Humanity Return

Ch. 1 – Black-Haired Youth

The city of Initia is famous for its festive atmosphere and its citizens are always smiling happily. The city is known as one of the most famous tourist attractions because of its culinary and hospitality that its citizens show to everyone who comes to visit their city.

Abundant food coupled with good security makes the criminal rate in this place very low.

But...

The city of Initia showed a different atmosphere than usual, with storm clouds that had covered the night sky and occasional lightning illuminating the darkness of the city.

There was not a single light that seemed to light up, making the city completely dark.

Not a single movement could be seen or heard throughout the city either, making for a very gripping atmosphere.

Except in one place, a house that doesn't look any different from any other house in the city.

“A...aa..”

A boy who looked no more than ten years old was kneeling in a hole in the courtyard of the house.

“A...a...aaa...!”

His entire body was already covered in mud that could not be removed by the torrential rain that hit him, but he did not care and remained concentrated on what he was doing.

His two tiny hands continued to dig non-stop, paying no heed to his already peeled finger skin and the blood that kept pouring out. The pain from his injured fingers did not slow his movements down in the slightest.

A few moments passed and finally the boy crawled out of the hole he made.

His little legs started to take it step by step slowly, and finally stopped in front of the body of a little girl, who looked younger compared to him.

“Aaa..!”

The boy fell to his knees beside the little girl lying on the ground.

The mud had already seeped into her dress and the rain had soaked her face, but she just lay there so quietly. If anyone else saw her then they would think this girl was just sound asleep.

But the boy knew the truth.

The girl had already gone to a place she could not go to, to a place very far away.

The child does not yet know the concept of life and death in a mature manner, he only found out from his mother that they buried Grandpa and Grandma so that they could both go where everyone had reached their time.

So he began to lift the little body of the girl and carried her into the hole she had made, next to the other two holes.

That's why he dug that hole, to get them to meet Grandpa and Grandma there.

Moments later, the boy knelt down in front of a new pile of earth, the tomb he had just made.

Three tombs...

“A...aa..”

Rainwater continued to drench her black hair and flow down her face, replacing the tears that were already unable to flow out anymore.

“..a...a..”.

The thunderous roar of lightning continued to tremble the small town, replacing the scream that was already unable to get out of his throat.

Why did their time arrive so quickly?

Why did his younger brother go first?

Why should he be left alone?

He did not understand the feeling he was feeling right now.

The feeling of sadness that made her cry had already passed, replaced by an unfamiliar pain.

The pain was so sharp inside his chest, many times as much as the pain from his two bloodied hands, which flowed out from his fingertips that had no more nails.

The pain felt like it wanted to tear and slash his body from the inside and grew more and more painful, especially when the child recalled the three cold bodies he had just lifted.

He doesn't understand.

“...ti..dak..”.

So he could only stare at the sky and let out his final rebellious sentence, while being determined not to feel that painful feeling anymore.

...

The 266 New Age

The chirping of birds could be heard above the walls protecting the great city amidst the vast prairies, sounding like a melodious song that calmed the people who listened to it.

The birds were gathered in a section of the high city wall, where people could see a wide dirt road that ran along the grassland. There are roads to facilitate long-distance travel for those who use trains.

One of the branches of the road extended towards the forest with very large tall trees that were not too far from the city. The forest was wide enough that those who saw it from the top of the city walls would not be able to see the other side of this forest.

The wind blew and swayed the leaves of the great trees, with the light of the sun penetrating the cracks of the leaves and illuminating the forest surface which was added with the voices of the various inhabitants of the forest, finally creating a calming atmosphere.

But the atmosphere in the meadow outside the forest was very different and felt quite gripping, due to the dozens of people who gathered there.

A tense expression could be seen on their faces all, who seemed to be waiting for the same thing while paying attention to the situation around them.

They are seen looking at the people around them with full alert, not wanting to miss the movements that might harm them.

But there was someone among them who seemed to be doing something different.

“Whoah, I never thought it would be this crowded”

A young man was seen muttering to himself while looking towards the large forest, like he was looking at something interesting from the silent trees.

