The midday sun loomed high, casting a golden glow over the shore.
Beneath the shade of a lone tree, a boy lay still. The wind whispered through the leaves, tousling his black hair.
Slowly, his blue eyes opened, sharpening as the sunlight met them.
Alvin sat up, running a hand through his unruly hair. His gaze drifted down—to the serpent tattoo coiled around his arm.
His fingers traced the inked scales.
'It's finally time.'
He rose to his feet, stretching his limbs before setting off toward his training ground.
Three days had passed since they ventured into the underground facility. Three days since that question first took root in his mind,
'Who is humanity worst enemy?'
During that small trip Exile changed his mind as he said,
"It's better if you find that answer yourself, until your training paused"
'Now, I finally understand '
Worst enemy is not a being to begin with. That's why Alvin wasn't able to remember worst enemy Exile spoke off.
Alvin stopped before a man with red hair and a scar running down his cheek.
Amber eyes flickered toward him.
Exile smirked. "Looks like you finally figured it out."
Alvin nodded.
'To think the answer was so simple…'
Exile leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Then do fill me in."
Alvin met his gaze. His voice was steady.
"The worst enemy of humanity… is born from desire."
Alvin met Exile's gaze. "We are creatures of endless curiosity. We push boundaries, seek answers. A good person wants to be better. A great one wants to be the best."
His fingers curled into a fist.
"But in that pursuit… greed and pride are born."
"The greed that wants more."
"The pride that wants to be on top."
"And it all starts with a single desire."
A shadow passed over Alvin's face.
"To fulfill their desires, few humans will go as far as committing… unforgivable acts."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"So, the worst enemy of humanity isn't a person. It isn't a being."
"It's our sins."
Clap—clap.
Exile clapped, a rare smile tugging at his lips.
"Your reasoning is a little off," he said, "but you're not wrong."
***
Alvin stood under the pale glow of the moon, sword in hand.
Across from him, Exile barely moved, dodging and parrying with ease. No wasted motion. No effort.
A sharp clang echoed as Alvin's final strike was deflected.
"That's enough," Exile said.
Alvin's legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground, panting.
As he caught his breath, the scent of roasted meat drifted through the air.
Exile had already started grilling.
Alvin sat up. "Hey, mister, I have a question for you."
Exile didn't look up. "What is it?"
Alvin hesitated before asking, "Your Sigil progression—what stage are you at?"
This time, Exile turned his gaze toward him. A smirk played on his lips.
"You really want to know?"
Alvin nodded.
Exile chuckled. "Mid Savant."
Alvin froze. "What?"
He was shocked,
Not because Savant was some legendary rank—it wasn't. It was mid-tier at best.
In this world, Sigil progression followed a strict hierarchy:
Early Stages:
1. Initiate
2. Adept
3. Expert
Mid Stages:
4. Specialist
5. Savant
High Stages:
6. Lord
7. Sovereign
And each stage had three sub-levels: Early, Mid, and Late.
A Savant wasn't weak, but changing the weather of an entire island with a flick of the fingers?
Only a handful of Sovereigns could do that.
'Is he messing with me?' Alvin's brows furrowed.
Seeing the suspicion in his eyes, Exile smirked.
"Sigil progression is secondary to us."
Alvin frowned. Secondary?
"Once you reach Specialist, you'll understand."
Alvin remained silent, deep in thought.
'Sigil progression… secondary?'
But that didn't make sense. As far as he knew, Sigil progression was everything in this world.
Or at least… that's what the game showed it to be.
*****
Vaelcrest Family Estate
A quiet dinner unfolded in the grand halls of the Vaelcrest estate.
At the head of the long dining table sat Erwin Vaelcrest, his sharp gray eyes surveying the room. The dim chandelier light cast shadows on his black hair, making his presence all the more imposing.
At the opposite end sat Amanda Vaelcrest, his wife. Her dark green hair framed her delicate face, her blue eyes downcast as she ate in silence.
Beside her sat Alvida—a teenage girl with black hair streaked with blue, the twin sister of Alvin.
Erwin finally spoke.
"How is your training going, Alvida?"
She barely glanced up. "It's alright."
A sharp furrow creased Erwin's brow.
He set his fork down with a faint clink.
"In a year, you will enroll in Everbright Academy."
"Students from the great families will be there."
"You must outmatch them all—become the top ranker, just like your elder sister."
Alvida said nothing, only offering a brief nod.
Amanda remained silent as well.
Erwin continued, his voice unwavering.
"Alvida, you are the next head of the Vaelcrest family."
"I trust you because you have greater talent than your sister."
Yet Alvida remained quiet, neither accepting nor rejecting his words.
Erwin studied Alvida's silent expression, his fingers tightening slightly around his glass.
He exhaled, slow and measured.
'If only you were a boy.'