Two Days Before the Trial
The training courtyard behind the orphanage wasn't meant for actual combat—but today, it felt like a warzone.
A small crowd had gathered, forming a tight ring around two boys. One stood straight, calm, and eerily quiet.
The other? Grinning like a devil, fists glowing faintly with orange light.
> "Come on, Healer-boy. Just one little duel. You scared?"
Rento Vale.
A low-tier elemental brat who'd recently been "adopted" by a noble family. Ever since he awakened a flicker of flame magic, he'd been terrorizing the rest of the orphans like he owned the place.
Arata didn't flinch.
> "No."
"Then fight me."
He said nothing.
Kaito pushed through the crowd, breathing hard. "Yo! What the hell's going on?"
Rento smirked. "Just teaching your little friend here what happens when nobodies act high and mighty."
He tossed a fireball up, let it fizzle in his hand like a toy. "You know the Heirloom Trial's coming. You really think this healer freak is gonna take our one slot?"
Kaito stepped forward. "He doesn't even want—"
"I'll fight," Arata said.
Silence dropped like a guillotine.
Kaito's jaw fell open. "Wait, what?"
Rento cracked his knuckles, delighted. "Oho~ Finally grew a spine, huh?"
He stepped into the circle. "First to hit the ground loses. Don't cry when I roast your robes."
The "Duel" Begins
Rento moved fast.
Arata faster.
But he didn't attack.
He dodged the first flame burst with a single step to the side. Smooth. Silent. Perfectly measured. The crowd murmured, surprised.
Rento frowned. "Lucky."
Second attack—two shots, one aimed low, one mid-chest. Arata weaved between them like he was dancing. Still no counter.
Kaito shouted, "Come on, Tada! Just tap him or something!"
Arata didn't move.
Because he wasn't looking at the flames.
He was looking at Rento's feet.
> Weight shift. Poor footing. He's overcompensating for his right leg. Former fracture? No, burn injury. Muscle memory is broken. Balance weak.
> One tap on the left inner knee would drop him. A follow-up to the temple would end the fight.
> Or a nerve surge to his spine would paralyze him for a week. Maybe two.
But Arata didn't strike.
Not yet.
---
Rento growled, mana flaring. "Stop dodging!"
He lunged forward, channeling his flames into his fist.
Arata exhaled once.
Then raised his hand.
A soft green glow sparked from his fingertips.
> Show them what they expect.
He touched his own chest.
The crowd gasped as his entire body lit up in a soft, golden hue—his aura shimmering like warm honey.
> "Healing Aura," someone whispered. "He's using it… on himself?"
He let Rento's punch land.
It was solid. Brutal. Slammed right into his ribs.
The kind of punch that could've knocked any other orphan into the dirt.
But Arata didn't fall.
The flames fizzled against his skin.
He didn't wince.
He just stared into Rento's shocked face, calm as winter snow.
> "You… healed through it?" Rento whispered, stepping back.
"No," Arata replied.
"I was never hurt."
Then he moved.
One step.
One hand.
His palm touched Rento's chest—just for a second.
And suddenly, Rento collapsed, clutching his ribs, gasping in pain.
Not from damage.
From something worse.
> His nerves. They're misfiring.
Arata turned away, letting the boy writhe.
The crowd parted in stunned silence.
Kaito stared at him like he'd never seen him before.
> "...What was that?"
Arata didn't answer.
He sat in the storeroom again, sleeves rolled up, etching faint runes into a strip of leather.
> Mana signature disruption – test successful.
Nerve Surge: Minimal dosage worked perfectly through skin contact.
He stared at his hands.
> I held back. But only barely.
There was a hunger rising inside him. A craving to move again—not just as a healer, but as something more.
> If I can disable a flame-user with a healer's touch… what else can I do?
Kaito opened the door without knocking.
"Dude."
Arata looked up. Kaito looked... not scared, but shaken.
"You could've hurt him bad. Like, really bad."
"He was asking for it."
"I know. I'm not mad. Just..." Kaito sat down on the floor. "You're not like the others, are you?"
Arata said nothing.
Kaito leaned back. "You're not just a healer. You're something else."
> More than you'll ever know.
Arata finally spoke. "Do you want to pass the trial?"
Kaito blinked. "What?"
"I'll train you. Two days. I'll make sure you survive."
Kaito stared.
Then grinned. "Tada... You're so weird, man. But yeah. Hell yeah."
---
Somewhere Else…
Inside a high tower within the capital, a man in purple robes opened a sealed scroll.
On it: a report.
> Name: Arata Tadano
Age: 12
Clan: Healer
Notes: Unknown origin. No records before age 9.
Recent Activity: Healed a noble child's crushed spine. Outsmarted flame-user in duel. Energy signature irregular.
Recommendation: Monitor.
The man smirked, eyes gleaming with interest.
> "Another crack in the system... How delicious."
[End of Chapter 3]