Change

The air was heavy.People stared in shock at the man lying motionless on the ground. He was clearly dead. When they looked at the person who had done it, they stepped back in fear.

Suddenly, someone took advantage of the moment.I saw Sheila break away from me and dash through the crowd, which parted in panic, heading straight for the man. Realizing what she was doing, I chased after her. I reached out and grabbed her hand, but we were already too close.

The man turned his gaze toward us.His eyes were cold. Empty.Sheila froze, then backed up, bumping into me. When she turned and saw that it was me, a flicker of confidence returned to her eyes. She looked at the man and spoke.

— My name is Sheila. I'm sixteen years old.

The man studied her for a moment, then raised his hand and pointed to the door behind him.

— You may enter.

As soon as he spoke, Sheila pulled away from me and walked decisively toward the entrance. I knew I couldn't stop her — she had made up her mind. Once she disappeared inside, I stepped forward.

— Davis. Sixteen.

I looked into the man's eyes and moved to enter, but his arm shot out, blocking my path.

— One at a time.

— What?

Before I could say anything else, the door closed behind Sheila. The man remained unmoving, still in my way. I looked toward the carriage, worry building inside me. Sheila was alone in there... and something didn't feel right.

But there was nothing I could do. The man before me was tall, powerful, and clad in armor that gleamed in the light. All I could do was wait.

Over time, the atmosphere shifted.Despite the dead man on the ground, more people began to approach. A sort of line formed behind me. There were all kinds — even children, urged forward by their parents. Greed gleamed in their eyes.The village was poor. An opportunity like this couldn't be ignored, even if no one knew what awaited beyond that door.

Time passed. Sheila still hadn't come back.My anxiety grew. What was happening in there? Was she okay? I didn't know. And the longer it took, the more my nerves frayed.

Then, at last, the door opened.The man turned to me and gestured toward the entrance.I hesitated, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

The interior surprised me. It was spacious.There were seats in each corner, and in the center, a table covered in food and drink. Right in front of me stood a striking man — platinum blond hair, golden-yellow eyes, and a flowing golden robe that shimmered around him.

But then my eyes caught something else.

Sheila.She was sitting on one of the benches. Her wavy brown hair, honey-colored eyes, and a simple yellow dress made her look calm, almost serene. She didn't seem afraid. No trembling.But what truly unsettled me was the man beside her.His hand rested on her thigh.They were whispering, smiling softly.

The man had golden hair, golden eyes, and skin with a faint gold hue. He wore a luxurious robe and was adorned with golden accessories — earrings on both ears, a ring on his nose, rings on every finger, and even gold ornaments on his bare feet. It was like he was wearing gold.

Seeing him that close to Sheila, so intimate, something twisted inside me.She didn't seem to mind the closeness... or the touch.They looked at each other like they shared secrets.

— Sheila, I called out, trying to understand what was going on.

She turned her head slowly. Her eyes met mine — for just a moment. Then she looked away, as if she didn't even know me.My chest tightened.Something strange and sharp stirred inside me — something I'd never felt before.

— SHEILAA!I shouted her name, desperate.

She didn't even flinch.That indifference stung worse than any blow.The feeling inside me boiled.I took a step toward her — and froze.

My body wouldn't move.Why couldn't I move?

Then a voice rang out behind me.

— Young man, if you came for the test, then you should be paying attention to me.

It was the platinum-haired man I'd seen when I entered.

A test? I didn't care about any test.Sheila... what was wrong with her? Why was she ignoring me?

I tried to force my body forward, but nothing worked.She wouldn't even look at me.

The emotion inside me surged even stronger.

Suddenly, my body moved. My feet began stepping toward her on their own.But just as I got closer, someone grabbed me — hard.

— What's going on? I shouted.

The armored man had stepped in and restrained me.

— He's causing trouble. Shall I remove him?

Then the golden man looked at me with curiosity.

— Interesting. You called for Sheila... do you know her?

I glared at him, furious.

— She's my girlfriend!

A smile curled on his lips — amused, smug.

— Boy, that girl just passed the test. She displayed a rare and unique talent. From now on, she will live in a world far beyond yours. I suggest you forget her — assuming what you say is even true.

Then he turned to Sheila and asked, still smiling:

— Sheila, do you know this young man?

She looked at me for a few seconds...Then turned back to him, with a sweet smile.

— No. This is the first time I've ever seen him.

That smile of his widened.Then he looked at a man seated at the back.

— Well, Aros? Any use for him?

The one called Aros shook his head.

— I'd need a closer inspection, but at first glance, he seems... ordinary. There's nothing inside him.

The golden man turned back to me, still smiling.He saw the rage burning in my eyes.

Then he leaned toward Sheila and whispered something in her ear.

She stood up, sat on his lap — and kissed him.

But it didn't stop there.

She bit his ear, licked his neck, teasing him openly. He welcomed it, letting his hands slide over her — gripping her ass, pulling her close — all while looking straight at me.

A storm of emotions exploded inside me: pain, disbelief, rage.But one feeling overpowered them all:

Hatred.

— I'm going to kill you, I said through clenched teeth, staring him down.

He smiled. As if that's exactly what he wanted to hear.

A second later, I felt myself yanked back.

The armored man dragged me out of the carriage.At the door, he hurled me like I was nothing.My body hit something hard.Pain shot through me like fire.

My vision darkened.

I...