VANGUARD

A woman’s voice rose in a calm, monotonous tone, as though she were recounting an old tale.

“Before the creation of time and the universes, there was only God, in a place beyond the reach of any living being’s perception.

After spending an eternity in the endless void, God grew bored.

And one day, on a sudden whim, He created time and the universes.

He placed beings of different races and species in each universe.

Then He stepped back.

He began watching how the universes He had created would take shape, how life within them would develop, and how their inhabitants would evolve.

But after a while, He realized something wasn’t right.

Instead of satisfying His curiosity, this process only made Him more bored.

So He decided to experience it for Himself.

He split His own power in two.

Absolute Creation.

The power to bring anything He desired into existence, without being bound by any condition.

And Absolute Destruction.

The power to erase anything He desired—not only from the universe, but from existence itself, and even from the memories of those who remembered it.

He entrusted the power of Destruction to Glabsa, the angel of death and the being closest to Him.

As for the power of Creation, He kept it within Himself.

Then, together with Glabsa, He settled on Earth.

Whoever could one day unite these two powers within a single being...

Would become the next God.”

◆ ◆ ◆

Earth — Vanguard Village

It was early morning in Vanguard Village.

In a small house tucked away in a remote corner of one of Vanguard’s warm and welcoming neighborhoods, far from the main streets, Golden Guard was asleep in the quiet of his room. The first rays of morning light filtered through the windowpane, casting a faint glow over the neatly arranged belongings in one corner of the room.

After a quiet moment, Golden Guard opened his eyes. He sat up slowly and surveyed his room. Everything was right where it belonged: the bed was neatly made, his belongings put away, and the room was clean and orderly as ever.

He swung his legs out of bed and opened his wardrobe. Pulling out a white vest, he slipped it on, followed by a matching white tracksuit. From the top of the drawer, he retrieved his yellow mask and fastened it around his waist. He didn't rush. Every movement came naturally, routine and almost automatic.

Leaving his room, he walked down the hallway. Beside the front door sat a ceramic jar. He opened it, grabbed a handful of hazelnuts, and stuffed them into his pocket. Without stopping, he opened the door and stepped out into the cool morning air.

He set off toward the academy rising behind tall stone walls at the end of the street, walking at a brisk pace while occasionally popping a hazelnut into his mouth. Whenever his eyes met those of a shopkeeper along the way, he offered a brief nod; others simply watched him pass. As the streets slowly came to life, shopkeepers began raising their shutters, and the bustle of the morning spread through every corner.

“Good morning, Golden Guard!” a cheerful shopkeeper called out, raising a hand from behind his counter.

Golden Guard kept walking, offering a slight nod in return. The shopkeeper smiled and returned to his work.

After exchanging a few more quiet greetings, Golden Guard arrived before the academy’s main gate. Despite the early hour, the entrance was already crowded. Students moved shoulder-to-shoulder as they squeezed through the large gate, their voices blending into a constant murmur across the courtyard.

Golden Guard let out a quiet breath as he faced the crowd. He stepped into it and tried to make his way through.

“Could you move over?” he murmured.

No one answered right away. He took another step forward.

“Excuse me.”

He slipped through a narrow gap, ducking slightly as he passed another student.

“Sorry.”

Eventually, he made it through the crowd and entered the academy.

As he crossed the courtyard, his eyes drifted toward the classrooms. Through a window, the inside of one classroom was visible—completely empty.

He pushed the door open, stepped inside, and walked straight to the seat in the very back. Sitting down, he pulled a hazelnut from his pocket, popped it into his mouth, and turned his eyes toward the wall clock.

The only sound in the quiet room was the steady ticking of the clock.

Golden Guard kept watching it, occasionally tossing another hazelnut into his mouth. As the minute hand moved, the classroom gradually began to fill. Footsteps and student voices drifted in from the hallway.

Before long, the voices of two girls could be heard approaching.

“We’re graduating soon, Mai! I’m already bouncing with excitement.”

“Are you taking the exam, Vermeil?”

“Of course I am, idiot.”

“I’m not an idiot.”

The voices grew closer. The door opened, and the two girls entered the classroom.

Mai looked around the room. The moment her eyes landed on Golden Guard sitting in the back, she flinched slightly. She immediately leaned toward Vermeil’s ear, whispering softly.

“Golden Guard is so scary... What’s he even doing back there all by himself?”

Vermeil lowered her voice as well. “I think he’s nice.”

