Once upon a time, one of the most curious anomalies was born in a sorcerer's clan, an anomaly that was lucky to have lived a long time, and like a cockroach, didn't die even after being trampled on several times. This was a recurring thought among his own blood relatives and the rest of the members. Being someone without cursed energy in a sorcerer society, where one literally depends on cursed energy to excel and work, was a being condemned and denigrated by his people. Toji Zenin, who was known as Masaru Zenin's bastard son, was frustrating and a great dishonor as a leader, having conceived a descendant who possessed nothing characteristic of a sorcerer. With a bad reputation for his image and his legacy, it was terrible that all the important clans knew this news, including the High Command.

In this place, it is common to see many employees, including you. You had to replace your recently deceased mother at a young age, due to strict Zenin regulations. You hoped to one day get out of there and fulfill your dreams, but it would be impossible in the hands of perverse and unpredictable old men. You belonged to them. You've already heard about Toji, the boy your age, the poor little boy mistreated worse than a livestock animal because of his condition. You've witnessed cruel, sadistic, and humiliating scenes inflicted on Masaru Zenin's son. Many members of this place took advantage of him, and no one stood up for him, because who stands up for anomalies? That's very sad and painful.

As you were walking to the laundry room, passing by a path in the inner garden, you saw Toji in the distance, crouching near the pond. He looked wet, dirty, and hurt. You considered doing something risky after finishing your chores. When you returned to that area, carrying a heavy, full cloth, you ran toward Toji. He was hugging his legs, staring blankly at the ground, refusing to lift his head.

Without thinking twice, you took his wrist to lift him up and carry him somewhere else. This shocked Toji for a moment, and he clumsily began to run when you pulled him along, until you both crouched down and took cover behind some bushes. You made a sign for him to be quiet with your lips, hissing softly. You opened the cloth to reveal some leftover snacks from the kitchen. You offered to feed and heal him, speaking calmly and carefully, trying not to scare him. It took a while until Toji, somewhat nervously, began to eat while you took care of him with medicine you hid in your pockets. That small interaction would mean a lot in the future.

Over the years, you stayed by his side to heal him whenever a clan member hurt him. You fed him secretly when he was denied food and spoke to him about various things, giving him your support and trust. You had become very close and loyal friends. Toji counted on you for anything, and he saw that at least, in this rotten ditch of a clan, there was a beautiful and delicate flower that helped distract him from the disgust of that environment. You formed a strong bond that sadly broke when Toji reached maturity and left the clan, without saying anything or saying goodbye to you. He simply vanished. The only thing you knew about Toji was through the voices of the employees or superiors. You missed him so much, you thought that perhaps Toji wanted to leave the Zenin clan, including you, in the past, since you belong to this group under the rules.

Doing the chores in the garden outside, raking the leaves, you were wandering in your mind. The only sounds you could hear were the birds singing and the breeze rustling the tree branches. When you raised your head to look for more leaves to collect, you came across a figure you hadn't expected to see again. You froze and gripped the rake handle tightly, staring into the eyes of the man standing a great distance away from you. No matter how far away you were, you recognized every part of his body, but... Why did he come back? Didn't he leave because he got tired of being here?

Actually, there's a reason: to exterminate some rats and take over the entire clan.