"I don't understand! How did you dodge it?!" a disturbed voice rang from the rooftops above. I met his gaze with a smirk.

He stared down at me with a hint of disgust on his face "Tell me!"

"If I did that would make it way less fun, and that's why you're here isn't it?"

He looked very surprised at the fact I knew why he was here and jumped down from the rooftops, still landing with a strange kind of grace.

"I said tell me!" His eye began twitching as he said that and a small purple light began to emit from his body.

At this point people from all around were watching in awe at the scene playing out in front of them, most were panicked, or currently running for guards, which was a win-win for me.

"You really want to know? It might cost you big time." I waited for his reaction, at this point I'd gotten a pretty good read on him, I know what he wants now, he's like a child.

"I'll do anything at this point I just need to know!" He said that with the temper of a child, perfect.

"I was sent to punish you by the gods, so, I know everything you were about to do, and I wouldn't try anything further, if you want your life, than leave." In that moment I spoke with as much charisma and persuasion I could muster, hopefully, my bluff would pay off.

The man backed off a little, he was clearly intimidated, after a little hesitation he turned and ran.

After that I got asked a bunch of questions by those who gathered around but I had very little to answer

"sir what happened?"

"That guy ran away from me."

"Mister, was that a bad guy?"

"Yes now leave me alone kid."

I probably could've been a little nicer, and I probably would have if it weren't for the fact I was almost running late for one of the most important events for my future life, if I was late I don't know how I would handle that. I have no time to lose! I dashed through the bustling streets and tight alleyways sprinting as hard as my legs could take me, and finally, after literally dying once and having to weave through crowds of people, I finally made it. I took a sigh of relief as I realized that I wasn't late at all, I was actually early, I completely forgot that I left early for this very reason, I could have taken a nice stroll like I intended to on this day but I got so caught up it made me lose track of that.

I walked into the beautifully designed ceremony hall which at this point, was pretty much empty except for a few people there earlier than me, I found my assigned seat, and let myself rest a little.

I wonder why dying didn't affect me as much as it probably should have. If you think of the average person any sudden death is the definition of trauma inducing, if everyone somehow started not dying there would be a lot more depressed or insane people out there. But, I wasn't really affected by it, and I'm still not, even to myself it sounds like an improbable circumstance, I've always been like that since I hit age 10, anytime anything "Traumatic," would happen to me I would just brush it off, It could effect me deeply in the moment, but afterwards it was like I became impervious to emotional or mental damage. I wonder how much of a blessing or a curse it truly is.

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"Hey." The thick monotone voice came out of nowhere, making me realize how much I've actually been reflecting lately, and by lately I mean in the past 3 hours, but yes, lately.

I looked up to see the unmistakable physique of my friend Ozawa, although he's the same age as me, he looks like he's been sculpted to be the perfect embodiment of manliness and strength, well it makes sense considering he told me his true name is literally "Strength," makes sense in every way. Come to think of it, he doesn't really seem like he enjoys being around me all that much, when I asked him about that a long time ago he said it was because he saw "potential," in me. I guess if a guy who's fate is to literally be strong tells me that I have potential I'll just count that as a win and not question much else. He's a nice guy though, he's like an older brother, although we're the same age, but regardless, an older brother.

Ozawa sat down next to me, making the ground shake a little due to his sheer size. Ever since he heard I was training to become a city guard Ozawa did as well, and although I felt pretty confident in myself at the time, it's no question I and pretty much everyone who wanted to become a city guard would get left in the shadow of his strength and durability. He's not all perfect though, speed and wit are two things he's lacking in quite a bit.

"Anything interesting happening lately?" I asked Ozawa, although he wasn't one to banter much or joke around he did for some reason enjoy mundane conversations like these, it makes him feel valued as a person.

"I found a lizard on my bed when I woke up, at first it scared me, and then I scared it and it climbed out my window." Ozawa looked very proud in that statement

"That's actually a lot more interesting than I thought I'd get... cool." After that we stopped talking, but it was fine with me and him, it's something we've grown to do a lot, it's not awkward silence if it's awkward when it's not silent, or that's how I see it anyway.

At this point a considerable amount of time had past and pretty much all students going through the ceremony were here and there were a lot of spectators. I wouldn't be surprised if every person in any blood relation to a student came to watch, the ratio between students and audience members was practically 1 student for every 6 people spectating.

Large black curtains with a golden trim began to swing side to side a little and then gently floated to the sides revealing the stage for the ceremony in it's entirety. A man wearing a very high status noble vest with medallions making the top right of his chest resemble that of a pile of gold and silver stepped forward and reached his hand out toward the audience. A voice pierced the air and minds of all those in the crowded hall, "Welcome everyone to the grand selection ceremony that is held every year for all students who have reached the passing age of 17. With all formalities aside we will have all students step up on stage for the ceremony to begin."

The moment I stand up a single phrase is uttered into my mind in my own voice, 'save point set,' wispy tendrils begin emanating from my body and a sharp pain surges through the back of my head and down to my ankles. The pain subsides very quickly this time but it has a lasting shock that makes me feel a little dizzy. I try to keep my composure and start walking, I was questioning at first how no one noticed the tendrils but it seems everyone had their attention on the host and they dispersed into the air.

Wait... that sharp pain was similar to the one I felt in my bed, if apparently I just set a "save point," then that means that was what happened when I was in my bed could have been a "save point," which is where I would go when I die, or at least I hope, I don't want to try anything crazy yet.

The longer I walked the more my dizziness subsided which I was very grateful for, finally, I make it up on stage and join the line of people to select their job. The excitement inside me boils to the surface making me have no choice but to grin.

I catch myself in my giddiness, this is what I was talking about earlier, I panicked at first but I just forgot about something that may have well shown people something suspicious, anything magical is prohibited except for use by the host or guards on the inside. I really do just shrug off important events or nerve racking ones, well, it can't really be helped, I'll just keep going along with the-

A sudden crash reverberates through the room, all attention is drawn towards the new giant hole in the left wall of the ceremony hall. A figure steps into the hall from the hole in the wall, revealing a small boy holding a teddy bear and glowing with a fiery white light.

A voice echo's through the now silent hall, "I want my friend back!"