Three years later, Ryner and I are training together at the Royal Military Academy. We've met a girl here. Her name is Kiefer Knolles. She seems nice enough, but I think she's hiding something. She seems distant.
Ryner is more within himself than he was three years ago. Three years ago, he was kind and would talk to me more. He'd help me survive the cruelty and loneliness. Now, he spends most of his days napping. He's seventeen. I'm only eleven. I'm the youngest who was ever put in any serious training. He's more advanced than me, naturally. He's had six more years than me in terms of training. Despite that, though, I'm not that far behind. Might have something to do with the fact that he only rarely attends training.
We follow under Sion Astal, a noble. I sometimes see him watching us train from afar. I don't know what his motives are. He's also hiding something. Something to do with his past. He hides a darkness deep within him. If I were to use my Alpha Stigma, I'd be able to see what he's hiding. However, I decided years ago not to use it. At the very least, not around anyone. I'd rather not let my abilities get me killed. I'll just have to wait and see.
Anyway, Ryner and I are training today with Kiefer. I only barely persuaded Ryner to train. He's a bit on the lazy side, but I can understand. If I wasn't such a doer, I'd spend my days sleeping, too.
Naturally, Ryner doesn't even try during this bout of training. He lets himself get knocked down by Kiefer time and again. I can't resist rolling my eyes at their display. It's extremely pathetic. When I train, I can't stop myself from trying my best through anything that I do. Call me strange, but I don't believe in giving up.
After the whole ordeal of Ryner losing to Kiefer on purpose is over and done, Sion approaches all three of us. "Ryner Lute, Kiefer Knolles, and Raine Ikeda, might I speak to you for a moment?" Sion asks.
After our surprise wears off, I am the first to answer. "Of course. By what title should we refer to you as?" I ask.
"You may call me Sion. We need not be too formal. What I'd like to ask of you is of great importance. Mock battle training will begin soon and I'd like to put you three on my team," Sion responds.
"I'd be honored to be on your team, Sion. I'm flattered you think I'm good enough," Kiefer gives her answer. Sion dismisses her before turning back to Ryner and I.
"Why would you want me on your team? You must know what my grades are," Ryner counters.
"I must say, I am also surprised that you would want us on your team," I reply.
Sion walks closer to us. In barely more than a whisper, he responds, "I want the bearers of the Alpha Stigma on my team."
My eyes widen. I'm too shocked to speak. "I don't know what you're talking about," Ryner finally replies.
"Don't play dumb. I know what you are. If you don't join my team, I could always expose you," Sion responds.
"Well, I guess we have no choice, then. We'll join you," I speak for us both.
"Very well. We meet by the front gate in one week from today. We depart at noon. Be ready," Sion replies. He turns and walks off, leaving Ryner and I with dumbfounded expressions.
-One Week Later-
Ryner, Kiefer, and I are the first ones to arrive at our rendezvous point with Sion. Sion is the only one there. We still have to wait for the rest of the team. Luckily, we don't have to wait very long. The rest of the team soon arrive. Once the last person arrives, we depart to begin the mock battle training.
We just follow Sion the whole way. He seems to know exactly where to go. I'm not quite sure how he does it, but it seems he is one step ahead of the team we are meant to find. He walks with just that sort of surety that has me wondering. We only stop once we're right over the rival team. We ambush them from above and claim victory for ourselves.
We celebrate our victory with a party. There's alcohol, but I choose to stay away from the stuff. I'm too young and I'd rather not get drunk. I decide to turn in early. Tomorrow will be another day of training for us.
A few days later, our day is interrupted by two of the trainees barging in and speaking of war starting. It's spreading towards us. We're being sent off again for the fight of our lives. Dawn the next morning, we will journey to Estabul.
Three days later finds us on a battleground. Turns out Kiefer is a traitor. She sent a beam of light into the air to gain the attention of the Estabulian Magic Knights. Sion, Ryner, and I are trying to hold them off to allow the others to escape. It's no good, though. Even using the power of the Alpha Stigma wouldn't be enough. Ryner reveals himself and is knocked out.
The three of us are taken away a short distance where Kiefer is being held. I look into her eyes and understand immediately. She didn't want this. She had no choice. The magic knights are holding us. A couple of them taunt Ryner and then precede to beat the living daylights out of us.
Suddenly, Ryner's Alpha Stigma comes alive. He obliterates the filthy being who is in front of him. Ryner falls to the ground. He rises and begins to unleash his power upon all of Estabul.
I have to stop him, I know. I must stop him. I close my eyes, before opening them. The Alpha Stigma is shining brightly in the center of my eyes. I use my speed to come up in front of Ryner. I put my hand up to Ryner's eyes and I manage to close them.
We don't have much time to rejoice in the fact that there's no longer any danger. Ryner, Kiefer, and I are quickly taken into custody.
Skipping ahead a bit, Ryner and I were sent to prison. Ryner gave his freedom for Kiefer to be released. At least one of us three has freedom. I guess I can't complain. At least Ryner and I were given the same cell.
Ryner spends most of his stay reading books and writing a thesis. Not really sure why, but I guess it passes the time. I spend most of my time here staring at the three walls and bars that make up the cell. There's not much else to do here. I even take to reading some of the books Ryner got so my brain doesn't rot.
The two years pass slowly, but after a while, we find ourselves being escorted by a blond-haired psycho to the king. I figure we're to be executed. Imagine our surprise when we find out that Sion is the king.
"Hello, Ryner, Raine. How was prison?" Sion asks.
"How do you think it was? Never mind. Why have you called us here?" I ask.
"I called you here to task you to search for the Hero Relics you mentioned in your thesis," Sion addresses Ryner at that last part.
"Hey! That was private!" Ryner complains.
"Even so, these Hero Relics could be of use to Roland. I will not send the two of you alone, however. I shall have Ferris accompany you," he gestures towards the blond haired female.
Both Ryner and Ferris have coarse words to say about it, but after being threatened with the destruction of a dango shop, Ferris relents and drags Ryner out of there. I quickly follow. That's how our journey truly begins.