Chapter 1

Bala’s Pov

All I want is to be a hero. It was always my dream as a kid, growing up in a society where going on adventures and making a name for yourself was the norm. Conquering the trials of the so called gods and standing on top of the world, while looking down on everyone else. Having everyone stare at you in awe. When people just utter your name it gives them goosebumps because your name is connected to what a hero should be. To have others look up to you, rely on you, love you. To not have to worry about money, status, power, to have everything a person could ever want. To never be the brunt of someone else's frustration, to be the reason someone trains and wants to live. I want to be a hero.

“You are weak.” my father said looking down at me. I wiped the blood from my face,

“I apologize for sullying the family name,” I responded.

“You are nothing but a disgrace to the Onyx family.” My father said as he walked away.

I stared down at the floor with thoughts of anguish, I was weak. I was not blessed with the great abilities of my family. The Onyx family, the family that had ultimately turned its back on me, was a family hailed to be one of the great families of the 21st century, creating many great adventures, many great hero's, and then there was me, the second son of the Onyx family, weak no great abilities, I was 19 years old and was far weaker than my 15 year old sister. I had no magic, all my other scores were above average for a human, but that means nothing in today's world.

“Bal! Are you okay?” Alice asked.

“Yeah, never better.” I said, smiling with a grimace of pain.

“Geez, your father may be the head of the Onyx family but he can take it easy on you.” she responded in a condemning tone.

“It’s alright, it's my fault for being weak.” I responded quietly.

“Still, he needs to treat you better, anyways are you excited to leave for college?”

“Of course, it’ll be great.” I said lightly.

“Another year, you me, and memory making!” Alice said happily as she helped me up. “I’m going to go home and start packing, will you be okay?”

“I’m all good.” I said smiling at my childhood friend.

Alice has been my friend since we were babies, I swear. Although my father severely disapproves of her because she's half elf. Her mom and my mom were friends in college and kept in touch and we just became friends, unfortunately my mom died a few years ago in a tower. I don’t think she could stop my tyrant of a father though, he has always been kinda cold toward me. I should've died at birth but my mother wouldn’t let that happen and transferred some of her life force to me, that's why I am named “Bala '' meaning small child. But, that's all in the past, I will be leaving for my second year of college, and there I will become stronger.

The next day I was awoken by loud knocks at my door by none other than Alice herself. Ahh, a wake up call from a gorgeous elf girl, I thought to myself as I opened my door.

“So how long were you going to make me wait?” Alice said pouting.

“Sorry, you know i have insomnia so when I sleep, I sleep.” I responded groggily.

“I’ll forgive this time, but now we head out!” She shouted.

“Yeah…” I said half hearted.

We loaded up her car and then we were off, it was a 4 hour drive to the “College of Nowhere”, odd name but it was one of the best in the realm, I only got in because of my hand to hand combat and my intelligence, Alice was a bonafide genius, her magic allows her to manipulate nature.

“So, are you staying in the same apartment?” Alice questioned.

“Yupp, with Art.” I said cheerfully.

“Ahh Art, he is so hot.” My friend responded nearly drooling.

“Yeah… sure” I said slightly sad.

Alice has had a massive crush on Art since our first year of college, which sucks cause I have a massive crush on her. I have for a very long time, unfortunately she does not see me in that way. It’s not like I'm not attractive or anything, it's just abilities, rank, status, all these things have a lot of weight, and my good friend Art has all of them. In fact he is from one of the great families as well, the difference is that he is known as a prodigy, great things are expected from him. This just so happens to also get him to have any lady he wants, even my green haired crush Alice.

4 Hours Later

“We’re finally here!” Alice shouted while parking.

“Finally, my legs were starting to get all cramped.” I responded.

“You’re telling me.” She said while getting her luggage.

“I’ll see you ina few hours yeah?” I questioned.

“Naturally, make sure you bring Art!” She said walking toward her building.
“Wouldn’t dream of not.” I said softly as I waved goodbye.

Ahh, the walk to my building is so peaceful and all the people out make me feel refreshed. I thought to myself as I arrived at the front door. ZZ-709, hopefully my home for another 3 years, my mind said, I unlocked the door and saw the dark haired man standing in the kitchen, he flashed a smile.

“You’re slow Bal.” Art said cheerfully, “I’ve been so bored without my buddy.”

“Don’t blame me, blame Alice’s cautious driving.” I said smiling.

“You are right she drives like my grandma.” he said laughing, “How was your summer man?”

“Oh just usual, mental and physical abuse from my family, oh! They kicked me out and i got my own apartment so that was cool. How about you?” I responded as I unpacked my things.

