It had been two weeks since the awakening ceremony — a memory that now felt like a distant past for everyone else.
But for me, the humiliation of that day remained as sharp as ever.
I spent six days in the hospital afterward, six long days when all I wanted was for everything to end.
Yet, in those darkest moments, one voice — one reason — always kept me tethered to this cruel world.
"Brother, it doesn't matter if you awaken or not. I will always love you. So please... just stay with me."
Maya's soft voice echoed in my mind, her small hands holding mine tightly during those lonely nights in the hospital.
She was the only hope I had left. The only person I couldn't abandon.
---
"Maya, hurry up and eat! You know I can't be late for work, and I still have to drop you off at school," I urged, heading down the creaking stairs of our house.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of knocking echoed from the main door — the doorbell had broken months ago, and there was never any money to fix it.
I opened the door, only for a deep frown to settle on my face.
Standing there, as smug as ever, was Uncle Mark.
"What are you doing here this early?" I asked coldly.
Without answering, he brushed past me, his smirk widening.
Spreading his arms dramatically, he said, "What? I can't come visit my dear brother's house anymore? Can't I check up on my beloved niece and nephew?"
Maya, sensing something was wrong, quickly ran to my side and gripped my hand, her wide eyes watching Uncle Mark warily.
"Wait outside for me. I'll be there in a minute," I whispered to her.
She hesitated, then nodded reluctantly and stepped out, closing the door behind her.
---
I turned back to Uncle Mark, my patience already wearing thin.
"What do you really want?" I asked sharply. "Even if a truth-detecting beast confirmed you came here innocently, I wouldn't believe it."
He chuckled slowly.
"The truth? Fine. I came to check out this potential house for sale. How's that for honesty?"
The words hit me like a slap.
My fists clenched tightly, veins bulging against my skin.
"Keep dreaming," I snarled. "Even if I die, I won't let you sell this house!"
Uncle Mark smiled lazily as he dropped onto the couch.
Pulling out a cigarette, he lit it, inhaling so deeply the cigarette burned halfway through before he exhaled a cloud of smoke into the room.
I could barely contain my fury.
CREAK!
The doorframe groaned as I gripped it harder.
"Get out!" I barked. "I'm leaving for work. Waste another second of my time and I'll lock you in here."
Still smirking, he rose slowly and strolled out as if he owned the place.
I exhaled sharply, slamming the door behind him and locking it quickly.
As I turned around —
WHAM!
A brutal punch landed square in my stomach, folding me in half as spit flew from my mouth.
Before I could react, another blow struck the side of my head, sending me crashing to the ground.
"Brother!!" Maya screamed, rushing over, panic in her eyes as she tried to help me up.
"You bastard!" Uncle Mark spat In a venom filled tone, looming over me.
"You think I care about your feelings? I only left this house to you before because I thought, maybe, just maybe, you'd awaken into something useful. Maybe even an A-rank!"
He snorted in disgust.
"Turns out you're just trash. And that little sister of yours? She'll probably turn out just as worthless."
Still coughing, I forced myself to my knees, glaring at him through blurred vision.
"You're a disgrace to this family," I rasped.
Uncle Mark sneered, dropping the half-burnt cigarette onto the ground and grinding it beneath his heel.
"You've got one week. Pack your junk and get out. Or else," he threatened, turning on his heel and walking away.
"I dare you to do your worst, you bastard!" I shouted after him, fighting back the tears that burned my eyes and my voice choked.
If I cried now, Maya would too — and I had to stay strong for her.
"Brother... are you okay?" Maya whimpered, half-sobbing.
I forced a smile, ruffling her hair gently.
"Come on. Let's get you to school.
On the way to school, Maya clung to me silently.
After a while, she looked up, her voice trembling.
"Brother... are they really our family?"
I stared ahead grimly.
"No. Their entire family... are our enemies."
We soon reached Vistin Academy, the basic school most kids attended before choosing to specialize — those lucky enough to awaken, anyway.
"Goodbye, Maya," I said plainly.
She hugged me tightly, whispering, "Brother, I will always love you, no matter what happens," before running into the schoolyard.
I stood there, watching her small figure disappear among the crowd.
"Look, isn't that the sister of the guy who didn't awaken?", I overheard some students whispering.
"Yeah, that's her! I thought people who couldn't awaken were just myths!" another said, laughing cruelly.
I turned away with a bitter smile.
I couldn't even imagine the kind of ridicule Maya must endure daily — all because of me.
Yet, she carried it all with an innocent smile, never once blaming me.
The thought made my heart ache unbearably.
With a sigh I put my hands in my pocket as I headed for the store.
---
Later, I arrived at work — All Beast Care, a small beast-care store in town.
As soon as I stepped inside, my boss started his usual tirade.
"You're late again! Always late! You think this is a charity?!"
He went on and on, but I barely heard him anymore.
I just changed into the store's worn white uniform and moved behind the counter, waiting for customers.
Ten minutes later, the first customer of the day walked in — a man in a sharp suit, followed by a toad-like beast with an antenna on its head.
The creature's height barely reached the man's knees.
"Good morning, sir. How can we help you today?" I said with a professional smile.
"I'd like to leave my toad here," the man replied briskly.
"Would you like a relaxing formation pen or just a normal pen?"
"How much does the relaxing formation cost?"
"1,000 UTS for two hours, sir."
The man frowned slightly. "Isn't that a bit expensive?"
"No, sir. Our prices are quite fair. The relaxing formation consumes mana stones — you know how pricey those are."
He sighed. "Fine"
"You're welcome to leave it overnight. In fact, if you keep it longer, we can even offer some discounts. Would you also like to buy some food for it?"
After a moment's thought, he nodded. "How much for everything?"
"27,600 UTS, with the discounts included," I said.
Reluctantly, he paid in cash.
"Stay here, little guy I'd come pick you up tomorrow morning," he told the toad, patting its head before leaving.
I guided the creature into the pen, giving it some food before returning to the counter.
---
The day dragged on.
A few customers came to buy pet food, some browsed beasts for sale.
Nothing exciting.
In the quiet hours, my mind wandered again — back to the awakening ceremony.
No friends. No messages.
It was like I had been erased from their world like nobody.
Well, I can't blame them. Who would want to associate with someone who didn't awaken?
I thought about the Steel Trunk Elephant I had placed a deposit on.
I needed to visit the Beast Tamer Association to get my money back — and repay back my boss for lending it to me.
Lost in thought, I barely noticed when the doorbell jingled and a group walked in.
Mocking laughter immediately filled the air.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Lucas — the trash who couldn't awaken. Who else would it be?"
My heart sank.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I frowned deeply. I didn't need to look or see the owner of the voice as I recognized the speaker.
"Leslie," I muttered under my breath.