VICE

The kingdom of La'Cryma has its ups and downs, but everyone loves to live in it. A world combined with magic and science, it's become a haven for those who wish to discover the ways of using the elements, building amazing technology, or becoming adventurers raising their levels to gain status. However, the kingdom has one flaw most will not agree with. Women have become very scarce, nearly to the point of extinction.

This was due to an event known as 'Eden's Fall' when a massacre by a creation the kingdom even now has yet to understand went berserk. The creation was called a Makaizer; artificial machines created since the birth of the world. One in particular, dubbed 'The Harbinger of Cain' was the cause. It single-handedly killed armies of Makaizers and the humans who were barely learning to stand and speak till it simply vanished before finishing the job.

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In a rundown repair shop, the owner of the place was being cruel once again to his worker. Her name was Emi, she was a war orphan whose parents died during a Strayer attack on her village. Strayers were robots designed only for murder, a bootleg copy of Makaizers, unlike modern replicas of them like the mass-produced Golems used by those who could not bond with a Makaizer.

Emi wasn't exactly a special person, she had no magical abilities to boast of other than the Trace technique that allowed her to understand the design and material of anything she wanted to make or repair, a basic skill for anyone who wanted to be a craftsman. She loved her skill though and was a genius at crafting and modifications for Golems. Unfortunately her fat, pigheaded boss would take the credit for her handiwork. The greedy prick would barely give her enough food so she wouldn't die of starvation. Because Emi was a war orphan no one would believe her if she reported him for mistreatment, he was just too good at lying and had the coin to avoid repercussions.

Despite no family Emi did have some friends thankfully to help her get through the pain. The blacksmith in town, Seth, cared for her like a loving uncle, even punching her boss when she got a bruise on her face, though he had to pay restitution due to Seth having a lower status than Emi's boss. Her other friend was Ramírez, a high-level adventurer she had known from childhood before the Strayer attack. He'd always visit her when he wasn't off on a quest or come by to repair his treasured guns. The problem was he wasn't very bright so when he would visit Emi, her boss would clean her up and make her pretend everything was okay to avoid being shot at.

"You stupid girl! How dare steal one of my meat buns!" Her boss yelled then struck her face. His greasy palms touching her skin was bad enough but the impact sent her flying to the ground.

"I don't give a crap if you're hungry you had your bread and water, even gave you an apple 'cause I'm so generous. Finish the order for that new arm. Customer will be here soon."

Emi held her face in her dirty hand, her cheek throbbing in pain. She was lucky her boss was so dumb that he wouldn't have noticed if she snuck out, she already finished the order earlier, she just wanted to see Seth for comfort.

Although he did not make parts for Golems he still made weapons and armor for adventurers and earned a decent living with it. Emi snuck in through the back and saw him pounding on another piece of equipment. Seth turned around and saw Emi. He smiled and patted her on the head like he normally did, but he started to notice Emi winched in pain. Recognizing that look from anywhere he's seen one too many times from her.

"Raise your head," he told her. She almost refused at first, but did it anyway out of respect for him. The rage in his eyes when he saw the bruises on Emi's cheek, and her neck and collarbone bone made him want to walk over to the rack of weapons lined up in the shop and pick up one of the battle axes to bash the pig's head with.

"That disgusting fat warthog, this time I'm really going to kill him!"

"Don't" Emi said. "He's not going to change anytime soon. And I don't want you to be thrown in a cell for my sake." Seth would cry if he didn't think he would embarrass himself in front of her. Emi was such a nice girl, that she cared more about him than herself.

"I don't get why you put up with it. You don't deserve any of this."

"I'm a poor war orphan with no class, money, and being a weak level F. Who's going to take my side against someone who's got a decent reputation from being a good liar." She had a point and Seth hated that. However, he had good news for her he'd been waiting all morning to tell.

"Oh, by the way, I have something to tell you. Remember how badly I've been working these months on high-demand orders? Well, guess what I used the money and submitted proof of your work that dirtbag didn't steal yet to Lucas Academy, and guess what they said."

The suspense was killing her.

"They said they would love to have you and give you a scholarship because of your skill. If you go there, you can even study to become the King and Queen's personal Artisan at the Palace like you've wanted. Well, what are you going to say? Are you happy?"

Emi was stunned. 'Her' the Royal Artisan? It would be a dream come true. The fact she would be accepted at all thanks to Seth was a blessing all too well. But he forgot one important detail, one very specific detail.

"We'll what you say kiddo?"

"S.s.seth, I...can't go."

"Huh, why the hell not?"

"I don't have a Makaizer or even a Golem of my own to register with!"