Prologue

  “Oh, so that is what happened.” A man with fair skin, brown hair, and matching eyes mutters, his gaze fixed on the glowing screen of his phone.

  The dim lighting of the karaoke bar highlights the creases in his uniform as he leans against the counter, engrossed in the web novel he is reading.

  “Seriously, Crk? You’re still reading that?” a second man with fluffy bck hair and sharp eyes speaks up as he adjusts his uniform. He stands beside Crk, arms crossed, clearly amused.

  Crk pauses, his thumb hovering over the screen. With a sigh, he turns to the man, narrowing his eyes. “Yeah, Yuuji. What about it?”

  “I just don’t get it,” Yuuji says, shrugging. “You always seem so wrapped up in that story. What’s the big deal?”

  Crk’s expression softens, his tone dropping. “It’s… because the protagonist is everything I am not.”

  Yuuji raises an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Well,” Crk begins, “the protagonist was born into a wealthy family. He’s brave, noble, strong… a real genius with extraordinary talent. And on top of all that, he has the rare magic attribute of time. Even his girlfriend is, like, ridiculously gorgeous.”

  “Ah, I get it,” Yuuji says, nodding slowly. “So, he’s the guy who’s got it all. But… you said you’re nothing like him. How do you rete to someone so different?”

  Crk hesitates for a moment, his gaze falling back to his phone. “It’s not that I rete to him… it’s that I admire him. Even with everything he has, he stays humble. He uses his strength to help people, to make their lives better. He’s kind, selfless… the person I wish I could be.”

  “So basically, he’s like one of those shounen protagonists?” Yuuji teases, a slight smirk is tugging at his lips.

  Crk lets out a soft chuckle, the tension in his shoulders easing. “…Yeah. Pretty much.”

  “Mister Williams, Mister Hinata, I see you’re both hard at work as always.”

  The two men turn around to face the source of the voice. Standing before them is a stout man with neatly combed bck hair, sharp eyes framed by gsses, and an impeccably tailored suit. His presence exudes authority, but his tone carries a faint edge.

  “M-Mister Kanroji!” Crk and Yuuji quickly straightened up, bowing in unison to greet him.

  Kanroji adjusts his gsses, his gaze settling firmly on Crk. “I would like to speak with you alone in my office, Mister Williams.”

  Crk’s heart skips a beat. A lump forms in his throat as thoughts race through his mind—was he in trouble? Had he done something wrong? Or worse… was he about to be fired? Despite the storm brewing inside, he forces himself to maintain a calm and composed expression.

  “Yes, sir,” he replies, his voice steady but tight.

  Yuuji shoots Crk a brief look of concern but says nothing as Kanroji turns and walks away, leaving Crk no choice but to follow.

  ════ ?★? ════

  Kanroji’s office reflects the man himself—immacute and intimidating. The polished oak desk stands at the center of the room, fnked by sleek filing cabinets and a wall-mounted clock that ticks in a quiet rhythm.

  The soft hum of an air conditioner fills the space, its cool air contrasting with Crk’s growing unease. A row of certificates and framed accodes adorns the walls, each serving as a testament to Kanroji’s meticulous nature and high standards.

  Crk sits stiffly in one of the leather chairs opposite Kanroji’s desk, the cushion doing little to ease his tension. His eyes dart briefly to the stack of neatly arranged papers on the desk, wondering if one of them holds his fate.

  Kanroji settles into his chair, intercing his fingers as he leans slightly forward. “Mister Williams, let me get straight to the point. The reason I have called you here is to discuss your performance.”

  Crk gulps audibly, the sound loud in the otherwise quiet room. His palms grow damp as the words sink in.

  Performance.

  The word looms ominously in his mind.

  ‘Is this it?’ he thinks. ‘Am I being let go? Did I mess something up?’ he thought.

  A dozen scenarios py out in his head, each worse than the st. He feels the sting of dread in his chest but forces himself to keep his face calm and unreadable.

  “I… I apolo—” Crk begins, bracing for the worst.

  “I want to promote you,” Kanroji interrupts.

  Crk freezes, his breath caught in his throat. His eyes widen as he processes the words, unsure if he has heard correctly. “Pardon?”

  Kanroji smiles—a rare and surprisingly genuine expression. “I said I want to promote you to General Manager.”

  Crk’s heart soars, the anxiety instantly repced by disbelief and joy. He blinks, struggling to contain the grin threatening to spread across his face.

  “T-Thank you, Mister Kanroji!” he stammers, rising quickly to bow deeply. His voice trembles with gratitude, and his hands clutch the edge of his uniform as if grounding himself in the moment.

