Chapter 1: The Elite
The country of Eland, known as the most prosperous, as well as the most dangerous country, is famous for its tier system.
The highest tier being the Nobles, they are also the main governing force of the country. There are ten noble families to exist, the head of each family is a member of the "Elites". The elites are further divided into sects, the info department and the war department. While the info sect manages the economy and policies of the country, the war sect has control over battles and foreign affairs.
That being said, the off-springs must work hard to succeed their ancestors. Otherwise, the family looses its nobility rights and its status drops to the main branch tier.
Similarly, the main branch families can gain a position as nobles if their heir has good enough scores to challenge the noble heir, either in knowledge or strength.
This system however, puts a lot of pressure on the children of these high tier families, sometimes even resulting in brutal methods being used by the parents or tutors.
Even though such a rule does not exist for the mid tiers, a sense of pride and superiority develops in them which is released upon the outcasts.
They are not only thought as "Untouchables" but also as terrorists and a disgrace to the country. They are thrown out in the slums and often killed and tortured. Being made an outcast is also a punishment in this country that is known as the most brutal.
Its because of these rules that a sense of animosity arises in the outcasts, yet they're paid no mind. as the Elites are the Holy "heroes" that can never be wrong.
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slap!
The thunderous sound of a slap echoed in the empty halls.
"why can't you do anything right?" another slap. "You are a disgrace. A DISGRACE to the Tarao family"
"I- I'm sorry, mom." said a boy in a low tone. His Black hair covering his teary eyes as he clenched his fists.
"Don't call me your mother!" the grey haired lady raised his hand again, making the boy cower, but instead of slapping him she pointed to words the door. "J-Just go to your room and do it all over again. If you fail again, you better kill yourself before I have to do that for you too."
The black-head rose his head to view his mothers face. Disgust, disappointment and anger plastered deep in her expression.
'As expected'. the boy gave a sad smile and started walking towards the door with heavy footsteps and a lowered gaze.
He reached his room and walked directly over to his shelf on the right. Pulling out a small brown journal, he grabbed a pen and sat beside the wall. He opened the diary, turned a few pages and sarted writing on a blank sheet.
'Hey diary, Its me again.
I'm Kenji Torao, the only Heir of Torao family. My father is a member of the Elites. Soon, I'm supposed to take over his position. For this purpose, I take thirty-five different classes per week, mostly concerning the informative sectors. I'm fed on time, with only the most exquisite and healthy foods. I'm always locked up inside the house, 24/7 under supervision of guards. I'm not allowed to have friends or do anything for entertainment whatsoever except for reading reports on our country's economy. Yet, I'm a failure.
Every single day, my mother curses at me, wishes that I hadn't born. And honestly, i think the same. I've had enough of this world. Maybe it is better if I die...'
Tears strolled down Kenji's sore face as he slowly eyed a fruit knife on his table. He walked over and placed the blade over his wrist.
A second passed....
Another second passed...
Another.... yet he made on other movement.
Finally... he began shivering. Tears filled his eyes again and he threw away the knife. he dropped to his knees and began screaming in his hands. "I'm such a failure. Can't even end my misery."
After hours of crying he finally calmed down. He walked over to his balcony and leaned on the rails. The goldish glow of the setting sun enveloped Kenji's silhouette. His eyes shown under the light as the breathtaking view mesmerized him.
Just as he was absorbed into the light, his room's door was slammed open, revealing again his mother. In great fury, she stomped over to Kenji who backed against the edge of the balcony.
"You ignorant, ungrateful child! You brat, you disgrace!" She shouted as she landed one after another slap on the poor boy. "I told you to review your work and study. What part of studies does zooning out include, huh? You already were a good-for-nothing now you're a disobedient brat too huh?"
Mrs. Torao stood up, sweat running down her forehead. she took a deep breath and fixed her composure. "I better see you working like hell the next time I come. Now get up already!" She kicked him in the stomach again before turning away and exiting.
Kenji laid on the floor, tears forming his eyes and blood clotting on the slid of his lips. He was holding his stomach with bruised arms. He groaned as he forced himself to stand up and stumbled towards his desk.
Taking out a napkin from his drawer, he wiped his face. He then opened a bunch of huge books and began writing on a sheet of paper with his trembling hands.
The chimes of the clock roared in the mansion hall twelve times. Kenji still sat on his desk, continuing to write down sheets and sheets of different economic times.
His eyes droopy, view getting blur, yet hands moved without a break, scribbling down on the paper.
A loud 'bang', followed by heels kicking the floor tiles woke Kenji up with jerk.
His hair a mess, dark circles around his eyes, he looked over at the infuriated Mrs Torao. "m-mom?" He jumped up and peeled open his eyes.
