Sitting across from Rain in the dim office was the man known as the Berserker, an apparently highly sought-after individual, who, for reasons unknown, chose the military instead of the more profitable guilds or Houses.

  That was the man offering this life-changing opportunity to a mere slumborn.

  “Uh…You would train me? Personally?”

  Stuttering on his words with disbelief, Rain was taken aback. A man like Lieutenant Dawson surely had better things to do.

  He thought back on his words from before:

  ‘Life is a cruel thing…It takes from those who have already lost it all.’

  These weren’t just simple words formed to persuade Rain; they felt genuine, as if he himself was a victim of it.

  “I would, yes. It would be during your normally scheduled combat lessons, so just think of it as a private lesson.”

  It sounded truly amazing. A chance to learn from one of the modern talents of the Blessed personally would greatly improve his survival chances. Still, one question loomed over Rain’s mind.

  “Sir, if I may ask…Why me? I mean, I’m glad you think I am talented, but there is always a bigger fish in the sea.”

  Letting out a slight chuckle, Dawson nodded as he grabbed a metal flask from the side and poured himself and Rain some hot green tea.

  “Good. That is already the survival rule number one: Always assume your opponent is stronger than you. To answer you, though… Yes, some others are more talented than you. Many of them are going to die, and I will have to bear that with me, knowing I could have made a difference.”

  His smile and chuckle long faded, leaving him with the visage of a tired man. Someone who has lost countless others, and will continue to lose them.

  “Believe me, I wish I could help more, but…take too many, and everyone’s chances drop. I simply do not have the time for more than one student. So, I choose the one with the highest potential. You, Rain. I sense you have what it takes, so I ask you now. What is your goal?”

  The sincerity in his voice hit Rain square in the chest, and a small light was cast on the reasoning of why a man as talented as Dawson would choose the military. His question reverberated inside Rain’s mind.

  What is your goal?

  The simple answer was obvious. Survival. All Rain had ever done was survive and try to reach a better life. Being Selected was simply the means to an end. While his goal has always been survival, something new has emerged over these last weeks.

  Curiosity.

  He has always been a curious person. As introverted as he was, he wouldn’t simply pester for answers from others, but observation has become one of his best talents. And so, his visions and the Mirror naturally became a grand topic for his curiosity, since they had to be connected in some way. He wanted answers, and perhaps he had now found someone capable of giving them.

  Taking a deep breath and gathering his innermost thoughts, Rain spoke slowly:

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  “Before I answer…Have you ever heard of someone receiving a vision of their future instead of their past?”

  Dawson’s eyes opened wide in a silent shock for a moment before calming down. A regretful look washed over his face.

  “Indeed, I have. It is quite rare, but it does occur.”

  Excited, Rain leaned in closer to the table:

  “You have? Do you know them?”

  Taking a sip of his drink, he answered back:

  “You’re looking at him.”

  Disbelief crowded his mind. He had finally found some information on the vision, not only that, but his future teacher was the one who had it.

  “It’s incredibly rare. I have only heard of a few others in the past who experienced it. Most notably, August Tane, who built the first free city in the Mirror, Strigisden, nearly a century ago.”

  “But it is quite unknown how rare it is, since many, like yourself, prefer to keep it to themselves. Understandably so, but…There could have been many more who have died over the years.”

  A moment of silence passed between the two. Rain was quite relieved about not being the first person to experience this vision. But now, one question remained, the most important one in fact. Rain still didn’t know how much he could ask, for all he knew, everyone had different types of visions, but surely, they all must be very personal.

  “Is…the vision true?”

  Dawson wore a somber look on his face, his mind seemingly wandering through past memories:

  “It’s…hard to say. For me, it was the loss of a loved one. I still remember trying to change every path I saw. Every step I took, every action... In the end, I managed to save that person. However…Fate doesn’t like its authority challenged, so I lost someone even closer to me.”

  “Oh…”

  The deafening silence in the office held high, as Rain’s fighting spirit diminished, like a flame being choked out.

  ‘So, this is it. I’m done?’

  Seeing his downtrodden face sink, Dawson broke the silence.

  “I do not know what your vision was; the choice to tell me is yours. However, know that hope isn’t lost. While the Mirror is a cruel place, its mysteries are still mostly unknown. Perhaps you could be the one to change your vision’s outcome.”

  Rain thought about his prior life, the hardships he endured, and how even when it seemed that the world was against him, he managed to rise from the ashes. This time, his hopes were dwindling; who was he to fight against fate or the Mirror?

  Seeing the insanity of it, he let out a slight chuckle.

  “I die. In my vision, that is. I die saving others I don’t even know. It is funny. All my life, I have been running in a circle, just trying to survive. My parents died in a gas leak accident when I was very young. Ever since then, I roamed the streets, scrounging for food and shelter. The nearest family I have is a kind Granny who helped me for a long time…and Elys. Even through all of this, I knew I was meant for more, so I pushed forward. Kept surviving, kept…living. I thought being Selected was my chance to finally make it. Looking at the others here…everyone doesn’t want to be here. I do. But to move forward, I need a goal; otherwise, I’m back in the circle I've always been in. Now…it seems pointless.”

  Rain looked down at the floor, his entire world spiralling without control. He had always kept going, no matter what. Deep inside, he had always known it was a one-way trip to the Mirror, but by sheer stubbornness, his will kept him afloat.

  “This isn’t the end, Rain. I changed my vision, and while it didn’t end the way I wanted it to. It made me who I am today. Death is a tricky thing to avoid, but you know the where and the how. Avoid it at all costs. You have come a far way from the slums that molded you. Don’t let it all go to waste.”

  Standing up, both of them faced each other. A sympathetic look fell on Dawson’s ivory face. Holding out his hand for a handshake, he asked one last question:

  “See you tomorrow?”

  Looking towards his extended hand, Rain thought about the hardships in his life. His parents, the slums, and now, near certain death. Granny’s last words rang in his mind:

  ‘If anyone can do it, it’s you.’

  While she did not know the extent of what was to come. He knew that no matter what, her words would never change. So with a deep breath and gritting his teeth, he accepted the firm handshake and readied himself to defy the Mirror itself.

  “Yes, teacher.”