"What do you want?!"
Both Orven and Suntel burst into laughter. Orven slapped Suntel's shoulder while howling.
"Did you see that?! Hahaa—he looked like a sheep!" Orven wheezed.
Suntel tried to catch his breath, still chuckling.
"Okay, okay. Listen, kid—we don't want anything. We just came to see you. You've got regeneration. That's a very rare ability. It hasn't been seen in over a century. The last recorded case is just data—nothing real."
Before he could finish, Orven leapt on him again, still laughing hysterically.
"Haha! He looks like a sheep!"
Suntel, clearly done with it, shrugged Orven off and grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Orven, listen carefully… Sheep people deserve rights too."
Orven froze. His face went serious. Too serious.
"You're right. Sheep people need rights."
Then he suddenly ran off, shouting to someone across the street:
"Hey! Hey! Come here real quick!"
Lux blinked.
"Where is sir going?"
Suntel sighed. "Don't call that guy sir. And I have no idea what he's going to do. I was just trying to shut him up—I made up some random shit. Anyway… like I said, we're not here to harm you."
He stepped a little closer.
"I also heard you're strong. You went hand-to-hand with our 3rd commander and… you've got fire too. That makes you a hybrid or a dual-core."
Lux nodded. "I know a few basics. So… you just came to see me?"
Suntel smirked.
"Not just that. There's one more thing—"
He stepped forward.
"Do you want to become… an Achiever?"
Lux's mind flickered.
A memory surged through him—a warm, softly lit room filled with children and bunk beds. A woman sat in the center, telling stories.
Her voice echoed in his head:
"And that's how the tale of Plasmaurius ends…
But listen carefully, kids:
Whoever finds the Core of Plasmaurius…
will be known as the Hero of the world."
Lux snapped back to reality as a loud commotion echoed nearby.
"What's that?" he asked, puzzled.
Suntel and Reven turned toward the noise. A huge rally was moving down the street. Dozens of people were marching, chanting:
"Sheep people need rights! Sheep people need rights!"
At the front of the crowd stood Orven, waving a handmade sign and yelling louder than all of them.
Suntel stared in horror. "...I cannot believe this."
Then with pure rage in his eyes, he turned to Reven.
"You explain the rest to him. I'm ending this."
He cracked his knuckles, bent his knees—and launched himself with a boom straight toward the front of the rally.
In one swift motion, Suntel landed in front of Orven and delivered a perfect uppercut that sent Orven flying hundreds of feet into the sky.
Everyone fell silent.
Shocked.
Lux stood frozen.
"What… just happened?"
Suntel turned around, completely calm.
"You two go on. I'll take care of him."
He crouched—then launched himself straight upward into the clouds after Orven.
---
Reven blinked, then turned to Lux.
"Come on. Let's go."
They began walking.
Lux scratched his head.
"So… is that kind of thing normal in your affiliate?"
Reven shrugged. "Yeah. Sadly, yeah."
Lux chuckled. "Also… sorry to ask, but how old are you? You act kinda… older."
Reven glanced at him with an eyebrow raised. "I'm 18. Only two years older than you."
Lux grinned. "Oh. You don't look it."
Reven squinted. "Are you calling me an old ?"
Lux quickly raised his hands. "No, no! I mean, you're just more built than me…"
Reven gave a short laugh. "Well, you're not wrong."
They walked for a moment before Reven asked,
"So? What do you think about what Suntel said?"
Lux nodded. "Yeah. I've thought about it."
Reven tell to comfort him.'' Ya, it's quite difficult as how will put is life on the line for people you don't even know"
Yes
Reven blinked. "Already? Isn't that a little quick?"
Lux looked ahead, his voice quieter.
"I've had time to think."
"I'm finished high school this year. My scores are good—I could go to a top university, get a stable life. But…"
He stopped walking.
"I don't have anyone. No parents. No memories of them. I don't even remember their names or faces I don't have anyone who see me and be happy."
"But there's one memory I do have. A woman… telling stories. Especially one story. About the Plasmaurius Core."
Reven turned to him, softer now.
"So you want to be the hero? The one who finds the core?"
Lux gave a faint smile.
"No. I just want to be one of her words."
Reven smiled. "Then let me introduce myself properly."
She held out her hand.
"I'm Reven. A transmutation user."
Lux shook it. "Isn't transmutation mostly for blacksmiths or alchemists?"
She grinned. "You know your stuff. Yeah, usually. But I don't use it a normal way."
Reven explained as they walked,
"In this world, everyone has a power. But the way we awaken them is different. Some get it by training, others later in life. Powers fall into five major types—Elemental, Biological, Psychic, Soul/Divine, and Transmutation. And even those have sub-forms depending on how you use them."
They turned a corner.
A towering facility stood before them, lined with glowing spires and guarded by elite sentries in silver armor and weapons.
Reven stopped.
"Here we are…"
"Welcome to the Third Affiliate."