“Are you sure you have everything you need Cayden? You’re not missing anything?”

“It’s alright mom. You don’t need to fuss over every little thing.” My mom continues to check my bags and adjusts my clothes.

It’s been a year since the Ripper attack on the city. I’m preparing for the entrance exam at the Bloody Springs Military Academy held every year.

It isn’t as prestigious as Ellen’s Royal Talon Academy, but at least it doesn’t require you to be talented to get in. It was my primary choice over all my other options.

This could be my one chance at becoming a World Ranger. I’ll finally become a hero.

“We can’t do this all day mom. My train leaves at ten and it’s already nine.”

“I know honey it’s just that I want you to be prepared before you head off… and I won’t be seeing you or your sister for a long time Cayden.”

My mom’s words strike a nerve in me. Ellen barely comes home anymore as her school imposed restrictions on their students after finding out that one of their students abused their powers during their break. I’ve always been preparing for the entrance exam so my mom knew I would leave someday.

We got some money from the government after my dad’s death. It was enough for me and mom to live off of, but my mom thought it wasn’t enough for my future.

She’s been working hard at many jobs to make sure I can enter the college I want to go to. It hurts me to see her come back home every night looking so frail and tired, yet she never complains to me.

Her skin used to be so smooth, but now wrinkles can be seen all over it. Her black hair now has gray streaks running through it. Her hands are calloused from all the hard labor she's done for me.

I move over to embrace her before she can say anything else. “I promise you mom. When I come back you won’t have to work anymore.”

I take one last look at her before I exit the house. My friend Connor is there waiting for me with his luggage in his hands.

“What’s taking you so long Cayden? The train’s about to leave.”

I check my holocube and find out the train is arriving in ten minutes. “Looks like we have to rush to the station huh?”

I strap my bags onto my back. I begin to adjust my breathing. I’ve learnt some new tricks while preparing for the entrance exam.

My eyes shine a bright purple as electricity begins to coil around my legs. I can feel the world around me grow slower. Power gathers in my legs.

My heart throbs in excitement. I’ll finally be able to showcase all the hard work I’ve put into training for the past year. I’ve become quite proficient in the use of my abilities, but never outside of practicing them.

I’m actually manipulating my blood to create the effect of time slowing down around me. I accelerate the blood flow to my brain enhancing my senses. I can do the same with other organs for varying effects. I call it [Blood Accel].

My power over electricity is also connected to my blood. Back when I took the strike from that Ripper my blood absorbed it’s lightning. Now the lightning is bonded to my blood. My blood is conductive allowing me to channel electricity throughout my whole body. I call it my [Lightning Attire].

The lightning is very harmful to my body though. Every time I circulate it through my bloodstream it damages me. Although this side effect actually benefits me.

I’ve learnt to constantly use the electricity within me because my regeneration compensates for the damage by creating stronger cells while the energy output on my electricity gets stronger at the same time killing two birds with one stone.

A blur races past me. Connor hasn’t been slacking since the Ripper attack. He trains alongside me. He practices some strange techniques. While sparring he always disappears and only strikes me when I relax my guard just a bit. It’s been quite effective for him as he’s beaten me half the times we spar.

We arrive at the station just in time. We head over to our seats, but two people are already on them. It seems they are the only two people in this train car.

Connor approaches them looking quite irritated. “Hey what’s your problem? We booked those first-class seats. Why are you sitting in them?”

As I get closer I notice one of them has a maid outfit on. It’s peculiar to see someone with a costume in broad daylight. I wonder if she’s a cosplayer?

The maid gets up from her seat and stares down me and Connor. “You two vermin will leave at once. Do not pollute the air my mistress breathes with your foul presences.”

She’s quite a beauty. Especially her long legs. Connor stands dazed before approaching the maid. “Look, I’m sure we can work something-“

Before I can blink, Connor collapses onto the floor. I couldn’t even see that maid’s moves.

[Lightning Attire]! [Blood Accel 10x]!

The world begins to slow as lightning wreathes my arms. The woman approaches me as I raise my arms to guard.

When she’s an arm’s length from me she launches a kick to my head. I barely dodge it before another blow comes headed for my abdomen. I parry it with my arm watching her reaction as I do so.

She seems unfazed by my lightning albeit looking slightly startled. If she keeps using this speed then I won’t be able to hold on for much longer.

