Paths

When the sun rose it warmly wrapped the plants in a certain garden, and just past it, there was a room with a window that can clearly see the garden. A pale-looking boy glanced at the garden outside, He was dazed at how beautiful the garden was even though he's seen many from his previous world. the boy was Makka he was preparing for his departure to start his new life in a world, that was so similar yet so different and filled with lurking dangers.

BOR-boh! a rumbling sound echoed to the room, makka awkwardly rubbed his stomach. He bid farewell to the room that was filled with warm light coming from the sun, which makes the room appear resplendent.

As he began to walk into the dining room to have his delicious breakfast, someone caught his attention. 3 people seemed eye-catching as they looked at others with contempt, the leader in the middle had a bearing of a king, he has a chubby and tall stature, when he saw someone looking at him he will stare at them as though he was asking a fight. he notices makka then shouted. "Hey what are you looking at!" he puffed his chest up and everyone looked at him walked to makka, as the two kids stood to confront each other, he seems to see the abyss in makka's eyes.

"This kid sure has guts!" butt in the comrade of the leader, the leader's hand seems itchy and wants to scratch it in makka's face as he was about to take action, the door opened! and the atmosphere earlier which was tense, burst like a bubble. "kid you're lucky, I wish you can maintain that attitude when fighting the demons!" Whispered the leader coldly, before he sits back on his chair.

Makka pays it no heed, his stomach seems to sing again, so he sits in his chair and looked through the opened door. when Miss Sophia entered they all stood up and bows their head to pay respect to her. remembering that today's food will be their last. " I congratulate those who will attend the academy, and those who are joining the military should not be discouraged as they said, "a crisis is an opportunity riding the dangerous wind," said Miss Sophia to encourage them.

When they all heard what miss Sophia said these boys couldn't help but tear up a bit, they all have affections, and some not willing to part in the orphanage, but those who will attend the academy does not think too much because they knew they have a better future than others, Makka observed their reactions in the past, he was alone so these people don't have a place in his heart, but this place has deep roots, and he will remember this at the bottom of his heart.

After eating they all stood up and bade farewell to miss Sophia, others who had friendship over the years seemed like a fire that met water. due to the differences in their path to the future, they changed! makka looked at miss Sophia once and smiled. outside of the orphanage, there were carriage waiting and some people who wore a fancy robe and jewels on their necks and arms, while on the other side they wore dark-green uniformed, and had fierce gaze on their eyes.

"I heard there will be rare talents today!" shouted by a man who had a chubby and short stature, their voice echoed reaching to the other side, a soldier who seemed to complain anything stared at the other side and whispered coldly, "Hmph! what use of talent if one can't live." the commander glanced at them and a big grin could be seen on his face.

When makka glanced at the two sides he noticed in the back of them, there are differences in their carriage." This world doesn't have cars! the noble carriage is marvelous it's like a mansion to compare it to the other side is akin to a dignified king to a penniless monk!" he thought

The two sides part their ways, the other goes to the noble, the rest in the military. makka approached the way to the banner that says 'Don't Expect To eat but expect to live!' a soldier moving the banner looked at the newbies, the smile on his face almost reached his ears! "Welcome to our family! those who are fat are my favorite because they can skip breakfast hahaha!" shouted the soldier.

Makka put his hand on his forehead, he can tell there were problems already, as they hop in the carriages, one can see the massive forest, they need to pass this to reach district E. District E is a lower place where poor people lived, compare to district A where most nobles lived. the orphanage is located in the middle of the forest this is where they get their resources so getting delicious food here is rare.

As they go down in the forest, to his side there were the other kids who already formed a team, others are encouraging those who are nervous, one of them is a boy around 14 years old clad in a soldier uniform, "I think they called him Roy he serves in the military for 5 years, whispered makka.

Roy had a plump body and muscles could be seen on his shoulders, as they traveled to the forest Makka started to zone out before Roy even began encouraging others. He was trying to appreciate the beauty of the forest. The animals that ran at the sight of the military force gathered to escort Makka. The flora and fauna growing that show how the soil here allowing them to make the forest more diverse beautiful. The trees that grew strong filled with rigorous energy and strong vitality. then all that is left is the sunset behind all it. These things brought together a peaceful and harmonious feeling.

"Before we get to District E, I will explain about abilities and paths" when makka heard that he snap out of his daze and listened because he found these abilities interesting, sadly he doesn't have any abilities but what are paths? this caught his attention.

When Roy caught their attention he smiled and began explaining, "Abilities are those who hold unique powers for example fire, water, earth, air. these are common abilities, the rare ones are light, darkness, and spirit. as for those legendary, we'll skip that for now because the last person who acquired a legendary ability in the past is over a hundred thousand years from now," said Roy with an all-knowing look, when the kids heard that their eyes carried envious expression, "this world is truly different, and worse I don't have any abilities" makka thought.

"But don't lose hope there are still paths!" when Roy saw their dejected expression, he remembers when he was at their age it's similar back then. when you don't have abilities people make things harder for you!

He then continued to explain, "The path is divided into three which were the path of good, the path of evil, and the unorthodox path. the path of good is warrior, archer, assassin, refiner, and mage. the path of evil is those who grow stronger by wreaking havoc, slaughter, chaos. and the unorthodox path is merchant, builders ( required earth ability ), and others used for entertainment."

then a serious look flashed in his eyes, "Qi is essential to the abilities and paths so we need to persevere to make the qi thicker and stronger." said Roy by the time Roy finished his explanation they arrived at district E. two soldiers glanced at them and ring the bell and then shouted "Eagle Forces are back!" they open the gates that looked like it's on the verge of getting destroyed! they come down from the carriage and observe their surroundings.

Makka did not even know this place in his past life, but "why are the orphanage and the forest is similar to his past life?" he thought that it was strange, then pungent smell danced in the winds making his thoughts disappear, he frowns and looked at his surroundings. the district E is enormous and garbage fills the corner of the street, most kids looked skinny their eyes carrying despair as they beg others for food.

"All of you don't mind them!" said harshly by the soldier harshly his face seems fine at this sight as if he is used to it, the soldier leads them to their barracks, makka felt pity for the kids, he loved seeing the pure look in their eyes. but here it seemed like finding a fish in a muddy lake.

As he followed the soldier to their barracks, he watched the blue skies he knew he needed strength to protect himself at the same time, show his arts to the world to know what true beauty is! but before that, he needs food his stomach wanted to sing again!