Author’s Note:

  The first two chapters are flashbacks from the protagonist’s past. The main story begins with Chapter 3, but I recommend reading everything for the full experience.

  ***

  My name is Toma Sorien. I’m thirteen years old.

  I live in a world where 10% of the population possesses some kind of special power or ability.

  These people are called individuals with special powers, and they typically wield elemental forces of nature or light-based Nova powers. The most skilled among them become warriors, tasked with protecting the human world.

  My dad was a warrior—but he died before I was even born. So, for as long as I can remember, it’s just been me and my mom.

  Well, until two years ago.

  That’s when she married a cool guy named Emion. I like him a lot. A year later, my baby sister was born, and since then, the four of us have been living together.

  As for me... I’ve always had just one dream:

  To become a warrior.

  But life isn’t that simple.

  Because I have no abilities.

  I’m the shy, quiet type. Not much to look at, not particularly strong, and I’ve always been a step behind the others. But even so, I’ve got two amazing friends: Arlen and Arvian. They live in the same village as me, and we spend time together every single day.

  Most days we play football or fight with wooden swords—though honestly, it’s usually just Arlen and Arvian sparring with each other.

  They both have powers. Arlen can control fire. Arvian controls ice.

  Me? I just watch.

  We usually go deep into the woods near our village to train, since regular folks aren’t allowed to use their powers unless they’re professional fighters.

  Watching them... it always makes my heart race. There’s something magical about the way they move, the energy in their attacks, the confidence in their eyes.

  But no matter how much I admire them, I’ve always been stuck on the sidelines.

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  I don’t know how to explain it.

  Maybe deep down, I’ve already given up.

  Maybe… I’ve convinced myself it’s just impossible.

  Thinking about it always makes my chest feel tight.

  But somehow, my friends always notice. They always do something to lift my spirits.

  “Hey Arlen,” Arvian says, throwing down his sword, “enough fighting. Now let's fight against Toma!"!”

  “Okay!” Arlen grins.

  “Whoever wins today becomes Captain of the Elite Division!”

  That’s our game. Arvian and I always play to see who gets to be captain. He’s always wanted to lead the Elite Division. Me? I’ve never said it out loud, but…

  ...isn’t it kind of pointless?

  Still, when I think about it...

  Everything started that day.

  Eight Years Earlier

  “Toma, I just got off the phone with Arvian’s mom,” my mom called out from the kitchen. "Arvian is sleeping over tonight!"

  “Yes!”

  “Should we get the bed ready for him?”

  “No need! He can sleep in mine. I’ll take the mattress—he’s the guest!”

  A few hours later, Arvian arrived with his dad.

  “Thanks for letting the little guy stay over,” his dad said, ruffling his son’s hair. “My wife and I have a wedding tonight, so we won’t be home.”

  “No problem at all,” my mom replied warmly.

  His dad crouched down to Arvian’s level.

  “Well then, be a good boy tonight, okay?”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  “Come on, Arvian, let’s unpack! Toma’s waiting for you!”

  The boys spent the entire day playing. But when night finally fell, neither of them could sleep.

  “Hey, Toma… I can’t sleep,” Arvian whispered.

  “Me neither.”

  “What should we do?”

  “I’ve got it! I’ll ask Mom to tell us a bedtime story!”

  “Wait—let me ask her!”

  “Okay!”

  The two of them hopped out of bed and scampered to the living room.

  “Mom! We can’t sleep! Tell us a story!”

  Toma’s mother laughed softly. “Alright, alright…”

  She turned to Arvian with a warm smile.

  “You’re the guest tonight, Arvian. What kind of story would you like to hear?”

  “The best one!” he declared without hesitation.

  “Alright, let me find something on my phone.”

  “No, Mom!” Toma interrupted. “Tell us one from a book!”

  “Okay, okay! I’ll find a book!”

  Toma’s mother pulled an old, well-loved book from the shelf. She opened it, cleared her throat, and began to read in a calm, dramatic voice:

  “As you both know, the world of humans is protected by Divisions. There’s the Fire Division, Water Division, Ice, Wind, Lightning, Nova, the Royal Guard...

  But one stands above them all.

  The strongest of them all...

  The Elite Division.”

  The boys leaned closer under the blanket.

  “They’re the best of the best. Warriors beyond compare. And their captain?”

  She paused dramatically.

  “He’s the strongest man in the entire world.”

  “Whoa!” Arvian’s eyes sparkled. “How strong is he, Mom?”

  “So strong he can protect everyone. He defeats demons… and no enemy stands a chance.”

  “Even level threes?” Toma asked.

  “Yes,” she said with a firm nod. “Even them. And anyone else. He can defeat any bad guy.”

  There was a beat of silence as the boys stared wide-eyed at the ceiling.

  “But that’s enough stories for one night,” she said gently. “It’s getting late. Time for bed, little warriors.”

  Of course, Toma’s mother wasn’t actually reading from the book. She knew the story by heart. And she told it the way she always did—passionately, as if it were the most exciting legend in the world.

  “That was so cool!” Arvian grinned. “Keep going, Mom!”

  “Nope—it’s late!” she said with a playful smile, then turned off the light and stepped out of the room.

  But even in the dark, the boys kept whispering.

  “Hey, Toma…” Arvian said quietly. “I’ve been thinking… The captain of the Elite Division is really cool.”

  “You said it. No one’s cooler.”

  “Then I’ve decided—when I grow up, I’m going to become the captain of the Elite Division!”

  “What?! Are you serious, Arvian?”

  “Yeah! I’ll protect you… and everyone else!”

  Toma hesitated.

  “But Arvian… you know it takes a ton of work and discipline, right? You have to study at the Warrior Training Academy, train for years, fight in squads, and do all sorts of hard stuff. Are you sure you can handle all that?”

  Silence.

  “…Arvian? Hello?”

  …

  Toma turned his head and sighed.

  “He’s asleep.”

  His eyes drifted to the ceiling as his voice grew quieter.

  “Captain of the Elite Division… I wish I could be captain, too…”