She once again aims for my head with a kick. Instead of dodging it I headbutt it. The force of her kick is dissipated. I grab her leg before she can come to her senses.

I get on the ground and start to put her into a leg lock. I get into position and start to pressure the joints in her ankle, but before I can finish the lock I am thrown into the air and kicked into some seats.

The maid is standing over me emitting murderous intent as she raises her leg once again. Damn… I’m beat before I can even do the exam?

“Stop Sasha!” An attractive girl approaches the maid and pulls her off of me. She offers her hand to me. When I get up she starts to inspect my appearance.

“Thank you for stopping your maid, miss. Me and my friend will leave right now so please excuse us.”

“You’re not staying for a snack with me, jerk?”

It takes a minute for me to recognize who I’m talking to. It’s the girl I saved a year ago and the one who gave me this badge. I think her name was Alissa or something?

“Excuse me for attacking your associates, mistress.” The maid lifts Connor from the floor and places him onto a seat.

Alissa sits me down next to her and motions to the maid. “What are you waiting for Sasha? I said we were having snacks.”

The maid named Sasha brings out a table from who knows where and places little cakes on it. She brings out a tea set as she pours a cup for both me and Alissa.

I stare at Alissa as she eats in front of me. She’s certainly grown up quite a bit. Some areas are still lacking though...

Since no ones talking I guess I’ll break the silence. “Ahem. My name’s Cayden Madley. My body’s strong and I’ll be a hero of justice in the future!”

“That’s quite… a nice goal of yours.”

“Exactly! When I get stronger I’ll finally be able to save people. Helping people out is the best!”

“... Still as enthusiastic as ever Cayden? Alright I shall introduce myself to you. I am Alissandra Rosencrawf. Heir to the Rosencrawf bloodline. Also known as the Fate Creators and the family of pure alchemists.”

“Alchemists? You're the potion brewing guys? Like turning lead to gold? The secret to immortality?”

“Why does everyone ask the same nonsense? Potions aren’t the only thing we make. Yes, we can make lead into gold. Immortality isn’t possible. Just know that we are highly skilled craftsmen.”

“So you’re heading to Bloody Springs Alissa? Is this your vacation or something…?”

“You don’t know? Well isn’t it publicized throughout the Federation?”

“You mean the entrance exam? I thought someone of your status would go to someplace better like the Royal Talon Academy.”

She scoffs at my remark, “You don’t understand many things Cayden. I’m going there for experience. I wish to obtain real strength! No school is better at strengthening its students then Bloody Springs. They’re also one of the few schools where Rangers teach you.”

My eyes glow from excitement. “Rangers as in World Rangers?”

“That’s impossible. Don’t you know that World Rangers are at the pinnacle and above our worldly affairs? I’m talking about Rangers. You do know what a Ranger is right?”

“Er... no?”

“You don’t even know something as simple as that? Isn’t your dream to become a hero or something?”

“A hero of justice! One who fights for those who can’t fight for themselves!”

“Alright. Alright. Just pay attention to what I’m about to say.”

“Rangers are those who protect the land from threats. Their sacrifices allow you and the rest of the world to be safe in your cities… to stay safe in general.”

“Rangers are separated into ranks. There are nine ranks that signify their level of strength. It starts with the lowest Private rank. Then you transition through Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel, and Brigadier ranks. The final rank before World Ranger is General.

“How strong would I be in the ranks? I think I’m at least above Private rank right?”

Alissa’s eyes scrutinized me. “You’re below Private rank.”

“Below Private Rank?! But how?” I thought I was stronger. Has all my hard work really been for nothing?”

“Ahem. Excuse me. I meant to say you're just below Private rank. That’s the most one can do without help. To enter the ranks of a Ranger you have to either take a gene solution and become a Gene Enhancer or have a familiar and become an Essence Contractor.”

“They’re too expensive for me…” Alissa tries to hide her laughter from me. “Hey! No need to laugh at me! Some people aren’t well off, you know that?”

“That’s not it dummy. Remember what I gave you?”

What is she talking about? She didn’t give me… the badge! “That badge? What does that have to do with anything?”

Alissa stared at me as if I was an idiot. “So you’ve seriously never used the badge I gave you?”

“No…?”

“You...really… just wow. Do you even know how precious that item really is? How much would one give to obtain it?”

