~Laurent For a moment, my hand stayed glued to the Obelisk Crystal, my fingers trembling as the black light dimmed. I just stared at the crystal with disbelief. Hoping and praying that my eyes were playing tricks on me but it wasn’t. I was really an E rank. Suddenly, the Obelisk itself groaned. The surface webbed with cracks, light bleeding through as if the crystal had decided it had had enough of this world. The sound echoed in the silence of the hall—like ice splitting on a frozen lake—and then… snap. A jagged fissure split right beneath my palm. The crowd erupted. “What the hell—!” “Did the Obelisk just crack?” “This has never happened before!” Before I could blink, three robed officials scrambled onto the stage, panic etched across their faces. One grabbed my wrist like I was holding a live grenade and dragged me. “Get him away from it!” someone barked. Another official practically shoved me toward the back, eyes darting between me and the fractured cr

~Laurent Weeks had passed since I first touched that obelisk. Weeks, and still nothing had changed in my life. I had hoped that after the awakening ceremony, my life would change. I hoped that I’ll get strong enough to become respected but right now, even though I got stronger, it feels like I became weaker. I spent all of my mornings avoiding potential bullies and keeping my head down. I hoped that if I was not known I wouldn’t be picked on as much. I was wrong. Hiding only made them search harder and every time they came around, Ciela–the girl who saved me from them the first time–always seemed to be lurking. I didn’t dislike her but I hated having to be saved by her every day. She was strong, sharp, untouchable. Everything I wasn’t and being around her always reminded me of that. One morning, I went to class expecting the usual routine: lectures about mana systems, doodles in my notebook, another long day of invisibility. Instead, the Director himself stood at the front

~Laurent Everyone was frozen in fear for about a minute before we turned on our heels. Adrenaline pumped through our veins, fueling our speed. My feet pounded against the dirt, frantic and desperate. Behind me, I heard the sound of bones snapping, claws raking flesh, and the unending roar of the monster chasing us. The monster was catching those too slow to keep up and ripping them apart. “Don’t look back!” Ciela’s voice cracked with panic. Her hand gripped mine like iron, dragging me forward when my legs threatened to give way. But the screams—they wouldn’t stop. Every few seconds another one rang out, high-pitched, choked, then cut short. A boy I knew from class, gone. A girl whose laugh used to echo across the cafeteria, gone. I could hear them being caught, shredded, crushed, but I couldn’t turn. If I turned, I’d freeze. If I froze, I’d die. My chest burned, my ribs screamed in protest, and tears blurred my eyes. I wanted to shout, to beg, to stop running. But Ciela’s han

~Laurent Ciela sat alone, her hair spilling like starlight over her shoulder, her fork barely touching the food on her plate. Her gaze drifted, unfocused, as if she wasn’t really here at all. My legs carried me before I could think. I slid onto the bench across from her. Her fork froze midair. She looked up—and her eyes widened. Her mouth parted, a soft gasp breaking free. “…Laurent?” I gave a nervous smile. “Yeah… I’m back.” She set her fork down, staring at me like I was a ghost. “I—I thought you were still in the hospital. You… you shouldn’t even be walking yet.” I shrugged, though my chest still ached faintly. “But I am. No need to worry.” A flicker of relief crossed her face before she caught it and straightened. “How are you feeling?” “Better than I expected.” I flexed my fingers, as if to prove it. “And you? After… everything.” Her lips pressed tight. A shadow passed over her eyes. “…Trying. Nights are the hardest.” “Why did you come back to school? You could’ve take

~Laurent “Laurent? What are you doing here?” The voice made my heart stop. I froze where I was, still half-kneeling in the grass, blood drying on my sleeve. I turned slowly, dreading who I’d see. Ciela stood a few paces away, sunlight curling through her yellow hair like gold wire. Her brown eyes widened as she took in the sight of me. “I—uh…” My brain scrambled. I couldn’t exactly tell her I’d just returned from fighting a crypt full of undead. “I dropped something. Must’ve rolled under the shrubs.” Her brows lifted. “You’re lying on the ground because of a lost pencil?” I forced a weak laugh. “Not a pencil. Something more important. You don’t have to worry about it. I’m sure I’ll find it. What are you doing out here though?” Something in her face softened. She hesitated, then smiled faintly. “Was looking for you. Thought you ran into trouble again.” “I’ll be more careful to avoid those from now on so you’ll be able to rest. You have other things to worry about othe