If you want to change, come out two days from now.

On the corner of his bed, Wane sat with his arms around his legs. First, he had had a dream. A weird dream that he could still remember vividly. A beautiful girl who had beckoned him to join their group in search of adventure and change.

Then, on the morning when school was just about to begin, she had appeared in front of him. A dark robe that danced like shadows created by a candle, silver hair that shone like moonlight. After handing him a note, she had vanished. Her image was engraved into his mind.

The invitation lay within his hand. He read it again. Pathfinder – the name of the group. One simple sentence was engraved onto the square card: ‘What would you do if you were given the opportunity to live a new life?’

But on the back, another sentence made him hesitate: ‘You must throw away your current identity.’

He had asked the silver-haired girl what the sentence on the back had meant. She simply said, “You’ll have to leave your current life behind. But don’t worry; our group is a fun one. If you join us, we’ll go on adventures beyond your wildest dreams.”

It was awfully tempting.

Maybe the girl had been joking. But for high-ranking ability users to come and give him a personal invitation.

He sighed and stuffed the invitation inside of his pocket. The deadline was tonight.

Still…the girl had been just his type. And if what she had told him was true…

It would be a waste to let the opportunity pass.

〄 〄 〄

“So!” announced Enariss. “Here are the new members of the MMA Club. Everyone, please take good care of them.”

The existing members within the building clapped their hands to welcome the newcomers that had joined their ranks. Most of them were freshmen, so Demund felt slightly out of place while receiving the warm welcome. Well, Rhyne was screaming his head off while cheering, and Riley was clapping as hard as he could, so it made him feel much better.

But the stares still existed. Naturally, they would continue. He could literally feel people’s eyeballs on him and his prosthetic leg as they furrowed their eyebrows and murmured in confusion. After all, he was the only one inside the club with a missing limb.

Indeed, if it had been the Demund before summer break, he would never have joined the club. He would have visited sometimes, but not actually participate in the matches. Missing a leg was a ginormous handicap to him.

However; Shaden had made another breakthrough. Through training, he had reached a higher level of understanding the control of mana within his body. The additional experience had allowed him to maneuver the mana inside Demund’s body more accurately, and though it wasn’t on Shaden’s level—

Demund could circulate somewhat without feeling awful.

His friends welcomed him and patted his shoulders.

“So…you’re finally here,” said Riley.

“It’s good that you know us and Enariss,” stated Rhyne. “Usually, all the newcomers get a crazy welcome.”

Demund heard a scream come from the back.

“Looks like someone got tackled again,” murmured Riley. “Happens every year.”

“It sort of feels like people are avoiding me,” commented Demund. When he walked around, people moved a little unnaturally to make way for him.

“It’s probably Enariss’s doing,” answered Riley. “The leaders of the club have a meeting once a week, and she likely let them know about your condition.”

“How considerate of her.”

Riley shrugged. “Anyways, Demund. Newcomers are required to begin with a spar with one of the members who are certified by the leaders. Once you prove yourself to be somewhat capable, you can begin to challenge the higher-ups and rise in the ranks.”

“But how exactly are you going to do that?” questioned Rhyne. “Riley and I have been taking unarmed combat classes since elementary school. We’re happy that you’re here, but do you know how to fight? And there’s also the problem of your leg. I mean, you could just stay and exercise without fighting. That’s what some people do, but there’s a danger of being kicked out if you don’t do anything.”

“I doubt you’ll be kicked out since Enariss is the current leader,” corrected Rhyne, “but some people might complain. So, what’s your plan?”

Demund cleared his throat. “I think you guys are worrying too much. I’ll begin sparring right away. Can you tell me who I need to go to?”

Riley and Rhyne exchanged doubtful looks. They knew Demund’s physical prowess, but…he was maimed.

“I…guess a little is fine,” said Riley.

“Uh-huh,” agreed Rhyne.

“And you’re absolutely okay with this?”

“Yep,” said Demund with a smile.

Riley scratched his head. “I’ll go ask one of the mentors. Stay here for a sec. I need to check who’s available.”

Riley dashed off somewhere, leaving Rhyne and Demund to wait.

“He knows the nicest mentors,” explained Rhyne. “Sometimes, if you choose the wrong person to do your first spar with, you’ll get wrecked. Like that scream you heard earlier. Some people just refuse to go easy, even if it’s against newcomers…”

“Ah. You told me that it happened to you last year.”

