Vani trudged through the dense forest, his steps slow and unsteady. His body felt weak, his throat dry, and his stomach twisted in hunger. It had been two months since he left the village, and in all that time, he hadn't seen another living soul. The last faces he had encountered were Sophia's and Pinky's.
He had money, but it was useless here. He hadn't prepared enough before leaving. Hunting was difficult, and most of his meals had been scraps—wild berries, edible roots, and whatever small creatures he could catch. It wasn't enough. He was exhausted, barely able to keep going.
Ugh. How much longer do I have to walk?
The woods stretched endlessly before him, and though he had no map, he hoped he was nearing a village or a city... somewhere he could finally eat a proper meal and regain his strength. His ragged breath came in shallow puffs, the cold air biting at his skin. If he had to spend another night in this damp, unforgiving wilderness, he might just go crazy.
Then... movement.
At first, he thought it was just the rustling of leaves in the wind. But no, the noise was rhythmic, deliberate. He crouched, instinct taking over, and pressed himself against the rough bark of a tree. Carefully, he peeked out.
Two figures stood in the clearing ahead. A woman and a man. The woman's stance was firm, her hands raised as Essentia swirled around her. She wasn't just fighting... she was training. The man stood with a relaxed but commanding presence, his tone calm yet teasing.
Vani's eyes narrowed as he observed them. He could feel the intensity of their exchange, the clash of Essentia, the sharp gusts of wind as they struck at one another. His heart pounded. He had never seen anything like this before.
So he stayed hidden, watching.
Wow, this is crazy... I can't even see their moves clearly, especially the red-haired guy. It feels like he's just playing around... No, even the girl... She's using Essentia in a completely different way than I am.
For the past two months, I've trained my Shadowbolt almost every day. I've managed to control it to a certain extent and use it more freely than when I started, but it doesn't even come close to her level... She's gathering Essentia from the surroundings. It's not coming directly from her core like how I'm doing it. I didn't even know that was possible.
Hmm? She's saying something to him... Did they finish?
"Hit me seriously."
Wow, she's crazy. It's obvious the red-haired guy is helping her improve and isn't fighting seriously. If he actually hit her with full force, she'd definitely die. I'm curious... What will he do?
Huh? He disappeared? Wait... when did he get in front of her?
Oh. She's on the ground... Did he actually hit her? Damn, is she dead? Poor soul.
But thanks to this, I've confirmed what was worrying me.
First, the way I was using Shadowbolt was definitely wrong. Now, I have an idea of how to do it better.
Second, the gap between ranks is massive. Forget about the guy... even the girl could kill me before I even move. I should avoid people stronger than me for now.
And third, the mark on her hand... I can't see it clearly from here, but it looks like some kind of flower. The moment I saw it, I felt it... she's one of the heirs. And if they're here, that means a village or city isn't too far away. Hahaha, I can finally eat real food and take a bath.
I'd like to watch them a little longer, but...
Huh? Another person just appeared when I didn't pay attention. And he looks as strong as Walter was. I feel like I could fight him.
No, there's no time for those kinds of thoughts, I shouldn't stay here any longer. More people could come. It's better to leave before they find me.
But just as he turned to slip away, a voice rang out.
"You. Hiding behind the trees. Come out."
Huh? Is someone else hiding?
No...
There's no way...
Shit... he actually found me, didn't he?
He's looking right this way.
And why is Essentia gathering around his sword?
Damn... should I go out and reveal myself? They don't seem like bad people, but because of the girl's mark, they might see me as an enemy...
What should I do?
Just as this thought flew through his mind...
Slash.
A force tore through the air above his head, cutting down all the trees around him.
Holy shit... That would have definitely killed me. There's no way I could've dodged that—I didn't even see the attack coming. This guy is insane. Why tell me to come out if you're just going to try to kill me in the next few seconds?
No... if he really wanted to kill me, I'd already be dead. He didn't aim to take my life. Was it a warning? If I don't come out, will he actually kill me...?
"How about you come out now?"
Huh? That's the girl's voice...
