Rumors permeated Centerland City. Five dead fetleens. All of the jutal and ground mages were being searched, but thankfully Bollio had managed to cover up his markings, which were much more prominent than most, a testament to his power.

Chaos had erupted in the street. People believed the attack was an attack on the Sky from the Ground, not the other way around, and tensions grew. The Sky and the Ground fought in the northern streets, where bodies littered the walkways.

Bollio’s work had been halted, his reports earning him no money, as the office had been shut down since it was in the northern sector of the city.

Yesterday, a Water spirit, a yunir, had been murdered. Whether it was Ezekiel or not, Bollio could not tell. The Water had joined the conflicts. People fled the city in droves. And Bollio’s dream was over.

A city where he could make lots of money, and do the job he loved, was in shambles. He had powers, marking him as a threat. His only friend, Valtar, had been taken up in the fighting, and now his status was unknown to him.

All because of one ignorant little boy. Ezekiel.

His hatred still grew. The boy of the Stars. A force of change.

***

For the first time in his life, Zeke felt useful. He was clearing the city of these evil wind spirits, and so far, none had been linked to him, save that yunir he accidentally had killed.

It’s funny how I saw ‘accidentally’ killed, as if that is a normal thing to say.

Though there appeared to be nothing to show he had leveled up, he could tell. All this monster slaying had given him so much experience orbs, and now he was powerful. In fact, he had learned some wind spells.

Magic. Real magic. He was ecstatic. No longer just a dream, a fantasy, he had magic. He cast spells, slayed beasts, and had adventures all day long. And yet something felt wrong. The beasts weren’t supposed to be this intelligent, and the spells took a toll on him, and the adventures involved a lot of unscrupulous men and women.

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Even now, he sat in a room with a man tied up. They were torturing information out of him. Just another fetleen.

The group was a group of humans, who had accepted Zeke into their gang. They were looking to seize power over the city for the jutal.

“Listen you idiot! If you do not tell us where they plan to strike, our little friend over there will gut you, understand?” one of the jutal shrieked at the squirming figure.

He had information about an attack, like how R2D2 had the death star plans. If Zeke had been Darth Vader, he would certainly have tried to get the plans at all costs. That was exactly what he was doing here.

You’re not giving this the solemnity it deserves Ezekiel, a voice spoke in his mind. It had been there after he had started using the magic. It was the only thing that phased him.

He supposed the voice was right, he should act more maturely. But he was in a fricking RPG for goodness' sake! He wasn’t even certain this was real, it could be a dream, VR isekai, anything.

The man wasn’t talking, and Zeke was called over. He drew his dagger; the same one he had taken from the first scuffle, from one of the ones he had knocked unconscious, and he finished the job.

***

Valtar crouched in a shallow alley. He was trying to catch his breath. They had been fighting for so long on this street, fifty-four hours to be exact.

What am I even fighting for in the first place?

Ezekiel expected him to, that’s why, which he did. Just like Ezekiel expected all the jutal women to join his harem, which they did. Valtar’s sister was gone, all he wanted was his life back. And to do that he had to fight.

Ezekiel would win though. From the moment Valtar had met the Boy of the Stars he had known he would change things. And he had. Valtar fought for Ezekiel because he promised freedom, and power. He had risen to the top of the Ground ranks quickly, his natural charisma and overall physique had helped, Valtar could tell he had been a warrior in his world.

How had Valtar ever gotten along with Bollio? He was simply an afterthought to him now, as that boring old life was behind him. Ezekiel would light the path to a brighter future.

With that in mind, Valtar rejoined the fight.