I, Cain, once had no spark of talent,
just a flicker of sword skill, no ounce of magic,
They called it a curse, I am now scorned,
rejecting mana like rain off the dry stone,
leaving me bare, no glow, and definitely no throne.
Swordsman essentials, body boost, sword's magic aid,
all locked away, a door slammed in my face.
So, I fought with steel alone, pure muscle, raw grace.
Father sneered, "Cain, you're the family's black stain."
kin chuckled daily, eyes dripping disdain,
"Failure, freak, die already," their loving refrain.
Pain twisted inside, frustration's a hot coil,
but words stuck silent, like truth's bitter oil,
for a loser I was, in their gilded toil.
Yet hope clung stubborn, a weed in the crack,
no magic, that's fine, sharpen the blade, I'll attack,
swing dawn to dusk, tried bridging the gap, I'll get them back.
"Weakling," my brothers mocked after every bout lost,
trained tenfold harder, still magic's a high cost,
handicap huge, my failed efforts turned to exhaust.
Gave up at last, my sword tossed in the dust,
excused my form, heart crusted with rust,
I'd shatter completely, in self-pity's thrust.
Just a shell of a life, till father summoned with glee,
"This ain't for nothing boy, B-rank foil for thee,"
an adventurer badge, fake shine, his family decree.
Escorted high-ranks, climb smooth, in decorative flair,
but chance bloomed wild, with friends equal, fought fair,
party recruit, now I definitely belonged somewhere.
"Hey, B-class leader, we're pleased to team up,"
D-ranks flocked fast, eyes wide, followers' cup,
lowly but loyal, or so I thought, yup.
Adventures sparkled, requests fun and light,
no gripes, just grins, my first friends in sight,
they're buddies, I beamed, heart taking flight.
"Stupid sap, buys gear, calls us pals true,"
overheard in a tavern, their laughter grew,
"Equipment snaps, cash flows, easy mark, what a fool."
"Wand was pricey, sold same day, now pockets plump,"
"Scammed him smart, not too greedy, or he'll jump,"
their betrayal's sting, my world is in a slump.
Mind blanked white, bolted through rain's cold lash,
hours wandering, why the friendship crash?
Garbage they were, low-ranks are all trash!
They had no need for me, just Stolz gold they crave,
Cain's invisible, our puppet, weak, thinks we're friends he's made,
"Solo much better", no betrayals to brave.
Dissolved the party, guild papers filed quick,
ex-mates chased cursing, I tossed coins, slick pick,
scumbags confirmed, advantage of nobility's trick.
Bluff high from then, I shot a condescending glare,
Dropped name and house power, strength in the air,
alone forever, no friends, safer there.
Years I drifted solo, till brown-haired lad, nineteen bold,
copper plate swinging, "You look hurt, are you cold?"
kind words unbidden, heart's armor holed.
Cursed him harsh, "Low-rank scum, hurry, vanish fast,"
but he smiled sloppy, "Party seek, don't need your cash,
change mind? Call me, the invitation has cast."
Night before the night fell, father beamed rare, mood oddly bright,
"Finally you're useful at last, escort noble that's tight.
Brothers are busy, so you'll go, flatter right!"
Dreaded the task, but refusal meant out,
house loss, I'll lose everything, that's no doubt,
heavy steps to meet, my fate's weird route.
There she stood, Letinoa, attack-hero grand,
Holy Sword chosen, count's daughter, there she stand,
past save from some monster, her admiration fanned.
"Hero," I started politely, then spotted the guy,
copper plate dull, chatting free, not shy.
Rude to nobility, my dislike was high.
"Why is D-class trash in this escort crew?"
spat to oust him, then gold toss, "adieu,"
But he stayed firm, mocking me too.
Stunned, sword half-drawn, rage blind and hot,
client revealed, a girl noble, told us the plot,
misheard the skilled son Stolz sent, my stomach in a knot.
Journey was then mute, figurine stiff and still,
adventurers distant, however, their reputation chill,
Yet D-class persisted, his goodwill spill.
"Noisy," I snapped, face averted, the shame,
candy placed gentle, "Toss if it's lame,"
dragon-shaped candy, kindness is not a game!
I Puzzled deep, why forgive my spite,
excuse to join circle, talked to invite,
Letinoa snatched it, my anger ignite.
Daily he chatted, his kindness a flood,
fled from the warmth, heart's thawing mud,
change impossible, stuck in the dud.
Request near to the end, escape to old role,
but whispers nagged, puppet life's toll,
crouch ear-plugged, the silence stole.
Etar in sight, scout's panic cry,
hellscape unfolded, undead high,
Fear screamed 'run', my legs defy.
"Why stay, fight, die for strangers' kin?"
lives precious, yet none fled the din,
cool resolve shining, they're heroes within.
Small I felt, self-save first thought,
pathetic shadow, valor not bought,
muttered help, chance overwrought.
Trembles racked, magic dense air choke,
knees buckled weak, but welcome spoke,
guts they saw, party yoke.
Sword confident, undead few I'd slay,
but D-class exploded, his own power play,
skeletons crushed, the magic was nay.
Manipulated me, shackled in fight,
" I'm not his friend," yes, his words bite,
blank mind, then guess this is acceptance, right?
"Kill me I'm just a burden," I yelled, death grand,
family rejected, puppet end was planned,
splendid scatter, this is my final stand.
"No die, need you still, change and heed,"
vessel vast, more opportunities seed,
sweets, talks, my forgiveness deed.
Skeleton vanished, careful not me he hit,
manipulation snapped, all my freedom fit,
cool overload, D-class no way, hero legit.
Change I vowed, live as Cain true,
not Stolz shadow, my path anew,
"teacher" I beg, "strength pursue."
Refused flat, "Not your character type,"
expect more, recognized hype,
goal ignited, guild master stripe.
Unite all guilds, SSS for him he'll make,
system twisted, for all happiness stake,
First though, reset the cruel world, for goodness's sake.
Re-register exam, C-class foe I beat,
sword pure triumphed, his magic defeat,
Happy shock, all my efforts are sweet.
D-class chose, same as master dear,
receptionist baffled, doubts clear,
"Skip to C, at least volunteer?"
Alto yelled to me, "Hurry, carriage go,"
accepted my fate, my heart was sure
I wanted D-rank, so I felt I was needed more
Apologies guild-wide, their attitude past,
sat when told, and forgiveness cast,
party join, a high welcome blast.
Documents handed, D-class official,
no family name, just Cain initial,
kicked out, disowned, decision pivotal.
"Mr. Stolz," the receptionist call,
turned back firm, shed my name, fand and all,
"I'm Cain, just Cain, here before you, standing tall."