Before the Storm: Start of the First Action

Two years later.....

My name is Toma Sorien. I'm fifteen years old, and my goal is simple:

I want to become a warrior.

That’s right—I will become a warrior!

...Warrior...

...Warrior...

“Hey, Toma! Are you even listening to me?! It’s time to go home!”

“Oh—sorry, Arlen, you’re right. It’s already getting dark... This football field feels so quiet and empty at this hour.”

Arlen narrowed his eyes.

“You were monologuing in your head again, weren’t you?”

“What? No way. Why would you say that?”

“Because every time you do, you start muttering weird stuff like that.”

“C’mon, let’s just go home already.”

Walking side by side, the contrast between them was night and day—Toma with his messy blue hair and vivid eyes, and Arlen with his unruly red locks and blazing gaze.

“Still,” Arlen said, “that was a great final game.”

“Yeah,” Toma replied, smiling. “I enjoyed it too.”

“Football really is fun, no doubt about it.”

They walked in silence for a moment.

“Well, this is my stop,” Arlen said, pausing at his driveway. “Don’t forget—my dad’s picking us up for the academy tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.”

“Got it. See you tomorrow!” Toma called back with a wave.

***

A few minutes later...

Toma opened the door to his house as quietly as possible, trying to sneak inside.

“Where were you?!”

“GAH!” He jumped. “Mom, you scared me to death with that ambush!”

Toma’s mother appeared out of nowhere, standing almost as tall as her son. Her silvery hair reflected the warm light of the kitchen.

She crossed her arms. “Where else could you have been?”

“I was playing football!”

“Football, huh?”

"After the match, I stayed behind to talk to Arlen," Toma said to his mother, as he tried to slip past her.

"What is there to talk about so much? You two are together all day at the academy, you can talk plenty there!" Toma's mother sighed, though her stern gaze softened. "Go take a bath, but hurry, because dinner's ready!"

"Thanks, mom!" Toma called out, as he headed toward the kitchen, where Emion had just finished having tea.

Emion, Toma's stepfather, looked up with his usual calm brown eyes. Even seated, he looked imposing because of his broad shoulders, even though he was the gentlest person Toma knew.

Toma’s legs were still aching after the soccer game, so after a hot bath and a warm dinner, he went to bed early.

***

The Next Morning

“Toma, hurry up! Arlen and his dad are waiting outside!”

“I’m coming!” he shouted, stuffing his last notebook into his bag. “Bye, Mom! Bye, Emion! When Nira wakes up, tell her I said goodbye!”

(Nira—Toma’s five-year-old little sister.)

“Bye, sweetie!” Demia called after him.

“Take care!” Emion added.

Outside, a car horn honked.

“Toma, get in!” Arlen waved from the passenger seat.

“Okay, okay!”

“Dad,” Arlen said, grinning, “step on it! We can’t be late!”

“Alright, son,” his father replied. “Let’s go!”

***

At the Academy.

The classroom buzzed with low chatter until the teacher raised her hand for silence.

“Children, I’d like to begin with an important announcement. Now that your first semester at the academy has ended, there’s a special opportunity available. Our most outstanding students will be chosen to take part in a practical program… including real combat training alongside a professional fighter.”

The class immediately erupted.

“A professional mission?!”

“That would be awesome!”

“I’d totally survive that!”

Some simply laughed cheekily. “Heh. Easy win for me.”

“Quiet, all of you,” the teacher said. “Here are the selected students: Arvian Lysell, Arlen Keel, Toma Sorien.”

The room went silent.

“You three have demonstrated exceptional skill. Please see us in the teachers' room after class for details.”

***

Later that day, after the final bell rang, the three boys walked through the courtyard together.

Arlen grinned smugly. “Kind of wild that we’re the ones who got picked,”

“I’m not that surprised,” Toma replied with a small shrug. “We’re clearly stronger than the rest.”

“I agree,” Arvian added.

Arvian, with his sharp blue eyes and striking silver hair, came from the prestigious Lysell Clan—the most powerful noble family in the country.

But despite his background, he’d grown up in the same quiet village as Toma and Arlen.

That afternoon, the trio made their way to the teachers’ room.

Waiting inside were the headmaster and a man in a sleek black suit and dark sunglasses.

“Welcome,” the headmaster began. “As you already know, you’ve been chosen for the academy’s elite practical program. This is an opportunity given only to the top students of each year.”

He turned to Arvian.

“Arvian, you will undergo your practical combat training with the captain of the Ice Squad, Captain Lysell. Your grandfather and I have already made arrangements for you to begin tomorrow.”

Then his gaze shifted.

“Toma, Arlen — you’ll be assigned to Inspector Carter.”

The man in the suit stepped forward and gave them a sharp smile.

“Name’s Carter. Just Carter is fine.”

He gestured to the door.

“I see you’re packed. So let’s get going!”

Outside the academy gates, the three of them were met with a crowd of curious students staring at something.

“Why is everyone just standing around…?” Arlen muttered.

“That would be my car they’re admiring,” Carter said, strolling past them.

