The low murmur of conversation filled the cozy cafe, the clinking of coffee cups and the hiss of the espresso machine blending into the ambient noise. The air was thick with the smell of roasted beans and warm pastries, offering a rare comfort in a world forever changed.

Near the counter, a small television mounted on the wall flickered to life. The screen buzzed with static for a moment before the image cleared. The news anchor appeared, her face illuminated by the soft glow of the screen, her voice rising above the chatter in the room.

“Decades Ago, a colossal meteor, later called 'The Worldbreaker,' struck the planet with enough force to alter its geography, sending shockwaves that devastated entire continents. Now, we're celebrating the 10th year of our survival.”

A few patrons glanced up at the screen as the woman spoke, some pausing mid-sip to listen. A man at the counter scoffed and muttered something under his breath, but most ignored the broadcast, lost in their own worlds.

The anchor’s face became more solemn as she continued, the background footage switching between shots of reconstruction efforts, memorials, and the bustling streets of the new world.

“For some, it’s a time of remembrance—a moment to honor those we lost. For others, it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come since that day, and how much farther we still need to go. The world may be different now, but the fight for our future continues.”

One of the regulars, an older woman sitting in the corner, shook her head slowly, her hand gripping the edge of her coffee mug as she stared at the screen.

“And yet, amid the celebrations, there are whispers. Whispers of monsters lurking in the wild zones, strange occurrences tied to the meteor’s impact, and the Kajaks—those who orchestrated the destruction of our world—still watching from the shadows.”

The words hung in the air for a moment before the screen cut to more images—soldiers training, families rebuilding, and the harsh realities of the new world. The broadcast faded into background noise as the barista slid a cup of coffee in front of the main character, who barely glanced up, already lost in their own thoughts.

I catch myself absently tapping my fingers on the worn-out wood of the counter, staring at the screen as the message about the Worldbreaker’s aftermath flickers on. Ten years... 

I hear a teenagers voice from the counter. "Hey, Mat, we'd like to order"

I glance up, giving them a quick nod. "Sure thing, just give me a sec," I mutter as I reach for the rag beside me to wipe down the counter.

"So, what do you guys want?" I glance between the two of them, leaning slightly on the counter as I wait for their answer. The usual awkward silence fills the air, but it's nothing new.

"Hey, man, you don't need to act all formal around us! Come on, we're your friends!"

"Ha, sorry, Jin, Kyu... Anyways, what do you guys want?"

"I’ll have an espresso!" The slim, tall guy raises his hand.

"Come on, Kyu, you don’t have to shout every time. And for me Just black coffee is fine"

"A black coffee and an espresso. I'll bring your drinks in a bit should take around 5 minutes. Anyways, I'll be back." I hurry around the café, taking orders left and right, moving swiftly between tables.

And finally, after a few hours, my shift is over.

***

The clock on the wall ticks steadily as I walk through the door to my apartment, kicking off my shoes and letting out a long sigh. A wave of exhaustion hits me all at once, but I shake it off.

Finally, I'm home

I look around the house, checking if anyone is home. The place is eerily quiet, just like usual. I glance at the clock on the wall—it's already getting late. Evan's probably off somewhere, training or doing god-knows-what with his latest mission.

The house feels too big for just me, even though it’s been this way for years. I drag my feet across the hardwood floor, heading to the kitchen, and open the fridge, hoping for something to snack on.

Nothing...

"I guess I should just go to sleep. I still have school tomorrow." I mutter to myself, closing the fridge and heading toward my bedroom.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

I pull the covers up, settling in, and sleep.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZZ

My phone starts to ring, waking me up. Groaning, I glance at the screen. The name "Jin" flashes across it.

I swipe to answer, pressing the phone to my ear. "Hey, man where are you? Class is about to start"

I glance at the time on my phone and my stomach drops. "Oh shit... I'll be there in 10." I quickly end the call and scramble out of bed, throwing on my uniform.

As I pull on my shoes, my mind races with the thought of being late. It’s not like me to cut it this close, but somehow, I’ve lost track of time. Hopefully, I can make it before class starts.

"IM HERE!!" I swing open the classroom door, the sound of my voice echoing off the walls. My eyes immediately land on the professor, who stands at the front of the room, frozen for a split second, then glancing at me with an eyebrow raised.

The room goes quiet for a beat. All eyes turn in my direction. I can feel my face heat up as I stand there, breathless, holding the door open like some kind of delinquent.

"You're late, Mat," the professor says, his tone flat. "For your punishment, explain the three categories of power."

