05:

  - the nameless teenager -

  .

  .

  "I've come to report."

  The sturdy man lowered his body, his eyes calmly closed. His arms were folded and rested on one bent knee... Loyalty accompanied him as he crouched like a knight in armor.

  After a lengthy explanation of the movements of the teenage boy who was now standing on the balcony of Itzayana's room, Zorian's eyes widened.

  He froze for a moment, his brain busy thinking, shifting to the logical side of this logically explainable situation.

  "How is that possible!? She knows that?!" he muttered.

  "Is she a shaman or something?!" His eyebrows furrowed in disbelief, though slightly doubtful, a fiery smile dancing with his challenging heartbeat, something Zorian had always wanted...

  A challenge that never faded, a drop of gasoline that was always poured... "Go." said Zorian curtly.

  A few months ago, there was a bit of commotion and unrest in the community. A young man who had a talent for speed and agility stole using his abilities...

  That night, Zorian and several members of the vieled force finally moved into action. His eyes scanned the rooftops of the buildings.

  A teenager, around 16 years old, was running fast, carrying a piece of bread. About 1-2 meters behind him, two members of the shadow army were chasing him.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  His legs ran tirelessly through narrow alleys with minimal lighting towards a certain place.

  After careful planning, they basically moved according to Zorian's orders.

  Zorian's presence itself was hidden, no one knew. The orders were issued by Kaelar, the deputy leader of the force. A fake bread trap had been set, and the bait had been taken by the unfortunate teenager.

  Their job was simply to carry out the plan and not to capture the teenager, even though the vieled force members were capable of more than that.

  "Stop right there!! You brat!!" shouted one of the members.

  "..."

  So you're the mastermind behind the recent theft reports, huh? Quite challenging. A faint smile floated in the silence of the night... The moonlight illuminated...

  Zorian's fingers lifted the wide cloth that was also part of his disguise. He covered his mouth and nose with the cloth. Only his red laser beam was visible.

  Set... Drap drap drap... Zorian ran around, performing a series of lightning-fast stunts on the roofs of people's houses, his feet very agile in combining movements, jumping from house to house and to the ground.

  "Hey. How about you join my team?!."

  "I already know a lot about you! You just want to survive, right?." he asked after landing.

  The teenager stopped running, his wild instincts raging. His long, thin legs took a few steps back, his cloudy green eyes never leaving Zorian's. His body was trembling, and fear was clearly visible in his cloudy forest green eyes.

  The teenager's body was very thin, his clothes were shabby and torn in places. His hair was messy and unkempt, and he was shorter than his age...

  Zorian took something out of his robe, a loaf of bread that was the same but in greater quantity. The wheat bread was neatly arranged in a box. He offered an exchange.

  "The bread is fake. And those people are my henchmen."

  "Are you interested in joining my army?!" A hint of annoyance was visible in Zorian's slightly furrowed brow. He was faced with uncertainty and yet another kid!

  "I-I..." The teenager looked away. His hand holding the fake bread was still trembling, clenching and unclenching several times.

  ---

  [Back to the balcony of Itzayana's room]

  "..."

  Unlike that person (Zorian), his partner was truly kind-hearted!

  Itzayana held out a slice of whole wheat bread still wrapped in protective paper, her friendly smile warming the teenager's heart, "Take some for yourself, I'll confirm with His Majesty later. Thank you!"

  B-but... The nameless teenager looked thoughtfully at the slice of bread that was offered, taking two of the slices..

  Afterwards, the teenager reported to Zorian, who was behind him, waiting for his decision on whether to accept or reject him.

  "Take it. Good job, keep it up!"

  A gentle pat landed on the small, innocent nod... Zorian's palm touched and gently patted the teenager's head. His expression remained flat.

  Although the teenager's hair had grown longer since the day he was found, it was now softer and well-groomed. It was also smoother and neater with a ponytail.

  "Go."

  The teenager was startled and came back to his senses. He nodded lightly and immediately backed away.