The Warmhearted
Whitney Lund throws me out of the base on the day my ability test results come out. "You were tested three times, and all three results show that you're a non-ability user, Maverick."
Raven Lincoln, her second-in-command, stands nearby with a look of disdain.
"Whitney has kept you around for three years even though you're just an ordinary person. She's done more than enough for you. You've already received the expulsion order from the base, so get out of here and stop being an eyesore."
I grip the expulsion order tightly, a lump forming in my throat. I've spent three years following Whitney, and just last month, I nearly died in a mutant rat horde just to gain enough points for her S-rank protective gear.
She held my hand back then and said, "I'll protect you for the rest of my life once I become the strongest ability user, Maverick!"
It turns out that everything I've gone through and risked my life over for the past three years means nothing to her. I'm nothing more than a resource dispenser to her.
One year later, the base's founding anniversary celebration is held. Whitney walks onto the stage to accept the Apex Hunter Award, but as soon as she sees the person presenting the award, her composure instantly shatters.