Agh, whatever. I can't run away anyway. I should go out before the crazy guy launches another attack...
"Is this just a kid...?"
"Hey, Darius... did you just try to kill a kid?"
That's right.
"I... I definitely didn't sense the presence of a kid…"
What kind of presence did you feel then? You insane bastard...
"What's your name?"
Shouldn't you tell me your name first?
"Sorry, kid. Can you tell us your name?"
Sigh. Hopeless bastards.
"My name is Vani..."
And just like that, their first encounter began.
Elsera asked.
"So... Vani... what are you doing in a place like this?"
I expected this question. Telling the truth here shouldn't be a problem.
"I'm heading to the capital, but I left without preparing properly... and I got lost."
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Alone?"
"Yes..."
She doesn't look satisfied with my answer... but I told the truth, though.
Her gaze shifted to Darius, but he looked just as speechless as she did.
Then Rowan spoke up.
"Ohh, I get it! You're from Dunwick, right? And you're running away to the capital because of that crazy orphan killer from your neighboring village, Ashenford?"
What? I'm from Ashenford, though... And crazy orphan killer? What the hell is that?
Darius looked just as confused as vani was.
"Crazy orphan killer?" he asked, turning to Rowan.
Rowan nodded before explaining. "Yeah. Before we came here, I heard a rumor that an orphan from Ashenford awakened as a Novarion and started killing normal people... brutally. They say he even went to a brothel, dragged a woman up to the VIP floor, and when people tried to stop him, he killed someone to make an example. Then, after he had his fun, he stabbed the woman in the stomach and just... left her there."
Silence.
All eyes were on Rowan.
Wow. Who the hell spread those rumors about me? Sophia... I trusted you...
I haven't met anyone in two months. So I didn't hear anything about those rumors. But... this could actually work in my favor.
"Huh? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Rowan's gaze bounced between Elsera, Darius, and vani, his face practically begging for someone to say something.
Vani exhaled and nodded. "Yeah... that's right. I left because of the... crazy orphan killer."
Rowan's face lit up with a wide smile, satisfied that he hadn't been wrong.
Darius glanced at Elsera. "What should we do?"
Elsera folded her arms. "Do you think the kid is a threat?"
Darius hesitated, then shook his head. "I don't know... he's definitely awakened, but he's not stronger than Rowan."
Elsera smirked. "Then let's let him stay for now. We can always get rid of a kid if needed."
Then she turned toward Vani. "Hey, kid. We can talk while we eat, so come with us."
I don't want to follow you though... but I have no choice, right? Maybe I can get more information if I play my cards right.
And just like that, they all started moving, leading Vani toward the others.
The moment they arrived at their camp, Vani saw five more people.
The area was arranged with trees laid out in a triangular shape, likely serving as makeshift seating. In the center, a bonfire flickered, probably used to keep them warm while they ate or talked late into the night. A little further away, 4 tents stood in a row… but one stood out. It looked far more luxurious than the others.
He didn't need to ask who it belonged to.
Elsera crossed her arms and spoke.
"Go sit by the bonfire. We'll bring you something to eat after we've talked with everyone."
Vani nodded and made his way to the bonfire.
They don't seem like bad people, but the red-haired guy and the girl still seem wary of me. But more importantly... I just confirmed something.
The mark on her hand.
It's a symmetrical black floral emblem, with four rounded, petal-like shapes extending outward from a small central circle. It's different from mine.
Two months ago, on the day Vani left his village, his forearm started burning slightly. Small black dots formed on his skin. At first, he thought it was just a side effect of his awakening and ignored it. But two hours later, the pain became unbearable. It felt like he was being burned alive while someone carved something deep into his flesh with a knife. He watched as black lines took shape, twisting into a design he couldn't yet recognize.
He endured it for an hour, rolling on the ground, slipping in and out of consciousness. The pain was so unbearable that, for the first time in his life, he genuinely considered ending it all just to make it stop.
And then, it was over.
