The first two weeks of training had been rough—endless drills, sore muscles, and the constant pressure to prove themselves. But finally, the rookies earned a small reward: their own rooms in the military barracks. Not just any barracks, either—the nicer ones. A privilege granted by royal decree, ensuring all soldiers, no matter their rank, got the same respect.
It was rare to see fairness like that in a world where strength decided everything.
…
But beyond the comfort of the barracks, something else stirred.
"The world has gone soft after a thousand years of peace."
A deep voice cut through the darkness. Cold. Emotionless.
"Behold… an unthinkable calamity."
The scene shifted.
Buildings were consumed by fire. Rubble filled the streets. The sky burned red, smoke choking the capital. The once-thriving city of Ylza was nothing more than a pile of ash and ruin. Bodies were scattered across the ground, lifeless and broken.
And then—the creatures.
Twisted, monstrous things that shouldn't exist. Their glowing eyes cut through the smoke like embers in the dark.
A nightmare brought to life.
…
"HAAGH!"
Rynan shot upright in bed, gasping for air, his chest rising and falling like he'd just come up from drowning. Sweat stuck to his skin, his heart pounding.
For a long moment, he just sat there, gripping the sheets.
What the hell was that?
Ever since he'd arrived, these strange dreams—or visions—had been haunting him. But were they a warning? A glimpse of something that hadn't happened yet? Or was his mind just playing tricks?
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. Whatever it was, it didn't matter right now.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood, shaking off the last bits of sleep. I need to get ready for patrol.
His room was a far cry from the simple life he'd left behind in his village. A fully functional bathroom with running water, magic-powered air-conditioning, and a real bed—nothing like the hay-covered cloth he used to sleep on. It felt strange, almost too comfortable, like he didn't belong here.
But there was no time to waste.
By the time he stepped out of the bath, the exhaustion was gone. He pulled on the standard uniform of the Royal Army—a crisp white coat with the Ylza flag on both shoulders, black pants, an iron chestplate, shin guards, and sturdy boots. His sword rested at his left hip, a constant reminder of the path he'd chosen.
…
Outside, the world was still wrapped in darkness. The sun hadn't risen yet, leaving the training grounds lit only by the pale glow of torches. A cold morning breeze swept through the open field, reminding everyone that comfort had no place in their training.
The rookies had already gathered, their figures barely visible in the dim light.
Rynan scanned the faces of his fellow soldiers, wondering what today had in store for them. What the hell are we doing today?
"AY, RYN!"
A familiar voice called from behind, slightly out of breath.
Rynan turned to see Leo sprinting toward him, looking like he'd just run across half the city.
"If you were late by even a minute, you would've gotten HELL," Rynan teased, grinning.
Leo groaned, still catching his breath. "Do you have any idea—"
He stopped mid-sentence, still panting.
Rynan raised an eyebrow. "Damn, hurry up and spit it out."
Leo smirked. "Not once since training started have I ever been late!"
"So?"
"I'm FAST!"
Rynan stared at him for a second, unimpressed. "…That's your big achievement?"
Leo just laughed at his own joke.
Rynan sighed, shaking his head. "Idiot."
Before their conversation could go any further, the sound of boots striking stone silenced the field.
Commander Ria stepped onto the raised platform at the front of the training grounds, her gaze sweeping over the rookies. Even in the dim morning light, her presence was commanding, her pink hair tied back in a no-nonsense style.
This wasn't another day of push-ups and drills.
This was something else.
Rynan straightened, suddenly aware of the weight of his sword at his hip.
Their first mission.
For the higher ranks, it was just another patrol—something they could do half-asleep. But for rookies like them, this was their first real test.
Commander Ria's voice sliced through the silence, sharp as steel.
"ATTENTION, SOLDIERS!"
The air grew heavy, tension hanging in the morning breeze.
"This will be your first mission. It's simple—but important."
Commander Ria's eyes scanned the rookies before her, lingering just long enough to make each one feel the weight of her gaze.
The training grounds were quiet, the soft rustle of trees the only sound breaking the stillness. The sun was just starting to rise, painting the sky in soft pinks and golds. The light spread over the dirt, turning the barren field into a calm, almost peaceful scene—completely at odds with the urgency that was about to follow.
Ria's voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding. "You'll be split into groups of three. You'll leave the capital for patrols. At least two days," she ordered, no time wasted. Her tone was firm, like the iron armor she wore—no room for hesitation or softness.
