Varian felt the tearing pain from within. The broken bones, torn muscles, ruptured vessels didn't stop him from standing back up.

Charles turned around and raised an eyebrow. Sarah and the crowd were surprised.

"I" Varian felt the burning pain from his throat as he struggled to speak "I-I-wi-ll ta-ke your th-ron-e."

The crowd was eerily silent as they listened to the most preposterous declaration.

First position was also referred as Throne. There was no sharing a throne. So Varian essentially said he'd defeat Charles.

Charles was already a third year. So if Varian really meant what he was saying, he would defeat Charles within a year before his graduation.

The students previously admired Varian's courage to resist Charles. But now his words only aroused disdain.

Even Sarah turned silent.

Charles was the indubitable first. He was the strongest. Most talented. Most resourceful. Many Level 9s and even a few Sovereigns said on various occasions that he'd be the youngest Sovereign.

He was a Level 4 when he joined. By the end of second year, he was in level 6. Most anticipate he'd break into Level 7 in at most two years.

He'd only be 22 and a Level 7. Perhaps the youngest high leveller in history.

'He is hopeless.' Everyone thought as they looked at Varian.

Charles looked at Varian, then at Sarah, and shook his head. His figure blurred as he appeared 50 meters away, and in a few seconds, he disappeared.

Only his voice remained, "I hope everyone knows better than to associate with someone who challenges the Xanders."

Everyone in the crowd, including professors, shivered.

It was one thing about Charles. It was a different matter if the Xander Family got involved.

Xander Family were the uncrowned rulers of earth. Julius Xander was one of the youngest Sovereigns. Many in this generation believe he would surpass the Sovereign and reach a higher state. There were even cults who believe he'd be the saviour of humanity.

It was not wrong to say that Julius Xander might as well be the most important human alive.

Once Xander family was brought up, the issue turned from Charles Xander's issue to Xander's prestige.

The students hurriedly left. No one was going to risk their career by associating with Varian.

The professors, who initially wanted to secretly help Varian, also gave up their plans.

Sarah looked at Varian and shook her head. She left in silence.

Even the boy with broken knees crawled away quickly with his awakener powers.

In a minute, only Varian was left standing in the vast field.

He ordered his comm, "Ask for medical support."

[Your fight is a private one. You need to pay for your treatment. Currently, your mp is 0.]

Varian read the message and laughed.

Dragging his broken body, he entered the dormitory.

The doors to his room opened, and there was no one inside. His roommates apparently evacuated for obvious reasons.

'Thank you, I can have all this for myself.'

Varian entered the washroom and took a shower. His luggage was arranged by a bot long ago.

He took out the medical box and applied basic treatment to his wounds. Even though not as immediate, it was better than nothing.

Adding to that, he was a level 2 Body Awakener. He'd heal in a few hours.

Varian closed the windows with a command and took a deep breath.

He slumped on the bed and recalled today's events.

It was really the worst day to start academy. Before he could sleep, a notification sounded on his comm.

[You are penalized 20 merit points for your aggressive behavior. Every extra day, one merit point is added.]

"That's exactly what I needed to hear." Varian cursed and put his comm on silent.

He glanced at the ceiling and tried to cheer himself up.

He was ostracized on his first day. Despite his optimism, he had to accept that he'd be isolated by both students and professors.

He was all by himself again.

Varian smiled at himself. Maybe he was a bit crazy, but he regretted nothing.

If he knelt down and apologized, things wouldn't have gotten so far. But if he did that, then the Varian he knew would cease to exist.

His belief in himself crumbled that night. He still dreamt of that night sometimes. He never forgot how he froze under fear and failed to save her.

That was why he gave up trying.

Even now, despite growing stronger, there were instances when he just wanted to quit everything and go back to his darkness.

To be alone again. To never try anything again. To convince himself that he could never do anything great. That his dreams were merely dreams.

Varian had all those thoughts. But… something inside him kept him going.

He initially thought it was his mother's final words. But now he could say that a large part of it was also his own desire to live a life again.

Her words gave the push he needed.

He wanted to believe in himself again. That maybe all his dreams weren't just his delusions.

Perhaps all the years he spent training were going to be worth it. Perhaps he would become someone he could be proud of.

Maybe he could become a saviour. Maybe bring peace. Maybe.

But Varian was always only one step from sinking into depression. What kept him afloat was the constant progress and victories.

If he failed once, he feared he'd go back again and this time, nothing could pull him out.

'I must stay strong.' Varian cheered himself.

'I have come a long way. I don't want to lay in the couch wishing everything was a lie and hoping all my problems would be solved by a miracle.' Varian's breathing turned heavy.

He felt a lump in his throat. He recalled the absolute despair and loneliness he felt.

'I believe in myself. I won't fail again. I won't… I won't freeze when someone I want to protect is under danger...I...' Varian slowly fell asleep.

An unknown time later, Varian found himself awake. Everything was dark. He tried to open his eyes. He struggled to move his body.

It was as if there were chains binding him.

"Ha!" Varian finally managed to open his eyes.

He found himself in a familiar hallway. It was the hallway of his elementary school.

A couple of kids were surrounding someone.

"Hey!" Varian looked in astonishment as a kid passed 'through' him.

He looked at himself and realized he was transparent.

"You loser."

"You are the bottom of our class."

"You spend all day in gym, and you're late for class every day."

Somehow, those taunts sounded familiar.

Varian walked to the kids surrounding someone, and his eyes widened.

He saw his younger self at the age of 13. He was beaten and bruised.

There were around 5 kids his age with varying wounds, but they teamed up and cursed him. It seemed they had a falling out.

"Hurry up and drop out. You are a nuisance."

"It's not like you'd be anything great. Or be like your dad, join military and die."

"Hahaha."

"Smack!"

The young Varian decked at the kid's chin and knocked him out.

His young, immature voice was full of rage "Don't insult my dad."

The scene got ugly and turned into a brawl. Young Varian, despite his stronger body, took the most beating. However, all his opponents were knocked out.

"Monster."

"You delinquent"

"Only fighting all day."

The kids watching the fight ran away, spewing the curses.

Young Varian didn't bother them. They didn't curse his dad.

He walked out of the school building and sat under a tree. He gazed at every kid his age playing with their friends, chatting and laughing happily.

Only he had no one. He curled himself up and his eyes turned red.

'I only remember this vaguely but… today I'm in the same position. Guess I'm destined to be alone.' Varian followed the young Varian out and shook his head.

Young Varian muttered, "I'll be alone…."

Then a warmth enveloped him as he felt someone hug him from behind.

"I'll never leave you alone." she said.

Young Varian turned around.

Her long brown hair touched his neck, and her golden eyes stared into his.

Varian and Young Varian both said at the same time.

"Sia!"