Chapter 5 – The First Trial
The first rays of morning sunlight kissed the waves around Kame Island, turning the sea into molten gold. The air was crisp and fragrant, carrying the faint scent of salt and seaweed, but the quiet of dawn was shattered by the sound of rapid footsteps, thumping fists, and a small, high-pitched shout.
Raiven darted along the shoreline, fists slicing through the air, tail flicking in perfect balance as he executed tiny spinning kicks. "Hyaaah! Take that! And that!" His wild, spiky hair danced in the wind, eyes blazing with energy far beyond his two years.
From the porch, Master Roshi rubbed his eyes, his sunglasses sliding down his nose. "By the gods… what's that racket so early?!" He grabbed his staff and walked toward the boy, only to pause and watch. Raiven had stopped, puffing his chest out with pride, and then collapsed, face-first into the sand.
"Breakfast first, then power," he mumbled, tail curling protectively around him.
Roshi chuckled, stroking his beard. "Power, he says… at your age, you'll starve before you can throw a proper punch." He bent down, scooping Raiven into his arms. "Come on, little whirlwind. Eat first, train second. The world can wait."
Raiven groaned but his pride flared immediately. "Hmph! Saiyans don't starve!" He struggled, but Roshi carried him inside, muttering about the cost of raising a space child with a legendary appetite. Bowls clattered, rice flew, and fish bones disappeared in seconds. Raiven stuffed his cheeks, glaring at Roshi with mock defiance. "Old man, slow down!"
"You little…" Roshi muttered, waving a hand. But deep inside, he smiled. This boy was no ordinary child. Even in laughter and chaos, Raiven's presence radiated an unshakable strength, like a spark buried deep beneath innocence.
---
After breakfast, the day's true trial began. Roshi led Raiven to a hill on the mainland, pointing to two massive wooden water jugs. "Carry these up to the top," he said, voice calm but firm. "And don't spill a drop."
Raiven blinked, wide-eyed, then grinned. "That's easy! Watch this, old man!" He lunged forward, fists pumping, tail whipping like a whip for balance. The jugs wobbled precariously with every step. Water sloshed violently, drenching his small legs, and Raiven staggered, gripping the handles with all his might.
"Whoa—whoa!" he yelled, almost toppling, but his pride refused to let him quit. Step by step, stumble by stumble, he reached the top, soaked and exhausted. He dropped the jugs with a thud, water dripping from the rims.
Roshi approached, tapping a finger against the empty jugs. "Almost none left inside. Careless."
Raiven's jaw dropped. "What?! I… I carried them all the way!"
"That's not enough. Precision counts more than speed." Roshi shook his head, hiding a smirk behind his beard. "Again."
Raiven groaned but stood taller, tail flicking defiantly. "Fine! You'll see this time!" And he charged again, water spilling less with every careful step, slowly learning control.
---
By midday, Raiven's cheeks were flushed, sweat streaking his face, and his tail kept knocking over stray rocks. Roshi led him to a small field, pointing to the soil. "Now, plow this by hand. Precision and power. Nothing else."
Raiven groaned, bending to claw the dirt. The soil clumped under his tiny fingers, dust rising with every motion. He sneezed once, his tail knocking over a bucket. "Stupid tail! Get out of the way!"
Roshi shook his head. "Don't blame your tail. Blame your technique."
Grumbling, Raiven dug harder, rows slowly forming. Pride burned in his eyes. A Saiyan never quits.
As he dug, a strange vibration pulsed through his body. A faint glow flickered in his vision. The System whispered softly, almost unnoticed:
[Basic Saiyan Regimen Activated]
[Training Efficiency +5%]
Raiven's lips curved into a small smirk. Even the System wants me to train, huh? Fine… I'll show it what a Saiyan can do.
Each motion became smoother, more deliberate. Even in mischief, in spilling water or tripping over roots, Raiven's body began learning balance, strength, and precision. The tail, once a nuisance, now aided him subtly, snapping to counterweight as he dug and ran.
---
The afternoon waned, golden light filtering through the trees. Raiven, exhausted, flopped onto the grass, chest heaving. Roshi approached silently, observing the boy's raw potential. Every motion, every stubborn act of defiance carried strength far beyond what he had expected from a toddler.
Two years… and already this much raw energy? Roshi thought. If left unchecked, it could be dangerous. But disciplined… he could be a legend.
Raiven sat up suddenly, staring at the horizon where the ocean met the sky. His inner thoughts stirred quietly, a reflective undertone beneath his boisterous exterior:
Mother… I made it. I'm on this planet. I'll grow strong here… strong enough to honor you.
The wind carried the faint scent of salt and sand, ruffling his hair as a tiny, flickering aura sparked around him — untrained, wild, but undeniable. Another System flicker:
[Hidden Trait Detected: Mystique Core – Dormant]
[Condition: Growth through Emotion and Battle]
Raiven's eyes gleamed with determination. "Heh… this planet's my training ground. And one day, even the strongest won't be able to stand against me!"
---
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of red and gold. Raiven, soaked, dirt-streaked, and triumphant, raised his fists high. His laughter rang across the island, fiery, untamed, and full of promise.
Roshi leaned against a nearby rock, watching silently. His expression unreadable, yet his lips curved slightly.
This boy… is going to shake the world.
The waves rolled gently, reflecting the last light of day, and Raiven's faint aura danced like a flickering flame. It was only the beginning.