Some people around him turned their heads after hearing the excited voice and found a black-haired young man standing there, who was looking around with a relaxed expression and did not look tense in the least.

“...what do the inhabitants of this forest look like..” muttered the young man again while stroking his chin.

He seemed to be deep in his own thoughts until suddenly...

“Hm?”

The young man started to look around him and found the attention of many people was on him. This young man only smiled when he realized that and turned his attention from the forest in front of him to the people around him.

His black eyes showed his obvious curiosity to all those people.

“What is this?”

Over 170 centimeters tall with black hair and a friendly face, he stood alone there. His body seemed to have no clear muscles, just like an ordinary teenage body that did not undergo any training.

His black eyes still swept over to the people around him who were figuring out his identity, returning all their gazes.

He was seen carrying a large bag on his back and two small bags on his waist, a sword with a black sheath was seen hanging on his left waist. The clothes he wears also look dirty and stained in some parts.

“...hehe..” the people around him started laughing after seeing his clothes that.

The young man began to be humiliated and underestimated by the people around him, but he himself looked unconcerned. He turned his attention back to the forest in front of him after not finding anything interesting from those people, until when someone suddenly called out to him.

“Who is this village from, do you think you deserve to be here?” A voice with a haughty tone suddenly sounded.

Hearing a voice from behind him, the young man turned around and found a large-bodied man standing with a mocking smile in front of him.

The young man looked at the newcomer with a puzzled expression.

“I don't know where you stole the money to pay for this test fee, but you better just go home before you embarrass yourself”

Surprised that someone she didn't know started talking to her, she stared at the face of the man in front of her for a while.

“Are you deaf? I told you-“

“Thank you for worrying about me, but you better think of yourself first before trying to help others” interrupted the black-haired young man, after wrongly deducing the purpose of the big man's words.

He showed his smile, then turned around and stopped caring about the big man.

“You..! How dare you! Don't you know who I am-!” The big man looked extremely offended and started walking up to the young man in front of him, until his steps were stopped by a melodious voice that suddenly sounded.

Ding!

The loud bells startled everyone there, taking their attention away.

“It looks like there are already those who can't wait to start this test huh?”

A small voice appeared suddenly and could be heard clearly by everyone standing there. Some people began to search for the source of the sound around the meadow without finding it.

“I-it!” shouted one of the people there, pointing at the sky.

They all immediately turned to the sky and only managed to see a small shadow for a moment, before the strong wind forced them to close their two eyes.

“Hahahaha!” Laughter can be heard coming with the wind.

Moments after the wind had passed, a huge shadow was seen passing through where the people were standing. Without any cue, the shadow of a person began to fall freely from the sky that was filled with gusts of strong wind.

“And me... Present!”

Booms!

Thick dust covered the man's landing spot, hiding his form. Before the group could begin processing what they were looking at, a gust of strong wind appeared and swept away the thick dust, indicating a man.

“HA! O my student candidates, greetings! I am the teacher who will oversee your first test!” the man smiled as he swung his hands in all directions.

Now they could clearly see the human form in front of them. The man is about 190 centimeters tall, with a face that looks no more than 30 years old, spiral-style green hair, and green-and-white clothes that look amazingly stylish.

The wind around her also continued to blow her hair and clothes, making her look very beautiful.

“As you have heard before you were brought here, the first test you need to go through is very simple! You just need to make a Contract with the Beast that you can find inside that Forest!” a glowing splinter escaped from his arm that pointed at the forest in front of him.

The attention of the big man and most of the people there became fixed on the stylish man who appeared suddenly, while the attention of the black-haired youth was still fixed on the sky.

“The time you have to complete this test is 72 hours. If it did not manage to obtain the Contracted Beast before that time, FAIL! If you managed to make a Contract but did not make it back here within the specified time, also FAILED!”

A strong gust of wind reappeared and this time not just once, followed by a huge shadow that appeared and landed hard in front of them.

The black-haired youth showed an interested expression as he looked at the form of a creature that had appeared from the sky.

