"The action that I would describe as almost terrorist in nature, which occurred four days ago in our NOVA VITAE, is something that has shaken all of us. How do you intend to deal with the situation, Regent Voltar?" asked the host of the city's most important television network.
"First of all, I would like to apologize to all those who were directly or indirectly involved in this vile attack. At this very moment, our best resources are combing the entire city from top to bottom. This was not just an attack on the city, but also on the future of all Novaris," replied the most well-known man in the city.
He was a man with piercing blue eyes, carefully groomed blue hair, and sharp, defined facial features—carved by a life of discipline and strict resolve.
"When you speak of the future of Novaris, are you also referring to the students of the Higher Education Institute who were present that day?" the interviewer asked.
"Yes, precisely them. Those who hold the destiny of our nation in their hands—future pillars of courage and wisdom. By the end of the month, some of them were meant to take part in the TRIGGER, giving rise to future TOWERS—the bastions of our society."
This was what Seran's ears could faintly perceive in the background, coming from a television screen in a hospital room.
Lying on a bed was Regis, his head wrapped in bandages, cables attached to his body monitoring his condition.
"The patient has entered a comatose state due to severe cranial trauma sustained during the incident. At the moment, we can only keep his condition stable," the doctors had said.
This was the cruel diagnosis Seran had received—the only one able to receive it, as Regis' parents were away on an expedition and would not return for another two months.
Sinking into his chair, Seran kept replaying the incident in his mind. Rage, sadness, fear—and something beyond that—trapped him in a cycle of pain.
"Why? Why? Why?" he repeated to himself, clenching his jaw until his teeth ground together.
His hands were still trembling. His eyes darted involuntarily, exhausted—not only from sleeplessness, but from nightmares that refused to end.
After a few hours, he stood up and walked toward the nearest smoking area—a balcony on the fifth floor of the hospital.
The only thing that calmed him was nicotine.
Between waves of smoke and falling tears, a conviction slowly took shape within him.
"If I had been faster… stronger… I would have protected Reg myself instead of the other way around. If I hadn't frozen, if I had been ready, this wouldn't have happened. And that man… that damn tattoo on his arm—I won't forget you. You will pay for this."
He threw the cigarette away, still half-finished.
And returned to Regis' room with a new resolve.
Standing beside the hospital bed, head lowered almost in prayer, he said:
"Reg… I swear to you here and now that I will inherit your will and your ambition. I've made my decision. I will become a TOWER—a TOWER capable of reaching the heights you once dreamed of. And before you open your eyes again… I will have my revenge—our revenge—on the one who reduced you to this, even if it costs me my life."
At that moment, the Delora couple entered the room, worried for their son—still shaken by what had happened and pained by the suffering Seran was enduring, not only physical but emotional as well.
"Ser, come home. Eat something and rest a little. I'm sure Regis would also want that for you," Sophia said, her eyes filled with sadness.
Meanwhile, Victor placed a bouquet of amaranth flowers—typical of Novaris—into a vase.
"I will… but later, after the evening check-up," Seran replied.
An hour later, the Delora couple returned home.
After eating in silence, Seran went up to his room.
Sitting on his swivel chair, he began spinning slowly while organizing his thoughts:
"I need information, training, Tower abilities… and time. What do I know? Towers are ranked by ascending Floors, from Floor 1 to 6. The higher you go, the more inhuman their power becomes. Ordinary people are called Base, because they all have the potential to become Towers. With the arrival of the Flux and the passage of time, the human body evolved, allowing ordinary people to absorb mana and use it."
The Higher Education Institute, beyond providing education, also prepared students physically—with training to strengthen their bodies and combat abilities. Those who wished to ascend the Floors were given a solid foundation.
"To begin, I will notify the IHE of my decision to participate in the TRIGGER by the end of the month… that is, in two days. I must decide whether to join the ARMED FORCES, a Raider agency, or become an independent Raider once I reach F1."
After planning his uncertain yet undeniably ambitious future for a couple more hours, sleep finally overcame him.