"You're still asleep? How much more a pain will you be?" she yelled before sighing. "Quickly get ready and meet me downstairs. You're father is here to check your progress before the other elites. You better not embarrass me."
As said, Kenji quickly changed into the dress code of the mansion, dress pants and a waistcoat and went downstairs.
Just as he was near the end of stairs a powerful presence surrounded him, shaking his to the bone. "Good morning son". a voice boomed, startling him.
Kenji faced the source and replied, "Good morning father." sweat beads formed on his forehead as he lowered his gaze.
"What is with your composure?" His father roared. "You are the son of an Elite. Raise your head. Don't shame me tomorrow in front of the others."
"Y-Yes father." Kenji stammered from fear as he looked into the sharp eyes of his father.
"Now then... let's begin. Answer my every question within three seconds." he stated. "Name the tiers and their responsibilities."
"The highest tier is occupied by the ten noble families. The heads of which also govern eland. Second to them are the main branches who are in charge of ministry. Then comes the mid tier which is sub-divided into outside branches, responsible for office jobs, and the lower branches, they are the ones taking care of hard labor jobs. Then are the outcasts-"
"We do not include the outcasts into our tier system.!"
"y-yes. sorry."
"Very well then. What are the outcasts?"
"They are the a-affected bunch. Who are not fit to be in our society. They are those who break rules and go around doing all kinds of illegal activities and murders."
"Name the ten Elites."
"Taroa, Takara, Ryo, u- Miyabi.... Satoko... Tama..k-kyoko.. um- k-kazuno-"
"Wrong!" anger laced in his voice. "You can't even name your governors without stuttering? and Kazuno is NOT an elite. Remember to NEVER take their name in my presence again."
"I-I'm sorry." Kenji eyed him parents, both glaring at him in anger.
"sigh* Review all the present economic reports."
"T-the elites have o-ordered all the companies to pay 37% tax-"
"Wrong again. its 37.78%."
"Th-thirty seven point seven eight percent tax a-and to give t-twenty percent produce to-"
"Wrong and wrong. its 21% and not the produce but the raw materials."
"t-twenty one per-"
"Just forget that! What is the history behind the creation of elites?"
"In early t-times when all c-communities lived together, t-the outcasts ran rampant-"
"What year?"
"..."
"I asked what year that was?"
"...XX38?"
"WRONG YET AGAIN!! Your disgrace. you don't even know basic knowledge! what? you want me to be ashamed in front of the others?" He stood up and slapped Kenji, making him fall down. "I-I'm sorry".
"SHUT UP YOU BRAT!!!" he kicked him. "You think a sorry is gonna save my position tomorrow?"
He picked Kenji up by his hair and slapped him multiple times. Kenji had lost even the strength to scream.
His father kept shouting at him and beating him up. "If you can't even do as much as study then you are dead to us and the world. from now on you're an outcast. NEVER SHOW YOUR FACE AGAIN!!!"
He picked his up by his collar and dragged him out of his mansion. Bloody and brutally injured, Kenji walked from street to street. after hours of walking, he finally found some soldiers. He fell on the ground as the last of his strength gave up. barely conscious, he saw the soldiers walk up to him.
But instead of helping him, they kicked him, "Oye! ya dead?" Kenji groaned.
"Seems Alive. lets Just throw him in the slums, by the look of it, he definitely doesn't belong here. must be an outcast."
"Ugh. What's a scum like him doing here?"
"Looks like the gate guards a lacking again."
'No please... Listen... I-I am... help...' kenji slipped in and out of consciousness, until he finally gave up.
The next thing he knew, he was in a neighborhood he had never seen before. Everything was so unkempt, dirty and disgusting. The pain from his wounds was increasing with every step along with the hunger from his stomach.
His vision blurred as he was losing strength. the sky darkened as he took shelter against a worn out and damp wall. he closed his eyes to rest, but the pain kept him awake. He looked at the stars, his memories coming back little by litttle.
Tears formed at the brim of his eyes as he felt an urge to shout and scream his guts out. choking on his tears, he bent over and hugged his knees. "Just let me die already... please...."
Just then, he heard some sounds of chattering. A hope lit up in the back of his heart. with all the strength he had left, he ran towards the direction. But he wasn't successful. He was losing all hope, yet he kept turning corners.
He called, "Please! Is anyone there? please.... help me..... help me....."
He was lost, he was tired, injured, he had bleed too much, had not strength, hadn't eaten for a day, and was losing all hope.
Just as he collapsed again, he heard footsteps and someone calling. but he knew. He was hallucinating, no one would come for his help.
through his bare minimum consciousness, he saw it. A light, shining, piercing his eyes. And shadows. They surrounded him. And a sweet voice, he could barely hear, but calmed him, like a lullaby.
'Maybe...Maybe... its finally time.... I guess that's it... i'm free from this world... im happy...'