“Tes will start in 1 hour! I suggest you prepare yourself as best you can!”

The form of this huge creature became clear, none other than a giant owl. With light green fur, at least have a height that exceeds three meters. The width of its two wings easily exceeded six meters and looked extremely gripping.

“There is no prohibition about the fight between prospective students, but you certainly know the consequences if you use each other intentionally, yes?” his warm tone disappeared and became flat, without any obvious emotions.

Most of the people there became unable to breathe suddenly, as the air around them suddenly disappeared. The sensation only lingered for a moment before the gripping atmosphere disappeared along with a smile appearing on the watchmaster's face.

“Some other supervisors will be guarding inside this forest, but your safety will still not be guaranteed. If you want to surrender or are in danger, just use the object you received from the supervisor yes!” He jumped on top of the giant owl, still standing firmly and the wide smile on his face did not disappear.

His eyes swept over all the teenagers around him.

“That's it from me, you'll know when the test starts when you hear the bells from me! And with that, see you again!” he waved his hand with a smile.

With a single loud flick of wings, the owl raised its body and flew out of the sight of this group in an instant, becoming a lost shadow behind the massive city wall in the distance.

Only the dust mist he left behind remained as proof of his existence there.

“A-what...?” said a few people from the group with puzzled expressions on their faces.

Most of them still have not finished digesting all that information, but still choose to do what is suggested to them.

Groups began to form and some of them could be seen examining the stone pieces that the teacher was referring to, a circular yellow stone.

“Huh..?”

The black-haired young man only stared at the high wall where the supervising teacher and the giant owl were headed. He then turned to the big man in front of him, the previous tense atmosphere had already disappeared unceasingly due to the arrival of the supervising teacher.

“So, what are you doing here? Your friends are seen waiting for you there” he points to a group that is standing not far behind the big man.

The big man gasped in shock and looked back at the young man in front of him, then turned to the group of three people not far from there who were indeed waiting for him. He then looked at the face of the young man in front of him once more before walking towards his group.

“Better you be careful not to face problems beyond your means..”

“You too! Good luck” the black-haired young man smiled and waved his hand.

”Hmph!” he snorted in annoyance as he stepped away.

Now the young man stood alone again.

He paid attention to the area around him and after finding the people started making groups, the young man started to think for a moment.

”Oke.. it's time to find a partner” he hit his palm after reaching that decision.

He started to check on the people around him and there was nothing.

Almost everyone around him had already formed their own group, preparing to enter to enter the forest as quickly as possible. Some of the people standing there were seen avoiding her gaze, showing their dislike for her.

“Hm...” The young man started stroking his chin while raising one of his eyebrows.

He tried to look more seriously, with the same result. He chuckled and started walking around the area, continuing his search. After a few minutes of doing the same, he began to realize how difficult this was.

“Do I have to run it myself again, it will be very boring... hm?” his eyes opened slightly when he looked in one direction.

The black-haired youth found someone who was still alone.

He just stood behind one large rock while looking at the grass on his feet, not moving at all. The person seemed to be immersed in his own thoughts without realizing the test that would begin within that hour.

The young man also felt a good feeling emerge from his body upon seeing that person, his instinct informing him that he had managed to find the person he was looking for.

“Ooh! Meet!” a happy tone came out of his mouth.

He started to walk up to her and stopped in front of the girl.

“uuu...” a weak voice that sounded like the cry of a small beast came out from the mouth of this girl, who was unaware someone was already standing in front of her.

“Hm?”

The girl remained standing while looking down at the ground while making a strange sound in front of her and ignoring her, making her pause to think for a moment. The young man looked at this situation for a while before bringing his face closer, and with a single breath...

“HALO!”

“KYAAA!”

The little girl jumped in shock, shocked by the loud voice that appeared suddenly.

He then realized a foreign youth was standing in front of him, staring at his face. A feeling of shock and confusion filled his head until suddenly the young man started talking.

“Hai, you look alone, will you be my partner for this test?” the young man continued as usual.

“h-huh, a-what..?” a small and confused voice came out from the girl's mouth.

