Kael finished loading the last crate of fruit onto the carriage, his muscles straining slightly under the weight. Despite the physical exertion, he felt… different. Stronger. Faster. The Arcana Core's energy was still coursing through him, a subtle hum beneath his skin that made every movement feel effortless. He wiped the sweat from his brow and glanced around the warehouse, making sure everything was in order before heading back to the kiosk.
As he climbed onto the coachman's seat, he felt a sudden shift in the air—a faint disturbance that set his nerves on edge. Before he could react, a hand shot toward him, aiming to grab his shoulder. Kael moved instinctively, his body twisting and dropping off the carriage with a fluid grace that surprised even him.
"Hey, bastard!" a familiar voice snarled. "Where have you been? What's with the makeup?"
Kael looked up to see Ryn standing there, flanked by his usual lackeys. The boy's face was twisted into a sneer, his eyes gleaming with malice. Ryn reached out again, this time trying to grab Kael's shoulder, but Kael raised his hand, countering Ryn's palm with a firm, deliberate motion.
Ryn's sneer faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of surprise. But it didn't last long. His expression darkened, and he clenched his fist, swinging it toward Kael's face with all the force he could muster.
To Kael, the punch seemed to move in slow motion. His heightened perception allowed him to see every detail—the way Ryn's knuckles tightened, the trajectory of his arm, the faint tremble in his stance. Kael tilted his head slightly, and the fist sailed past him, missing by inches.
Ryn stumbled forward, thrown off balance by the force of his own swing. He turned to face Kael, his face red with anger. "You think you're tough now, huh?" he spat, his voice trembling with rage. "Let's see how tough you are against all of us!"
The lackeys moved in, their fists raised and their expressions grim. But Kael didn't panic. He felt a strange calm settle over him, a clarity that sharpened his focus. His body moved almost on its own, dodging punches and countering with precise, controlled movements. He wasn't trying to hurt them—just to defend himself. But even his lightest touch was enough to send them stumbling back, their faces filled with shock and fear.
Ryn was the last to fall. He lunged at Kael with a wild swing, but Kael sidestepped easily, grabbing Ryn's wrist and twisting it gently but firmly. Ryn let out a yelp of pain, his bravado crumbling as he dropped to his knees.
"Enough," Kael said, his voice calm but firm. "I'm not your enemy, Ryn. But if you keep coming after me, I won't hold back next time."
He released Ryn's wrist and stepped back, his eyes scanning the group. They didn't move, their faces pale and their bodies tense. For the first time, they looked at him not with mockery, but with something resembling fear.
Kael didn't wait for a response. He turned and climbed back onto the coachman's seat, his heart pounding but his mind clear. As he urged the horses forward, he couldn't help but glance back at Ryn and the others, who were still standing there, frozen in place.
---
The ride back to the kiosk was uneventful, the rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels against the cobblestones a soothing counterpoint to the adrenaline still coursing through Kael's veins. He replayed the encounter in his mind, marveling at how easily he had handled the situation. Just a day ago, he would have been the one on the ground, bruised and humiliated. But now… now he was different.
When he arrived at the kiosk, his mother was waiting for him, her expression a mix of relief and curiosity. "You're back," she said, her voice warm. "Everything go all right?"
Kael nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah. Just a little delay, but everything's fine."
Lira studied him for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You look… different. Did something happen?"
Kael hesitated, then shook his head. "No, Mom. Everything's fine. I just… I think I'm ready for the cadet exam. This time will be different."
Lira's expression softened, and she reached out to squeeze his shoulder. "I believe in you, Kael. Just remember, no matter what happens, I'm proud of you."
Kael felt a lump form in his throat, but he nodded, his determination solidifying. He wasn't just doing this for himself anymore. He was doing it for his mother, for his father, and for the future he had always dreamed of.
As he unloaded the crates of fruit, his mind wandered back to the Arcana Core, to the energy that now pulsed within him. He didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: he was no longer the boy who could be pushed around. He was something more now. And he was ready to prove it.
---
Kael spent the rest of the day helping his mother at the kiosk, his mind constantly drifting back to the events of the morning. The encounter with Ryn had left him with a strange mix of emotions—pride, relief, and a lingering sense of unease. He had always dreamed of standing up to his bullies, of proving that he was more than just a "talentless bastard." But now that it had happened, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get more complicated.
As the sun began to set, Kael found himself sitting on the steps of the kiosk, staring at his hands. They looked the same as always, but he could feel the difference—the subtle hum of energy that seemed to flow through his veins. He clenched his fists, focusing on the sensation, and for a moment, he thought he saw a faint blue glow emanating from his skin.
"Kael," his mother's voice called from inside the kiosk. "It's getting late. You should head home and get some rest."
Kael nodded, standing up and brushing off his pants. "Yeah, you're right. I'll see you tomorrow, Mom."
Lira smiled, her eyes filled with warmth. "Goodnight, Kael. And… thank you. For everything."
Kael returned the smile, his heart swelling with affection. "Goodnight, Mom."
---
As he walked home, the streets of the capital were quiet, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by a peaceful stillness. Kael's mind, however, was anything but still. He couldn't stop thinking about the Arcana Core, about the power it had given him and the dangers it might bring. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew one thing for certain: he was no longer the boy who could be pushed around. He was something more now. And he was ready to prove it.
---