Maple Town was an isolated yon located on the borders of the Panthean Continent. Due to the absence of strict laws, illicit activities were rampant. Those who left the town often encountered bandits, while conditions within were no better. With a population of nearly 30,000, over 25,000 lived below the poverty line, willing to do anything for basic human needs. The gap between the rich and the poor was so extreme that Maple Town earned another name—“The Town of Inequality.”

  Soul sat on a rock outside a wooden cabin that had been repaired hundreds of times, yet never truly fixed. He watched the sunrise quietly, thinking about his home and the town he longed to leave but never could. Five years ago, he had met Mercy in the nearby forest—trembling, terrified. From that day onward, his life changed forever. That journey, however, had now come to a pause.

  “A month has passed since Mercy gained her power. Ever since then, the world feels different… I hope she’s fine,” Soul muttered. He stood up and walked away.

  After a long journey, Soul finally reached his destination—a castle perched atop a mountain, encircled by a river. The forest in front of the castle was shallow, with a brick road leading to its main gate. Behind it, however, the forest was dense and primal, chosen deliberately as a training ground for assassins.

  This place was known as Eclipse Sanctum, also called The Home of Assassins.

  After asking for directions, Soul found himself standing before a door. He knocked.

  “Come in,” a voice replied.

  Inside sat a woman behind a desk, the room resembling a typical teacher’s chamber. She was thirty, lean and athletic, her body honed for speed and precision rather than brute force. Her movements were quiet and controlled, and faint scars on her arms hinted at real combat. Dressed in dark, fitted clothing reinforced at key points, she radiated a calm yet dangerous presence.

  She looked at the young boy in surprise.

  “Are you a new student? Aren’t you supposed to arrive next week?”

  “I began my journey expecting it to take fifteen days,” Soul replied calmly. “But I met some kind people who helped me along the way.”

  She smiled. “People usually help children like you.”

  Soul said nothing, simply watching her.

  “Anyone else with you?”

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  “No. Just me.”

  “All alone? What about your parents?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never seen them.”

  She fell silent for a moment, then smiled again. “You seem like an interesting child. Come, sit down.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Soul. Just Soul. The people of my town gave me that name. Mr. Moonveil said you could tell me about my friend—Mercy.”

  “Oh… Aleric mentioned you,” she said. “You can’t meet the Goddess for now. Her mortal body is adapting to godhood. It will take at least three years before she awakens. Disturbing her could be dangerous.”

  “Three years…” Soul whispered, stunned.

  “And in your current state, you wouldn’t withstand her presence. I believe you’ve awakened your powers as well.”

  “Yes, but I don’t know how to use them. I don’t feel any different.”

  The woman grew quiet, as if realizing something.

  “You’ll have to work very hard if you wish to see her again. Come, I’ll show you your room.”

  She paused. “Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Lyra Celestine. You may call me Ms. Celestine.”

  “Mr. Aleric already told me,” Soul replied as he followed her.

  “When did you meet the Goddess?” Lyra asked.

  “Five years ago. In a forest.”

  She sensed something off. “Where were her parents?”

  “She didn’t remember either. She grew up with her Uncle and Aunt. For some reasons they decided to move to Maple town. Due to some problems they got late. It was almost midnight when their wagon was crossing through Maple Forest. Unfortunately, their wagon was ambushed by bandits and both her uncle and aunt lost their lives. Mercy managed to escape but couldn’t run far away. One of the bandit cornered her. She was terrified as the man covered in blood approached her.”

  Soul spoke calmly, almost detached.

  “And then?” Lyra asked.

  "Then I saved her. Ever since then she was living with me.” Soul answered without giving an explanation.

  Lyra still had many questions like how did he, a 13 years old boy (Who was 8 at that time) saved her? Did he killed the bandit? Could he be lying? What a kid was doing in the forest at midnight in the first place? How is that possible? She decided to save the questions for later as they had already reached the room and the boy would probably be tired after such a long journey. After sometime Soul was alone in the room.

  He looked around at the many beds, lowered his head, and gave a faint, awkward smile—regret flickering briefly across his face.

  “So many beds. What have I gotten myself into…”

  At midnight, Lyra was circling one of the flanking towers of the castle. She paused and looked at the dense forest. Occasionally, sparkles of light could be seen in the forest.

  “This kid, Soul… He has such an ominous presence. There is something about him that is bothering me, but I cannot understand what. It is as if I hate him for existing. Why am I having such negative emotions toward just a kid? He hasn’t even done—”

  Suddenly, a jolt of pain hit Lyra. It was as if someone had directly pierced her forehead, but she quickly recovered from it. Her face returned to normal as if nothing had happened. She kept looking at the forest.

  The sparkles started appearing more frequently. Birds began to fly away from the forest, and animals started to run mindlessly. Trees began to fall as the sparkles turned into explosions. Suddenly, cries for help echoed from the forest.

  The commotion went silent as a boy covered in wounds and blood appeared behind Lyra. He was holding a crystal dagger in his right hand.

  Sensing his presence, Lyra said calmly, “Congratulations.”