Golden: Prodigy and Omen

Chapter 1: Turning the Page

"Good morning, Uncle Dew! Where's Beau?" greeted Hebrew, a young lion-type beastman with fiery red hair and sun-kissed brown skin. He found Dew in the garden, expertly manipulating water to nurture the various flora around him.

"Good morning, Hebrew! If he's not in his room, he's probably in the storage room again," replied Dew, his weathered face breaking into a warm smile.

Excitement bubbled within Hebrew as he entered his friend's house, navigating the familiar space until he reached Beau's room, only to find it deserted. He headed into the storage room and discovered Beau deeply engrossed in tinkering with an array of items.

"Beau, what time is it! Let's go! I can't wait any longer!" Hebrew exclaimed, as they planned to go in the center.

"Just a moment. I will just list the things I need to buy so I won't forget anything," replied Beau.

Now, the former fairy prince had blossomed into a 16-year-old with newfound confidence, shedding the shackles of fear that once gripped him. Though he wielded a genuinely dark magic, Beau's powers harbored an unexpected twist – he possessed potent healing capabilities. Moreover, he could shapeshift, currently donning the charming appearance of a fox-type beastman with ebony hair, fox ears, and a tail.

Beau's unique ability served as a crucial asset in concealing his true identity, his appearance seamlessly blending with that of Dew's late wife and son, both fox types. This allowed Beau to masquerade as Dew's own son.

While Beau had a somewhat firm grasp on his magical abilities, the full extent of his power remained a mystifying realm waiting to be explored. The intricacies of his dark magic, coupled with its healing nuances and shape-shifting finesse, presented a formidable challenge for Beau to master it fully.

"Take care, both of you. Don't forget to come home early. Don't stay out too late," Dew reminded the two, a fatherly concern etched on his face.

"Yes, Dad! We're leaving now!" Beau responded with genuine warmth. The title "Dad" had become more than a formality – it resonated with a newfound sense of belonging and love, a stark departure from his distant relationship with his biological father.

The carriage ride to the town center was a 1 hour and 30 minutes journey, weaving through the different lands of the Greyton Kingdom, governed by the Dracos.

Amidst the bustling town center, Beau and Hebrew strolled leisurely, reveling in the joyful ambiance. The air crackled with energy, infused with the essence of different magical beings coexisting harmoniously, although pockets of prejudice still lingered, especially towards beastmen like them.

They strolled around for leisure and to find the items Beau needed for his inventions. Aside from having powers, he is also skilled in crafting, fixing, and being a maker. So, he enjoys collecting various things to turn them into weapons.

That has been his hobby for the past two years, aside from strengthening his magic. He is enthusiastic about repairs to create new things.

He has already bought everything he needed, spending 10 gold coins. They aren't struggling financially because Dew had acquired many lands that were supposed to be for his late wife and son.

"Hurry up, Beau, my stomach has been growling since earlier!" Hebrew complained.

"Okay, I've already bought everything I need."

They headed straight to a nearby eatery in their area. While they were eating, they were surprised when someone shouted at the adjacent table.

"Damn! You really are stupid!" yelled a man at a chained female cat-type beastman who accidentally bumped his drink, causing it to spill.

It seemed like nothing happened to other people as they quickly looked away from the table where the shout originated. However, Beau couldn't take his eyes off the chained girl.

He felt sympathy for her situation because the chain around her neck indicated she was a slave. His sympathy deepened when he saw her being kicked by the man, causing her to tumble.

"You're worthless!" the man yelled, throwing his food at her.

Everyone was helpless in the situation because just by the man's attire, you could see his influence and wealth. He was a pure human, and even though the kingdom treated all races equally, there was no law prohibiting slavery.

Especially since being a slave could be a consequence of an unpayable debt. That might be the reason why the girl became a slave.

"Poor girl," Hebrew said. "She's beautiful, too."

"What are you trying to say? That if she's ugly, she's not pitiable?"

"That's not what I meant," Hebrew defended himself.

Beau wanted to help the girl, but he knew it would only escalate if he intervened. He could probably defeat the man and his three guards, but they might face more trouble once they reached the authorities. They could end up causing more harm to the girl.

He was about to reconsider when chaos erupted in the restaurant. A large, sharp object suddenly emerged from the ground.

People fled the crumbling building as Beau and Hebrew hurriedly followed suit, the tremors beneath their feet intensifying. The manifestation of the massive, sharp object had ripped a hole in the floor, triggering an earthquake that threatened to swallow the entire establishment.

Amidst the chaos, a formidable creature emerged – the "8-minutes Scorpion," a 3rd Chief Class Beast renowned for the lethality of its venom, capable of claiming a life within eight minutes.

As panic spread through the crowd, individuals displayed varying degrees of courage. Some valiantly confronted the monstrous scorpion, brandishing their bracelets that hinted at their prowess. Yellow bracelets outnumbered the green, indicating a preponderance of Arch Class over Cardinal Class, yet the scorpion surpassed them all in Chief Class strength.

In the hierarchy of strengths, all races and monsters were classified into seven levels: Arch Class (the lowest), Cardinal Class, Chief Class, Master Class, Grandmaster Class, Premier Class, and the elusive Supreme Class. Yet, in the continent of Fiscelou, the summit of the Supreme Class remained untouched, with only a few attaining Premier Class.

Beau and Hebrew, recognizing their limitations in facing the 8-minutes Scorpion, shifted their focus to aiding the evacuation of the beleaguered area.

The struggle against the monstrous scorpion unfolded before them, revealing the dire challenge that confronted those who dared to oppose it. Even with collective efforts, the defenders faltered, unable to overcome the beast's relentless assault. Injuries mounted, some inflicted by the scorpion's venomous tail, threatening lives with the venom's deadly embrace.

Chaos reigned as the absence of knights became glaringly apparent. The knights, crucial in defending against such threats, were occupied within the palace, preparing for an impending celebration.

As the tremors continued, all eyes turned skyward as a mysterious figure materialized, wrapped in a black cloak and adorned with a striking white mask. Strands of hair, a mesmerizing blend of gold and black, swirled gracefully in the breeze. The air crackled with an undeniable tension, a palpable manifestation of the stranger's mystique.

The crowd collectively recognized this enigmatic savior – the legendary "White Mask." A harbinger of aid during moments of turmoil.

***

[1] Greyton Kingdom - Kingdom of Dracos.

[2] Jasper Bracelet - The color varies depending on the class of its bearer. It serves as an I.D. of each individual, where their personal information lies, such as their profession, citizenship, and their mana count.