It had been three days since Jon Snow—known throughout the Academy as The Beast—vanished.
Word spread fast.
Rumors turned into gossip, gossip twisted into scandal. Some said he ran away from shame, others believed he was sent on a secret mission by the Royal Council. But among those who knew him best, only sorrow and disbelief lingered.
---
Celia's Laboratory – Morning
The sun filtered through the crystal-stained windows of Celia's lab, casting soft hues of lavender and blue. Celia sat motionless at her desk, the two letters lying open before her. Her normally sharp eyes were dull, her hands shaking slightly as she read Saji's farewell again.
Across from her, Rio stood in silence, fists clenched, lips trembling. The atmosphere was heavy.
Rio:
"He… left us."
Celia (quietly):
"He did it to protect us. I know him well enough to understand that."
Rio:
"Damn it, Jon. You always try to shoulder everything alone."
Rio turned and stormed toward the door, but Celia called out to him.
Celia:
"Don't do anything reckless, Rio."
Rio:
"I won't. But I'll train harder. Strong enough to stand beside him… next time."
---
Kingdom of Beltrum – Royal Palace
News of Saji's disappearance reached the ears of the royal family as well.
Princess Flora sat in her private chamber, the petals of wilting roses at her feet. The letter she wrote to Saji was no longer in her possession—he had taken it. That alone gave her a spark of hope, but her heart ached with silence. He had not answered.
Christina (mocking):
"Still mourning the Beast, little sister?"
Flora glared at her older sister.
Flora:
"He was worth ten of the nobles you surround yourself with."
Christina's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing more and left the room. Flora clutched her chest, whispering softly.
Flora:
"Please be safe, Jon…"
---
Somewhere Far from Beltrum – Wilderness Path
A cold breeze swept across a narrow mountain pass. Cloaked in a dark cape, the lone figure of Jon Snow stood atop a cliff, overlooking a forested valley below. His mask was pulled up to reveal his face, his eyes hard yet contemplative.
His journey had begun.
He had crossed the western border of Beltrum, avoiding patrols and bypassing cities. He left behind everything—his name, his status, his heart.
He traveled not as a student of the Academy, but as a nameless swordsman… and an invisible shinobi.
At his hip hung a sealed scroll, obtained from Celia's lab—a research prototype that allowed temporary stat-boost enchantments using pure mana. She had been developing it for elite soldiers. Now it was his.
But his destination wasn't random.
Saji had heard whispers through informants and rogue messages passed by rogue shinobi remnants: a hidden mercenary guild in the Desolate Expanse, a lawless land where power ruled and only the strong survived. A perfect place for someone like him to disappear—and become stronger.
---
Desolate Expanse – Border Village
The village of Korvax was nothing more than a den of outlaws. No guards. No laws. Just blades, blood, and coin.
Saji entered silently, dressed in his full Anbu gear. His aura was concealed, his steps masked by chakra. No one recognized him. No one dared approach him.
He made his way to the tavern and approached the bartender, a scarred orc woman with one eye and a laugh like thunder.
Saji:
"I'm looking for work."
Bartender:
"Name?"
Saji:
"I don't have one."
She raised an eyebrow, but after seeing the cold determination in his eyes, she shrugged.
Bartender:
"'No Name' it is. Head upstairs. The Guildmaster will see you."
---
Guildhall – Upstairs Chamber
The Guildmaster of the Ebon Fang Mercenaries was a retired assassin named Maeron Vex, a man with a cybernetic eye and a long blade etched with dark runes.
He examined Saji in silence before speaking.
Maeron:
"You don't look like much. But that killing intent of yours… You've seen death. Caused it."
Saji:
"I'm looking to work. Missions, contracts, anything that will make me stronger."
Maeron smirked.
Maeron:
"Power, eh? We've got no ranks here. Only results. Survive your first job, and we'll talk."
He tossed Saji a parchment with a black seal.
> Mission: Exterminate the Crimson Vultures
Target: Bandit Group terrorizing the Northern Routes.
Reward: 400 gold. No survivors.
Maeron:
"Kill them all. No witnesses."
Saji turned and walked out without a word.
The shadows welcomed him.
---
Nightfall – Northern Route Forest
The Crimson Vultures never saw it coming.
One by one, their sentries vanished into silence. Kunai pierced throats. Wires snapped necks. Smoke bombs disoriented the rest before a shadow moved like wind among them.
Within ten minutes, the camp was littered with corpses.
Standing amidst the bloodied clearing, Saji sheathed his blade. His breathing was calm. His eyes—cold.
He was no longer The Beast of the Academy.
He was something more.
A shadow reborn. A sword without a master. A storm preparing to shake the world.