Fates Decision

In the distance, two girls looked down upon the students. Today was the day when the unawakened would be discarded—or so everyone thought. A twist had come as a surprise to all.

"What does this mean for us, Aiko?" one asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Simply put, it doesn't make a difference. The ones we're looking at are the weakest of the weak, unable to awaken," Aiko replied, her tone unwavering.

"Doesn't it worry you, Aiko?" Aiko shot her a fierce glance

"Of coure nobody would dare question your power. But even now, some people we thought were gone are staying for one or two more years." 

"That is true," Aiko muttered, her gaze fixed on the remaining students, who were slowly but surely signing the contracts.

"Evangelyne, do you know any of the unawakened?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," Aiko replied, her eyes still on the scene below.

There weren't many left. The ones who had signed the contract had already moved to the side where the teachers stood, looking relieved.

"I know the white-haired man in the middle. I think his name is Jackal."

"What was he like? Could you sense that he would remain unawakened?"

"He was… normal. Very normal. They say hard work can lead to awakening, but I believe fate has something to do with it as well." Evangelyne glanced back at Jackal, who stood there emotionless. "Though I never really got to know any of my previous classmates. I awakened in the first month, so I switched classes quickly to yours, where the other awakened were."

***

Around 500 years ago, portals began appearing across the world. From them emerged monstrous beings known as Nectures, creatures of pure bloodlust and despair. Humanity fought back, but no weapon or strategy could stop them. One by one, the five main continents fell. As each became fully overrun and uninhabitable, the portals would appear on the next. Total extinction seemed inevitable.

Then, around 100 years ago, everything changed. A massive explosion of unknown matter erupted on the continent of Vaina, an event now known as The Merge. According to scattered accounts and rumors, it was as if two realms collided. With it came the arrival of humanoid beings—demons, elves, and other mystical races—alongside a mysterious phenomenon known as Blessings. The exact cause remains unknown, but between the ages of 14 and 17, certain individuals are chosen to receive these divine gifts.

Some of the blessed undergo awakening, unlocking extraordinary abilities. This was what finally turned the tide. Awakened warriors managed to halt the Necture invasion on the fourth continent, Snoria. Since then, an ongoing war has raged there, preventing further expansion. As long as Snoria remains contested, new portals rarely appear in Vaina, the last habitable land where all remaining races now struggle to survive.

***

Jackal felt like he was about to throw up. Every instinct screamed at him—he couldn't go to Eternal. His mind was a battlefield, struggling to piece together a conclusion. It had all happened so suddenly.

"I see," he muttered under his breath.

"The world hates me. I am truly ugly."

A hollow laugh escaped him, his lips curling into a crazed smirk. The room had begun to notice. He was the only student left. The last one who hadn't signed. The weight of every gaze pressed against him.

Then, he moved.

One step.

Another.

The murmurs grew louder as he walked past the Eternal envoy's table. Was he insane? Who in their right mind would throw away another year, a chance at survival? But for Jackal, there was no choice. He stepped forward until he was standing before the purple-haired girl. His grin was sour, laced with defiance and despair.

"Where do I sign?" he asked, blood trickling from his lips where he had bitten down too hard.

The soldier watched him with a neutral expression, then, for just a moment, a small smile appeared.

"Right here," she said, pointing to the contract.

The moment Jackal signed, the crushing weight that had threatened to break him vanished. But the damage was done. He had sealed his fate. No second chances, no safe return. He had chosen a one-way march toward death.

"Fitting," he thought bitterly. "A fate for someone as ugly as me."

The murmurs in the crowd swelled. Taunting. Judging. They looked at him like he was deranged. It was only when the instructor stepped forward that the whispers died.

The instructor's voice cut through the silence.

"That concludes the ceremony. To those who will remain, I hope you awaken within the next year. And to the one who has chosen a different path, may luck be with you."

It felt unreal.

One moment, it was the ceremony. The next, we stood in front of the academy gates. Three years—and it all ended here.

"Three years, and this is what I have to show for it," Jackal thought bitterly.

"Jackal, was it?" the purple-haired girl asked.

But he didn't answer. His gaze was locked on a figure standing by the gate—a boy with black hair, his back against the wall. His eyes burned with an emotion Jackal could only describe as rage.

The boy stepped forward.

"Why?" Ryuga muttered, his voice trembling.