Mai pulled back instantly, scrunching up her face. “He’s a gh—”

Her words were cut short when Baran shoved past her with his shoulder and entered the classroom.

“Don’t stand in the doorway.”

Mai stomped her foot angrily. “You pig!”

Baran laughed. “Yep, that’s me.”

He kept chuckling as he walked toward his seat, while Mai glared angrily at his back.

Vermeil caught Mai by the shoulder and gently pulled her back. “Forget that idiot.”

Mai rolled her eyes and turned toward her desk. Just then, Ryu entered the classroom. He looked around and frowned.

“What’s going on this early in the morning?”

A tall boy with long black hair sitting near the front grunted without looking up. “Baran shoved those two girls.”

Mai’s voice instantly rang out from the back. “The bitch is your mother!”

The black-haired boy’s face instantly fell. Ryu, meanwhile, was already walking toward Golden Guard’s desk.

“So, the usual morning drama. Fatsa, right?” Ryu asked.

Fatsa looked up at Mai. “Yep.”

When Ryu reached Golden Guard’s desk, he pulled out the adjacent chair and sat down. “Morning.”

Golden Guard silently held out the last hazelnut in his hand.

Ryu snatched it up with a grin and popped it into his mouth. “I was just craving a hazelnut, you know?”

Golden Guard said nothing. His eyes shifted toward the classroom door.

The door slowly opened.

The academy teacher suddenly burst into the room. “Kids!”

The entire class turned toward him at once. The teacher cleared his throat and looked around the room.

“I have a very special surprise for you today.”

Fatsa muttered under his breath, “Did you discover another element?”

A few students chuckled. The teacher shook his head.

“Of course not! That was a misunderstanding. My surprise is something much more important.”

A girl in the front row stood up. “Sir, I can’t handle the suspense. Just tell us already!”

The teacher puffed out his chest and gave the class a proud look. “Today’s lesson will be taught by an Elite and a candidate, Kaze.”

Every voice in the classroom fell silent. The teacher spread both arms toward the door and gave a slight bow.

“And here they are... our Third Elite, Ling, and his candidate, Tom!”

Ling entered first. Dressed in a bright yellow uniform, with yellow eyes and long golden hair, he stepped into the classroom. Tom followed close behind him, his purple hair standing out.

Ling raised a hand and smiled at the class. “Hey, everyone.”

Mai shifted her feet against each other, leaning close to Vermeil. “There he is! That’s who you meant by ‘nice’!”

Tom raised his hand as well, mimicking Ling. “Hello.”

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

“Sorry! I’m so late, I’m really sorry!”

A green-haired boy skidded to a halt in the doorway, completely out of breath. Slowly raising his head, he panted, “Did you already take attendance—”

The moment his eyes caught Ling, the words froze in his throat. His eyes widened, and he began stammering.

“Wh... Wh... Wh... Wh...”

Tom waved him inside. “Just come in already. What are you waiting for?”

At the same time, the teacher pointed toward one of the front desks. “Come on, Nabito. Let’s go.”

Nabito suddenly sprang toward Ling. “I’m going to become an Elite just like you soon!”

Ling burst out laughing. “If you pass the exam, I promise I’ll make you my candidate, young man.”

Mai immediately jumped in. “What?! I want to be your candidate too!”

A few more voices rose from around the classroom.

“Me too!”

“Why him?!”

Ling’s laughter slowly faded. He scratched the back of his head and looked around the room. “Okay, okay. We’ll see after you pass the exam.”

Nabito quickly took his seat in the very front row.

Tom, meanwhile, pulled a large sheet of paper from his waist and slowly unfolded it.

“Let’s get to the lesson without wasting any more time,” Tom announced. “I’ll keep it short, so listen carefully. I’m not explaining it again, got it?”

Tom propped the paper against the board and ran his hand over the ranks. “Here’s what your future looks like after graduation.”

His finger stopped on the rank labeled Officer.

“If you don’t take the Elite exam, your ultimate fate is becoming an ordinary soldier. Unless you’re looking forward to being one of the first people to die on the front lines, I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Nabito swallowed hard and nodded slowly. “No way...” he whispered.

Tom’s hand moved upward to the rank labeled Company Commander.

“So, if you’re strong enough...” He made air quotes with his fingers. “You can become a Company Commander. You lead companies and stuff. Nothing too special.”

Ryu leaned toward Golden Guard. “After that explanation, I’m definitely taking that exam.”

Tom’s hand moved a little higher and stopped on Pasha.