Rhyne nodded. “If it hadn’t been my ability…”

He shivered. “You can’t let your guard down here. Even the nicest looking people will—”

“Hey, Dem-Dem, Rhyne. What’s up?”

Rhyne stopped mid-sentence as Enariss waltzed into their presence. She had a kind smile on her face, and her attention was mainly focused on Demund.

“We were talking about the first spar,” said Demund.

“That’s great! It’s good to choose someone you’re familiar with.”

Rhyne nodded. “She’s correct.”

Suddenly, Demund had a funny thought.

“Hey, Ena.”

“Hmm?”

“Since you’re the leader of the club, or one of them, can’t you do my spar?”

Rhyne froze.

“Demund, you don’t know—”

“Sure!” said Enariss, cutting off Rhyne once again. “That’s a great choice. I’m available right now.”

“Well, that was easy.”

“Demund—”

Demund placed a hand on his friend’s worried shoulder. “Don’t worry, Rhyne. I have some experience.”

Rhyne thought otherwise. He pulled his friend to the side, outside of Enariss’s hearing range.

“Are you crazy? You want a spar with Enariss?”

Demund shrugged. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Have you seen her fight?”

“I think she’ll go easy on me.”

“Well…”

Rhyne was confused. Would she?

Would she go easy on Demund? They were friends, right?

But then again, she hadn’t gone easy on anyone else. According to statistics—

“It’s too risky.”

“Nothings risky,” interjected Enariss, and Rhyne jumped on the spot. “You’re really bad at whispering.”

“Guess that settles it,” said Demund. “Let’s get this started.”

Enariss nodded. “Follow me. How about you, Rhyne?”

“I’ll…wait for Riley. I need to let him know that Demund found a partner.”

“Got it.”

Rhyne scratched his head as he saw the duo move to the arenas. A few seconds later, Riley appeared next to him.

“Hey, I found someone—where’s Demund?”

Rhyne sighed. “He’s going to spar with Enariss.”

“Wait. Seriously?”

Rhyne pointed towards the moving figures.

“Oh. Damn. Well, I’ll let the mentor know…”

Riley quickly dashed off again, and Rhyne shook his head.

She’d go easy on him…right?

〄 〄 〄

“This…is a simple spar, correct?”

“Correct.”

“Then…what’s with all the people?”

The arena they were on hadn’t even been raised. It wasn’t an official match. And yet, a small crowd had formed outside of the ring.

“I’m pretty popular around here.”

“I see.”

“Did you laugh?”

“Not at all.”

“Hmph.” Enariss tied her hair back and stretched her legs. “Let’s get this started. It’s just a spar, so you can begin whenever you want. Come at me with all you’ve got.”

Likewise, Demund stretched his body and jumped up and down a couple of times. “Hope you go easy on me.”

The crowd around them had gotten bigger, and if Demund’s eyes weren’t lying, some of them even looked worried. He sighed. He knew how hard Enariss could push him.

Which was exactly why he thought of this as an ideal beginning match.

Enariss looked very lax. She stood in front of him without a stance. She was obviously underestimating him. Well, it was natural.

“Just to be sure, anything is allowed. Right?”

“Against me, yes.”

“Nice.”

Demund planted his feet on the ground and raised his arms in front of him, his left arm in front of his right. It was a simple diversion stance he had learned. He wasn’t sure how it’d work in this world, though.

He took in a deep breath and began to circulate. An invisible aura welled up inside of his veins, and he sensed the mana rush within him like a stream of clear water. His senses became heightened, and he smiled. His heart beat faster as excitement filled him.

His first match against someone who wasn’t trying to break his bones. Hopefully.

Enariss sensed something amiss with Demund. Out of sheer instinct, she became alert.

“I’m coming, Ena.”

“You aren’t supposed to tell me that.”

Demund drove his left foot into the ground and leaped towards Enariss, his left hand aimed at her face to block her vision.

His hand was deflected by Enariss’s lightning quick right arm. A sharp pain went through his arm as her hand chopped his forearm. But Demund smiled. Using the opportunity, he rolled up a fist and threw it at Enariss’s stomach.

As expected, she caught it with her left hand. Unexpectedly, it felt like an iron clap.

Shoot, thought Demund.

He felt his body get pulled towards the side as Enariss pulled him away from the ground with a great amount of force.

Next thing he knew, he was toppled on the floor, looking at the ceiling.

