysium's uncertain light.