Without a fixed course, Arlhen began to ramble around the city while thinking about what he would do. Just then, an abrupt idea came to his head in the same way as a lightning bolt on a clear day.

Actually it could not even be called a brilliant plan but rather it was quite the opposite, it was something very obvious. Maybe it was due to his unstable emotions when he found out about his parents that he did not think of something like that, maybe it was because his terrible nutritional status prevented him from thinking clearly. Anyway, all that did not matter, now that he was in full condition and with a little clearer mind, he changed his course and went with hurried steps towards the area where he used to live.

Although he was a person who always liked to keep a low profile, during his days living in Athame he could never go unnoticed. Although part of the reason was due to his unwavering attitude towards conflicts, this was not the main reason. The real cause was his parents.

The people of the previous generation knew Luslec very well, his fame was not only linked to his great achievements as a member of the association but also to something much more important. This was nothing less than the selection competition, a very important event that took place every generation, this being the same place where it made a reputation.

When the words competition of selection reached the ears of the region, all the inhabitants entered a state of euphoria, each more anxious than the other to demonstrate the feats that their representatives could achieve. The only exception to this rule was Athame, who apart from never taking victory also occupied the last places each time he showed up.

However, this bad spell that had lasted since its inception was interrupted by Luslec. His first appearance during the competition caused the eyes of the region to focus on Athame for the first time. Not only did he complete the first test with an extraordinary performance, but he also demonstrated an overwhelming ability.

If one said that it was the greatest genius in history in the region, none would dare to deny it. This was because during his participation, his skill was such that even the examiners themselves were not his party.

Of course, it was not until the second test that his name shook even the neighboring regions. The demonstration of their strength silenced even the greatest figures of the region, for even they had to admit their inferiority. In this way, an event never before witnessed occurred, the title of the strongest person in the region passed into the hands of a young man who was not even twenty years old.

However, the current reputation of Luslec was far from being as in the past, as to everyone's surprise, he withdrew from the competition in the last test. This was the first time that Athame managed to get so close to the title of champion. No, it was better to say that he already had the title in his hands. So when Luslec abruptly withdrew, an insane anger took over every resident of the city.

After that, Luslec disappeared for a while. By the time he returned, the level of his cultivation had dropped by a large margin, leaving all those who knew him stunned. This unleashed hundreds of rumors among which the most popular was that everything was due to a rare disease, but only a few knew that this was not the real reason but in reality ...

The sound of a glass fragmenting into pieces made Arlhen return from his memories, then he turned his gaze to where the sound came from. There he found a bar that was frequented by people of dubious origin, was a place where you could find from vulgar thieves to murderers willing to take a life for a few coins.

The reason that the young Bareare remained static for a moment was because the door was open, letting people who were outside see what was going on inside. However, it did not take long before he lost interest and decided to continue on his way.

But…

Just then, the boy's eyes widened as his lips could not help but detach slightly. The silhouette of a man who was fresh in his memories was in front of him, causing him to be stunned shortly before pronouncing his name.

-O-orsted?