A Modest Beginning

Now, forty years after the cataclysm, humanity had learned how to deal with magic. They understood that each individual could absorb a certain amount of magical energy from the environment, strengthening their body and abilities. This absorption, however, naturally stabilized at the age of 20. Scientists theorized that this was because the human body, still developing until that age, was flexible to store and channel mana. After that, it became biologically incapable of evolving in this respect.

The amount of mana absorbed varied widely, defining ranks ranging from F for the weakest to SS for the legendary. This system of

rankings shaped not only social structures, but also global security. But they also created the greatest inequalities.

Now 2025, and the world had changed. The lands that had once been covered in a fog of magic and chaos could now be reborn. It was in this new world that the Brotherhood of the Phoenix was founded, a refuge, a light in the shadows.

A huge queue stretched out in front of the entrance, a sea of anxious, sweaty and hopeful faces. The sign, simple but imposing, announced what everyone there was looking for: Evaluation and Classification of New Adventurers. Satsu was among them.

Dressed in worn-out shoes and torn pants, he stared at the ground, feeling the weight of an uncertain future. His crumpled T-shirt didn't hide the fatigue he carried, both physical and emotional. He had no power, no fame, nothing but desperate need. His family - his mother, father and younger sister - lived in a makeshift house on a piece of land forgotten by the world. And the future? An endless abyss. But he knew that this was his only chance. The only chance to give his family a better life.

He forced himself not to think about the precarious conditions in which they lived, but as he looked at the others around him, it seemed impossible to ignore the difference. All of them

seemed to be someone. And him? A simple boy with nothing to offer.

On the large screen in front of him, an imposing figure took over the screen: Ren Tanaka, the president of the Brotherhood of the Phoenix. His deep voice, full of conviction, echoed through the room.

— The Brotherhood of the Phoenix's duty is to protect people from monsters! We are a group that has been reborn from the ashes of a dark past and now we have an obligation to make this world a better place! — His voice carried a weight, as if each word were a promise to everyone there.

The faces in the queue lit up. Rebirth from the ashes. There was something inspiring in that speech, something that made them believe, even in the most difficult circumstances. Satsu was no different. His eyes shone for a moment, as if that simple act of joining the Brotherhood was the key to a new life.

— NEXT! — shouted a woman with an impersonal tone, a Brotherhood official, bringing Satsu back to reality.

She indicated the machine in front of him, which didn't look friendly at all. He and put his feet on the mana detector, feeling a shiver run down his spine. The machine blinked, and a mechanical sound echoed through the room.

— You have enough mana to join the association. - The woman looked at him with a look of disdain. - However, you can only accept the F-level rank.

— LEVEL F?! - exclaimed Satsu, incredulous. - That's the lowest level there is!

The woman, with a forced smile, turned the monitor screen towards him.

— Look at this — she said, pointing at the numbers.

— A normal human has about 2 Mana. You've reached 18, and you should consider yourself lucky to still be accepted.

Satsu laughed humorously, running a hand over his head. He felt exposed, vulnerable, and the weight of shame took hold of him.

— Really? Hehehe... - he muttered, not knowing what else to say, trying to hide his humiliation behind a laugh. The other employees in the room couldn't hide their disdain. Whispers quickly spread among them.

— This guy won't even be able to light a candle, hahahaha.

— I've never seen such a weak and pathetic power.

— said another, with a smirk of superiority. - The last F Rank we evaluated came out with 123 power. And the guy wasn't even ashamed to show up here anymore!

Satsu closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of the comparison. But something inside him ignited, a flame that refused to be extinguished. He didn't know why, but he wasn't going to give in.

The employee finished by saying: - You can now, the equipment has already analyzed all your skills and transferred them to the brotherhood's database. Don't worry, this data is private and no one will have access to it.

Satsu then thanked him and .

Even with the result, Satsu ran home, his heart pounding as if he were carrying the weight of all his hopes and dreams. He

knew that his family was struggling, but now he had something to offer.

Something to transform their reality.

— Guys! Guys! - he shouted as he entered the house, his breath panting, his eyes shining with a mixture of exhaustion and hope.

His mother, father and sister looked at him in surprise. The humble house was as cramped as ever, but at that moment, Satsu didn't care. He had a goal now.

— I did it! - he said, his voice full of emotion. — Finally, we'll have more money! We'll be able to live in a better place!

The sight of his sister smiling and his parents looking at him with pride was enough to make his determination grow even stronger. He knew that the journey

would be difficult, but now he had something more powerful than any magic: a reason to fight.

And as the Brotherhood of the Phoenix rose up as a promise of protection and justice, Satsu was about to learn that the greatest power came not from his mana, but from his unbreakable spirit.

The joy in Satsu's home was palpable. father, mother and sister Mirai hugged him warmly, all sharing the same hopeful smile. His sister, her eyes shining, was the first to break the silence.

— What's your ranking, little brother? — she asked, with genuine excitement.

Satsu hesitated for a moment, the weight of his own heart's words almost crushing him. He didn't want to disappoint anyone, but the truth was necessary.

— I'm Rank F — he replied, his voice breaking, trying to disguise his frustration.

His father Satoru's face contorted in surprise, a gleam of disbelief in his eyes. He couldn't hide his disappointment.

— But... this is the lowest ranking we have! — his voice trembled, as if it were difficult to accept reality. His mother, always practical and full of wisdom, gave her husband a gentle nudge with her elbow, calming him down.

— Satoru, it doesn't matter! What matters is that we'll continue to be a happy family. Satsu has brought us a chance of a better future. Let's be grateful for that. - her voice had a comforting and firm tone, like a rock that never shakes.

She got up and went to the tiny, rusty stove, taking out the food she had prepared so lovingly. She put it on disposable plates and served it to

everyone with a warm smile.

— Let's have dinner! - she said, with her usual warm tone. — Tomorrow, Satsu needs to be in shape for his new job!

The scene unfolded, a simple image, but one charged with emotion. Even in the midst of poverty and hardship, there, in that cramped place, was something that most people desperately sought: unity and hope.