Chapter 1: Azure Butterfly (I)

There stood in front of me, a massive and broad wall. A wall stood upright and cut off quite a view.

It couldn't be broken or penetrated, and while not ready to fall. Sometimes I sit there waiting and stalling, hoping that this colossal mule would collapse on its own.

I sometimes depict this as talent.

Everyone has mana, what only comes next is an attribute of your own. A uniqueness and fondness that brings you together with others or else it regulates you.

When mana first shows you the wanderlust of the world combined with the brimming passion to learn, we are all pleased by it.

However, in order for there to be happiness, it requires one person to have sadness. This also leads back to the wall.

The behemoth talent of a wall always stands in front of everyone as no one is actually exempted from it. Your path will always litter with twisted twigs and weary potholes, however even after all of these irritating obstacles. There still stands the wall of talent.

The wall that you can neither surpass nor destroy. Some may experience this massive wall earlier in their path of life while others have the metaphorical wall that sits a considerable distance away.

I, for one, am sitting right in front of the wall. I was born with the wall in front of me and now the shadowless wall still sits in front of me. It is unnerving and disheartening.

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 յ: 𝕬𝖟𝖚𝖗𝖊 𝕭𝖚𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖋𝖑𝖞

This morning, the early bird's symphony was awoken me first. Walking outside, I took in a beautiful scent of a pleasant summer breeze.

Outside the azure-blue sky was dotted by the fluffy poofy clouds that slowly drifted out of its chambers. It brought a flurry of early-morning activity to not only the fauna but to the humans that live outside the forest.

Heading down the steep rough path, the note on the counter instructed me to purchase fresh baguettes from the local bakery.

Sighing, I listened to my dear grandmother's instructions and did what I was told.

The morning dew slowly trickled down the summer leaves as dawn quickly approached. Navigating through the dreary forest, sunlight somehow still radiates through the dense canopy, paving a way for me to see.

I almost stumble and trip on a fallen wooden plaque that lies irritatingly on the ground. Regaining my balance, I notice that my body is aches and is tense. I must have pushed myself too hard yesterday during my training, so much so that my body aches with soreness.

To make up for the missing talent, I wanted to fill up the gap with pure swordsmanship. But simply dreaming and actually accomplishing this goal was no laughing matter.

Heading out of the old rustic forest, I survey my surroundings first. Observing the fantasizing and bustling townspeople— wide-eyed and interested in the products that many shopkeepers offer.

Fortunately, 'they' are not there.

Skipping the aromatic smells wafting through the tentative air, he walked towards a small building that housed the destination he was looking for. The bakery.

The red plaque outside reads, "Cheary's Bakery" with a heavy crimson hue. The whole building was embroiled and constructed with a certain type of wood that gave off a musty smell in the air. Two lanterns that hang from opposite polar ends brightens up the atmosphere as it emits a faint yellow glow.

Carrying the basket, I swing open the door and is greeted with a sweet smell of baked goods in the air. Slowly drifting towards the open door as it teases me with such savoriness— a sweet ambrosial smell.

The atmosphere is greatly evident to be whimsical as soft jazz music plays loudly yet steadily.

Walking through the open path, I head to the counter where a kind attendant greets me.

Internally I smile as I graciously ask for two lengthy baguettes that could last us for a week.

"I would like to order two baguettes." My body warms up despite it being a country morning as the cashier is the only person who didn't refuse to serve me.

"Thank you, Asier," the cashier says to me while wrapping the baguettes in a semi-transparent sheet before handing it over to me.

Handing her the money, it only takes a few silent moments before she relinquishes the change. I leave, my heart content and adequate.

Adequate enough to not feel something wrong as I leave the rustic building and out into the morning summer air. While the sun cast a semi-rosy and golden hue across the small town, I gaze upon the open view.

Looking around once more, uneasy and heart-stricken— I sigh in relief as I don't see 'them.'

'Them' are a vandalizing gang of teenagers that go beyond just elementary bullies. Their gentle pushing the gentle limits and boundaries of what is right and wrong have caused them to have found a key to relive all of their stress.

I am the key.

Merciless beatings that range from twice a day to once a week utterly annihilate me. It is hopeless. I can do nothing but just watch as others watch me without a single tinge of guilt.

True to some, that venting their anger on the weak is an amazing way to relieve the stress accumulated by the day. But then how about the people who are weak?

A single feeling or a gut reaction that tells them to save this poor kid. To do at least something. But no, they had come to the conclusion that I am simply not worth their time, especially if my talent sits in a bottomless pit.

Though today, the intense feeling of vigor is being washed away by an acute feeling of something is wrong.

Passing by the vivid huckleberry bushes that gave off a syrupy sweet smell, even that never seemed to cover up the foreboding premonition.

Walking through the bustling streets and crowd, he didn't feel suffocated at the very least knowing the vandalizing gang that had always appeared around the avenue was no longer here.

Skipping by all the districts that are open in the unclear sanctuary, I make great haste through all quickest paths to home.

Through a dark alleyway, there is a small iron rusted fence that I must climb to reach home as it skips a large portion of my route— necessary to reach home.

The only negative aspect of it is the pungent atmosphere as most of the scattered trash bags and odious junk are left in the un-illuminated spot of town.

So much so that the material is left untouched, allowing the animals hidden in the murky shadows to reside peacefully.

However, today is much different than the simple aspects quite easy to ignore. Here, it smells weird, not revolting or something you would expect rotting alleyway like this.

The only thing I can discern is something that makes me feel happy, or at a pleasant home?

And then there I see it. A blue seems to flicker and shine with a light azure color, giving off a subtle radiance. The light seemingly emerging from the abyss, flutters with a comforting warmth, almost magical-like.

Taking towards this flickering blue light that greatly resounds in the darkness, it's appalling.

There was a slight connection between me and the mysterious light as its unexplainable, undeniable feeling of an encouraging kindred of my own. Whilst my heart flutters uncontrollably, I take more gentle steps forward, avoiding the trash bags and scurrying rats along the walls.

Then after taking more subtle steps, I realize, it's not a lantern of effulgence in the darkness, it's a butterfly?