In Dzeth's room...
Dzeth sat on a wooden chair facing the window, staring into the darkening sky. His hand clutched a cup of tea, now nearly cold. In silence, his thoughts drifted far away.
Flashback – Earlier that evening...
The quiet alley began to fill with thick smoke. The sound of footsteps faded as ten figures emerged from the fog—Dzeth's Divine Army, fully armed and clad in golden-white armor. Their aura pulsated, releasing pressure strong enough to paralyze Nizar's entire group.
"HE'S CONTROLLING CURSES!!" someone from Nizar's group yelled in panic.
Some of them stepped back instinctively. But their steps halted when Dzeth's calm voice echoed,
"Why are you backing away?"
Nizar stepped forward, steady and confident. "I'll settle this myself."
In an instant, black roots shot up from the ground, binding the Divine Army and Dzeth himself. Dzeth was suspended mid-air, gasping for air as the roots tightened around him.
Nizar chuckled. "You... are weak."
With a flick of his wrist, he slammed Dzeth to the ground.
But as Nizar looked down—Dzeth was gone.
Screams followed from behind.
Nizar turned around—all his men were unconscious, lying flat with visible choke marks on their necks.
"No... way!"
Dzeth appeared before him in a blink. His eyes were calm, but the aura around him surged like uncontrollable waves. Without warning, Dzeth grabbed Nizar by the throat, lifting him off the ground.
"I won't lose to a Grade B!!" Nizar cried out.
Dzeth leaned closer. "I only downgraded."
The words hit Nizar like a dagger.
Dzeth let go and turned his back. "Go home."
At Nizar's house...
His fingers raced across the holographic keyboard. The International Hunter Record appeared—and there it was:
[Dzeth Takahashi: Passed Grade S International Trial (8th), Age: 16]
Nizar sat down, stunned.
"What's his true power...?"
The next bright morning...
Dzeth walked into the Academy. Laughter from Grade A students filled the lobby.
"Hey look, it's the Grade B guy!"
But the mood shifted when Nizar arrived. Everyone went silent, bowing slightly as he passed. Nizar ignored them. Instead, he marched straight toward Dzeth.
"What's he doing?" someone whispered.
But then...
Nizar bowed.
"I apologize," he said.
The entire hall froze.
Dzeth looked at him, smiling slightly. "Don't belittle yourself. Everyone has the potential to grow."
In class...
Dzeth sat alone at the back. His gaze drifted toward the empty desk beside him. "My friends... they're all in the Grade S class..."
He tried to focus as the teacher spoke. But his concentration broke when paper balls were thrown at him. The class erupted in laughter.
Suddenly, a girl stood up.
"Stop it! You guys have gone too far!"
She walked toward Dzeth. "Are you okay?"
Dzeth slowly looked up. "I'm okay," he said faintly and left the room.
Outside the academy gate...
The morning breeze brushed against Dzeth's face as he walked down the path.
"(Bored... I feel like just another bullied human...)"
Suddenly...
"Hey!" a girl called out. "You're just pretending not to want to be friends with me! Oh right, my name's Miyu!"
Dzeth said nothing, quickening his pace. But Miyu chased after him.
From afar, Syiro could be seen holding a wrapped birthday gift. Her face glowed—until she saw Dzeth walking beside Miyu. Her heart clenched. Her grip on the gift tightened. Without saying a word, she turned and ran home, her eyes welling with tears.
Along the road...
"Why are you like this?" Miyu asked gently.
Dzeth sighed. "Today's my birthday... But my friends... they're all in another class. I didn't expect my own birthday to feel like this…"
Miyu went silent for a moment.
"I'll celebrate your birthday tomorrow!" she suddenly said, trying to cheer him up.
Dzeth shook his head. "Don't be ridiculous. All my life, only my family ever celebrated it."
He then opened a Dimensional Warp, stepped in, and closed it immediately.
At home...
The door creaked open.
"Happy birthday," Syafi said warmly.
Dzeth froze.
His tears fell slowly. He smiled and ran into Syafi's arms, hugging him tightly.
To be continued...