“Dude, what is your family's problem? I get you supposedly don’t have any magic but your other attributes are just above mine.” he said, raising his voice, he was visibly mad.

“It is what it is.” I responded nonchalantly.

“I guess so, my summer was good, did some tower clearing with my dad and upped my stats, I might even beat you without using my magic.” Art responds kinda smug.

“Hah, we shall see.” I said confidently.

Although I don't possess any magic my other stats are high, the problem is that when everyone can use their magic to gain the upper hand, I cannot, so therefore, I am considered weak. Example, If i was fighting Art seriously I would lose, just for the fact he could freeze me since he's a master of water magic. Very annoying, he is good looking and he’s a genius.

“Do you plan on going to Phoebe’s party tonight?” Art questioned.

` “Yeah, I already promised Alice I'd go, you also have to come.” I responded

“Dude, not cool, you promised I would do too.” Art said harshly.

“Naturally,” I said casually, “We still have a bit of time, wanna spar?”

“I’m going to kick your ass, so yes.” Art said confidently.

We both left our apartment and headed for the practice rings, I honestly wasn't too sure how this match would go, but I am confident in my abilities as a fighter.

“No magic.” Art declared as we stepped into the ring.

“You sure, we got an audience,” I quietly said back. “I’d hate to beat ya infront of all these people.”

“Well, your beloved Alice is here with Phoebe, so.” Art teased back.

I frantically looked around the ring and spotted them and sighed,

“Fine no magic.”

As the automated message rang “Lets go ahead” Art sprinted toward me with a spear in hand, I could predict his motions a few seconds before they would happen. Right shoulder I thought, I dodged left, low sweep, I instantly jumped up, as I landed i was met with a barrage of attacks from Art. Guess I have to use me daggers, I thought, I instantly pulled them out and parried his attacks and went on the offensive. I may not have any magic, but I have been training my speed, I thought as instantly dodged to the right and used the handle of my dagger and struck Arts shoulder. Just like that the system declared me the winner.

“Argh, I thought I had you!” Art yelled.

“You almost did, I just got lucky with my predictions.” I responded.

“I really don’t see how your dad thinks you're weak.” Art said, puzzled.

“I mean in a real fight, everyone will go full strength, which means magic.” I explained.

“Well yeah, but still, i’m sure you could come up with counters.” Art reinforced.

“A normal being just can’t counter magic with themselves alone.” I said while Alice and Phoebe approached.

“You almost had him Art!” Alice practically yelled.

“Almost but not quite, and I was so confident.” Art said back.

“If you could have used magic you would have won for sure.” Alice snorted.

“It wouldn't have been a dominate win though like your thinking.” Art snapped back.

“Pretty sure it would've been.” Phoebe chimed in. “Bal is weak and has no magic.”

I just sat there, taking the brunt off the verbal abuse, Alice always changed in front of Phoebe and Art. She would act like everyone else at Nowhere, everyone besides Art, Which sucked because I was in love with the chick.

“Guess ill head home then, i’m obviously not wanted at the moment.” I quickly said.

“Of course you are.” Alice said cheerfully, “We were just joking.”

“Yeah sure…” I said under my breath.

“You sure like to tease one of your best friends a lot.” Art said forcefully.

“It’s really not like that, I don’t tease him when we’re alone.” Alice defended.

“That kinda makes it worse, like you’re trying to be like everyone else.” Art said back. “Like are afraid of what everyone else will say if you’re too nice?”

“No, not at all!” Alice said a bit louder.

“It seems that way, i’ve never once insulted Bal, and openly say he’s my best friend.” Art retorted.

“It’s honestly okay.” I chimed in.

“Yeah like it's not that big of a deal, I tease Bal, but we still consistently talk, he even helps my study and with schoolwork.” Phoebe added.

“Hmm well if Bal’s okay with it whatever.” Art conceded. “I apologize Alice.”

“Apology accepted.” Alice said smiling.

A Handful of Hours Later

“Is that really what you’re wearing?” I asked Art.

“What's wrong with it?” Art responded slightly panicked.

“Nothing, nothing at all.” I said sarcastically.

“Dick.” Art softly said.

I honestly didn’t want to go to this party, parties consisted off people that all thought they were above everyone else, and of course, I was the epicenter of everyone's scummy remarks. This honestly didn’t help my depression or anxiety, like yes I want to be a verbal punching bag for others with the possibility of being a physical one. That is my dream. On top of that Alice and Phoebe turned into complete and utter villains around strong people. Thankfully Art always had my back.

“Listen man, I think ima just head home.” I told Art.

“What? no way, if I have to go you have to.” Art said forcefully.

“They only want you to go, not me, so I think you’ll be okay.” I responded weakly, “Besides, you’re like one of the most popular people in Nowhere.”