A stylized bird with a gracefully curved body and a regal crest atop its head. Its tail extended in elegant, swirling lines, adorned with leaf-like shapes and small circular accents, giving it an intricate, flowing design.
It was a deep black imprint.
A mark.
The moment Vani realized what it was, he tore a piece of his clothing and wrapped it around his forearm, pretending it was a wound. He hadn't known at the time that covering it would prevent people from recognizing it as a mark. But he was lucky—so far, no one has suspected anything.
Now he just had to make sure no one saw it.
But this was bad. He never expected to run into another marked individual while wandering through the woods. He didn't know what kind of person she was. Until he did, he should avoid letting them know about his mark.
He was still lost in thought when they all started making their way toward the bonfire. Some sat on the trees, while others leaned against them, resting their backs. A girl carrying a wooden box sat next to him.
She looked around his age, maybe a little younger. Her long, slightly messy white hair framed her pale blue eyes, and furred ears twitched atop her head. She wore a simple black tunic beneath an off-white linen cloak, paired with dark trousers and scuffed leather boots. Her clothes were practical and well-worn, suited for a traveler.
With a gentle flick of her wrist, she tossed a small wisp of Essentia into the bonfire, making it burn gently.
The moment she did, all eyes turned to him.
Just from their stares, he could tell. He wasn't welcome here.
"My name is Tessa. I heard your name is Vani. Is that right?"
The girl beside him was the first to speak.
He simply nodded.
Immediately, they all started whispering amongst themselves.
Did I do something wrong? Why are they looking at me like that…?
The whispers stopped when a sharp clap echoed through the air. Elsera.
She spoke, her voice firm.
"It's a little late for introductions, but from the guy sitting across from you, starting from his right until me, their names are Darius, Rowan, Garrik, Lioren, Varik, and Sylas. As you already know, the girl next to you is Tessa. And I'm Elsera."
"Tessa and I are both Idem. Darius is a Verdan. The others are Novarions, just like you."
"I'll say this as nicely as I can, don't try anything stupid, and we won't do anything to you."
She paused, then raised her arm, showing him her forearm.
"As you've probably already noticed, I'm one of the marked heirs."
Well, that explains why they're so wary of me.
The real problem here is Darius. He keeps staring at me.
I feel like if I so much as move the wrong way, he'll kill me.
"That's right." A voice cut through the air. "So if you want to stay here… how about you tell us your real name instead of whatever you made up?"
Vani turned toward the source.
Was this guy Varik? And what the hell does he mean by my real name?
"Is there something wrong with my name?" Vani asked, confused.
Varik's brows furrowed. "HUH? Are you crazy? Who in the world would name their son like that?"
"But I'm serious," Vani replied. "At least… that's what my mother always called me."
Silence.
The moment those words left his mouth, the entire atmosphere shifted.
They all looked completely stunned.
…Is my name really that weird?
Nobody ever questioned him about it before.
"You said your mother called you that," Tessa spoke up. "So that could just be a nickname. What we're asking for is your full name. Your family name."
My full name… I never asked my mother what our family name was…
But just as he was about to answer, a memory surfaced.
A memory of him, pretending to be asleep one night before his mother returned home.
He remembered how she came into his room, sat on his bed, and hugged him.
And he remembered her voice.
"I heard you got into a fight today because some kid was making fun of me for working in a brothel… It makes me happy that you stood up for me, but you shouldn't beat up other kids."
"Your father named you Vanity because when you were born, he looked into your eyes and said they were empty. That no matter what path you chose, it would end in futility. But I disagreed."
"To me, you were radiant… full of life beyond compare. So remember, whenever you feel lost or defeated, you are Vanity Von Vessaire. The one who will walk a path even the gods cannot foresee."
She never mentioned my father before that. Or after.
I wonder if he's still alive.
"So?" Tessa's voice pulled him back to the present. "Can you tell us your real name?"
He let out a quiet breath, pushing the memory aside for now.
Right now, he needed to focus on this.
Regaining his composure, he met their eyes and spoke with a steady voice.
"My full name is… Vanity Von Vessaire."