The village lay quiet under the night sky, a deep silence that felt heavy, almost suffocating. The wind whispered through the narrow streets, carrying the scent of damp earth. There were no stars above, only a blanket of clouds that seemed to hold the world in place. The faint glow of lanterns flickered in the distance, casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths.
Leon had lived here all his life. This forgotten village, far from the great cities where magic and wonders were common, had nothing special to offer. His father often told him that they were just simple folk, people who worked the land and survived in silence. And he had accepted it. He was nothing more than a boy with no future, no talent, and no hope.
He had no magic. Unlike the other children in the village, who could at least produce small sparks or perform simple spells, Leon couldn't even summon a spark. He was the odd one out, the failure.
"You're not cut out for this, Leon," his father would often say, his voice filled with disappointment. "Our bloodline is weak. Magic was never meant for us."
Tonight was no different. Leon stood at the edge of the village, staring into the darkness. The sounds of the village, the murmurs of his family, and the crackling of the fire in the hearth filled the air, but they felt distant, as if they didn't belong to him. It was the same feeling that had haunted him for years, the feeling that he was meant for something else, something more—yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't grasp it.
Suddenly, a loud roar split the silence.
The ground shook beneath his feet. The night seemed to darken even further, as if a shadow had fallen over the village. The distant sound of buildings collapsing reached his ears, followed by the screams of terror. Leon's heart raced as the realization hit him.
The village was under attack.
Fear gripped him, and his feet moved instinctively toward the center of the village. As he ran through the streets, the smell of smoke and burning wood filled the air. He could hear the terrified cries of the villagers, the clash of metal, and the roar of creatures he had never heard before.
"Father!" he shouted, but his voice was lost in the chaos.
His heart pounded as he turned the corner, expecting to see his father, but instead, his eyes fell upon a scene he would never forget.
The village square was a battlefield. Giant creatures—hulking beasts covered in dark fur—tore through the buildings with terrifying strength. Their glowing eyes scanned the area, and the ground shook with each of their massive steps. Their claws raked through walls, leaving gaping holes in their wake. The villagers scattered, running in every direction, but it was clear—this was not a fight they could win.
Leon froze. His eyes searched for a way out, but there was none. His legs felt like lead, and his breath caught in his throat. What could he do? What good was he? He had no magic. No weapons. Nothing.
A shadow fell over him, and Leon's gaze shifted upward, locking eyes with a massive beast that towered over him. Its fur was dark as night, its glowing eyes filled with malice. Its massive form blocked out the light of the lanterns, casting the square into an eerie, unnatural shadow. The creature snarled, its mouth dripping with venom, revealing rows of sharp, jagged teeth.
Leon stumbled backward, his heart racing, his mind blank. There was no escape. There was no hope. He was going to die.
But then, in the midst of his terror, something caught his eye. Beneath the beast's shadow, half-buried in the rubble, was an old wooden box. It was small, unremarkable, yet something about it drew him in, as if calling to him. The glow of the creature's eyes seemed to fade in comparison to the soft, ethereal light emanating from the box.
Against all reason, Leon's feet moved. He didn't think. He just ran. Every step felt heavy, like he was walking through mud, but his hands stretched out instinctively toward the box. It was his only chance.
The creature growled, its eyes narrowing as it turned its focus to Leon. But Leon didn't stop. His trembling hands closed around the box, and the moment his fingers brushed against its surface, the world seemed to explode.
A rush of energy surged through him, sending waves of warmth and cold all at once. His vision blurred as a strange light enveloped his body, and he staggered back, his mind reeling from the sudden sensation.
The beast howled in fury, its claws slashing toward him with incredible speed. But Leon couldn't focus on that. He could only focus on the voice in his mind—the calm, clear voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"System activated."
The words rang out, reverberating through his very bones. Leon's body tensed, his pulse quickening. What was this? What was happening? He had never heard such words before, but they were unmistakably real.
Before he could process it further, a new voice spoke.
"You have been chosen. The Light Relic System is now active. Your journey begins here."
It felt like an answer to a prayer he hadn't known how to voice. The magic that had always eluded him surged through him now—raw, untamed, and powerful. He could feel it coursing through his veins, filling him with a strength he had never imagined. The beast lunged again, its claws slashing toward him, but this time, something in Leon snapped.
He raised his hand instinctively, and to his astonishment, a glowing shield of light erupted from his palm, blocking the creature's attack with a force that sent it crashing backward. The beast howled, stunned by the sudden force, but Leon wasn't afraid anymore.
He looked down at his hand, glowing with the same light that had appeared around the box. The power felt natural now, as if it had always been a part of him, waiting to be unlocked. It was magic. Real magic.
The creature growled again, shaking its head as it regained its footing. But Leon didn't hesitate. His heart pounded with the rush of new energy, and he raised his other hand. This time, fire danced around his fingertips, flickering with intensity. A surge of heat burst from his palm, striking the creature with a blast of flames that made it howl in pain.
"First task: Defend the village. Collect the power of the Light Relics."
Leon heard the voice again, but he barely had time to react. The beast lunged once more, but Leon's newfound strength surged within him. He was no longer just an ordinary boy. He was something more.
With a fierce cry, he thrust his hand forward, channeling the power within him. A torrent of light shot out from his palm, engulfing the beast in a blinding glow. It screamed in agony, thrashing against the radiant force, but it was no use. The creature's form began to disintegrate under the onslaught of energy. In a matter of seconds, it crumbled to the ground, its body reduced to ash.
Leon stood panting, the echo of his power fading into the silence of the village square. The light around him dimmed, and the weight of the situation slowly began to sink in. He had just defeated the beast. He, Leon—the boy who had never had any magic—had just destroyed the monster.
The village was still under attack, but for the first time in his life, Leon felt like he could make a difference. This was just the beginning. The Light Relic System had chosen him. He had a mission. And no matter how dangerous the road ahead was, he was ready to walk it.