Present

Ark's eyes sparkled with wonder as he wandered through the bustling town streets. Colorful stalls lined the cobblestone road, each vendor calling out in cheerful voices. He stopped at one stand where the scent of roasted corn made his mouth water.

"Fried corn! Hot and crispy fried corn!" the vendor shouted. 

With a cheerful exchange of coins, Ark grabbed the stick and bit it. He smiled as the salty smoky taste spread across his tongue. He munched happily, thinking, "This town's food... it's seriously awesome!”

Moving along, he watched groups of children-about his age, playing games in groups. They played tag with wooden sticks, pretending to be knights and monsters. Ark paused, tilting his head with a conflicted expression.

I may look like a four-year-old, but mentally I'm around twenty-one. I shouldn't bother with these games. I'd defeat them too easily anyway.

Yet curiosity won out. Before long, he found himself pulled into their games, swinging a stick sword with the others. To his surprise, his small body didn't keep up the way he expected. Within minutes, he was tripped, tagged, and beaten in their mock battles again and again.

"Aghhh! Why?! How can I lose to a bunch of kids playing pretend?!" Ark shouted, throwing his stick down in defeat. He slumped onto the ground, sulking. This is so humiliating. I'm supposed to be the reincarnated one here, and yet I lost to children playing knights. Ugh.

With a huff, he excused himself and trudged off. His frustration disappeared, however, the moment he stepped into a bakery. The sweet aroma of fresh bread and pastries wrapped around him like a warm blanket. Without hesitation, he bought a golden, flaky pastry and took a bite.

"Woooahh!" His face lit up instantly. "This town's food really feels like heaven.”

But then, something caught his eye. Sitting lazily near the bakery's corner was a sleek black cat. Its fur shimmered faintly in the sunlight, but what struck Ark most were its eyes-a mysterious shade of glowing purple.

Ark gasped. "A black cat with purple eyes?! That's so cool!" His excitement surged. He crouched slightly and reached out. "Come here, kitty. I want to pet you.”

The cat blinked once, then turned on its paws and bolted.

"Wait! Don't run!" Ark yelled, springing after it.

He chased the black cat through crowded streets, nearly crashing into shoppers.

"Sorry! So sorry!" he shouted over and over, bowing quickly as he ran. The cat leapt gracefully onto a stack of crates, then bounded up to the roof of a small house.

There it stopped briefly, turning its strange eyes toward Ark with a look that almost seemed... challenging.

Ark narrowed his eyes. "Oh, I see. You're provoking me. Fine then!" He clenched his fists, thinking I've read every one of Mom's beginner magic books. I might not know attack spells, but I do remember a useful detection spell.

Ark closed his eyes, calmed his breathing, and focused. He whispered softly, sending faint waves of energy outward from him.

“ … Scan”

He immediately recognized the feeling. He smiled as he opened his eyes. "I found you!”

The cat had indeed headed into a nearby dark, empty street. By the time he got there, Ark was panting heavily. The cat stood in the gloom, its glowing eyes watching him silently.

"I finally... caught up to you..." Ark wheezed, bent over and holding his knees.

However, the cat raised its tail and ran away once more as soon as their eyes met.

"W-wait! Please stop, buddy! I'm totally exhausted!" Ark shouted, stumbling forward. Yet his tired feet still chased after the mysterious black cat.

Ark's small legs were running as fast as they could as he followed the black cat through the winding streets. The cat's glowing purple eyes met his as it darted up a long flight of stone stairs, stopping only long enough to gaze at him. Ark heaved his chest and froze.

However, a weak, trembling voice called out before he could run once more. "Young boy... Please, help me.”

Ark turned. An elderly man sat halfway up the stairs, hunched over, his wrinkled hands resting against a large, stuffed bag. The man's eyes were dim with fatigue, his breathing shallow.

Ark took another look at the cat. It remained on the top step, silently observing him as though to test his decision.

Ark let out a sigh. Why now? It's obvious that cats are different. However... His fists clenched. “Ugh, I'm a good person, right? I can't just ignore this old man.”

He is going towards, crouching. "What can I do for you, Grandpa?”

The old man gave a weak smile. "Please... could you carry this heavy bag for me? Just until I get home."

Ark nodded firmly. "Yes, I'll do it!”

His eyes grew wide as soon as he lifted the bag. "W-what the... it's heavy!" He clutched the load to his chest and struggled forward, though his little arms were shaking.

