In a world filled with cruelty and endless wars, a child named Neriko was born. Before he could even celebrate his fifth birthday, unknown people came to his home, killed his parents, and took him to an unknown place. This place turned out to be the presidential palace, but little Neriko didn’t understand that yet. There, he was raised, educated, and grew up. However, he was withdrawn and trusted no one. Eventually, a person appeared whom he could confide in—a young teacher named Soly, who began teaching him when he turned 14. At that time, Soly wasn’t much older than him, as adulthood in this world began at 15. She told him many important things, including why he had been honored to live and study in the palace.

But to explain this, we must start from the very beginning.

Neriko entered the classroom, which had a single desk, 25 minutes late as usual. His teacher was asleep at the desk, quietly snoring. He touched her shoulder, but she didn’t wake up. Then he took more drastic measures and said loudly, so loudly that the echo bounced off the walls and even the floor seemed to vibrate:

— Wake up, Soly! I have graced this lesson with my presence!

Soly flinched slightly, quickly stood up, blushed, and apologized before walking to the board.

— Today, I’ll tell you about your unique trait. So, as you know, all wars are fought with the help of people… — she began saying interesting things, but Neriko, perhaps because of his age, was just staring out the window.

It’s spring now. It’s freezing cold out there! he thought.

— …But quantity always defeats quality, which is why the victors in wars are those with larger armies of blessed soldiers… — Soly continued.

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She must have spent the whole night preparing for this lesson. She’s standing here in that turtleneck and those shorts but won’t look me in the eyes. Why? Is she shy? Neriko thought.

— …Blessings are given by gods. There are only five of them, each with their own energy. When a god takes pity on a person, they grant them a portion of their soul’s energy. As a result of the fusion of a human and god’s soul, a blessing is born… — Soly looked directly into Neriko’s eyes, blushing even more but refusing to look away.

Why is she dressed so lightly? It’s cold outside. How can she stand those shorts? And that light! It’s blinding! — The sun at this time of day was indeed dazzling, and the whole classroom was bathed in soft golden light.

— …A blessing is a special ability that can reside in a part of the body or even an organ. You were granted this honor because you possess a particularly rare and valuable blessing… — Soly paced enthusiastically around the classroom. — You have the ability to absorb other people’s blessings.

She paused, breathless, as if expecting applause, but Neriko merely raised an eyebrow, then frowned. Disappointed by his reaction, Soly continued:

— Today, you’ll receive your first blessing. In… — she checked her wristwatch, squinted, and continued: — …five minutes, I’ll take you downstairs…

Neriko stood up so abruptly that Soly stopped talking. He was slender, and the practice of sports and mastery of the rira (a type of sword resembling a katana but with a double-edged blade and pointed tip) had left a mark on his physique. He stood slightly taller than Soly, who was just a young teacher.

— Soly, take me downstairs, — he said kindly but firmly.

Soly understood that he was still a child and that they were, in a way, friends, but she couldn’t disobey.

Five minutes later, Neriko stood outside in a cloak, while Soly was dressed as before. They were waiting for someone. Neriko was about to ask the shivering Soly:

— Who exactly are we waiting for?

— You… you don’t kn-know him, but his name is… — Soly stuttered through chattering teeth, but her shivering stopped when Neriko threw his cloak over her. She blushed deeply to the tips of her ears, wrapped herself tighter in the cloak, and hid her face.

— My name is Kris, young gentleman, — came a velvet, cheerful voice from a man about ten years older than Neriko.

— Run inside since you weren’t smart enough to dress warmer, — Kris said harshly, yanking the cloak off Soly.

Kris was nearly a head taller than Neriko. His hair curled like little arrows, covering one eye, and large round glasses hid his eyes.

Soly ran back into the mansion.

— Come on, young man, — Kris said.

Neriko obediently stepped into the darkening forest.