Jackal's throat tightened. He looked away. "...This is my path, Ryuga."

"You lied."

A sharp, broken whisper. Then, shouting.

"WHAT ABOUT YOUR PROMISE?! WHY DID YOU LEAVE?! YOU HAD A CHOICE!"

Tears streaked down Ryuga's face as he grabbed Jackal by the collar, shaking him—desperate, pleading, demanding answers.

Jackal could only mutter, "I'm dead. I'm done with this place."

Ryuga's hands trembled. He stared at Jackal in horror, his desperation rising.

"THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY?! You promised—you promised me you'd be with me next year!" His voice cracked, lingering in the cold air.

Jackal met his eyes. His expression was empty. His voice, cold.

"I lied. I never had any interest in staying."

Ryuga's grip faltered. His body collapsed onto his knees.

The purple-haired soldier watched, her expression unreadable, her eyes neutral—but there was something else there. Something uncertain.

Jackal turned away, stepping past Ryuga without looking back.

What was he supposed to say? That he was hearing voices? That he had been summoned to something unknown? Nobody would believe him. They'd call him insane. This was the only way out—even if it meant breaking bonds.

Even if it meant dying soon on the battlefield.

A voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Here's the car. We've already collected your things. We're ready to depart."

Jackal cast a final glance at the academy. A few students stood at the gates, watching in silence. Ryuga was still on his knees.

Jackal turned away and climbed into the big military vehicle. The door shut behind him. The engine roared to life.

And then, they were gone.

Nothing left behind.

Jackal exhaled, pressing his forehead against the cool glass.

"Truly, an ending." he muttered.

After a few minutes, Jackal finally managed to calm down. His breathing steadied, his pulse no longer hammering against his skull. He took a slow glance around the military vehicle.

There were others with him.

The purple-haired girl sat nearby, her posture relaxed but observant. Across from her sat two more figures—both in uniform. They weren't from his academy. Other recruits?

Then, the silence shattered.

"Why did you lie?"

The question cut through the air like a blade.

Jackal's gaze flicked toward the purple-haired girl.

"What does she mean?" He thought

"did I lie?" he asked, his voice flat.

The other two recruits shifted, now watching with interest. They weren't sure what was going on, but they could sense the tension.

The purple-haired girl didn't hesitate.

"I have a knack for knowing when people are lying," she said, her violet eyes locked onto him. "And back there—you didn't speak a single truth."

Jackal let out a slow breath. "Oh, did I?" His voice was cold, indifferent.

She tilted her head slightly. "You don't have to tell me. But I can't imagine what would compel you to choose the army over Eternal. It's... unusual."

The two other recruits stiffened. Their eyes widened in shock.

Jackal finally gave them a proper look.

One was a green-haired girl with strikingly bright blue eyes. The other was smaller, but something about her stood out.

Her horns.

Two small, black ones protruded from her forehead, just above her dark green eyes. A demon.

She was staring at Jackal now, her expression unreadable.

He sighed and leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes.

"What a mess."

Jackal drifted into a deep sleep, despite it not being that late.

Sometime later, he was jerked awake by a sudden jolt—the vehicle hitting a large bump.

"How long have we been driving?"

He wasn't sure, but as he adjusted to being awake, he noticed the black-haired demon girl watching him with bright, curious eyes.

"So, what's your deal? Why are you here?" she asked, her tone surprisingly cheerful.

Jackal blinked at her enthusiasm.

"I'm joining the army. That's why I'm here."

"Never mind that," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "Do you fight? What do you fight?"

Jackal hesitated. "I'm unawakened, if that's what you're asking."

The demon girl groaned dramatically. "No, dummy, everyone in here is unawakened. Why else would we be joining the army?" She spoke like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I meant, how do you fight? Swordsmanship?"

Jackal finally understood. He hesitated before answering.

"In our academy, the focus was training until Awakening. We didn't really learn anything else."

The demon girl burst into laughter, clearly amused. "You're telling me you threw yourself into a war with no combat training and no Awakening?" She smirked. "Poor you."

Jackal sighed. "I have my reasons."

On the other side, the purple-haired girl stirred, groggily waking up from their conversation. A faint look of confusion crossed her face as she studied him.

"Why do you lie?"

Jackal glanced at her.