“Well, you’re fast, I’ll give you that,” said Enariss. “But your balance is weak.”

“I think you’re just absurdly strong,” said Demund as he got back up. He sighed. This body felt really lacking compared to Shaden’s. Then again, sustained offense wasn’t his forte. He was more used to ending things in one, precise attack or blocking off the blows from his tutor.

He placed his arms in front on him again and beckoned to Enariss. “Come.”

Enariss smiled.

Activating her power to 5x, she approached Demund calmly. Then without warning, she threw a fist at his shoulder—

And hit thin air. Immediately, she jumped back to avoid a hand aimed at her chest.

“Were you trying to…stab me with your hand?”

“Oh, sorry. Habits.”

Enariss raised an eyebrow. “You’re better than I thought. But I’m not sure what martial art you’re using.”

“Let’s say it’s self-taught.”

She giggled. “Well, the match is over. That settles it. I’ve officially recognized your ability to participate in the rankings.”

With a sigh, Demund stopped circulating and lowered his arms. Keeping it up for too long was still very tiring. He envied Shaden’s body that possessed unlimited mana.

He could hear murmurs everywhere now. But as soon as he shook hands with Enariss and got off the stage, they disappeared.

“That was simple.”

“It’s supposed to be.” Hearing someone call her name, Enariss waved to Demund. “I’ll be going now. Good luck, Dem-Dem.”

“Yeah. Thanks for the spar.”

Riley and Rhyne materialized next to him after Enariss left.

“That was amazing,” said Rhyne. “She didn’t wreck you.”

“That’s what you’re amazed about?”

“You’re the first person she didn’t utterly humiliate,” said Riley. “I get why she does it, to put newbies in their place. You’re obviously getting special treatment.”

Demund snorted. “Maybe I was just that good.”

Riley glanced at his prosthetic right leg. “I’m just impressed that you were able to move with that. Maybe you can do this.”

“Demund. I saw that dodge. It was beautiful,” confessed Rhyne. “I really think that you can begin official matches now.”

Demund scratched his cheek. “It wasn’t even that great. I still have ways to go. So help me out, guys.”

“Of course!”

〄 〄 〄

After completing a few exercises with Riley and Rhyne, the time had already approached five.

After changing out of his PE clothes, Demund grouped up with Enariss. Riley and Rhyne, along with the other students, usually left at around four-thirty. The leaders made sure the place was organized and left at five. While his two friends had stayed for a while longer that day, they had already packed up and gone home. Demund, who rode with Enariss, had no other choice but to stay.

He lifted up some bars that lay on the floor and put them on the benches. “Is this how you treat newcomers?” he joked.

“You’re special,” replied Enariss as she stowed away three bars. Her raw strength was always so amazing to observe. “Think of it as training.”

The other members of the club were heading out the doors now. Enariss said goodbye to the people who left the building.

With a humph, Demund placed the last of the dumbbells that had been laid on the floor.

“Newcomers always forget to clean up,” said Enariss. “I’ll remind them tomorrow.”

“Mmhmm. Great idea.”

Demund hoped that he didn’t smell horrible. He took a quick sniff at his clothes. It wasn’t that bad.

Enariss, no matter how sweaty she became (if she ever did) never smelled bad. It was like magic.

They walked out of the doors of the building, and Enariss stretched her arms out.

“Being a leader is so bothersome sometimes. Maybe you can take my place someday.”

“Meaning I would have to defeat you.”

“Yes.”

“Impossible.”

She snorted. “You never know, right?”

Demund shook his head and chuckled. If he were Shaden, possibly. But Demund? Never.

“Maybe rank two.”

“…really?”

“I can try.”

Enariss brushed her lush hair to the side and smiled sweetly. “Do your best, Demund.”

Demund smiled back. Just then, a familiar figure caught the corner of his eye.

“Hey! Wane!”

Demund waved his hand to the boy who was walking alone out of the school. Which was weird, since he never seemed to lack friends. Then again, why would anyone stay this long inside the school? He was probably at the Student Life Committee room.

It was weird not seeing him in class anymore. Apparently, he had remained in the normal class.

Wane turned his head around, and spotting Demund, waved back. His arms looked a little weak. His eyes spotted Enariss and squinted.

Then he turned around again and walked away, away from their direction.

“Who was that?” asked Enariss.

“Wane. One of the people who helped last year.”

“After your accident?”

Demund nodded. By now, Wane had gotten on his bike and had left the school gates.

