Today is The 32nd, 3220—the 3 month of Maizara. It was the dawn of the rainy season, but the sky remained a soft, bruised purple, holding back the clouds. A gentle breeze swept through the village of Glan, carrying the scent of damp earth and blooming wildflowers. At 8:00 AM, while most villagers were just beginning their daily chores, I stood in front of our small wooden house, my heart thumping like a trapped bird. Today was the day. After two years of rigorous training, I was finally going to register as a Slayer.
I hurried downstairs, my boots clattering on the wood. On the dining table sat a bowl of Koyan fruits. These small, 1-2 cm green spheres were a local delicacy—tart at first bite, but melting into a sweet fusion that tasted like a mix of Earth's cherries and blueberries. I popped a few into my mouth, the burst of flavor giving me a much-needed jolt of energy.
"Eat slowly, Kaelo! You'll choke," my mother called out from the kitchen, though her voice was laced with a proud smile. "Make sure you come back safely!"
"I will, Mom!" I shouted back, grabbing my light gear.
Outside, my father was already waiting in the horse-drawn carriage. The horse, a sturdy beast named Barny, huffed a cloud of mist into the cool morning air.
"You look excited," my father remarked, flicking the reins.
"Excited? Dad, I've been waiting for this moment for two whole years!" I replied, a wide grin stretching across my face as I climbed onto the seat.
The carriage began to move, rolling smoothly along the dirt path. Unlike the bumpy wagons of my previous world, this one featured Chun-Yimm wood—a rare timber known for its natural shock-absorbing properties. It felt like gliding on a cloud. As the village of Glan faded into the distance, I spent the few hours of travel staring at the horizon, visualizing the battles to come.
By midday, the towering stone walls of Boro appeared. The city was a sprawling maze of life.
"I'll leave you here, son," my father said as we reached the central square. "I have to sell the fruits and head back. See you at home this evening."
"Safe travels, Father!" I waved him off and turned toward my destination.
Standing before me was a magnificent building with a sign that read: Black Sword Guild. Below the name was a striking emblem of a jet-black blade wreathed in silver mist. I pushed the heavy oak doors open. Inside, the atmosphere was electric. Slayers of all shapes and sizes were eating, laughing, and clinking glasses filled with Koyan Wine. The air smelled of roasted meat and adventure.
I walked up to the reception counter, where a young woman with a kind face greeted me.
"Welcome to the Black Sword Guild. I am Anna. How can I assist you today?"
"I'm here to register as a Slayer," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
She blinked, looking at my small frame. "Age?"
"Ten."
She nodded, not showing much surprise—in Aster, talent often manifested early. "Fill out this form, please."
Using the Aster script I had mastered, I wrote down my name and age. Once finished, Anna looked it over. "To become a certified Rank 1 Slayer, you must complete an initiation mission. Here is yours: Exterminate the Hard-Shelled Rats in the Buster Woods."
The Buster Woods lay just outside the city. It was a dense forest where the sunlight struggled to reach the mossy floor. I followed the map until I found a dark, damp cave. From within, the chittering sounds of creatures echoed—a sound that would make anyone's skin crawl.
As I stepped inside, three massive silhouettes emerged. These were no ordinary rats; they were 2 meters tall, with jagged, bone-like armor plating covering their backs. Rank 1 Monsters.
Time to test my training, I thought.
I activated Circulation, a path that allows Atara to flow through the veins to enhance physical capabilities. I felt a surge of heat as my muscles tightened, my speed tripling in an instant. I lunged forward, but I didn't just use my fists. I combined my paths. Using Circulation, I wrapped my right fist in a spinning cloak of fire.
CRACK!
My fist slammed into the lead rat's armor. The reinforced shell shattered under the heat and force. Suddenly, another rat lunged from my blind spot. My senses, sharpened by the Atara in my nervous system, felt the shift in the air. I spun around, my left hand already forming a sphere of fire.
Using Visualization, I created a 10-inch fireball, spinning it at high velocity to increase its piercing power. "Burn!" I shouted, launching the projectile. The ball of fire tore through the second monster, while the third fell quickly to a series of enhanced strikes.
By the time I walked back into the Guild, the sun was beginning to set, casting long, golden shadows over Boro. I handed over the proof of my kill. Anna smiled and handed me a small metallic badge. "Congratulations, Kaelo. You are now officially a Rank 1 Slayer."
That night, back in the quiet safety of my room in Glan, I sat with my ten books spread out before me. My journey was just beginning, and these books were the blueprint for my future. I summarized their secrets in my mind:
Visualization: For those with vivid imaginations. It turns Atara into tangible forms.
Incantation: Using the ancient language to resonate power through voice.
Prayer: Drawing power through devotion to the Gods.
Atara Circles: Geometric precision (Circles for biology, Hexagons for space, Octagons for time).
Hand Signs: Utilizing mudras to guide the flow of energy—perfect for smiths and fighters.
Atara Books: A rare path where a personal, indestructible book stores your spells.
Staves/Artifacts: Bonding your soul with a weapon so it becomes an extension of your body.
Runes: The art of calligraphy; writing "Fire" creates fire, with every detail dictated by the stroke.
Spirit Bond: Borrowing energy from nature spirits when your own well runs dry.
Circulation: The warrior's path—circulating energy internally to become a living weapon.
I closed my eyes, the Rank 1 badge clutched in my hand. I was no longer Ryuji the shadow. I was Kaelo the Slayer. And this world was mine to explore.
Author's note: 10/?score "How many points out of 10 would you give?"