At seven years old, Aureliux lived alone in the poor village of Brumvale. Since his mother's death, every day was a trial. The creaking wooden hut they once called home now stood empty, leaving only the scent of memories and warmth that had long vanished. Every corner of the village hid danger—from local bullies to the ever-present threat of hunger.
He learned quickly. His name was barely known, as Aureliux moved silently, observing from behind old gates and watching every movement of the villagers. Garrik, a twenty-five-year-old village thug, often took leftover food from the poor. Tomas, a sly young man, would harass children for debts they could never repay. And Elara, an old woman selling meager vegetables, was sometimes the only one who offered him a scrap of bread or a cup of warm milk.
One afternoon, while foraging near the river, Aureliux encountered Garrik and two of his cronies. Their sharp eyes assessed him like prey.
"Hand over the bread, runt," Garrik growled, tapping his wooden stick on the ground.
Aureliux met their gaze calmly. No fear. Since his mother's death, he had learned one thing: strength wasn't measured by size or age, but by wit and speed of thought.
He analyzed the three bullies' positions: Garrik at the front, two at the sides, and one slightly behind near the river. He considered their weight, their possible movements, their weaknesses. A strange warmth pulsed in his chest—a new awareness. Numbers flickered briefly before his eyes: Strength: 4, Agility: 6, Intelligence: 9…
It was his system. A secret gift awakening quietly. Without hesitation, Aureliux grabbed a small stick from the ground and swung it with precision. He tripped Garrik's foot, used the momentum of another, and knocked the last one down with perfect timing. In moments, the three bullies fled, bewildered and bruised.
Before Aureliux, a small pouch of coins appeared, faintly glowing. "Quest Completed: Outsmart the Village Bullies."
Days passed, and Aureliux continued learning. He mastered survival techniques: fishing from the river, gathering wild fruits, hiding under broken rooftops, and studying the behavior of animals that could become friends—or threats. He discovered an abandoned shed, once belonging to a villager who had died, and turned it into a secret hideout.
There, he met several NPCs that shaped his small world:
Eldric, an old carpenter who sometimes gave him simple tools or wooden planks to make traps.
Mira, a girl his age who had also lost her parents, occasionally accompanying him in gathering food, unaware of Aureliux's secret.
Roland, a tall youth who loved intimidating children, but Aureliux cleverly manipulated the situation, causing Roland to lose face in front of his peers.
Each experience sharpened Aureliux's mind. He experimented with wooden swords, practiced throwing stones, observed stronger children's movements, and even tried small magical tricks he remembered from his mother's stories. His powers were still modest, but his potential was limitless.
At night, sitting alone in his hideout, Aureliux gazed at the dim moon. He remembered his mother's words:
"Remember who you are, Aureliux. Life must be lived, hearts must remain pure, and strength must be used to survive."
Tears fell, but they were not only for sorrow—there was a burning resolve. Aureliux pressed his hand to his chest, feeling the gentle but steady pulse of his system. He smiled. One day, the world would know his name. Not as a poor child or a victim, but as Aureliux Drafent, the one who would rewrite his destiny.