Afterward, he tried somehow to disperse the crowd. “Now if everyone could kindly step aside.”

Toma’s eyes went wide.

“Wait. Is that… a limo?!”

“Of course,” Carter smiled. “Just get in.”

They climbed into the luxurious black vehicle. Toma sank into the leather seat, feeling like he was being swallowed whole by luxury. Arlen just stared out the tinted window, mouth half-open.

“But while we’re riding, I want to get to know you both a little better.”

He pointed at Toma.

“You first. Blue-haired boy.”

Toma blinked. “Uh—first of all, this is my natural hair color.”

“Of course it is,” Carter smirked. “Go on.”

“I’m Toma Sorien. I'm fifteen. I want to become a warrior. I like football. I’m from Gorimbol.”

Carter leaned forward, resting his chin on one hand.

“Interesting… What’s your ability?”

“Blue Nova. It’s a Nova-type… but a lot more destructive than the standard kind.”

The inspector’s eyes gleamed with interest.

“Rare powers… I love those.”

He turned to Arlen.

“And you, redhead?”

“Arlen Keel. Fifteen. Also from Gorimbol,” Arlen said confidently. “My ability is fire. I am firepower.”

Carter chuckled. “I see. Very good.”

He leaned back in his seat.

“Well, I guess it’s my turn now. Inspector Carter, twenty-five years old. I like anything spectacular — the flashier, the better. So keep things cool, and keep things exciting.”

He pointed at Toma with a grin.

“Toma, I like your style. Especially that bluish hair of yours. Looks sharp.”

“Uh… thanks?”

“Now, onto business. Here’s your mission. We’re heading to New Hale — third-largest city in the world.”

Both boys straightened up in their seats.

“Our objective is to investigate and, if necessary, eliminate a criminal organization. This is real fieldwork — not a simulation. You’ll be part of a live investigation.”

Arlen lit up.

“Investigating? That sounds awesome!”

Toma, ever the cautious one, narrowed his eyes.

“Wait… who exactly are we investigating? What do we know so far?”

Carter snapped his fingers. “Good question, Toma. I like that you’re sharp.”

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a envelope.

“Lately, New Hale had been experiencing unusually strange demon attacks. Not your usual kind. Normally, demons show up in packs — passing through cities at random, almost like migration.”

The inspector then pulled two photographs out of the envelope.

“But in New Hale, the demons have been appearing one at a time. And right after one is eliminated, another appears shortly after. Consistently.”

The boys leaned in closer.

“That’s not the weirdest part. During multiple attacks, surveillance caught two mysterious figures near the scene. Same time. Same place. Watching the chaos.”

He pointed at the first photo.

“Here’s the first one. Tall, thin face. Black hair. Looks early twenties.”

He moved to the second.

“This one’s taller, with messier brown hair, tied back. Also early twenties.”

“Do we know who they are?” asked Arlen.

“Not a clue. No names, no records. These shots were caught by chance on public cameras. Our goal is to track them, figure out if they’re connected to the attacks… and if they are, stop them.”

Toma nodded.

“Understood.”

“Same here,” said Arlen.

“Good boys,” Carter said, smiling. “That’s all for now. We’ll be arriving soon, so just relax until then.”

Ten minutes later, the limousine slowed to a stop.

The driver turned slightly.

“We’ve arrived.”

Carter stretched his arms.

“Alright, out you go, boys. Time to get to work.”

As the limousine doors opened, Toma and Arlen stepped out into the shadow of a massive skyscraper.

The building loomed above them like a tower from another world, surrounded by other equally enormous structures of glass and steel.

“This is the hotel,” said Inspector Carter, striding toward the entrance. “We’ll be staying here for a while. I’ll give you a tour of the city later, but first, let’s check into our rooms.”

Toma and Arlen followed, both visibly stunned by the scale of everything around them.

Inside, the lobby was a masterpiece of modern luxury. Chandeliers glistened from the ceiling, marble floors stretched endlessly beneath their feet, and a massive fountain gurgled quietly in the center of the room.

They had never seen anything like it.

“Whoa…” Arlen whispered.

“This place is insane…” Toma added.

Carter handled check-in at the front desk like it was routine.

Within minutes, they were inside the elevator, ascending rapidly.

“Fifty-first floor?” Arlen said, wide-eyed.

“Fancy,” Toma muttered.

Once they reached their floor, room keys were handed out.

“Arlen, you’re in 514. Toma, 515. I’ve got 516, right next door,” Carter corrected the boys. “Unpack, rest up, and be ready. We head out in one hour.”

***

Inside his hotel room, Toma placed his bag down and looked around.

The space was sleek and spotless. A massive wall-mounted TV hung across from a plush king-sized bed. The windows offered a stunning view of the glittering skyline of New Hale.

“Wow… everything here is so fancy,” he said, walking over to the bed. “And this bed… it’s actually super soft.”

He flopped down, then sat up again, shaking his head.

“But I’m not here for a vacation,” he reminded himself. “This is a serious mission.”

Toma took a deep breath, staring out the window as the city bustled below.