  Kanroji nods approvingly. “You will begin your new role tomorrow. Your uniform will be different, befitting your position. Congratutions, Mister Williams. You may go now.”

  Crk bows again, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him. “Thank you again, sir. I will not let you down.”

  As he leaves the office, realizing his promotion finally hits him. He feels pride, relief, and a spark of hope—emotions he has not felt in a long time.

  Crk walks with his head held high for the first time in years.

  ════ ?★? ════

  Crk walks back into the lobby. When Yuuji sees him, he raises an eyebrow, curios.

  “Crk, what happened?” Yuuji asks, tilting his head.

  Crk cannot hold back his grin. “I got promoted!”

  Yuuji’s face lights up. “Really? That’s awesome! Congrats!” Then, with a pyful glint, he adds, “Uh… so, any chance I could get a promotion too?”

  Crk smirks, crossing his arms. “If you want a promotion, you must address me properly. Call me… Williams-sama.”

  Yuuji’s eye twitches as his mouth curls into a strained grin. “Oh, please, great and mighty Williams-sama, bestow upon me the honor of a promotion…” His tone drips with sarcasm, but he makes an exaggerated bow for effect.

  Crk bursts out ughing, clutching his sides. “Y-You should’ve seen your face, Yuuji! Priceless!”

  Yuuji sighs dramatically, though a smile tugs at his lips. “Yeah, yeah, ugh it up. But seriously, congrats on the promotion. That’s a huge deal. You’ll finally be able to help with your parents’ debts, huh?”

  Crk’s ughter fades, and his expression softens. “Yeah… I can finally start easing their burdens.” His voice carries a quiet determination, a mix of relief and hope.

  Yuuji pats him on the shoulder with a warm smile. “They’re lucky to have you, man. Just don’t let the power go to your head, Williams-sama.”

  Crk chuckles, the tension from earlier completely gone. “Don’t worry. I’ll save my tyrant mode for special occasions.”

  ════ ?★? ════

  Crk Williams

  I step out of the karaoke bar.

  After being promoted, it's time to go back to my apartment- the modest apartment my family and I called home for as long as I can remember.

  The peeling paint, creaky floorboards, and countless imperfections no longer bother me. That apartment isn’t just a space—it’s a sanctuary. Every scratch and dent holds a memory: ughter, arguments, birthdays, and quiet moments of reflection.

  -Ding!

  The chime of my phone breaks the stillness. Reaching into my pocket, I gnce at the screen. A familiar notification lights up the dispy, and a small smile tugs at my lips.

  {"A Magician's Path" has been updated!}

  “Ah, it got updated again? That’s fast,” I mutter.

  “Hey, Crk, wait up!”

  I hear Yuuji’s voice, followed by the warmth of his hand slinging around my shoulder. I can’t help but smile.

  Yuuji—my coworker and quickly one of my closest friends. He's always been there for me.

  He peeks at my phone and grins. “Oh, your web novel got an update, huh? Not only did you get promoted, but your favorite story’s keeping you company, too. Talk about a lucky day.”

  “Yeah…” I nod, the grin still lingering.

  “You’ve told me why you like the protagonist so much,” Yuuji says, tilting his head, “but what about the world? The story?”

  I gnce at him, momentarily surprised by his curiosity. “Well… the setting is one of the main reasons I love it. It takes pce in Sylvestria, a fantastical world where magic and modern technology coexist. It’s an escape from the weight of reality.”

  Yuuji seems intrigued. “Go on.”

  I nod, my voice steadying as I expin. “Sylvestria’s history is rich and tragic. It was once a nd dominated by demons, where humanity lived in constant fear, always on the run. That is until Camille Rousseau rose from the ashes of despair.”

  “Camille?” Yuuji prompts.

  “She was a visionary leader who sparked humanity’s rebellion. Against all odds, she led them to fight their oppressors. In the final battle against the Demon Lord Eberos, Camille shattered his staff of power and absorbed the essence of a magic orb, turning the tide of the war and sealing Eberos away.”

  Yuuji’s eyebrows lift. “She sounds badass.”

  “She was,” I agree. “But her legacy didn’t stop there. With her victory, she created Aether, Mana-infused rocks, that became the foundation of magic and technology. Humanity rebuilt itself, blending these elements to create a new world. Five nations emerged, each thriving under Camille’s legacy.”

  “But peace is never permanent,” Yuuji guesses.

  I smile faintly. “Exactly. Star-shaped portals—called Stargates—appeared, bringing alien invaders intent on plundering Sylvestria’s resources. The invaders underestimated humanity, though. With magical weapons and technological ingenuity, Sylvestria repelled them, but the fight wasn’t without cost.”