“Yeah so, we were supposed to get drunk together, like a first hurrah.” Art replied cheerfully.

“I’m literally just going to be the verbal punching bag.” I chimed.

“Don’t worry, I got you.” Art reinforced.

“Fine.” I said in a defeated voice.

Art opened the door and entered the Phoebe’s sorority, to be completely honest, I only got in because of Art. We were instantly greeted by a drunk Alice and an even drunker Phoebe. Ah, loud music, intoxicated males and females and the smell of weed, what more could you ask for. Alice quite literally jumped into Art’s arms, man I wish that could've been me, while Phoebe also went in for a hug and I got a high five. Yes.

“Let's get some drinks, man.” Art suggested.

“I’m a coke and rum type of man, ya know, a classy broad.” I said jokingly.

“Psh, just drink a seltzer or something.” Art fired back, “or maybe some jager bombs.”

“Ah , jager never ends well for us.” I reminded him.

“So true.” Art said laughing.

We got our drinks and socialized, played some pong, played some waterfall, usual party stuff. We eventually ended up on the couch talking about some random things that don’t ultimately matter, but hey drunk conversation is the best type of conversation. Until I became the point of conversation.

“Why did you bring it?” Trey asked Art, Ahh Trey, self proclaimed badass of the school, typical Chad.

“Who, is it?” Art asked Trey rather pissed.

“Ya know, Bal.” Trey said back.

“Well Bal is a he, and he happens to be a good friend of mine.” Art said, very pissed.

“If you hangout with trash you'll be trash.” Trey said laughing.

“I mean, he’s got a point.” Alice chimed in.

“Ouch that one hurt kinda,” I responded, “I may be trash but if you guys didn't have magic i’d literally win every fight.”

“But we have magic.” Art said back, “and you don’t.”

“I did beat you in our spar earlier.” I defended myself.

“Yeah, but no magic, I would've mopped the floor with you if we did.” Art said practically shouting.

“Uh, okay, I get it.” I said softly.

“And I only didn't use magic because Alice was there.” Art said in my face, “Who you have been in love with for your whole life, like get it through your head dude, she ain't interested in a guy that is a disgrace to his family.”

“That's more like it, anything to say Alice?” Trey chimed in.

“Actually yes, We are friends when we are in our hometown, here we are not equals, to be honest I only kept talking to you for Art.” Alice said coldly.

“I get it.” I said as I got up and walked away.

As I walked away, I heard nothing but laughing, I could literally feel them pointing at me. This night took a very shitty turn that I didn’t expect. My two best friends instantly turned on me when it benefited them. I guess it could just be drunk words. At Least I hope it's just drunk words. I grabbed my jacket and was going to leave when I saw in the corner of my eye someone carrying a damn near passed out Phoebe up the stairs. In my experience, this usually means one thing. I climbed up the stairs with pure and utter stealth and opened the door, I was instantly filled with malice, rage, I was pissed. This guy was undressing a damn near passed out Phoebe, from what I could tell, she was trying to fight back. I grabbed the guy and threw him up against the wall and hit him with a right hook, he hit the ground, I then proceeded to ram my knee into his face repeatedly. Again, again, again, just kill this scum. My thoughts of helping phoebe quickly went to the back burner, it was just pure rage. I picked him up and pushed him to the balcony, he was right up against the railing, I was about to let him fall until I felt someone touch my shoulder, I turned around and saw a terrified Phoebe. I instantly let go. Then I heard it, a scream from Phoebe as the guy fell from the third floor balcony. I watched in horror and enjoyment as he fell. One part of me was terrified that he fell, he would die. The other half was happy he fell, he was scum, a lowlife, he didn't deserve his life. Phoebe instantly grabbed my hand, we ran, we ran to my apartment building. She was out of breath, scared, tired.

“Are you okay?” I questioned.

“Yeah, thanks to you.” She responded shyly, “Do you think he’s dead?”

“Most likely, he fell from the third floor, he was definitely too drunk to use magic.” I said calmly, “Damn, I just killed someone, I can’t just walk away from this.”

“Yeah.. i’ll do what I can to help you.” She quickly said, “You saved me, no one else came, people even saw him bring me up there.”

“I’m just glad I was able to help.” I said back.

“I doubt Art will be coming home tonight, can I stay at your place.” Phoebe asked in a low shaky voice, “I’m kinda scared to go home.”

“Not a problem.” I responded with a smile.

“But not in the same bed obviously.” Phoebe practically yelled.

“I have a futon in my room, you can have my bed.” I said slightly offended, “I’m not sure if I should be offended or not.”

“Don’t be.” Phoebe said with a smile.