The old man began walking slowly, leading Ark away from the stairs. At first, Ark thought they'd return to the main street, but instead, the old man guided him into narrower, darker alleys. Shadows clung to the crumbling stone walls, and the cheerful sounds of the market vanished.

Ark thought. ‘Why are we going this way? The main street's much easier.’

Soon, they reached a district Ark had never seen before. He froze when he saw the scenario of this district.

The narrow street opened into a place Ark wished he had never seen. All around him, beastfolk lived in chains-fur matted, skin bruised, and bodies trembling with exhaustion. The air reeked of filth and hopelessness. Children with animal ears tugged at strangers' clothes, begging desperately for food, their hollow eyes filled with tears. Guards leaned against walls, laughing cruelly as if the suffering were entertainment. Everywhere the Ark looked, there was misery. The entire scene was horrifying, a dark stain hidden within the bustling city's heart.

Ark's entire body stiffened. "This... this is slavery...?" His lips trembled as he whispered.

The old man turned his head slightly. His expression was calm, almost cold. "Beast humans are considered the lowest of the low. They were born without magic, without blessing. Both gods and demon lords alike deemed them useless. Humans and demons treat them as nothing more than tools-playthings for entertainment or experiments.”

Ark's hands clenched around the bag. His throat felt dry. How cruel... I thought humans in this world were different... but they're just as merciless. Even worse... Не squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to keep walking.

The old man said nothing further, and they continued in silence.

At last, they reached the end of the road. A small, crooked wooden house stood alone, worn with age but still standing firm. The old man stopped in front of it.

"Thank you, boy," he said softly.

Ark carefully lowered the heavy bag, wiping sweat from his forehead. "It's okay, Grandpa. I'm glad I could help."

The old man opened the bag and took out a small, ornate suitcase. He handed it to Ark with trembling hands.

"In here are three advanced magic books," the man said, his voice steady now. "They contain knowledge I can no longer use... but you are young. I can see your heart is kind. These books belong to you now."

Ark's eyes widened. "R-really?! You're giving me something so precious?”

The old  man smiled faintly. "Yes. Knowledge is wasted if we don't use it, but in the hands of someone like you... perhaps it will change something."

Ark hugged the suitcase tightly, his face lighting up with joy. "Thank you, Grandpa! Thank you so much! I'll treasure this forever!”

He bowed quickly, then turned and dashed back toward the guild building, his small figure disappearing down the dark street.

The old man stood silently, watching him go. A moment later, the black cat padded up, leaping gracefully onto his shoulder. Its glowing purple eyes gleamed under the dim light.

The old man stroked the cat gently. A mysterious smile touched his lips. "Let's enjoy the upcoming future possibilities.”

The air shimmered, glitch-like distortions rippling around him. And then, in an instant, both the old man and the black cat vanished-erased as if they had never been there.

Scenario change to guild leader office. 

The silence was broken first by Karl's worried voice.  "Guild leader... What happened? Is there some problem regarding Ark?”

The guild leader leaned back in his chair, his expression grave. "Karl, the crystal your son touched turned black. That is no ordinary result. A black crystal is considered mythic... Some even say it's impossible. It signifies no limit in mana."

Karl's eyes widened, his breath catching. "No limits...?”

"Yes," the guild leader continued slowly.

"All humans are born with limits. Once their mana is drained, exhaustion sets in. But the Ark's crystal means there is no limit. Yet, there is danger. Unlimited mana users, when casting destructive or high-level magic, face a terrifying risk-their own lives may burn away under the power they unleash. It is a double-edged gift. Be very careful with your son."

Karl's face tightened, worrying shadowing his features. His thoughts swirled with fear for Ark's future.

Sensing the heavy mood, Joseph chuckled and placed a hand on Karl's shoulder. "Don't let it weigh you down, my friend. Ark is a smart boy. He won't throw his life away so easily.”

The guild leader softened his tone, offering a small smile. "Karl, instead of fear, take pride. With this gift, Ark has the potential to become a top-class mage of this nation. The black crystal is not only a danger-it's proof of greatness."

Karl exhaled slowly, still uneasy but calmer than before. He stood, Joseph rising beside him. Both men bowed respectfully before leaving the office.

The warm light of the hallway was almost a relief as the heavy door closed behind them. In an attempt to defuse the tension, Joseph started by telling a story about one of his crazy exploits, in which he managed to escape a wyvern's nest using only luck and a broken sword. Even though Karl's expression was still worried, a slight smile tugged at his lips as his laughter echoed down the hallway.

For now, the burden of Ark's future could wait.