“Uhh... if you’re thinking, ‘I’m really smart,’ you can become a Pasha too. Actually, this rank isn’t too bad for you guys. Sometimes, they can even have more authority than Elites. Assuming you’re smart, of course.”

Tom’s eyes shifted toward Mai. “Though I don’t think you’re getting it.”

Mai turned to Vermeil and whispered under her breath, “Am I supposed to take that personally?”

Tom moved his hand toward the final rank on the paper.

“And finally, Marshal. There aren’t many people who hold this rank. It’s given to those who distinguish themselves through the wars they’ve fought and their diplomatic achievements. They’re basically the pillars of our village.” He paused briefly. “Forget about this rank. Only four people have ever held it throughout our history.”

Ling interrupted him, tilting his head slightly. “Tom, Tom, Tom... What is this explanation?”

Tom turned toward him and tilted his head. “What’s wrong with my explanation? I thought it was pretty realistic.”

Ling took a deep breath. “Sure. You just crushed all their dreams. Anyway, finish the presentation. I’ll explain the rest.”

Tom gave a small nod. “Can’t win with you people, can I?”

He turned back to the class. “Anyway. At the very top, we have the Elites, our highest-level force.” He pointed to the top position on the chart. “Unlike Marshals and Pashas, Elites are chosen solely based on strength. In other words, they’re the strongest people in the village. That’s why they can hold two ranks at the same time.”

Ryu immediately cut in. “Wait, what? So we can be both a Marshal and an Elite?”

Tom stared deadpan at Ryu for a few seconds. “You can, sure. I don’t think you will, but you can.”

Ryu frowned slightly. “What an asshole...”

Tom continued explaining as if he hadn’t heard him. “In fact, let me give you some information you probably don’t know. Sir, the First Elite, Natsu, is both a Marshal and an Elite. He earned his Marshal title through sheer effort during the Bloody War.”

Golden Guard quietly pulled a pen from his pocket and began writing a few words on his mask.

Tom turned back to the paper. “And most importantly, after the exam, you’ll become Elite candidates. Just like me. In other words, you’ll be the next generation of Elites.” He paused. “In short, your rank will be...”

“Well?” a student called out.

Tom ran his hand across the paper and pointed to the space between Pasha and Company Commander. “Somewhere in between these, I guess.”

Ling placed his hand over the paper, stopping Tom. “Okay, that’s enough. Tom, you were fantastic.”

Tom slowly stepped back. “Thank you, Ling.”

Ling turned back to the class. “Everyone, all of this is important for you. For now, it’s enough to understand this simple chart so you can grasp your strength and your limits.”

He flipped the paper over and drew a simple diagram on the board:

Aura = Will → Physical Capability

“In short, the stronger your will, the stronger your aura. But even aura has its limits. Your aura can only grow as strong as your physical capabilities allow.”

Tom stepped closer and looked at the diagram. “Ling, isn’t that a little too simple?”

“No, it isn’t, Tom.”

Tom shrugged and turned back to the class. “Fine. Graces don’t work according to this chart.”

Nabito tilted his head. “Huh? Graces?”

Tom put a hand over his face and slapped his forehead. “Sir, what exactly have you been teaching these kids?”

The teacher immediately straightened up. “Children, a Grace is a power bestowed upon you at birth, with its own unique effects. Unlike the techniques you develop through aura, a Grace is an innate power that can far surpass what ordinary techniques are capable of.”

Tom clasped his hands together. “Thanks a lot, old man.”

Nabito suddenly stood up from his seat. “But I don’t have a Grace!”

Tom snapped his fingers, then let out a short whistle. Slowly pointing toward the headquarters outside the window, he watched as the entire class instinctively turned to look in the direction he was pointing. The whistle stopped the moment his finger settled on the headquarters.

“There’s your future officer.”

Ling pointed toward the door. “Get out, Tom.”

Tom clasped his hands together and headed toward the door. “I was going to leave anyway.”

Ling watched him go and sighed. “When is this kid ever going to grow up?”

He then turned back to the class with a faint smile. “Everyone, that’s all for today. Don’t mind Tom.”

Tom's voice slurred through the hallway, the words tumbling together: "You can bakadabilirsiniz!"

Ling turned toward the door, brow raised. "...What did he just say?"

A few students snickered, equally lost.

Ling turned his eyes toward the door, his smile widening slightly. “See you after the exam, future Elites.”

He raised a hand and walked out of the classroom