“Well if it’s really that precious then hear you go.” I hand the badge over to Alissa. If what she really said is true then I can’t be owing her something so valuable.

“Did you hear what I just said? This could be worth more than your life. It’s practically priceless! And you would give it back to me?”

“Well I never really needed it you see. And plus it wouldn’t be heroic to take something from those I’ve saved. ”

“You’re an idiot.”

“Huh? What was that?”

“I said you’re an idiot! No reasonable person would act like- like- like you!” Alissa’s reaction is quite exaggerated. Is there a need to be like that?

Alissa sighed. “You’re such an idiot sometimes. Just take my badge. When we get to the city go and find a Rosencrawf owned shop. Show them the badge and you’ll be able to browse the store for anything.”

[ATTENTION PASSENGERS. WE HAVE ARRIVED AT BLOODY SPRINGS.]

“It seems our time together has ended. See you soon Cayden.”

Alissa leaves the train car with her maid Sasha. I pick up Connor and exit the train. I walk out onto the platform and take in the fresh air of the city. This will be the start of a great journey. I’m sure of it!

My thoughts are cut short when I am shoved onto the ground. I look up to see a young man standing in front of me. He looks more feminine than masculine though.

Before I can take a closer look at him a hand grabs my hair and slams me face first into the ground. “Trash. Do your useless eyes not know who you're looking at? That is the third young master of the Delmach clan, Phineas Delmach!”

“Rook, what did I say! Do not attack strangers. Now unhand him at once.”

I feel the person above me release their pressure. I shakily get up and give a thankful glance at the young man.

“I apologize for my companion’s outburst. Is there any way I can compensate you mister…?”

“It’s Cayden. And no I’m fine.”

“No, I insist it is my fault. Please, if any troubles plague you then do request for my aid.” He hands me a business card with his name and contact information on it.

I quickly scoop up Connor’s body and scurry away before I run into any more young master types and their servants.

Phineas looks on as he watches the young man hurry off to his destination. “How strong was he Rook?”

“I’m sorry master, but if you didn’t tell me to get off of him then I would have faced a counterattack.”

“Would you be able to best him then?”

“I would have lasted three minutes, master.”

Phineas ponders his servant’s answer. “Looks like we shall face strong competition this year Rook.”

A few blocks from the train station, Cayden is standing in front of a huge set of doors. People continuously enter the gate. The top of the doorframe has words engraved on it.

Bones strengthened by winter

Skin cleansed through summer.

Blood blooms like spring.

Bodies standing during fall.

I follow the crowd into a large courtyard. It’s filled with many different people. I notice a few particularly strong presences in the gathering. Some of them look back at my stare.

One particular person causes me to break out in cold sweat. Him glancing at me sent multiple danger signals all over my body. Who the hell is he?

I try to ignore him by listening to the chattering of the crowd. Snippets of conversation pass through my ears.

“It’s a much larger gathering than I imagined.”

“Kyaa! It’s the Sword Dominator Philip.”

“Clearly this year the competition’s going to be fiercer.”

I suddenly feel movement on my back. Connor’s probably waking up.

“Mhm. Aahhhh.”

“Connor! Finally! You’ve been asleep since the train. We’re at the start of the entrance exam.”

“Ah Ellen. I really want to examine those assets of yours.”

“...”

Connor’s face looked like it was attacked by a beehive after I was done with him. “What was that for!”

“You deserved it.”

A friendly looking man in military fatigues appears and climbs up the stage. He addresses us on the stand.

“Hello young boys and girls! All of you can call me Mr. Bishop. I’m the principal of Bloody Springs Military Academy. I hope many of you bring your best in this coming exam.” This guy’s really the principal? I thought he would be more… threatening?

“Today you will be assigned your rooms and partners. In the following days you will face various challenges which will show your potential to the school. Any questions?”

Several individuals raise their hands in the crowd.

“No questions? Good. Someone will guide you to your rooms where you will meet your partner.”

A soldier directs us into single file lines. I wait my turn patiently wondering who my partner will be.

The soldier finally gets to me. He leads me through some hallways until we reach a door. He hands me a key card with the characters C-30 on it and promptly leaves. I really hope my partner will be cooperative!

I open the door to see a female figure undressing. My eyes wander their body before looking up to their face.

“EHH?! How can it be you!”