Weight of Victory and Defeat

A New Classmate

Lucian Solis sat in his usual spot—the corner right bench, alone. His arms were crossed, and his golden eyes remained half-lidded, staring at nothing in particular. He wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone today.

The classroom buzzed with idle chatter, but he tuned it all out. Until the teacher spoke.

"Class, we have a new student joining us today. Please give him a warm welcome."

Lucian barely reacted as a nervous-looking boy stepped forward.

"My name is Elias Vale," the boy said with a soft but determined voice. He had dark blue hair and violet eyes that reflected uncertainty.

Lucian barely glanced at him. He didn't care.

The teacher smiled. "You may take a seat, Elias. Do you have a preference?"

Elias scanned the room, then his eyes landed on Lucian. His face lit up as he walked over.

He stood next to Lucian's desk and smiled. "Hey! Remember me?"

Lucian looked at him blankly.

Elias scratched his cheek awkwardly. "You saved me from those bullies the other day…"

Lucian blinked. Oh. Right.

"You were awesome that day!" Elias added enthusiastically.

Before Lucian could respond, a scoff came from the side.

Darius Vex.

"Ha! Lucian got himself a fanboy!" Darius smirked. "How cute."

Lucian rolled his eyes.

Elias, however, didn't seem to mind.

Lunch Break

Lucian ate alone, as always.

He sat on a secluded bench in the courtyard, enjoying his lunch in silence.

That silence was soon interrupted.

"Can I sit here?"

Lucian looked up. Elias stood there, holding his lunchbox.

Lucian hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "…Sure."

Elias sat down, unwrapping his food. "Thanks!"

They ate together in comfortable silence—at least until Elias spoke again.

"Lucian, do you know how to fight?"

Lucian gave him a look. "Obviously."

"Could you teach me?"

Lucian paused.

Teach? He never taught anyone before.

"…I don't know how to train people," Lucian admitted.

Elias looked disappointed, but Lucian quickly added, "I can introduce you to my sensei. He teaches martial arts after school."

Elias's eyes lit up. "Really? That would be amazing!"

Lucian nodded. "Fine. Meet me after class."

Martial Arts Training

After school, Lucian led Elias to his sensei's dojo.

The dojo smelled of polished wood and sweat, the air thick with discipline and experience.

Lucian's sensei, a middle-aged man with a stern face, taught Elias the basics of Judo—footwork, balance, throws.

Elias struggled, but he never gave up.

By the time training ended, Elias was exhausted—but smiling.

Lucian walked beside him as they headed home.

Then, Elias suddenly stopped. "Lucian… can I fight you?"

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Now?"

"I… I just want to see if I can use what Sensei taught me!"

Lucian sighed but nodded. "Fine."

They stepped into a small park, the moon already rising above them.

Elias took a stance, nervous but determined.

Lucian barely even moved.

"Come at me," he instructed.

Elias rushed forward—too predictable.

Lucian dodged effortlessly.

Elias tried again. Dodged.

Again. Dodged.

Frustration crept into Elias's face.

"What do I do…?" he muttered.

Lucian smirked slightly. "Think. Don't just attack blindly. Use your head."

Elias took a deep breath.

He lunged again—this time with a feint—and actually managed to graze Lucian's shoulder.

Lucian nodded approvingly. "Better."

After a few more exchanges, Elias collapsed onto the grass, panting.

"That was fun," Elias said between breaths.

Lucian sat down beside him.

"I'm going to get stronger," Elias declared. "Once I awaken my Luminara, I'll never lose again!"

Lucian's expression darkened.

"Winning isn't everything," Lucian said firmly. "You get better by losing. Whatever you do, do it with happiness. That's what makes you strong."

Veylen's Arrival

"Pathetic."

Both boys snapped their heads toward the voice.

A figure stood under the park's lamplight. Sitting in a bench with his eyes closed

White hair. Tall. Confident. Arrogant. Deep Voice

He looked way older then he is— but he's seventeen at least. His arms were crossed, and his piercing gaze oozed superiority.

Lucian instinctively tensed. There was something dangerous about this guy.

The man with a cold stare said "Winning is the only thing that matters," he said coldly. "If you lose, no one will care about you. No one will respect you."

Elias stiffened.

"You," the man pointed at Elias. "Become strong. Never lose in life. If you lose, even your friends won't respect you."

He turned to Lucian.

"And you… You'll understand after you lose a few fights. Believe me."

Lucian narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?"

The man smirked. "You'll find out soon enough."

Then he walked away, leaving behind a heavy silence.

Elias clenched his fists, his mind troubled.

The Student Council's Task

It was past 7 PM when Veylen entered the Student Council President's office at Solmara Grand Academy.

He sat confidently, one leg over the other, a smirk playing on his lips.

Across from him sat the Student Council President, a man with an irritating smirk and an air of smugness.

"Veylen," the President addressed him. "Our leader has given us a task."

Veylen tilted his head. "Oh?"

"You are to destroy the Luminara Power Plant. Without it, people will lose access to Luminara."

Veylen chuckled.

"Interesting."

The Birth of Ruinshade

Veylen stood on the rooftop of the academy, gazing at the blood-red moon.

Dark energy swirled around him.

He activated his Abysera.

A black, jagged mask formed over his face—one side smooth and polished, the other cracked and chaotic, as if torn between perfection and madness.

Veylen placed his hand on the mask.

"From now on… I shall be called Ruinshade."

His red eyes gleamed through the cracks.

"I'm going to do something they'll never forget."

Then he laughed—dark, chilling, full of malice.

And he vanished into the night.

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