"What are you waiting for!? Go!" Her command rang out, and the stillness shattered as soldiers scrambled. Boots pounded on the gravel-strewn ground as rookies searched for partners, eager to prove themselves in their first real test.
Except for Rynan and Leo.
The two stood off to the side, watching as the others quickly paired up. The noise around them—the chatter, the footsteps—faded into the background. For Rynan and Leo, it was like being in a bubble of silence. The truth was clear: no one wanted them. They were the outcasts.
Rynan shifted on his feet, rubbing the back of his neck. He couldn't shake the feeling that every set of eyes was on him. He'd been an outsider before, back in his village, but this... this felt different. The anxiety clawed at him. What if they punish us for not fitting in?
Leo, ever the optimist, grinned and tried to lighten the mood. "Push-ups?" he asked, his voice a little too hopeful.
Rynan met his gaze, his face hardening. "Push-ups," he replied, flat and unamused. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate Leo's attempt at humor—it was just that nothing about this situation felt funny.
And then, as though fate had decided to pile on, Commander Ria's eyes swept across the field. They locked onto Rynan and Leo, narrowing slightly when she saw them standing alone. Without hesitation, she raised a hand. "You two, where is your third member?" Her voice was cold, direct.
Rynan's heart sank. Even the commander doesn't know how to do math? He bit back the bitter thought, lowering his eyes to the hard ground beneath him. This is it. We're screwed.
But then, to his surprise, Ria didn't scold them. Instead, her voice softened just a little. "I'll be joining your group." The words hit Rynan like a punch to the gut.
What? His brain couldn't process it fast enough. The commander? Joining their group? It didn't make sense. She was a high-ranking officer, someone with no reason to mingle with rookies like them. Yet, there she was, extending a hand toward him.
For a moment, Rynan stood frozen, staring at the hand offered to him. His thoughts scrambled, his heart racing. Is this a joke? But there was no mistaking the sincerity in Ria's eyes.
Before he could react, Leo, ever the opportunist, grinned and reached for her hand. "We're glad to have you in our group, Commander!" he said, too quick to notice when Ria dodged his hand. With surprising agility, she sidestepped him and positioned herself in front of Rynan. Her eyes met his, and Rynan saw a flicker of amusement behind her otherwise stern face.
What the hell? Rynan's mind spun in confusion. This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.
Leo, now feeling like a third wheel in this strange situation, turned away with a sigh. He wasn't mad—just resigned. Lucky... The word echoed in his mind, though there was no malice, just a quiet sense of envy.
Rynan, still trying to make sense of everything, hesitated for a moment. Finally, he took her hand. His fingers closed around hers, the contact firm and unexpected. I didn't need this much attention, he thought, his face flushing. His heart thudded so loudly in his chest, it felt like everyone could hear it. The rookies' eyes were on him, their stares like burning spots on his skin. I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS!
But despite the overwhelming attention, despite the nerves clawing at him, Rynan felt something else, something strange. Was it relief? Maybe. Or maybe it was just the odd comfort of knowing, for whatever reason, Commander Ria had chosen them. Chosen him.
Ria, noticing his discomfort, gave a nod of approval as though everything was just as it should be. She didn't need to say anything more. Her decision was final.
The other rookies, still watching from a distance, couldn't hide their surprise. A collective sigh passed through them, a mix of confusion and envy. They had expected this to be their chance to shine. But now, Rynan and Leo had the commander's attention.
Lucky... They all thought in unison, the word heavy with meaning.
As the wagons arrived and the sun fully rose, Rynan found himself once again the center of attention. Eyes followed him wherever he went, whispers buzzed around him. It was all too much.
Great, he thought, his mind growing blank under the pressure. I didn't ask for this.
The wagons were simple but practical—nothing luxurious, but strong enough to endure the journey ahead. Ylza had provided well for its soldiers. The rooms, the training grounds, the food—everything was better than what Rynan had ever known back in his village. It was a far cry from the haybales he used to sleep on.
Ria's voice broke through his thoughts again. "The wagons have arrived!" she called, snapping everyone's attention back.
Then, her voice lowered just for him, barely above a whisper. "The wagons a-are h-here..." The softness in her words caught him off guard. His mind stalled for a moment, trying to process what he'd just heard.
She... she's cute? he thought, his thoughts tripping over themselves. No, no, no. She's the commander!
Behind him, Leo let out a long sigh. He looked around, and the discomfort was clear on his face. He wasn't mad—just lost in the absurdity of the situation. As he watched Rynan and Commander Ria share a quiet, strange moment, he couldn't help but think again: Lucky...
It was all he could do.