  Yuuji leans in slightly. “And then?”

  “Even with the invaders gone, the shadows of the past linger. The remnants of demonic forces, the Umbrascourge, are still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike. And the unpredictable Stargates keep Sylvestria on edge, forcing them to innovate constantly, pushing the limits of magic and science to maintain peace.”

  Yuuji whistles softly. “That’s… a lot.”

  I nod. “The story begins with a protagonist who’s the opposite of me. Born into wealth, privilege, and a powerful magical lineage, he’s everything I’m not. Yet, he’s humble, kind, and selfless—a beacon of hope in a world constantly teetering on the edge.”

  “And he’s at some fancy academy, right?”

  “Yeah,” I say. “Verdant Arcanum, the most prestigious academy in Verdant Haven. He’s training to become a Combat Magician and Stargate Raider, ready to face Sylvestria’s many threats.”

  I exhale, gncing at Yuuji. “That’s pretty much everything.”

  Yuuji smirks. “Man, no wonder you’re hooked. That’s one hell of a story.”

  I smile, the weight of the day feeling a little lighter. “Yeah… it is.”

  -BEEP!

  My heart jolts, and I whip my head toward the source of the noise.

  On the sidewalk, a high schooler with jet-bck hair stands frozen, wide-eyed, and trembling like a deer caught in headlights. His fear-stricken gaze locks onto the speeding car barreling toward him, and his body remains paralyzed as if rooted to the ground.

  For some reason, my legs move on their own, driven by something primal and overwhelming. Instinct? Desperation? Or perhaps just the unyielding force of human compassion? I don’t know. I only know one thing: I have to reach him.

  “Hey! Watch out!” I shout.

  “Crk!” Yuuji’s voice cuts through the chaos, distant and panicked, but I don’t stop. I can’t stop.

  The boy’s head snaps toward me, and for a fleeting moment, our eyes meet. His are strikingly blue, filled with confusion and terror. Time seems to stretch, every heartbeat pounding like a drum in my chest. The world narrows, blurring until all that remains is this single moment.

  I push harder, my muscles burning, my lungs screaming for air. With one final, desperate burst of speed, I reach him and shove him out of the car’s path.

  Then—impact.

  “GUH!”

  Pain explodes through my body, a tidal wave that consumes every nerve. I’m thrown into the air like a ragdoll, weightless and helpless. The world spins violently, a kaleidoscope of light and shadow until I crash.

  The impact rattles every bone in my body, and the breath is stolen from my lungs. The sharp, metallic tang of blood fills my mouth, mingling with saliva, bitter and unrelenting.

  So, this is it, huh? I saved him… but at what cost?

  The edges of my vision blur and darkness creeps in like a suffocating fog. The world around me dims, and the sounds of the street fade into muffled echoes. Memories surge, vivid and unrelenting—a rapid montage of my life fshing before my eyes.

  I see the countless nights spent working te, the weight of my family’s hopes pressing down on me. I see my parents’ tired faces, the strain etched into their features as they struggle to make ends meet. The promises I made resurface: to lift us out of debt, to give them a better life. Each memory cuts deeper, a dagger of regret.

  I wasted my life…I failed them. I couldn’t even… help my parents.

  “Crk!”

  Through the haze, I hear Yuuji’s frantic and desperate voice. My blurry vision catches a figure running toward me, dropping to his knees beside me. His hands cradle my trembling face.

  “Crk, stay with me!” he pleads, his voice breaking.

  With what little strength I have left, I weakly reach up, my fingers brushing against his hands.

  “Yuuji…” My voice is barely a whisper. “I… I wasted my life. I couldn’t… help my parents. I couldn’t make things better for them.”

  Tears stream down Yuuji’s face as he grips my hand tightly. “No, you didn’t! Don’t you dare say that!” His voice is firm, but there’s a crack of raw emotion beneath it. “You’ve always done your best. You’ve worked yourself to the bone for them. You think that doesn’t matter? You think your parents didn’t see that? They love you, Crk, and they’re proud of you!”

  I try to speak, but the pain makes it impossible.

  “You’re not a failure!” Yuuji continues, his voice rising, desperate to reach me. “You’re the kindest, most hardworking person I know. You’ve always put others first, even when it hurts you. That’s not wasting your life—that’s what it means to live with purpose!”

  His words cling to me, a lifeline in the growing darkness. But it’s too te. The shadows pull at the edges of my vision, consuming the world around me.

  “Crk! Don’t you dare give up! Stay with me!” Yuuji’s voice grows faint and distant as if carried away by the wind.

  A small, fleeting smile crosses my lips. Maybe I didn’t waste everything after all…

  And then, the darkness takes me.