The girl turned her head left and right, looking for someone else who might be the target of this young man before her.

Not finding anyone else around him, he looked back at the young man's face.

“A-me? W-do you not know me...? I-I am Aura Flameheart..” The very nervous girl looks forced herself to speak and her voice until it is almost inaudible at the end of her sentence.

“Hm..?” he had not expected the girl to explain it with such questions and self-introductions.

The young man started to notice the girl in front of him in more detail. Pink hair with a height of almost 160 cm and red eyes, like the color of his hair that touches his shoulders. A long dress with a pink-white pattern, the stick on her back was taller than her small body with a fire element Core visible attached at the end of that stick.

“Hm..?”

It seemed like the woman in front of him had not triggered any memories from him, so he tried to take a more serious look, then he realized these women's boots looked like...

“H-Hey!” the girl realized the young man in front of her was researching the shoes she was wearing, and became a little panicked.

“Hm... huh? Oh yeah, yeah. I didn't recognize you” regained consciousness from his concentration, he scratched his head with a smile.

“Huh..”.

The woman in front of him seemed to be thinking about something and came back to ignore it, so he noticed the situation around him to pass the time.

Several groups were seen starting to whisper while looking towards the two of them.

“OK...?” he could sense something was different from their expression, their disparaging expression was already invisible and had been replaced by another expression.

He returned his attention to the woman in front of him who still did not respond to him.

“So? Do you want to partner with me?”

“AH! Uh.. a-I.” regained consciousness from her daydream, the girl again looked nervous again.

“Hey I don't know who you are and I don't care, I just want to finish this test, and doing it yourself will be very boring” the young man said all that while staring at the forest in the distance.

“Me-boring...?”

The girl started to look agitated, lowered her face and started to think hard and talk to herself. An interesting sight for the black-haired young man.

“O-okay! I'll come with you!” the girl still looked nervous, but her voice contained an almost undetectable spirit.

The answer woke the man from his daydream

“Good! You were quite behind me when in the forest” the young man patted the girl on the shoulder and started walking closer to the forest.

“H-hue!” The woman was very shocked by the touch and jumped back.

Then he saw that the young man's back had started to drift away, became aware and started to catch up with him.

“H-hey! I haven't got your n-name!”

Without stopping his steps, the young man looked back at him.

“Leinn Springleaf”

Aura came to a halt in surprise upon hearing that and began to show a puzzled expression. But realizing the young man in front of her did not slow down her pace, she started running beside him.

The young man looked at the extremely nervous looking woman beside him and smiled again.

“Greetings, Aura”

Hearing this, Aura smiled and walked beside her. The two of them were getting closer to the huge forest.

The few people standing not far away from them had accidentally heard that conversation between Leinn and Aura, having shocked expressions on their faces now.

“Springleaf? Why is that young man..?” ask one of those people.

“Why does he have a last name ‘Black Hair Hero’..?” one person said while looking at Leinn's increasingly distant back.

“Isn't ‘Black Hair Hero’ only has one grandson? He also-” this guy's sentence came to a sudden halt because he realized the young man they were talking about suddenly turned his head towards them.

They were standing 30 meters away from the young man but they could clearly see the small smile on his face, which made them feel uneasy.

Somehow, they were certain that the young man could hear their conversation that was only as loud as a whisper from such a distance.

After seeing the people's faces paled, Leinn simply returned looking forward and continued his footsteps.

He looks happy.

...

Whoosh

The sound of a strong wind could be heard from the flapping wings of the giant owl that had just flown through an open field.

The field is filled with wooden dolls that can be used to practice...

Crackles...

Most of it is already destroyed and looks charred, with electricity seen flowing on its surface. A portion of the stone floor also looked like it had just been struck by lightning several times.

And the only one on that training field right now was a blond-haired young man with a cold expression.

“...”

He saw a giant owl just passing by on top of him then realized that the test outside the city was about to begin. The new group of disciples of this academy were different from him, who already had Contracted Beasts.

Crackles!

Lightning leaped out of the young man's body along with a small smile that appeared on his face.

He looks happy.