"It's like everything you say is either a full lie or a half-truth." Her violet eyes locked onto him, searching for answers.

The demon girl, now fully entertained, gasped in fake betrayal.

"WHATtttt—you lied to me?!" She clutched her chest dramatically. "How could you?! That's so mean."

Jackal sighed, pressing his fingers against his temple.

He turned to the purple-haired girl. "Is your Manipura able to detect lies?"

She paused, then glanced at the others before answering.

"It has something to do with it, but no. It's more like a side effect."

Before Jackal could respond, she straightened up slightly and spoke with authority.

"Anyway, the three of you will be under my command for the next week, so we should get acquainted. My name is Mitsu."

Jackal exhaled and finally gave in. "Jackal. Nice to meet you all."

The demon girl was quick to follow up.

"I'm Tara!" she grinned. "And it's a pleasure for you all to be greeting me." A sly snicker followed.

The green-haired girl barely reacted. She looked half-asleep, her eyes barely open. But after a moment, she managed a quiet, lazy greeting.

"Hello… I'm Lura. I like to sleep."

Jackal blinked.

"This is the squad I'm stuck with?"

The introductions were finally over, and it wasn't long before they would reach their destination.

Yet, Jackal couldn't shake the feeling of Tara's gaze lingering on him. She had been staring for a while now—but this time, her usual playful curiosity was gone. Instead, she looked... perplexed.

Then, in a low voice, she muttered, "Jackal."

A pause.

"Are you human?"

Her tone was suddenly cold.

The words hit the air like a knife, and the reaction was immediate.

Mitsu—the purple-haired soldier—visibly tensed. Even Lura, who had been half-asleep this entire time, suddenly stirred awake.

Jackal blinked at Tara with a dumbfounded expression.

"Of course I'm human. Why wouldn't I be?"

As soon as he said that, Mitsu's eyebrow twitched.

It was subtle—but that tiny movement didn't go unnoticed. Like his answer was... off.

Tara narrowed her eyes, then leaned in slightly, taking a deep sniff.

"You smell. It reeks," she said bluntly.

Jackal frowned. "Excuse me?"

"Either you haven't bathed in a while..." she trailed off, tilting her head before flashing a teasing grin, "or you're lying to me."

Jackal let out a slow exhale. This girl...

But then, Tara waved a hand dismissively.

"Don't worry," she smirked. "I don't discriminate. I'm a demon myself, after all."

The exchange may not have bothered Tara much, but Jackal could feel Mitsu's eyes on him—sharp, calculating.

Something had clicked for her.

Then, in an icy tone, she spoke.

"You lied again…"

The atmosphere grew cold.

She continued, her voice firm.

"When Tara asked if you were human... it was a half-lie?"

A pause.

The weight of her words settled in the vehicle like a storm cloud.

All three people in the back—Tara, Lura, and Jackal—fell silent. Even the two soldiers up front seemed more alert, their eyes darting toward the conversation in the rearview mirror.

Were they considering the possibility that Jackal wasn't human? That he was something else?

Mitsu frowned, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small radio.

"Can you get me a Radiator Ball?"

A moment later, one of the front-seat soldiers tossed her a crystal sphere.

Mitsu caught it and, without hesitation, handed it to Tara.

"Watch," she said, her voice cold. "When a demon touches it, it glows red."

Tara shrugged, then placed her hand on the orb.

Immediately, the crystal flared crimson.

Mitsu barely reacted, already looking toward Jackal.

"And when a human touches it… nothing happens." She stared him down.

"Put your hands on the ball."

Jackal felt the pressure.

I haven't lied.

He knew what he was. Didn't he?

Swallowing, he pressed his palm against the Radiator Ball.

A heartbeat passed.

Then another.

Nothing happened.

The silence in the vehicle was deafening.

Then—

"Ahahahaha! Why did that have to be so intense?"

Tara burst into laughter, breaking the tension in an instant. She shot Mitsu a teasing grin.

"You really took that way too seriously."

Mitsu sighed, setting the radio and Radiator Ball aside, but her frown deepened as she studied Jackal.

"I don't get you," she muttered. "Either you're lying… or my ability is breaking."

Jackal had no response.

But before the conversation could continue, the vehicle came to a stop.

They had finally reached their destination.

As the doors opened, they stepped out into a massive military camp, the sea stretching beyond the horizon.