The next morning came with less pain than expected.Not comfort — not even close — but enough that Rafe didn't fall out of bed this time.
Progress.
He washed his face in the cracked sink, avoiding the freezing water splashing everywhere, and headed outside.
Mara was already there.Sitting on the same fence where she had watched him the first day.Posture perfect.Expression too serious for a child.
Rafe approached.
"You're early."
"So are you."
"…You were watching the door, weren't you?"
Mara looked away.
"…Maybe."
He smirked.
"Worried I'd collapse again?"
She crossed her arms.
"Worried you'd do something stupid."
"Like training until my body breaks?"
"Yes."
"Good news," Rafe said, stretching, "my body's already broken."
Mara sighed, but the faintest hint of a smile appeared.
"Come on. Let's start."
⚡ A NEW ROUTINE
Rafe tried to jog in circles.His tiny, weak body could barely take ten steps before burning with effort.
Mara ran beside him, adjusting her pace.
"Keep going," she said."You need stamina."
Rafe wheezed.
"I… also need… a new body…"
"No. You need consistency."
He threw himself on the ground, out of breath.
"This is abuse."
"Get up."
"You enjoy this way too much."
She didn't deny it.
Rafe laughed — breathless, but amused.
Training hurt.But it had purpose.And surprisingly… it was creating a bond.
DING!Quest Progress: 60%Host physical condition improving.
New Passive Acquired:Pain Tolerance (Minor)
Rafe grinned.
"Great. My suffering is now official."
👁 SOMEONE WATCHES
Mara suddenly stopped mid-step.Her whole body tensed, as if she sensed a predator.
Rafe felt it too.
A presence.A gaze.
Someone was watching them.
But it wasn't an ordinary adult.This gaze was sharp.Heavy.Evaluating.
"Don't look," Rafe murmured, "but someone's observing us."
Mara tilted her head slightly, as if stretching her neck.
"…I noticed."
The orphanage door opened.
A man stepped out.
Tall.Long dark-gray coat.Black gloves.Golden eyes glowing faintly — the unmistakable mark of someone who had awakened.
An Awakened.A member of a bloodline family.
Rafe recognized the danger immediately.
The man belonged to the Ferrin Family, one of the groups known for "evaluating" children with potential.In the original novel, they only appeared years later.
But now… he was here early.
"What does he want?" Mara whispered.
Rafe answered without moving his lips:
"He's scanning for talent."
Mara swallowed.
"Should we… run?"
"No. Running makes us look like targets."
The man walked toward them.Calm.Measured steps.
Rafe stepped in front of Mara—instinctively.
She noticed.
Finally, the man spoke:
"You two. Names."
Rafe answered immediately.
"Rafe Hendrix."
"Mara."
The man studied them like tools on a shelf.
"What were you doing?"
"Training," Rafe replied.
"Training? At your age?"
"Better to start early."
Mara blinked at him, surprised by the calm confidence in his voice.
The man's golden eyes narrowed.
"Interesting."
He raised his hand.Energy shimmered around it — subtle, invisible to normal children —but Rafe felt his Instinct spike in alarm.
DING!Bloodline Instinct reacting to external force.Temporary Bonus: +10% Perception
Rafe suddenly understood.
The man was testing for:LinhageMana resonanceInnate aptitudePotential traits
If he sensed anything valuable…
He would take Mara.Or take Rafe.
And children taken by awakened families…rarely returned.
Rafe breathed in slowly.
"Sir," he said calmly, "is there a problem?"
The man raised a brow.
"Just checking something."
Rafe stepped forward slightly.
"Then check me. Not her."
Mara stiffened.
The man reached out —Rafe let him.
A moment later, the man frowned.
"…Strange."
He tried again.
Nothing.
Rafe's System didn't produce aura, mana, or detectable genetic markers.He was a blank slate.
A void.
And it confused the adult.
"Your body has no signature," the man muttered."Empty. But your eyes… they're not empty at all."
Rafe kept a neutral face.
The man then turned to Mara.She tensed.
Rafe placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't."
The man stared at him for a moment…then sighed.
"Hmph. Neither of you have talent worth taking. Waste of time."
And he walked away.
Mara finally exhaled.
"…You blocked him."
Rafe smiled slightly.
"I distracted him."
"You protected me."
Rafe blinked.
"…I guess I did."
Mara's eyes softened."…Thank you."
Rafe tapped his chest lightly.
"Well, you're my drill sergeant. Can't lose you now."
She let out a small laugh — rare, quiet, but real.
🌟 A STRATEGY IS BORN
Once the man was out of sight, Rafe sat on the grass.
Mara sat beside him, arms wrapped around her knees.
"Rafe… why was he here?"
Rafe thought.
"Our generation is the first after the Great Invasion. Awakened families are scouting early for talent."He looked at the gray sky."And they don't care who they hurt."
Mara stayed silent.
"We're not safe here, are we?" she said softly.
Rafe shook his head.
"No.But we will be."
"…How?"
He looked at his small, trembling hands.
Weak now.But not forever.
"We get strong. Strong enough that no one decides anything for us."
Mara listened.Believed.Without understanding why.
"Then we train more," she said firmly.
Rafe smiled.
"That's the spirit."
🔥 SYSTEM RESPONSE
DING!Hidden Affinity Detected:Bond Growth — Mara (Stage 1: Trust)
Trait Unlocked:Calm Under PressureYour mind remains stable in dangerous situations.
Rafe touched his chin.
"Useful. Very useful."
"What happened?" Mara asked.
"Nothing," he said quickly. "Just leveling up."
"…You're weird."
"I know."