I'm Sorry

The knights had stopped to make camp near a cornfield. The workers from the back of the carriage quickly disembarked and got to work—digging a fire pit, setting up the tents, and preparing for the night.

Two separate camps were established—one for the workers and another for the knights, which included Ray and Gary. The knights gathered around one of the fires, their voices rising and falling as they bickered and joked amongst themselves.

Ray sat beside Gary on a wooden log, still struggling to find words. Knight Delbert, however, was a source of growing irritation. The man kept shooting glances their way, his expression unreadable but clearly not friendly.

Sick of the scrutiny, Ray finally spoke. "Are you in love with me, Knight Delbert? I must remind you, I'm only a boy who has not yet come of age," he said sarcastically.

Delbert's face turned red with anger. "A cocky brat like you needs to learn his place!" he shouted, storming toward Ray.

Before Ray could react, he found himself on the ground with Delbert's boot pressing into his chest. He hadn't even seen the knight move.

"Get off the lad," Bernardo said firmly.

"Did you not hear the disrespect he just spouted?"

"Yes, but don't think we didn't notice your lingering eye either."

Delbert huffed but removed his foot and returned to his seat.

Ray's heart pounded, the rush of adrenaline still coursing through him. Delbert had moved so fast he couldn't follow his actions. One moment, the knight was seated; the next, Ray was on the ground.

Gary, seemingly oblivious to the tension, suddenly asked, "Why the need for a fire? Won't it attract beasts to us?"

Wilfred nodded approvingly. "A smart question. While fire does attract regular beasts, shadow beasts are different."

"Shadow beasts?" Ray echoed, his curiosity piqued. These creatures had not existed in his time.

"The boy doesn't even know about shadow beasts? What kind of upbringing did he have?" Delbert scoffed.

Wilfred ignored him and instead used his sword to draw a rough map in the dirt.

"The shadow plague began in the north of the continent," Wilfred explained. "It spread quickly, consuming the kingdoms in its path. Alure Kingdom, located in the east, has managed to remain safe for years. Avrion Academy sits on the border between us and the infected lands. Although activity has been minimal in recent years, stray shadow beasts still wander in."

Ray furrowed his brows. "When did this all start?"

"You'll learn more when we reach Renny Town."

Gary suddenly perked up. "Renny Town? I thought we were heading to Avrion City."

Delbert chuckled. "Do you really think they'd send children like you straight to the front lines? If a war broke out, you wouldn't even be useful as meat shields."

Wilfred cleared his throat—a subtle signal for Delbert to stop talking. "Renny Town is where all new recruits are sent. You'll spend ten years there, focusing on education and basic fitness. Once you turn fifteen, you'll transfer to Avrion Academy, where you will finally begin training in swordsmanship."

Ray felt a pang of disappointment but understood the logic behind it. He decided to use the time to learn as much as possible about the world. Knowledge would be key to his future plans.

As the conversation dwindled, Bernardo instructed everyone to get some rest. Ray and Gary shared a tent, lying side by side on the ground. Just as Ray was about to close his eyes, Gary spoke.

"I'm sorry," Gary said quietly.

"For what?"

"For everything. The name-calling, the throwing, the way we treated you in the village. I was an idiot."

Ray smirked. "I won't argue with that."

Gary continued. "Amy told me you were a good guy, but I didn't believe her. Then you saved us that day. You could have left us, but you didn't. So... thank you." He bowed his head slightly.

Ray turned his head toward Gary. "You saved me, too, from that wench. No one else stood up to her, but you—a mere five-year-old—were fearless."

Gary blinked. "Aren't you the same age?"

Ray chuckled nervously. "Yes, of course."

Gary grinned. "If anyone troubles you, you can rely on me."

Ray gave him a thumbs up. "Don't worry, the curse of the Red Dragon Sen will handle that for me."

Gary's smile faltered slightly, a hint of unease flickering across his face. He tried to brush it off, but Ray noticed.

As Ray closed his eyes, he found himself surprised by Gary's words. He hadn't expected an apology. Gary, once a stubborn bully, had changed. But even so, Ray knew their paths were different.

"Gary, you will not be on my list. But we cannot be friends. My goal is different from yours. We have lived in two different worlds, and I cannot forgive your kind for what they have done to mine.

"What I have learned in my short time as a human is that not all of them are the same. But something must change.

"Once I understand how this world works, once I become strong enough, I will set the turning point for the human race. I will use the power granted to me by the system to grow stronger. To protect those I care about.

And to destroy those who stand in my way."