“Anyway, about today’s homework…”

The two continued their conversation, forgetting about the brief encounter.

〄 〄 〄

Wane spotted Demund on his way out of school. Seeing his face made some unhealthy emotions come out of him.

What was the difference between them? How did Demund have so much while he had so little? He was even going walking side by side with the Enariss. Someone like Demund. Someone without a leg.

Was it because he worked harder? He knew of Demund’s grades.

But he had tried hard too. Not only on grades but also on maintaining his relationships with everyone. Demund had shown nothing like that. Yet he was surrounded by talented people.

He envied Demund. It was a passing thought, but it was true.

As he biked home, he touched the invitation inside of his pocket.

He had looked over his memories. The things he had felt in his first year of school, the places where he had made memories. Mainly, at the Student Life Committee room. As he looked over the people he had become friends with—

He realized that his existence was something that could be easily replaced. A normal person who everyone took for granted. That was the kind of person he was.

An ideal, model student. It meant that he was too fit for the school, too normal, too bland. Too unnoticeable.

He shook his head. But…he had had fun, right?

The people he had made friends with cared about him, right?

Then again…

He arrived home. Soon, he ate dinner with his parents.

“How was school, Wane?”

“It was the same.”

“You really need to focus, Wane.”

“I know, Mom.”

“I expect you to be first in your class this time.”

Wane made a fist under the table. The reason why he had remained in the normal class. It was a retarded reason.

He wanted to be special for once. He wanted to have fun. Not forced or calculated, but free.

“I’ll try.”

“Trying isn’t enough. If you do what we tell you to, then your future will be good. We’re speaking from experience, Wane.”

“…I know.”

“Keep it up. This is for you.”

Wane went into his room and closed the door behind him. Everything his parents said wasn’t wrong. He knew they were right.

But why did he feel so down?

He took out the invitation from his pocket and looked at it.

〄 〄 〄

It was eleven thirty. Wane silently peeked out of his room. The lights were still on.

Cautiously, he opened the window of his room. Then being as silent as possible, he threw his bag of clothes outside. If fell on the road in a small poof.

The first step of his escape was done. His young heart beat at the excitement. He would leave this place. It felt like a dream.

Calming his breath, he wrapped his jacket around him and snuck out of his room, turning off the lights and closing the door inaudibly. Making sure the stairs didn’t creak by balancing himself, he reached the first floor and looked around.

The source of the light was coming from the living room. With quiet footsteps, he peeked into the room.

His mother was reading a picture book to his younger sister. She always looked after him. No…his sister was asleep. Her mother hadn’t moved as to not wake her up.

Always. She was always the free one.

He snuck past the door, and his heart felt like it would leap out of his chest. His socks were muffling his footsteps, so he didn’t have to worry. His mother shouldn’t have seen him.

He reached his final obstacle – the door.

With trembling fingers, he slowly turned the doorknob—

—as the idiotic door beeped in full volume.

Wane instantly swung the door open and closed it behind him. Grabbing his shoes in a hurry, he ran out onto the road and retrieved his bag of clothes.

“Wane.”

“Holy—” he exclaimed.

The girl with silver hair was standing next to him. She had appeared out of nowhere.

“Have you decided?” she asked.

Wane nodded. Just then, he heard the door of his house beep open.

“Hurry, let’s go!” cried Wane. “Where do we go?”

“Grab my hand,” the girl instructed.

Wane’s mother walked out of the house and looked around. “Wane? Walter? Is that you?”

She called her son’s and husband’s names. No…her husband was sleeping.

“Wane?”

She heard someone, or something on the road. Putting on her slippers, she walked out and looked around.

There was nothing in the vicinity but the light from the streetlamps.

〄 〄 〄

“Woah!” cried Wane.

In an instant, his vision had turned black. Then with a brilliant flash of white and a feeling of freefall, his legs touched the ground once more and his eyes took in his surroundings.

The silver-haired girl was beside him, still holding his hand. And all around them, there stood various people, all looking as unique as the girl.

“Where…are we?”

The girl let go of his hand and moved to the side. Wane blinked his eyes in confusion. Were they inside some kind of warehouse?

Everyone stood there silently. Then Wane heard footsteps approach him from his back. He turned around.

A male with black hair approached him. His face held a huge smile, and he spread out his arms to Wane.

Rayn beamed, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “I'm so glad you are here. Welcome to Pathfinder.”