The class falls into a heavy silence, and I can feel every set of eyes on me as I stand at the front, trying to shake off the lingering awkwardness of my entrance. My heart races, but I force myself to stay calm.

"Right... the three categories of power," I mutter, thinking through the words. "Uh, first, we have the Etherborn. They're the strongest—like, top-tier warriors with natural talent and the ability to excel in offense, defense, and strategy. They're the ones who lead battles and usually have high mana."

I glance around, making sure I'm getting it right.

"Next, there's the Balladorn. These guys are more... tactical. They're rangers and gunslingers, able to fight at long range or up close. They're great at analyzing weaknesses and working in teams. They’re not as physically strong as Etherborn, but they’re quick and versatile."

"And then, we have the Vertius. The weakest group. They don't have mana, so they rely purely on determination. These guys are often the first ones in battle, but they're at a disadvantage compared to the other two."

I take a breath, trying to remember any additional details.

"That’s it, I think. Etherborn, Balladorn, Vertius... pretty straightforward," I finish, giving a half-nervous smile.

The professor nods, though his gaze is still stern. "Good, but remember, clarity is important. Now, take your seat and pay attention. We’ll be discussing this further."

I slide into my seat, relieved to have avoided making a bigger fool of myself.

"As I have announced last week," the professor continues, his voice steady, "today will be the evaluation to see which category you belong to."

The room buzzes with murmurs and whispers. I feel a knot tighten in my stomach, the weight of the announcement settling over me like a heavy cloak. Evaluations. I had been dreading this day for weeks. The thought of being ranked, categorized... judged.

"Everyone, line up and follow me" the professor orders

"Now that we're in the training grounds, I want everyone to please listen," the professor’s voice rings out, commanding attention. His tone is sharper here, a clear signal that the real tests are about to begin.

I glance around, the atmosphere heavier than before. The ground beneath my boots feels firmer, the smell of sweat and iron in the air. The sound of weapons clashing and students sparring fills the space, setting my nerves on edge. This place has always felt like a battleground to me—somewhere where only the strongest rise, where your worth is measured in more than just numbers.

"Whatever category you may fall in will decide your future," the professor continues, his eyes sweeping over us. "Now, Once your name has been called please step in the circle"

I feel the weight of his words, a pit forming in my stomach. This isn't just some evaluation. This is the moment that could change everything. My hands tighten into fists as I wait for my name to be called, the buzzing anxiety in my chest not quite making room for anything else.

The professor's words hang in the air for a moment, followed by a wave of applause. Jin’s face lights up as he steps forward, the whispers and excited chatter of the other students filling the space. Etherborn. The highest category. It’s not a surprise, really. Jin’s always been the natural talent, the one who breezes through everything without breaking a sweat.

I watch him, trying to push down the feeling of envy gnawing at me. He deserves it, no doubt. But it’s hard not to wonder if I’ll ever get to stand in his place, bathed in that kind of recognition.

The professor’s gaze shifts back to the group, his voice cutting through the excitement. “Next, Mat.”

My name. It echoes louder than it should in my head, and I feel the eyes of every student on me as I step forward. My palms are suddenly sweaty, and my heart races in my chest. I keep my chin up, though, trying to mask the nerves. No one can know how badly I’m hoping for something, anything to keep me from falling into the lower ranks.

The word hits me like a punch to the gut. Vertius.

The silence that follows is deafening, thick and suffocating. My pulse quickens, and for a brief second, it feels like the world has paused, just for me. I look around at the others, their faces a mixture of confusion, shock, and... pity. I can almost hear the unspoken words in the air. Vertius, the lowest category. The ones without mana, the ones who have to rely on sheer willpower to survive in a world where everything else is so much stronger.

“Sorry, I must have heard that wrong…” The professor’s voice breaks through the haze of my thoughts, but I know better. I heard him loud and clear.

His face remains as stone-cold as ever, showing no sign of sympathy, just a professionalism that feels like a slap. “You heard right.”

I want to say something, to defend myself, to make it clear that I can rise above it, but the words stick in my throat. I don’t belong here. Not in this category. I’ve trained hard, pushed myself beyond my limits, and now this? It’s like all of it was for nothing.

Kyu speaks up, breaking the silence. "Hey, Mat, we're the same!"

I look at him, offering a half-hearted smile. "Cool."

The room erupts with whispers.

"Isn't his brother an Etherborn?"

"Maybe he's adopted, hahahah."

"QUIET!" The professor shouts, his voice sharp. "I will not tolerate any discrimination in my class. If you wish to say something, raise your hand."

For the rest of the evaluation, I stood still, my mind racing. I couldn’t believe that I was a Vertius.