Early
Head of the Hero League: "Sir Necromantis, we have an important matter."
Necromantis: "If it's about taxes again, I refuse. Let Greta handle it."
Head of the Hero League: "No, this is much more serious. You need to take a boy under your wing."
Necromantis: "A boy?"
Secretary: "Jihan. One of the participants in the 'Future Hero' program."
Necromantis: "I'm already training these kids. What's the issue?"
Head of the Hero League: "The problem is, we have reason to believe your former teacher is still alive."
Necromantis froze.
Necromantis: "What?"
Secretary: "And if that's true, he may have done something to the poor boy."
Necromantis: "You mean he could have used the boy for his own purposes?"
Head of the Hero League: "We don't know for sure. That's why you need to keep an eye on him. No one else, not Greta, no one from the League, knows about this mission. Just the three of us."
Necromantis: "So that's why you gave me this ridiculous contract. 'Trainer for future heroes' – the perfect cover."
Head of the Hero League: "Exactly. You need to find out the truth and, if necessary, protect the boy."
Necromantis paused. He hated secret missions, but if his teacher was really alive…
Necromantis: "Fine. I'll take him under my wing."
Secretary: "Excellent. We're counting on you."
Necromantis: "Just so you know, if I uncover something dangerous, I won't wait for your approval to act."
Head of the Hero League: "That's exactly why we chose you, Sir Necromantis."
...
Jihan lay in his bed, his thoughts swirling around. He couldn't sleep, and suddenly felt that familiar yet strange presence — as if someone was nearby.
Jihan: "You're here again?"
The voice in his head, now a familiar presence, responded with a soft tone of uncertainty.
Voice: "Yes. I'm always here, Jihan."
Jihan smiled, feeling the calm return with each word. He didn't know whose voice it was, or why he felt so at peace with it. Maybe it was a protector? Or just his imagination?
Jihan: "You know, I keep thinking about you. You never say your name. Why is that?"
The voice paused for a moment, as if considering the answer.
Voice: "I… I forgot. It seems I've forgotten my name."
Jihan sat up slightly, his curiosity piqued.
Jihan: "Well, maybe you need a new name! If you forgot your old one, why not come up with a new one?"
Voice: "A new name?"
Jihan nodded, pleased with his idea.
Jihan: "Yes! How about… I have an idea. What do you think of Lucian? It sounds a bit mysterious and powerful."
The voice chuckled in response, though Jihan couldn't quite tell if it was actual laughter or just the play of sounds in his mind.
Voice: "Lucian… I like it."
Jihan smiled, feeling proud of himself.
Jihan: "So now you have a name! Lucian, you're my new friend."
Lucian: "Friend… yes, I think that fits."
Jihan lay back on his pillow, feeling warmth spreading through his chest. Lucian, his new friend, was with him now. And despite how strange the situation was, Jihan felt that he didn't need to be afraid anymore.
Jihan: "Thank you for staying with me."
Lucian: "I'll always be here, Jihan."
With those words, Jihan closed his eyes and drifted into sleep, knowing that his new friend now had a name and that nothing could scare him anymore.